MAM
Lintas’ Imag bags Allied Computer International account
MUMBAI: Allied Computer International (ACi), the notebook specialist from UK, has has appointed Lintas Integrated Marketing Action Group (Imag) as its communications and marketing partner in India. The account size is pegged between Rs 80 – 100 million according to the ACi chairman Hirji Patel.
According to Lintas Imag director Ashish Bhasin, ” ACi is a high quality, affordably priced laptop. The teak at hand is to build an Image for this brand and capture a large market share.”
Commenting further Bhasin adds, “I think it was integrated marketing solutions that enabled us to get this account. Also, the reason why Imag is scoring is due to the out ideation as well as implementation strength which we execute through our specialist divisions.”
Bhasin pointed out that he was particularly pleased that their integrated marketing initiative that they pioneered in India was being found useful by their clients. Debashis Das, president, Linterland spearheaded the task of ensuring a complete integrated marketing solution from Imag for ACi.
ACi seems to have big plans. According to Patel, their IPO is slated to take place in September 2006. Says Hirji, “The role of Imag will be to implement our full rounded marketing plan. We along with Imag will be looking at hitting the education market are going to unleash our 5K notebooks in the next couple of months. We will be focussing on bottomline marketing for the next four months; post which we will get into other mass media.
Patel also stated that ACi was planning to set up shop in Dubai within a month and within six months they will be entering the South and East African markets, Srilanka, and Australia as well.
ACi India marked their entry in India with a collaboration with four individuals in 1999. In 2002, they set up an independent unit and formed ACi Asia annulling the former entity.
ACi, with their entry instigated a price war with the launch of the 50K notebooks. The competitors in the space being Compaq, IBM and Toshiba. The were also the first to offer the AGP (Accelarated Graphics Port) technology in India.
According to Patel, ACi Asia in 2004 created history with the introduction of ACi 29999 – the 30k notebook. The notebook industry as a whole witnessed a 250 per cent growth last year.
Patel concludes, “Before we get into our IPO next September, our agenda for the next six months is to focus on the education market with self schemes to break the 20K price barrier.”
Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
