The Hindu Business Line : Thursday, December 11, 2003

How does a consumer decide?
Exploring the motivation behind a consumer's purchase decision can give marketers useful insights, says S. Ramesh Kumar. More

Diaper capers
It is tough, but diaper brands are correcting prices and becoming `hi-tech' to break through the Indian mindset towards disposable products. More

The changing game
Business planning should include taking a hard look at basic socio-economic and technological trends. It is here that companies can find their competitive edge. More

ADVERTISING

Catching 'em early
Insurance companies are rolling out schemes with children as their focus and parents as the target. More

The adoption story
Ad agencies have a big opportunity in social awareness campaigns as the brief is usually not complicated, which results in more creative freedom. More

MARKETING RESEARCH

Creating sound content
The genre continues to be niche, audiences remain the youth, differentiation remains a tough call, and competition keeps getting increasingly cut-throat. Catalyst examines the business of music channels. More

BRANDS

Ouch! It hurts!
Consumer psyche, when hurt by brands, is contagious. A brand manager needs a different set of skills to cleanse this hurt, which will inflict long-term damage otherwise. More

BOOKS

Selling is like golf or photography
E-COMMERCE is far more capable than the traditional salesman. However, there are "four pieces of information critical to buyers," which e-com cannot yield. That, from the blurb of The Sales Advantage by J.Oliver Crom and Michael Crom, with ... More

CARTOON

Hardsell
More

NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Power cleaning
COLGATE has launched a battery-powered toothbrush for children called Colgate Motion Kids. It is available in four designs - dinosaur, fire truck, ballerina and horse. The toothbrush is claimed to be easy to hold and waterproof. Its bristles ... More

Woolly wash
WIPRO CONSUMER Care and Lighting has launched a liquid detergent for washing woollen garments called Wipro Safewash. It is available across the country in 1 kg and 500 gm ... More

Wooden decor
VISTA LEVOLOR has launched wooden Venetian blinds under the brand name Ailanto. These blinds comprise 25 mm bass wood slats with the same mechanism as Venetian blinds. The range is available in three shades — natural, cherry and chestnut. ... More

Hair care
RAYLON INDUSTRIES has launched Regen Hair Vitaliser, which is a non-greasy liquid that claims to prevent excessive hair fall and regenerate growth within two months. It is claimed to be a herbal product, which can even be used for infants, ... More

Instant relief
PROCTER & GAMBLE Hygiene and Healthcare has launched New Vicks Formula 44 Cough Syrup, which reportedly provides relief up to eight hours from tough persistent coughs due to colds, as compared to the four-hour relief provided by a single dose of ... More

Handy book
ORION INDIA has launched a self-help book for busy managers and executives called The Effectiveness Handbook 2004. Apart from sections on monthly, weekly and daily planning, the handbook also helps to evaluate one's performance and understand ... More

Baby soft
BURBERRY has launched Burberry Baby Touch, a collection of lightly scented products for babies. The line reportedly contains a delicate fragrance in two versions, with and without alcohol, and comprises products such as massage oil, body shampoo ... More

Kidstuff
FUNSKOOL INDIA has launched a range of toys for the Christmas season. They include Willie Go Boom, Beetle Race, Trivial Pursuit Kids, Learn & Write and GI Joe Windmill. Trivial Pursuit consists of 1,344 questions framed by quizmaster Derek ... More