PanGrow’s Post

Had an interesting conversation with Merkle Sokrati team on the changing digital advertising landscape. Thanks Akhil Madipelly for an insightful chat and Diksha Grover 🌱 Vaishnavi Vajjhala Abhishek Bannalikar for inviting me to the podcast. #digitalmarketingpodcast #privacyfirstadvertising #digitaltransformation

What Auto Rickshaws in Mumbai Taught Me About Brand Marketing 🚀 I am in Mumbai right now and I just had a mind-boggling realization in the heart of Mumbai. Auto rickshaws here actually use meters. Yes, you read that right, a magical device that calculates your fare accurately. Who knew? Compare this to the chaotic world of Bangalore autos, where auto drivers seem to think they’re running a luxury cab service, charging you a mini fortune for a short trip. It’s like the auto drivers have a secret formula to calculate fares - involving black holes and parallel universes. Then they complain about losing business to apps like Rapido, Uber, and Ola, but they’ve driven customers away with their sky-high fares. Now, here’s the kicker: Imagine if these auto drivers united and decided to use meters. They could single-handedly disrupt the app-based auto market. But short-term greed has clouded their long-term vision. Sound familiar, marketers? This got me thinking about the marketing world. Just like those Bangalore auto drivers, many brands know exactly what they need to do to capture attention—think creative campaigns, engaging content, and a clear, consistent message. But what do they do? They cram videos with endless features and end up with zero ROI, then scratch their heads wondering what went wrong. It’s a cycle, right? Sometimes, sticking to the basics and being genuine (like using a meter) can make all the difference. So as marketing folks, let’s take a page from Mumbai’s auto drivers: Keep it simple, authentic, and customer-focused. So, the next time you're plotting a marketing strategy, remember: It’s not about overloading your audience with features; it’s about delivering value and building trust. #Marketing #BrandStrategy #KeepItSimpleStupid #MumbaiDiaries #BangaloreTales  

In the imminent cookie-less marketing world, how are businesses utilizing new techniques to adapt? How can fledgling brands leverage the climate to stay ahead of the curve? From taking advantage of digital eCommerce to the specifics of server-to-server tracking and Data Clean Rooms, join Akhil Madipelly –AVP, Digital Center of Excellence and Gauri Basant Sharma – Digital Marketing Manager at Bajaj Auto Ltd. in an insightful conversation tackling these issues. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/e_mUJ7dD #Sokrati #GrowWithSokrati #DigitalMarketing 

Auto hood branding in India is a cost-effective and efficient method for reaching a diverse audience, with about 10 lakh auto rides happening daily across 90 cities. India has a thriving auto advertising market valued at US$3.1 billion, with 2.4 million battery-powered three-wheeled rickshaws roaming the roads and 11,000 new ones entering service monthly. Auto hood branding appeals to small and medium-sized businesses due to its lower cost and extensive reach, making it a highly sought-after form of transit advertising in India.Some benefits of auto hood advertising in India include brand recognition, customer loyalty, resale value, product line expansion, customer advocacy, longevity, global presence, and marketing efficiency. Contact details for those interested: 7042394977, akashverma@yorkmediasolutions.in #innovation #management #HumanResources #digitalmarketing #technology #creativity #Future #futurism #Entrepreneurship #Careers #Markets #Startups #Marketing #SocialMedia #venturecapital #socialnetworking #leanstartups #Economy #Economics #socialmedia #socialnetworking #venturecapital #motivation #sustainability #healthcare #education #design #sales #fundraising #construction

The advertisement that revolutionized the concept of connecting emotionally with #consumers What do you term a piece of #marketing communication that transcends the mere establishment of #brand rapport? One that resonates with the collective consciousness of an entire nation. Seems like tough ask. Yet, that's precisely what the renowned Hamara Bajaj advertisement from Bajaj Auto managed to accomplish nearly three decades ago. The year was 1989. Bajaj Auto had already secured its position as the leader in the two-wheeler market. It was a time when owning a two-wheeler symbolized aspiration in India. However, the landscape was shifting. Many foreign brands were entering the market. Companies like LML vespa, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha were making mark in the two-wheeler segment, captivating consumers with their style, designs and aesthetics. Although #sales figures weren't plummeting drastically, Bajaj recognized an issue with its brand image. Consumers viewed Bajaj brand as reliable and durable but outdated. The newer foreign entrants held a stronger association with modern aesthetics. The 'foreign tag' may have contributed to their allure. Bajaj realized that to reinforce its brand's #valueproposition among consumers, it needed to shift the conversation from functional aspects to an emotional platform. But how could an already beloved brand enhance its emotional appeal in a market where it held a leadership position? The brand lacked a foreign partnership to showcase, unlike its competitors. What if this vulnerability could be converted into strength? The result was the advertisement for its flagship product, Bajaj Chetak, which aimed to evoke a sense of Indianness in its quest to establish emotional engagement for the Bajaj brand. The #advertisement positioned Bajaj not merely as a mode of transportation but as an integral part of an Indian's life. What made the slice-of-life advertisement effective was its carefully curated snippets portraying the diverse aspects of Indian life and culture, aligned with the #communication objective. Let's not forget the iconic jingle, complemented by a memorable soundtrack. The television #commercial struck a chord with millions of viewers—continuing to do so—imparting valuable lessons on marketing and brand building along the way. It's a masterclass in leveraging cultural insights and crafting a meaningful narrative to establish an emotional connection with consumers. Fun fact: The appeal of this advertisement has been so enduring that it has officially been remade at least thrice since 1989. #emotionalintelligence #sales #mba #highereducation #managementeducation #consultant #training #branding #auto

Companies which fail to distinguish between Benefits vs Features can fail in sales of products Additionally other reasons , including poor market research, ineffective marketing strategies, inferior product quality, lack of differentiation, pricing issues, and inadequate distribution channels contribute to failure of sales of product. Several Indian companies have faced significant challenges and failures in their product sales over the years. Here are a few notable examples: Tata Nano (Tata Motors) Reason for Failure: Safety concerns and poor marketing. Details: Touted as the world's cheapest car, Tata Nano faced issues with its perception as an unsafe vehicle. The marketing failed to position it as an aspirational product, leading to poor sales. Hamara Bajaj Chetak (Bajaj Auto) Reason for Failure: Market shift towards motorcycles. Details: Once a popular scooter, the Bajaj Chetak couldn't keep up with the market's shift towards motorcycles, leading to its decline in sales. Pepsi Blue (PepsiCo India) Reason for Failure: Poor consumer acceptance. Details: The novelty of blue-colored cola didn't resonate with Indian consumers, resulting in its quick exit from the market. Subhiksha Reason for Failure: Overexpansion and poor financial planning. Details: The retail chain expanded too quickly without proper financial management, leading to its collapse.

"Marketing Lessons from Mumbai Rickshaw walas" During a recent visit to Mumbai, upon my arrival at Bandra Railway Station, I found myself surrounded by 10-15 auto rickshaw drivers, pitching their services. Amidst the hustle and bustle, I observed various tactics they employed, which offer valuable lessons in marketing. 1) Identifying needs Few of the auto drivers observed that I had 2 heavy bags; they had identified my problem and my need for assistance with carrying the luggage. Due to this observation, they offered to take me all the way to my destination and lend a hand with my luggage. This is a phenomenal example of customer-centricity, showcasing how attentiveness to individual needs can be a powerful marketing strategy. 2) Having a Unique Selling Proposition Products & services require differentiation. I recall one auto rickshaw driver offering to provide a guided tour during the journey. He said, "Aapko mumbai dikhate huwe chalenge" (We'll show you around as we go). This unique selling proposition (USP) set him apart from others. 3) Pricing The auto drivers provided justifications for their rates(parking fees on railway station) which made the prices more rational & reasonable. They were open to bargain and were even willing to reduce their prices by 100 or so if needed. However, they maintained their own pricing thresholds. Below a certain price point, they were unwilling to negotiate further. As a student of marketing, I think it’s fascinating how marketing naturally comes to us. We indeed do get formal education to refine our skills. Food for thought; Do you believe marketing is something that can be taught, or is it primarily a matter of inherent ability? Drop down your views. #marketing #marketing101 #mumbai #mba

There is always an eccentric one in the family who breaks the traditions and rules and becomes a leader for others, detailed market research work can help you become the next leader in the B2B and B2C market. With constant changes in the market, businesses face challenges to achieve success. This is not just for the pre and post-COVID era but rather has been going on since the 80s and 90s. One such business is Maruti Suzuki, which is the leading car manufacturer in India, with a market share of nearly 48%. This company made a breakthrough in the car business by offering adorable, reliable, and fuel-efficient cars that suited the needs of Indian customers. Maruti Suzuki invested in research and development, quality control, and innovation, and introduced new models and variants to cater to the changing customer demands and market trends. Maruti Suzuki’s journey in the car business is a remarkable example of how a company can create a strong brand identity and loyal customer base by understanding and fulfilling customer needs and expectations. Your brand can be the next one to break through and become the topmost brand with detailed and articulate market research and an understanding of consumer behavior. DM or comment below to learn how 👇 #marketresearch #consumerbehavior #freelancer #marketanalysis #marketresearchreport

What can we learn from Amul / Parle-G ? Product value is the benefit that a customer gets by using a product to satisfy their needs. . It is how good the product is at addressing customer pain points. Amul is so popular because cooperative model empowers farmers by giving them control on empowerment, processing and marketing. Amul was founded in 1946 and is going very strong. Parle-G is so popular because it is a comfort food & affordable to masses as well. Parle-G was first manufactured in the year 1929 on a very small scale in Mumbai & has got millions of loyal customers across India. Similarly, Electric Vehicle (car segment in particular)  needs to address the battery charging issue. Just to share, 16.75 lakh EV vehicles were sold in India between period;   1-4- 2023 to 31-3 2024 – that’s 42 % more EVs than in FY2023. However, PV (car segment) was only 90000 out of this which is only 5.37 % of total EVs sold. One major pain point which emerges when customers want to buy is their Anxiety about EV CHARGING; how can it be done fast & easily so that customer can take the decision of buying an EV car. Are we listening to the customers? Ashish Chutani Mayank Raizada

How could Maruti Suzuki India Limited make such a huge mistake? Maruti Suzuki India Limited on 12/05/202, published a print ad on page 30 of Rajasthan Patrika Pvt. Ltd. (check the screenshot) Now let's make one thing extremely clear. I know that these print ads are published only because the HQ demands it and not because they bring any kind of value, like leads for the company, which can be converted into revenue. Now that being said, check the print and you will find that there is only one CTA, which is the QR code, which upon scanning takes the user to a web page where the user can see the car using "AR." However, it is not working. Please check the link to the YouTube video (https://lnkd.in/d_Uh9-Yi) So if you are paying over 10 lakh for a full-page advertisement on a leading newspaper like Rajasthan Patrika Pvt. Ltd. Then make sure that the main CTA is working properly; otherwise, all your money spent will be a waste. Now I am also aware that 10L is nothing to a brand like Maruti Suzuki India Limited but it would not hurt to make sure that the QR code leads to a page that does work. PS I noticed that there is a vacancy in Maruti Suzuki India Limited for Digital Marketing Manager. Devjeet Pradhan, Shreya Sinha, Rajat Mittal, Rajesh Uppal, Ritrik Jain, Mandvi Shringi. Please consider this post as proof that I am capable of handling the online presence of your brand. #marketing #digitalmarketing #rajasthanpatrika #printads #dwivediworks