The Hindu Business Line : New ABC Chairman

Kurush Grant (in picture), the marketing czar of ITC, takes over the reins as Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) from Shanth Kumar of Deccan Herald. Soft-spoken and suave Grant hailing from Pune has the image of a "gets-things-done" person. His quiet authority and people skills should give him a relatively smooth run. Incidentally, it seems he is someone who is keen to shake things up and make a difference. Just what the doctor ordered for the ABC. We wish him well.

rmg Knocked Out

The advertisement created by rmg david for Knock Out, a spray women can use as a self-defence measure, sent the client and the agency diving for cover. The ad enraged sections of the target group who felt it meant women were sometimes to blame for the violence against them.

The headline appeared provocative to attract eyeballs but women in Delhi took umbrage and one saw the rather humbling sight of the client and agency head apologetically speaking on national television after agreeing to pull out the offending ad. I am sure Josy Paul meant no offence but creative licence can sometimes be pretty counter-productive. On the other hand, the product got national exposure at local rates. At what cost, some might ask. After all, wasn't it David Ogilvy (after whom rmg david is named) who said the customer isn't a moron, she's your wife?

Seminars and more

Looks like DNA seems to feel the seminar route is good for it. After the joint event with CNBC, they are all over the FICCI seminar on the print medium. And more: Mumbai is suddenly entering `seminar season.' There is the Brand Summit, the Rural Market seminar (driven by Anand Mahindra) the AAAI international seminar and the AdAsia all due in the next two months. Let's hope people have time to get some work done as well.

Indian Express

Everyone knows that The Indian Express is getting ready for an IPO. Advertising revenues have increased substantially, and set against a market scenario that claims a fall in its circulation (they are not ABC-certified) and increased competition, this is really very impressive.

With a profitable balance sheet, and media scrips appearing to be the flavour of the bourses, this is obviously the right time to tap the market.

One must share a wild rumour (don't we love them) that the Express is readying a war chest to make a determined bid to buy over Mid-Day. Frankly, the little stake they own in Mid-Day now doesn't seem to make much sense to anyone. If this rumour is true, it suddenly makes a lot of sense. And you read it first here.

Advertising on loos

The advertising industry is always looking for new avenues for its messages. Traditional media is passé. Buses, postal vans, taxis, auto rickshaws and the like are still relatively cool. Now, the municipal corporation has cleared the setting up of what they call "5-star toilets" at prime locations such as Colaba, Chowpatty, Haji Ali and Worli.

Advertisers are being welcomed to advertise on their walls. Well, you did say 360-degree communication, didn't you?

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New ABC Chairman

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