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Samsung to sponsor hindi
films on Star Gold
Mumbai: After successful association of TVS with Saregama on Zee and
Close Up with Antakshri, also on Zee, yet another entity from the corporate world is
preparing itself to create the magic of brand association with specific programs on the
small screen.
Samsung Electronics has entered into a $0.5-million deal with Star TV under which it will
lend its name to Sunday blockbuster movie shows on Star Gold, Star TV's latest hindi movie
channel to go on air. To be called Samsung Sunday blockbuster, the deal is for 39 weeks
during which period Star Gold will beam hindi movies belonging to the sixties, seventies
and the eighties.
Confirming the development News Television India Ltd.'s executive vice-president
(marketing) L S Nayak said," apart from Samsung we have also entered into an
agreement with 10 other advertisers for sponsoring films to be showcased on the channel.
Talks are on with several FMCG companies too in this regard. The fact that we are pushing
Star Gold to smaller towns and cities across the country has paid off with most
advertisers."
Commenting on the deal, Samsung India vice-president (marketing) J H Park said," the
company has opted for Star Gold because it is a mass product which will have mass appeal
and viewership. This echoes Samsung’s own strategy which is to extend our reach to
smaller towns." He added that Samsung’s previous association with Star has paid
off.
Sources said Samsung will also be associated with an adventure programme on National
Geographic called Adventure One. The programme will involve on-ground promotion of
action-related activities, including bungee jumping.
To start with the adventure sports will take place in metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi
and Bangalore. Plans are afoot to take them to 10 other cities at a later date.
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Microsoft targets the home PC segment --- Launches Windows Me
New Delhi: Microsoft Corporation is now taking the home PC segment
seriously. Targeted at the home PC user, Microsoft Corporation, on 21st
September, launched its new operating system Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition or
Windows Me as it is popularly called in India. Windows Me is the latest upgraded version
in the Windows series and is an interim arrangement made by Microsoft Corporation before
it launches a whole new product code named Whistle. To be shipped to India in October
2000, Windows Me is based on Windows 98 code with some additional features primarily
focussed at home networking and digital media. For example the new digital media feature
enables users to have fun with pictures, video, music and games. The other key addition to
the Windows Me is the Home Networking features which allows users to easily plug and play
various digital and wireless devices onto the PC.
On the other hand Whistle will consist of all the
important features of Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me and is likely to replace all
the previous versions from the market.
Speaking at the launch function of Windows Me Sanjay
Mirchandani, managing director, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. Ltd. said,
"With Windows Me we now have an offering that caters to the specific needs of the
home segment. This launch reiterates our commitment to providing separate solutions for
our business and consumer audiences. Windows Me provides an easier and richer on-line
experience."
Mr NB Sunder, marketing manager, Microsoft Corporation
India Pvt. Ltd. added,"Windows Me also offers bundled software including the Internet
Explorer 5.5, Outlook Express, MSN Messenger Service and Net Meeting aimed at providing
best Internet experience." said N B Sundar, marketing manager, Microsoft Corporation
India.
Windows Me is priced same as Windows 98 at Rs 6,500 for
its full package product. Those users who want to upgrade their previous version can have
the Windows Me upgraded version at Rs 3,700 and the Windows 98 version at Rs 4,500.
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Electrolux
enters washing machine market
Consumer durables major Electrolux, which claims to have a 30 per cent share in the
refrigerator market, has finally entered the washing machine segment. The company, which
was denied permission to use the Voltas brand name, launched its own range of washing
machines on September 21 to be marketed and sold as "Maxclean". To begin with,
the company has introduced three models namely Luxury, Elite and Digitron, all in the semi
automatic category and priced between Rs 8,000 and Rs 9,000. The USP of the machines, as
claimed by the company, is its pulsator technology as opposed to the agitator method used
by most other washing machine manufacturers.
To help achieve its sales target Electrolux has also
launched a Rs 8-crore advertising campaign featuring dirty Rambo, a grubby little kid,
who, the company hopes, will be remembered as an icon of the ubiquitous penguin.
Speaking to the reporters at the launch function Mr Ram S
Ramsundar, CEO, Electrolux said,"The company will also be launching fully automatic
models soon. In fact virtually every month we will be launching new products."
Electrolux sees big potential in the washing machines
business as later it also has plans to tap the non household or the commercial segment.
Said Mr Ramsundar,"With pizza huts and pizza kings
opening everywhere we see good business potential coming through from their
kitchens."
The market for washing machines in India is estimated at 1.4 million units. Videocon is
the market leader with almost 50 per cent share followed by BPL and Whirlpool.
Electrolux hopes to capture a 15 per cent share by mid-2001. In fiscal 2001 the company
hopes to sell 75,000 units followed by 1,75,000 in fiscal 2002. "We want to grow at
the rate of 140 per cent in the next two years," said Anand Bharadwaj, vice-president
(marketing), Electrolux.
Globally Electrolux, with annual sales of over $16 billion, has a large presence in the
commercial washing machine segment with supplies to hotels, blood banks and hospitals.
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Ford plans to
make India an IT hub
New Delhi: Automobile major Ford Motor of the USA plans to make India an
IT hub and as first step towards this it will be setting up a software development centre
early next year.
John Larson, Ford's infotech director, Asia Pacific and
South Africa, said last week at the sidelines of the AGM of the Society of Indian
Automobile Manufacturers "Ford will set up a software development centre in India by
January next year for its future e-business solutions.
We are planning to invest about $3-5 million in 6-18 months in the new venture. The figure
could could go up to even $30-50 million in the future. However no final decision has been
taken as we in talks with various Indian IT companies for the project. India is set to
play a major role in our global strategies and it would be in the forefront for our new
e-business solutions."
Ford is also examining possibilities of buying automotive portals. It had recently
launched a B2B venture, Covisint, in equity partnership with General Motors, Daimler
Chrysler and Renault-Nissan.
John Larsen said,"The venture is expected to do online transactions worth $100
million over the next couple of years in Asia Pacific region once clearance from the US
government is received," Larson said.
On venture's relevance in India, he said: "Covisint will operate in India too and we
are also open to the idea of Indian automobile companies joining this portal but not as
equity partners.
Covisint may be spun off as a separate company and it may even go in for a public issue.
We want Covisint to have more market capitalisation than Ford."
Larson said Ford was also planning to set up call centres in the country for back-office
processing work on the lines of General Electric.
"The company is opening an office in India to explore possibilities of establishing
call centres in the near future," he said.
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Usha Beltron
acquires company in UK
Calcutta: A move which will strengthen its wire rope business, Usha
Beltron has bought into UK based Brunton Shaw limited in an all cash deal of 1.28 million
pounds. Usha Beltron manufactures steel, cables and wire ropes.
Rajeev Jhawar, managing director, Usha Beltron said,"the acquisition is in line with
the business strategy of the company. This will help us in moving from low value products
to high value ones. Price realisation could go up to $ 2,500 per tonne from $ 1,100 per
tonne by gainfully exploiting the capacity, which stands at 12,000 tonnes per annum. We
also have plans to transport semi finished goods from our Ranchi unit to UK because of
value addition. To begin with we will hold 80 per cent of equity of Brunton Shaw and the
balance will be held by Carclo. We will have the option to buy out the balance 20 per cent
two years from now." Carclo, primarily engaged in manufacturing plastics and cart
clothing, is a listed company having a turnover of 180 million pounds.
The wire rope division of Carclo, which was contributing only 4 per cent to its revenues,
had been spun off to form Brunton Shaw.
Commenting on the UK outfit Prashant Jhawar, vice-chairman of Usha Beltron Ltd.
said," Brunton Shaw was a respected and profitable company in UK having markets
worldwide. It is a win-win situation for both. With this acquisition we will be able to
access improved technologies as well as move into the matured rope markets of Europe, US
and South East Asian countries".
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Maruti's
contract workers go on strike
New Delhi: About 300 contract workers of Maruti Udyog's went on a strike
on Thursday, demanding better working atmosphere and wage benefits, even as the company
resumed the normal three-shift production schedule. The contract workers sat on a protest
dharna outside the Gurgaon plant.
The contract workers have been working at low salaries of Rs 50 per day without benefits
such as provident fund, canteen and uniform. ''We want a better working atmosphere and
better treatment for us,'' the contract workers said.
Jagdish Khattar, managing director, Maruti Udyog Ltd.,
said," Negotiations are on for settlement of all issues."
Meanwhile, the Maruti Udyog Employees Union also continued
with their agitation and slogan shouting outside the factory before resuming work Thursday
morning.
Emphasising that the union's agitation will not be withdrawn till a settlement is reached
with the management, G K Walia, treasurer of Maruti Udyog Employees Union said,"union
members would go on an indefinite strike if the the demands were not met. Management has
convened a meeting with the union on September 23. We will be meeting them and continuing
with our work. But the agitation will continue. In fact, we will only strengthen it with
time.''
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A new warranty
scheme on Hyundai cars
New Delhi: In a move, widely being looked upon to boost car sales,
Hyundai Motor India on Thursday announced a new warranty scheme for its premium small car
Santro and mid-size car Accent.
As per the new scheme the buyer will have the option of a third year warranty for the
Santro by paying Rs1,950 and an optional second year warranty for the Accent by paying Rs
2,950.
The optional plan, which coincided with the commercial production of the Santro, would be
offered to all existing and prospective customers at the company's dealerships in the
country.
The offer would cover all mechanical and electrical parts of the cars and customers can
purchase them any time before the expiry of the basic warranty of the vehicle.
Hyundai had offered a two-year warranty scheme to its customers in September 1999.
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