Lessons from Bollywood

Give someone a Christmas they deserve

This is arguably the best ad I have seen this year and how simple it is done! What are your plans this Christmas?

Sharing joy multiplies it.

Top housing trends for 2015

One of the top trends driving today’s housing market is the demand for energy-efficient homes that don’t sacrifice comfort for quality. If you’re looking to purchase a new home, green features can save money both now and in the future, with numerous earth-friendly benefits. Here’s what is trending for 2015 and beyond.

Functional Spaces

Homebuyers are looking to get more functionality out of less space and often discover downsizing is a viable option for both young families and empty-nesters. Modular or manufactured homes are gaining popularity. Homebuyers enjoy thoughtful modern designs that maximize space and functionality, plus the waste from building an entire house in a controlled environment is minimal – typically fitting into just two 30-gallon drums or less.

Low-E windows

Windows are an investment that pays dividends for many years to come. Buyers are demanding at least double-paned options with low emissivity, also known as low-e, advanced window coatings that help retain heat during winter and keep it out during summer. This microscopic layer also blocks damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furniture.

Effective insulation

Homebuyers are asking about extra insulation in homes, including the walls, roof and flooring. Properly installed insulation that meets or exceeds national code requirements helps better regulate a home’s temperature so the furnace and air conditioner don’t have to work harder than necessary. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

Advanced heating and cooling features

According to a 2009 RECS Survey conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, space heating accounts for 41.5 percent of the average household’s energy consumption, which is why homebuyers seek atmosphere controlling features that can cut this number dramatically. More efficient and properly sized heating and cooling systems, such as a heat pump, use less energy, which makes the home much more energy efficient throughout.

Smart lighting alternatives

Homebuyers are demanding energy-efficient options to save money and energy. According to the EPA, CFL light bulbs use less energy than many other types, which makes them a smart option for an energy-efficient home.

Tight construction

It’s not just what you can see that makes a house green, it’s the process itself that can make a big difference. That’s why tight construction and tight ducts are a must when building a home. Builders must pay close attention to detail by sealing all holes, cracks and seams in ducts and construction assemblies. This helps to eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests and pollen, plus boosts comfort while lowering maintenance costs.

iPhone 6 is here

The wait is over.
iPhone 6 is getting launched. 
Apple's website says something exciting is on the way in the next 24 hours and GSM Arena has the specs listed. 

Here is what I want to see in my iPhone 6.

1. Better display: I want to see something between 4s and 5s. What? Are you giving me 4.7 inches? Thank you! How about a stronger glass, Apple?
2. Better front cam: I know you are dishing out 13mp/16mp cam with better flash, I hope you are adding a good quality front cam too for my selfies. How about a 5mp/8mp? Hey btw, can you integrate both the cams so I can take combined shots? Also a better photo editing software?
3. Better storage: How about ridiculous space without a lot of cost associated with it? How about 128GB/512GB? I don't want to keep deleting, storing my images, songs, files all the time. And a cloud based storage?
4. Faster processor: Surprise me! Give me your best.
5. Longer battery life: How about 3 days backup? I don't mind paying for this.
6. Affordable: Give me all this but don't don't kill me with the cost!

Are you ready yet?

Why you can't avoid video marketing

Kathryn Royster is the communications coordinator for HouseLens, the nation’s largest provider of walk-through video house tours. Her personal real estate passions are old houses and getting in over her head on restoration projects. This is her post from Inman.

Homebuyers are turning to the Internet before they turn to real estate agents, so you need to have an online presence if you want them to find you and your listings. But just putting up a website and feeding your listings to the local MLS isn’t enough. Homebuyers are increasingly turning to video for house hunting, and video is proving to be one of the most effective ways to corner the online market.

Still not sold on the idea? Maybe some statistics will convince you. By the numbers, here’s why you can’t afford to skip out on the video marketing revolution. (Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Google/NAR study.)

Buyers and sellers want video

In 2012, the National Association of Realtors found that 85 percent of buyers and sellers prefer to work with an agent who uses video marketing, but only 15 percent of agents are actually using video. In other words, there’s a huge untapped audience out there, just waiting to watch your videos. And since video-savvy agents are still very much in the minority, joining the video revolution gives you a major edge over your competitors.

Video increases leads

A study by international listing website Domain.com found that video increased listing inquiries by 403 percent. That’s inquiries, not just views. In other words, properties listed with video generated four times the number of quality leads.

That’s not surprising, given the information density and memorability of video. You’ve heard that a picture is worth 1,000 words? Well, Forrester Research found that just one minute of video is worth 1.8 million words — that’s the same as roughly 3,600 Web pages of text. And according to the Online Publishers Association, 80 percent of viewers remember what they’ve seen in online videos.

If you want buyers and sellers to not only remember you and your listings but do something about it, video is the way to go.

Video makes email marketing effective

If you’re like most agents, e-newsletters and email blasts are a big part of your marketing tool kit. We all know, though, that email marketing has its weak points. Plenty of people just delete marketing emails without reading them — and those who read the email won’t necessarily click through to your website or listing. You’re also struggling constantly against opt-outs.

Video can help on both fronts. Forrester Research found that including video in marketing emails doubles click-through rates. And according to marketing automation firm Eloqua, video reduces email subscriber opt-outs by 75 percent. Add video to your marketing emails, and you’ll not only hold onto your audience, you’ll get more engagement.

Are you sold yet? Come back next week to find out how to focus your video marketing efforts to get the biggest return on investment!

Order vs Chaos

Must watch to understand how we function. One of the most interesting and insightful videos I have seen recently. To market to us, you got to know us.

Respect women

This video by Havells has made my day and I couldn't help but share here with you all. Vasuda Sharma is natural and shining bright in this video where Havells and Vasudha and the other two gentlemen showcase how talent is important and not the stereotype roles.

Tatia PIlieva

Tatia PIlieva managed to stir up the marketing fundamentals.

Google more to find out!

A good ad from Axe finally!

Axe makes ads that are unrealistic. But I love this one and its message. Make love not war.

Be a batman

When small mosquitoes trouble you and sing, I-will-get-you song in a slow horrific lullaby then you take out the bat and feel like a ninja warrior. Don't you?

I think this mosquito bat is one of the best inventions that have really helped a common man. Especially in terms of usage(simple technology and very easily adaptable), availability(market penetration) and results. Should I call it the best example of buzz marketing? :)

And just think how powerful you feel once you have this bat in your hand? I for one feel like batman.

Pic is from here.

Illusions!

Do you believe what you see? Or should you?

Check this wonderful ad from Honda which uses forced perspective and anamorphic optical illusions to screw up your mind. No computer animation is involved—just clever camera work and paintings on the ground.

Watch the complete ad here. I don't think it adds anything to the brand value, but I am sure it adds a lot to brand recall.


Do you think creating a good brand image where you explain/impose your brand and the values it stands for is important or just creating eyeballs?

 

5 rules of high impact content

The 5 rules of audience engagement

1. Embrace unconventional thinking: Don't stick to the text book rules. If you think something works, go ahead.
2. Never underestimate your audience: They are smarter than you. So don't teach. Even a kid should understand what you are trying to say.
3. Master the art of storytelling: Build a story.
4. Incorporate eye-popping visuals: Spend more time, cost and effort ont he design
5. Make customer-obsessed marketing a team sport: Build a team where everyone is responsible

Celebrating freedom

For years women had to adjust or live up to the fact that jeans are men's domain. Not any more. I am looking at this beautiful ad and am loving it just for the fact that the need is deciphered and conveyed to you. So even if you didn't know that it existed, you now know and you are now aware.

I love the way it is shot, in different elements, shaded, leaving a lot to imagination and mystique look. It would go to the top of my best ads list for this year.

As a marketer your job doesn't end in showing how better your product is in comparison to x, y and z brands but it is in deducing the requirement and the hidden need and highlight that to showcase how your product fits in. Isn't it the most important element of your job? Isn't it the only one?

Monday Blues: Work, Lead, Finish

In a service/product oriented organisation, it is not the bottom or top-line that matters most, but how the front line works and handles the tasks!

Kick Monday Blues today. Be a frontline
person today. Work. Lead, Finish.

Pic is from Redwood's blog.

Mail is better

What do you think about this article? Is it true that all the modern hyped and all so relevant marketing tools of social media are not competent enough to beat the good old mailing technique? Are newsletters, mailer the only option or atleast the most successful option?

Well the article below says that. Here it goes:

In 2013, no company can expect to be taken seriously if it’s not on Facebook or Twitter. An endless stream (no pun intended) of advice from marketing consultants warns businesses that they need to “get” social or risk becoming like companies a century ago that didn’t think they needed telephones.
Despite the hype that inevitably clings to the newfangled, however, it’s relatively antique tech that appears to be far more important for selling stuff online. A new report from marketing data outfit Custora found that over the past four years, onl
ine retailers have quadrupled the rate of customers acquired through email to nearly 7 percent.

Facebook over that same period barely registers as a way to make a sale, and the tiny percentage of people who do connect and buy over Facebook has stayed flat. Twitter, meanwhile, doesn’t register at all. By far the most popular way to get customers was “organic search,” according to the report, followed by “cost per click” ads (in both cases, read: Google).

So can I ignore my facebook account and focus on the mailer? I don't think that is a good idea. I think facebook, twitter or any other account on social media allows you to build a character to your brand and then the original website, brochure and interaction allows you to seal the deal. A good organic mix is important for a successful marketing effort.

Is wife a gorilla?

Is wife a gorilla? No I am not hinting about the weight but is she angry, irritating and aggressive like a 1000 pound gorilla? I doubt so. But isn't some exaggerating good enough to ignore and smile about? After all everyone seems to love a wife joke once in a while.

Century ply came up with this ad campaign to commemorate the and to my surprise I found several people found it funny and not at all offensive and that it crossed a million views on youtube!

Though few of the reviews online talk about the durability, strength and finesse, the most it makes is focusing on the anger. I think it is fair enough to suggest that the ad made me remember the brand and hence won its share of my mindspace.

Ok here are the takeaways from this TVC:

1. You can be funny without hurting
2. Reality(or the lack of it) is accepted
3. Sometimes a twist is not needed
4. Subtle mentioning of the brand is good
5. Wife is not a gorilla! You are, if you forget your anniversary :)

Good job Century ply.

Rating: 2/5

Consumer prices rising!

All prices of the end consumers are rising in India. This includes basic things like sugar, gas, water, milk, fuel, vegetables and pulses have gone up!

Unni Krishnan & Tushar Dhara write in...

The consumer-price index climbed 9.9 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 9.75 percent advance reported earlier for October, the Statistics Office said in a statement in New Delhi today.

India’s consumer inflation is the fastest among 17 economies in the Asia-Pacific region tracked by Bloomberg. Reserve Bank of India Governor Duvvuri Subbarao held interest rates in October, and said last week that while price gains remain high, he expects they will ease in the January-March quarter.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government last week won parliamentary endorsement for its decision to allow foreign direct investment in supermarkets, a move it says can help lower food costs. The central bank meets next week to determine policy.

Vegetable prices climbed 14.74 percent last month from a year earlier, today’s statement showed, while sugar rose 17 percent and pulses gained 14.19 percent.

Pic is from here.

Business apps set to overtake consumer-centric market

Tejaswini writes: With the increasing use of smartphones and mobile internet in India, the market for enterprise-based apps is set to explode in the coming years, said an industry body official.

“Business apps or enterprise-based mobile apps market in terms of sale value will grow tremendously in India. It will outclass the market for consumer apps such as Whats-app and Google Maps,” said Gaurav Chopra, associate vice-president, Inte-rnet and Mobile Associ-ation of India (IAMAI).

According to global research firm Gartner, the application development software market in India is expected to grow 22.6 per cent to reach over $227 million in 2012, led by increasing adoption of software delivery through cloud-computing platform. “In the near future, every business enterprise will need a mobile app, given that the usage of smartphones and mobile internet is growing rapidly,” Mr Chopra told this correspondent.

Even Gartner study stated that 90 per cent of large enterprises and government agencies will use some aspect of cloud computing by 2015.

Currently, India is home to 9,000 app development companies.

“Emerging mobile applications, and devices are transforming the app development space rapidly, and are one of the top three CIO priorities at the enterprise level,” the study said.

According to a survey by leading consultancy Research2Guidance, India is slated to become one of the biggest players in the global app market by 2016, overtaking leading smartphone app markets such as the US, and five Western European Union countries. On the other hand, the penetration of smartphones in India stands at nine per cent of 913.5 million users, growing at an annual rate of 50 per cent.

Given that there is a massive potential for app development in the country, even the market for local apps is set to boom in the next two-three years.

Flavored air with potato chips

Sarah and me bought a pack of the family/party pack of chips today and she was wondering why they need such a big pack for so few chips and I mentioned this article. Am sure you would love reading it too.


Mumbai. Lay’s, the premium producers of packaged flavored air, faced a major crisis today when a production glitch resulted in far more potato chips being put into every pack of air than the “normal” level. Potato chips normally fill around 5% of the packet volume and they are helpful in adding flavor to “packaged air”, which is the flagship product of the company.

The production glitch caused this level to go up to 75%, sending the top management of the company in a tizzy. Before the Quality Control supervisor could detect it, hundreds of thousands of packaged air with “Magic Masala” flavor were already in the market and the news about the production glitch spread like wildfire.

“It was unbelievable!” 15-year-old Ravish Kumar exclaimed as he munched a handful of chips, “I bought the packet, slipped it in my school bag, and waited for my friend to go away before opening it, so that I don’t have to share those 12 chips with him. When I opened the packet I saw that it was full of potato chips! I immediately went back to the shop and bought five packets more, yes, can you believe it? Packets full of chips!”

People couldn’t believe their eyes when dozens of potato chips came falling out as soon as they opened the bulging packets.

Ravish claimed that it was the first time when he tried putting more than two wafers in his mouth in one go.

“I would normally put one at a time as I wanted to enjoy each one of those 12 valuable chips. But sometimes I’d put in two, as no one can eat just one. But boy, the human mouth is capable of taking in at least 12 chips in one go, see!” said Ravish as he enthusiastically crushed a bunch of 12 chips with his 32 teeth.

Hundreds others like Ravish too found out about the high amount of chips level in Lay’s flavored air packets and soon every general store was besieged by hordes of customers and chips enthusiasts, forcing police to resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

“Well, yeah, we always knew that they were packets of flavored air, but we bought them for those little chips,” claimed Ankit, a customer with lathi bruises on his left foot and 20 units of “defective” flavored air packets in his hands, “You know, it’s like some people buying eggs only for the egg white.”

Realizing that a high level of chips in a packet meant for flavored air could have adverse impact on consumers’ health, Lay’s has decided to recall all the defective packets of flavored air. The company has also issued a public apology.

“It has always been our goal to provide people with the finest flavored air that is becoming rare due to urban pollution. This is an aberration and we promise that such mistakes will not be repeated again,” Kareena, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Lay’s told Faking News.

Sources suggest that the production glitch happened when an employee accidentally changed the “Chips in Packet” (CIP) setting from “Commercially Available” to “For Advertisement Only”.

Lay’s PRO dismissed rumors that the top management had beaten up the erring employee because of whom Lay’s profit margins risked being wafer-thin.

“The official position of the company is that we treat our employees well. That particular employee fell down a flight of stairs after he had slipped off on a banana peel in the section where we are coming up with a banana flavored air,” Kareena clarified the “truth” in a press statement.

“There has been a mistake and the company will learn from it, No one will be Lay’d off! We do not give up so easily when the chips are down!” she added.

Consumer Psyche: Handicrafts Exports up by about 32%

Indian handicrafts market got a boost this year, especially in October with an increase in orders from new markets like Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The exports jumped by about 32 percent year-on-year to USD 55 million in October on the back of rising demand from emerging markets like Latin America and the Middle East. The country's handicrafts exports stood at USD 41 million in October last year, according to the data provided by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). However, demand was sluggish in Western markets like the US and Europe due to fragile economic growth, he said. The US and Europe together account for about 60 percent of the country's total handicrafts shipments.

During April-October, 2011-12, handicraft exports grew by 20 percent year-on-year to USD 1.2 billion. Among the items that registered the maximum growth in overseas shipments, woodwares exports increased by 46 percent in October, while handprinted textiles and scarves exports grew by 44 percent, artmetal ware exports by about 33 percent, shawls as artware exports by 30 percent and imitation jewellery exports by 29 percent.

The council expects handicrafts exports to touch USD 2.7 billion in the current fiscal. During April-March, 2010-11, handicrafts shipments jumped by about 26 percent to USD 2.3 billion in comparison to the previous fiscal. Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Jodhpur and Narsapur are the major handicraft hubs in the country catering to world markets, employing one million people.

There could be several reasons why this is happening. While the major reason could be the quality and cost effectiveness when compared to the competition, it is also the reach of the handicrafts to the buyer across the borders. With more manufacturers increasingly willing to push their wares online and soliciting trade, it is easier to be spotted and provides a wider choice.