MAM
UB group’s Mcdowell’s No 1 to bank on entertainment
MUMBAI: With limited advertising options at their disposal, liquor brands are examining all the possible opportunities to piggy-back on cross-marketing tie-ups. UB group’s flagship brand McDowell’s No 1 is presenting Raveena Tandon’s feature film Stumped.
An official release quoted UB group chairman Dr Vijay Mallya as saying: “McDowell’s No 1 is a mega brand reaching out to consumers across the length and breadth of the country. Just as cricket and Bollywood cut across a wide sceptrum, McDowell’s No 1 too is a brand that transcends all segments. The association of our flagship brand with Stumped is a step to reach out to our consumers and bring together their biggest passions – cricket and Bollywood!”
In recent times, McDowell’s No 1 has made an effort to continue its reliance on entertainment as medium to reach out and cement its connect with its consumers. This is part of the brand’s fresh image makeover with its internationally designed packaging. The brand managers have identified that films and cricket have a huge following across India. The brand custodians also see a natural fit between McDowell’s No 1, touted as India’s leading liquor brand, and Bollywood.
Under its “Mera No 1 Entertainment” banner, the brand achieved high top of mind recall through its association with the latest Bollywood films such as Devdas, Road and Kaante. Stumped is another step in the same direction, say UB officials.
“Just like Bollywood and cricket transcend all consumer groups, mega brand Mcowell’s No 1 has a mass yet aspirational appeal across all segments. We also associated with the big-ticket Elton John show in Bangalore held in 2002,” says UB group’s spirits divisional vice president (marketing) Alok Gupta.
Several initiatives in this direction have ensured that the brand gets a more contemporary image. UB officials claim that McDowell’s No 1 sets the benchmark in its segment on packaging, price, blend and its total value proposition. They add that it has the distinction of being one of the fastest growing and one of the largest selling whiskies in the world. It sells close to 4 million cases per annum in the Indian market and is also exported to 15 countries.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
