The Hindu Business Line : AAAI gets creative

First, one heard they kicked off a series of creative workshops that would be addressed by all the big creative names in the industry. Well, only the AAAI could have mustered so many big names for an effort like this. But then, if they don't nurture creativity, who will?

Also from the AAAI stable is an initiative to foster creativity in young members of the industry. A colour advertisement announced a contest to select a team of three young creatives who will be sent to Cannes to be the country's standard bearers at the `Young Creatives Contest' there.

Well, if the incentive of an all-expenses paid trip to Cannes, and that too, flying the tricolour doesn't excite the young ones, nothing will.

Country Manager Kapur

Ranjan Kapur, the erstwhile honcho of O&M, has been appointed Country Manager India for the WPP group. No one who attended his fabulous farewell party at the Land's End Hotel in Mumbai really believed that a fine mind like his would be put out to pasture. With the growing WPP presence in India, it makes eminent sense to have a man of the stature of Ranjan take the place that fell vacant with the sad demise of marketing guru Shunu Sen.

Sorry Ranjan, but you will have less time to doodle now.

Pune's Own

You've heard of a teaser ad campaign. Now listen to one with a difference. A packet landed up on several desks last week. It bore the legend `Pune's Own' in bold, and a line that just said `Kayani's Shrewsbury biscuits'. The packet, from an anonymous sender, contained the delicious Shrewsbury biscuits that are a trademark of Pune. The next day another box with the by now familiar `Pune's Own' sticker arrived. This time with bakerwadi, a trademark Puneri specialty savoury. With sweet and savoury making their presence felt, it was time to know who the generous benefactor was (though I daresay people were not complaining about a little more `tease').

All was revealed in the form of Pune's own Maharashtra Herald being re-launched with all the ammunition the Sakal Group has, and it has plenty, in Pune at least.

Mumbai Masala

Advertising legends never die. Nor do they just fade away. Alyque Padamsee is as active as ever. A recent circular announced an advertising workshop to be conducted by him. If you dare ask how many years it has been since he last worked in an advertising agency, remember, the most enduring brand he has built is the one called Alyque Padamsee. It's salience is fantastic. He keeps it fresh by doing new things all the time.

His immediate response to the great success of the play Vagina Monologues was to announce his creative offering titled Penis Dialogues. Like it or leave it, you have to agree it grabbed attention and kept him in the news for a week. When he does an autobiographical brand-building workshop, I'll sign up.

NRSC update

The clouds seem to be lifting around the NRS imbroglio. Various court cases have been withdrawn, and things could soon be hunky dory. Well, readers of this column would have expected nothing else. Don't blame us for saying, "We told you so". Way to go, Premnarayen!

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