‘Nobody ever spoke to me like that’ – that’s what Ramesh thought and literally muttered to himself as he stood by the traffic lights. He has been a traffic police cop since 12 yeas and has been posted at this locality which is the ‘hub’ of business activity (read – HEAVY traffic in the mornings and evenings) He was surprised when he saw this car driver abruptly stopping his car. The driver walked up to Ramesh with a smile, gave him a hug and said “I pass from this route daily and I quite admire the way you always appear cool amidst all this heavy traffic. Just thought I will come and tell you how nicely you are doing your work. Thank You”

As the driver sped off, he left behind a traffic cop who was managing the traffic an was thinking 'Nobody ever spoke to me like that' and had a smile on his face

Peace and equanimity

Source - A headline in some Mumbai Newspaper yesterday

Just when I thought I have interpretted it all (self praise of the highest order you see!) about how Airtel and Idea and cornering Vodafone (you can read the post here http://www.mouthshut.com/diary
/iiifputun/What-an-idea-for-bac
kscratching-Sir-ji ), Vodafone does something in the trademark simple manner!!

While Airtel and Idea continue their back-scratching of the government by showing the good deeds the 'youthful' and 'new' government is doing, Vodafone will now put Zoo Zoo's on Mumbai roads to teach effective road traffic discipline (liasioning with The Mumbai Traffic Police!)

Vodafone will benefit from this socio-branding initiative and position themselves as a brand which 'does' and not 'praises what is done'...and all of this - without a celebrity and 'oooooooooh aaaaaaaaah' factor!!

Hah! that completes this DP

Peace and equanimity

Hmmm
Just saw 2 adverts (irnonically both advertise mobile telephony) and was amazed to see the message(s) conveyed and the manner of the same..
1.Shreyas Talpade shown as a young politician walking into the parliament...hmmm...any reference to a young neta from Congress party??

2. Abhishek bachchan's old advertisment (stating that everyone will be remembered by their mobile numbers and not sir-names), smartly moulded to appreciate the unique id number initiative taken by the government
AND

Another old advertisement featuring Abhishek bachchan to (spread the message of tele-schools) smartly moulded to appreciate the governments 'free basic education' to the kids initiative.
Hmm....who took cues from whom??

People say it's a new way to back-scratch the new government and corner the Zoo-Zoo competitor(especially after the tax fiasco commited by the Zoo-Zoo company which has put it in the bad books of the government)
But hey...I am keeping my mouthshut...

Peace and equanimity

Mike punched the air roaring "YES!!" as he drove out of the parking area of his NEW sea-facing flat. It was his dream since he was taking his management education to have a flat in THE locality of the town. His flat has sea view from all the rooms. Of course it's not been easy. He is 38 now, he gets irritated easily, and his family life isn't exactly fine. He looks 55, but has a sense of achievement and feels upbeat. He feels has nothing left to conquer and he can now..enjoy the life.

Mike had to apply breaks because an ecstatic Steeve was literally running to catch the bus.

Meet steeve - A local boy living in the suburbs of the same town. He is happy because he helped another widow of a slained policeman (during the recent terrorist attack) get a job. He needs to meet another widow with similar fate today because his job never ends (a self imposed duty if you like to call it that)

He feels a sense of achievement too...

Peace and equanimity

Today the BOSS of hindi film music was born....I cannot write anything to pay tribute...just mark this place to pay my homage to a wonderful composer who left us a bit too soon (isn't this a habit of all those who we love?)

Happy birthday pancham da...I miss you

Peace, equanimity, doodling, bass guitar, Haw! (mehbooba-mehbooba type!) and lots & lots of love to you

Just watching some ads in between the cricket match (no thank you to the TV serials by the way) and couldnt help but notice the new (and in some cases refreshing) trend about using the familiar (not famous) faces in TV ads and continuing their story as a part of the 'brand story'. Here are some examples

1. The reluctant and somewhat worried middle aged housewife who was showin earlier in the i-pill advert is now shown counselling her female friend on not having unprotected sex

2. The somewhat cute and a little oversized guy in'tu 7up pi, 7up!' was earlier shown counselling his friend on how to win over a girl in family function, after which he was counselling his friend on how to win over a girl with a dog...is finally chasing shahrukh khan and his Knight rider team...hmmmm

3. Although slightly out of context, I would like to mention about Mr. Dharampal Gulati, the founder of MDH masaley as well. The philosophy of their Ads is quite simple...do whatever and put this majestic old man in the advertisement somewhere in between or the end...If you think it doesn't work...then tell me how many of us would remember any other celebrity (except Amul baby) endorsing one and only ONE brand...kudos!

4. The most recent (and thoroughly enjoyable) example has to be the family shown in 'max new york life' latest ads!! Watch how mad the wife becomes on the cute uncle shouting 'who goes from Lucknow to Kanpur to have a coffee??' The second ad in the series is even better!!

5. We all remember the 'Nirmala ji' from Rin...dont we? :) Her typical 'bhai saab!' rings back in my head again!! (ERROR - It means 'Lalita Ji - thanks Nirvana. for pointing it out..)

6. The absolutely wonderful doggy of Vodafone and the kiddo (the boy and later the girl) - Weren't those ads wonderful? So much so that other brands did not even think of hiring that doggy because it could have confused the audience into thinking that it is 'yet another vodafone ad!'

I know I may have missed some more examples but the intent was just to ponder loudly over this recent trend of the advertisers making celebrities out of a layman and how it helps in identifying the brand. I am tempted to conclude that this concept looks 'far too fresh' and 'economical' rather than employing a so called famous walking prop (also known as a celebrity)

On a totally different note, have you guys seen - 'bring maruti car to a maruti showroom only' advert? I find it amazing...

This post is dedicated to bodhisatva_1978. His comment on this post http://www.mouthshut.com/diary
/jjggpmnun/TV-Advertising-Some-
ads-and-what-I-think-of-them#an
cComments yesterday prompted me to write this one...so if you are feeling bored....please hit him and not me :P

Hah..that completes the post...

Peace and equanimity

Almost anyone who is blessed with eyes, a TV and knowledge of computers is writing about advertising these days...and I am happy to join that elite club :). Pardon me if this DP looks idiotic...its not meant to sound intelligent anyway...

1. Forbes magazine - 'How to read a forbes?' - And the advert shows us an executive refusing to go off her car to meet the waiting delegates/employees because she is busy reading forbes...Hmmmmm 'No sense of seriousness for other's time'! Man! this is what the advert communicates to me....and it reminds me of 'Kellogs - we are here to teach Indians good breakfast habits' campaign...Kellogs had to indulge in massive rebranding exercise...hope forbes wont need to...

2. I CANT hear you - pepsi advert - I must confess I hate celebrities in advertisements...and Pepsi was working overtime off late to bug the hell out of me (remember - Ranbir...deepika...yuuuuuuuuk!
). Finally they have an advert which does not provoke vomitting! Since it is an international advert, the makers have carefully replaced an Indian voice but the effect is very 'youngistan-ish' unlike a sick looking Ranbir kapoor giving us a lecture on the same (Vomit alert!!)

3. Luminous invertors featuring Sachin Tendulkar and Zahir khan - Man! what were they thinking!! An unshaven Sachin tendulkar (with a Mumbai Indians T-Shirt!) along with a very serious Zaheer Khan try and tell us why it is important to have one. As much as I loved watching IPL, I feel an 'India' T Shirt would have been a better idea as it doesn't give a 'dated' effect....Boooooooo to Luminous

4. Intel - sponsors of tomorrow - Ah! Good companies are light years ahead of their competition and how! Intel showcases their real 'rockstars' (employees) and their 'open' office with a line 'our superstars are little different from your superstars'. The only problem with the advert is that they are showing actors and not the real employees. The co-inventor of the USB Ajay Bhatt looks totally different from the actor who features in the advert but man! the idea is conveyed and how! While the competition haggles over showcasing the benefit of the product, Intel has taken the game higher by showcasing their company! It's only apt that the ad ends with the signature 'Intel inside' music voiced by their employees...Ba! Bom bom bom bom!! :)

5. Tata Safari - The latest advert with a lovely song playing behind (resembles the gladiator theme) places the brand where it should be...in the heart of the consumers...The witty captions like 'what would you remember when you retire?' and the off road visuals (without any hint of the real product) directly appeals to target audience. I can watch this advert N number of times and it never fails to amaze. Watch out the careful dim light effect through out the advert

Hah!! That completes the post....

Peace and equanimity

“I couldn’t be standing at the wrong conveyer belt” – Ramesh murmured to his somewhat impatient self as he checked the time to realize that he has been waiting for his baggage to arrive since last 20 mins.

For a moment he went back to reciting the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ hoping his father would be alright for whom he is carrying a blood plasma filter from Mumbai which is kept in the ‘check in baggage’. He has to rush to the hospital straight from the airport and he can’t be late – he thinks again.

Still he sees the ‘priority’ baggage lying un-claimed taking rounds

The word ‘priority’ and its varied meanings for different people....

Peace and equanimity

He was smiling as he arrived in the office

He wanted to dance with the guys in the office who were happy that they got a 'very big deal'

But he kept the parcel and navigated his way back to the elevator...

Meet Ranjit - He has done his Post graduation, and he delivers courier parcels in the offices

Was hearing 'Babul mora naihar chuto jai' . Its a thumri written by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow in which a daughter is bidding good bye to her father after getting married.

When Nawab Wajid ali Shah was summoned to leave Lucknow by the British, he penned this thumri. The word 'babul' actually refers to Lucknow in this composition and if you hear it for long, you will have tears slowly rolling down your cheeks because you can feel the sadness in the words.

Guys can never understand and feel the pain that a girl goes through when she leaves her home for her husband, but I guess one can get pretty close via this Thumri.

This Thumri been sung by all and sundry but some have sung it brilliantly and topping that list is Mr. Kundan lal saigal, followed by Jagjit singh, Kishori amonkar and surprise surprise Alisha chinai!! (it was sung by her in a private concert by the way)

Do give it a try if you want....

Peace and equanimity