Tuesday, 5 March 2013

HOW CAN AAMIR KHAN TEACH COMPANIES ETHICS

Aamir Khan is known as one of the great marketing minds of bollywood. But one quality which distinguishes Aamir Khan from the actors is his ability and most of all the courage to speak the truth about the content and target audience of his movies.

When Peepli Live was released, Aamir khan clearly spoke that the movie is for a very limited audience. Not many people would be able to understand it and the masses would clearly not relate to it much. The actor of a stature of Aamir Khan could have easily promoted at a mass level and could have earned big bucks.
But he never wanted to create false expectations for its customers.
Even the promotions of talaash were of low profile because it was mainly for niche audience.

Now look at some of the past events which prove that companies actually make false claims through advertisment.
1.Athletic shoe company Reebok paid $25 million US in September 2011 to settle charges by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over claims that “toning shoes could strengthen muscles in the legs, thighs and buttocks. Ads featured women in shorts with shapely bottoms and even claimed the shoes would “make your boobs jealous .
2.The maker of Nutella, the hazel nut and chocolate spread, settled a class action lawsuit for $2.5 million US in April 2012 over its claims the treat was a healthy food. The lawsuit contended Nutella contained dangerous levels of saturated fat and was more than 55 per cent processed sugar.
3.Yogurt maker Dannon paid $56 million US in December 2010 to settle charges from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and class action lawsuits over claims that the probiotic bacteria in its yogurt could aid regularity and prevent colds or flu..
4.Even you find many universities which claim 100% palcements and education..which in actual is not the scenario.
5. Even there were claims that fast food and snack companies like Mcdonalds and KFC and Lay's contain higher level of fats and cholestrol...more than they claim on the packing of their products.

Ethics is a  quality every marketeer should imbibe i.e. not to create false expectations for its customers. All those claims you make about a product should be genuine.Customer is not dumb these days and the kind of revolution which takes place everyday on social networking sites against such unethical behavior could in the long run damage the reputation and growth of a company.
In short, Yooooooo.
REFERENCES: http://www.businessinsider.com/false-advertising-scandals-2011-9?op=1
 

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

HOW BRAND IMAGE AFFECTS FUTURE PROSPECTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Brand Image is not something related to just products or services. It has a huge impact on the future prospects of political parties and as such politicians too. If the branding strategy as such goes wrong, the parties do suffer in terms of less votes and loss in elections.

If you compare BJP and congress, one thing which is favor of congress is its image of that of a secular party and a party of masses. It cemented its image as a party of masses through its Aam Aadmi Campaign. BJP on the other hand is known as a party of Hindu's and mainly a party of the urbans and the middle class. 
Its strict stance on hinduism and the 1993 Babri Masjid Case and 2002 Gujarat Riots and the 2008 riots case against christians has cemented its position as a party which is anti-muslim and anti- christian. Muslims and christians shy away from voting for the party and are more inclined towards Congress.

Secondly, BJP'S blatant internal fighting and inability to project a strong leader for 2014 Lok Sabah elections has shown it as a party which is confused and leaderless. People have very less faith on the party and on its leaders. 
As such, these factors have created a negative image in the minds of people because of its it chances look bleak in the coming 2014 elections. So, negative brand image has its affects on political parties.

Other example is 2008 US elections. Obama won not only because of his strong campaign, but because the Republicans image declined cause of the recession and failure in Afghanistan. People saw a better alternative and his charisma helped him to votes then.
So, politicians should understand the image which they project in the minds of people will help them win votes in the long run. Public never inquires about the ground reality of any part, what they see in the media they react according to that only.