Indiantelevision.com Team

(29 May 2006 10:00 pm)

MUMBAI: With an aim to make the most compelling digital music phenomenon more accessible to Indian consumers across the country, HCL Infosystems Ltd has inked a strategic alliance with Apple to develop a joint go to market and support strategy for Apple iPods in India.

As part of the alliance, HCL Infosystems will provide complete sales service support for Apple iPods in India, leveraging its strength in marketing and distribution of ICT products in India.

HCL Infosystems chairman and CEO Ajai Chowdhry said, "This tie-up reflects two key milestones for HCL. First it marks a unique tie up between two corporates, Apple and HCL, both of whom this year are celebrating three decades of innovation, passion and defining markets in their respective spheres. Secondly, it marks HCL’s renewed focus in addresser the emerging digital lifestyle revolution in India. We are proud to team up with Apple for the distribution of Apple iPods in India."

Apple iPod, initially launched in 2001 and followed by several "generation net" avatars, is one of the most successful product launch of recent times. Apple iPod has revolutionised the way people store and listen to music and has inspired a totally new breed of technologies like ‘Podcasting’ as well as content development.

As part of the tie-up, HCL is setting up distribution, logistics and service network to ensure availability of Apple iPods at key retail channels, including music shops, consumer electronic stores, format stores and other key outlets. To be launched in a phased manner, the first phase would cover metros and key mini-metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune.

HCL would also be shortly introducing iPod accessories across its network. Further, intense customer-centric activities would be rolled out to enable Indian music connoisseurs experience the iPod revolution.

Digital music has become a rage universally. According to the IFPI:06 - Digital Music report, globally around 420 million single tracks were downloaded in 2005 - up more than 20 times from the two-year-ago figure. It excludes music on mobile phones. Together in 2005, these two new distribution channels took record company revenues from digital sales to an estimated $ 1.1 billion globally (split roughly 60:40 between online and mobile music), tripling in value compared with 2004.

Elaborating on the potential of digital music in India, Chowdhry said, "India digital music industry is poised on the threshold of an explosive growth. It has enormous potential due to multiple factors that are driving the market. Firstly, the sheer size of Indian music industry as one of the largest players in the global music industry is the key to this potential. Steady technological advances including broadband availability promises a paradigm shift in the way music lovers can access and enjoy music, creating newer avenues such as online music transfers and non physical music formats."

"Given this scenario, it is the best time for Apple iPod to make its full-fledged foray into the Indian market. With its legendary technological leadership, coupled with HCL’s pan distribution network and undisputed reach of its support infrastructure, Apple iPod is set to cast its magic of multimedia entertainment amongst Indian audiences. HCL will also be selling and distributing Apple Desktop computers for the education, media and entertainment space."

The addition of Apple iPod into the existing bouquet of wide range of varied communication devices products namely laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, media centre PCs etc., will further strengthen HCL's quest to bring a full digital lifestyle experience to the Indian consumer.