MAM
Carat foresees dim ’09 ad market, expects growth in 2010
MUMBAI: With companies across regions maintaining to cut media budgets in the first half of the year, Aegis Group-owned media agency Carat has downsized its 2009 predictions on global advertising spending that it had earlier made in March. “Modest growth is forecast for 2010, with the World Cup expected to benefit the market, however a recovery is not forecast to be properly underway until 2011,” Carat said. Talking about the UK market, Carat predicts that its ad market will slump by 12 per cent as against its previous forecast of 7.1 per cent. While television advertising will fall by 12 per cent too this year, radio will fall by 12.6 per cent and outdoor by 12.2 per cent. The new report also states that newspapers and magazines have been hit the hardest, down 20.3 per cent and 16.3 per cent respectively.
The agency now expects the spending to drop 9.8 per cent, as against its previous forecast that showed a drop of 5.8 per cent. It, however, predicts the industry to witness slight growth in 2010.
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
