The Hindu Business Line : Thursday, May 20, 2004

The wheels are turning
IT'S a congregation that is unlikely to be a daily affair, unfortunately for cycle makers. Thousands of cyclists with their machines gathered one morning in Chennai to participate in a 24 km rally organised by TI Cycles. There were enough ... More

Cleaning up the copybook
A BRIBERY scandal rocked Modi Xerox in 2002, at a time when `the document company' was having troubles in several of its locations worldwide. The relationship with the Indian partner, the Modis, had also been on the rocks for some time. ... More

INSIGHT

What the markets can teach politicians
THIS is not a column devoted normally to political commentary. Yet one has to recognise the fact that the world of markets, strategy and marketing actions that are central to its themes are inevitably affected by the world of elections. As ... More

INTERVIEW

`The Internet needs its proper cultural tweaks'
He describes his journey as one from the IIT in India to the IIT in the US. Yes, a product of IIT Madras, Prof Paul Prabhaker is currently Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Marketing at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Stuart ... More

ADVERTISING

Divya Bhaskar
When it comes to the print media, Gujarat defies the national pattern. For years Gujarat Samachar and Sandesh had carved up the State, functioning in a manner that only they understood. Understandably, eyebrows were raised when an ... More

Now the West is won
We've always believed that anything from the West is scientific, and modern and true. Something to be looked up to. Something to emulate. It probably stems from over years and years of colonial rule. Whatever be the reason, it is a fact of life ... More

In Ash's shoes
THIS summer Lux is interacting with its consumers through its first mega promotional campaign (Lux Star Bano, Aish Karo contest) featuring Aishwarya Rai. Created by its advertising agency JWT in Mumbai, this is not the average promotional ... More

The perfect occasion
THEY seem like non-reasons (read excuses) but they are as good as any other. How often do you get to see a movie without the kids? How often do you not find your mom-in-law tiresome? How peaceful, when it's the day of her maun vrat! ... More

BRANDS

The real brand ambassador
IN my last column I discussed the piquant situation that arises when `branding the experience' clashes with `experiencing the brand.' The case in point was the twin paradoxes of Indian Airlines, whose improved service is not reflected in ... More

BOOKS

Product design is rock climbing, not free fall
DESIGN is not a last-minute gloss after `real product development,' writes Bruce Nussbaum in his foreword to Creating Breakthrough Products, by Jonathan Cagan and Craig M. Vogel, and published by Pearson Education (More

NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Fine writing
LUXOR WRITING Instruments has launched Pilot Hi-Tecpoint 05 and Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5. Pilot Hi-Tecpoint 05 has a three-dimple needlepoint tip for extra smooth fine writing. Available in four ink colours, blue, black, red and green, it is ... More

Cool heights
DAIKIN SHRIRAM Air-Conditioning has launched ceiling-suspended cassette models. It is targeted at places in which the ceiling height is very low, a common occurrence in India. It does not need a false ceiling. Priced from Rs 1.04 lakh, this model ... More

Snazzy gizmo
NOKIA has launched the Nokia 2300 mobile handset. It offers FM radio, built-in polyphonic ring tones, Xpress-on colour cover options and three games. A dual-earpiece headset is included in the sales package. The Nokia 2300 is also the first Nokia ... More

Bon appetit!
CHARAK PHARMA has launched a natural appetite stimulant for children called Aptizooom. It claims to not only help increase appetite but relieve flatulence and enhance digestion. It is anti-helminthic in ... More

Wireless affair
SAMSUNG INDIA Electronics has introduced a wireless home theatre, HTD390. It uses Bluetooth technology to provide a wireless connection to the rear speakers of the channel speaker set-up, eliminating the need for rear wires. It is priced at Rs ... More

Squeaky clean
HINDUSTAN LEVER has launched Domex Thick. Priced at Rs 22 for 500 ml, the formulation has a combination of sodium hypochlorite, alkali and detergents. It can be used inside the WC and on its surface, in the bathroom on enamel and marble ... More

Paint it away
JOHNSON & JOHNSON has introduced Dermabond, new `liquid stitches' that help close wounds without using sutures. Dermabond is the first US FDA-approved skin adhesive that helps protect surgical incisions and seal out bacteria that can lead to ... More

Bigger picture
SONY INDIA has launched the new Sony Plasma Wega range. The Plasma Wega KE-42MR1E and KE-50MR1E are priced at Rs 5,49,990 and Rs 6,99,990 respectively. The line features Sony's most advanced entertainment innovations - Media Reality technology ... More