The Davos Question

Hear it straight from them, the way it is...

Shocking isn't it? Raise these questions at Davos.

Stuck

New Year brings new hope and aspiration. The first month you go to work with lot of energy and enthusiasm. The second month you await results of your inputs. By the end of the quarter, you think shit-its- summer-already. Busy is the word, for some reason or the other. Eventually takes time off the poor blog. But here’s the interesting part. Five TISSUE ISSUES from last year, which I really spent, time thinking.

• “Shut up and listen” as a guiding and working philosophy of the corporate world. What happens then?
• Smartupidity (I just made this word up, yippy!!) – Smart moves by marketers that is so stupid
• Understanding the problem - Spending more time on the problem
• The Ideal not the Idea
• Experimentation with testing – Your strike rate on gut feel increases and vice versa.
  

So that was that.

Welcome to a musical Tissue Issue. Ha.

Weekly Issue #4 - Marketing Move

What is the reason behind HLL's mega move in merging Rin Bar with Surf Excel? Is Rin losing it's market share? Or it is HLL's own brands are eating into each others market share? Is 'Dirt is good' a bigger philosophy than 'Rin ki chamatkar'? Is HLL trying to consolidate Surf Excel as a Power Brand?Has anyone seen the new Rexona pack? Why is Lux mentioned in it? Will HLL next move be to consolidate Rexona Soap into Lux Soap?

Would love to hear your comments and point of view on the same.

Weekly Issue #3 - Digital Domain

Is the Digital Domain the new playing ground of advertising agencies in India? Are Indian advertising agencies trying hard to catch up in the Digital space offering solutions to their clients? Are Indian advertising agencies visionary enough to think beyond 30 second spots and 200 cc ads?
Write back to me what you feel about this industry issue. It would be great if you can share with me few examples to make your point.

Weekly Issue #2 - Participation

This week's issue is very simple. Is the educated, urban Indian too shy to participate in group activities? Do we Indians often lack the basic ability to work in groups? Is the new emerging young Indian too individualistic in his/her approach and outlook?

Inspired by The John Grant. Things you should do with immediate effect. The only way to add value to your client's business.

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
Samuel Beckett

Looking forward to your comments.

Weekly Issue #1

This week's issue - "Is the new Axe Vice campaign and below-the-line activities promoting child sex or creating sex awareness among children?"

Visit here to see more Axe Vice Party pics.

When sex education among children is major concern in our country India, does it make sense for Axe to create raunchy advertising campaigns? Can Axe Vice instead of 'turning nice girls naughty,' make naughty girls nice, or explain to children the difference between being nice and being naughty? Can they really impart sex education as a part of their social responsibility?

Do send me your opinions and comments.

Raising an issue

Tissue Issues will have a new section from today. "Issue of the Week." Small and simple issues that might bring a difference in our way of thinking. Insignificant yet interesting issues will be highlighted every Monday. You are free to post your comments and opinions about it.

The reason behind creating this new section is obviously to learn more. This is a two way learning process. I learn from you and you learn from the issues being highlighted. You are most welcome to post a guest "Issue of the Week" here, if you wish too. And am sure it will be fun.

Looking forward to your participation. Watch this space.