MAM
India entry into Super Sixes sees MAX jack up cricket spot rates
MUMBAI: Welcome to the party but be ready to pay some serious money for the pleasure. That’s what Sony Entertainment Television is telling advertisers who want to hop on to the Indian team’s victory band wagon as the cricket World Cup 2003 gets ready to kick off the Super Sixes.
Though SET ad sales head Rohit Gupta is not throwing around any numbers, neither does he see a figure of $50,000 (Rs 2,382,500 at today’s exchange rate of Rs 47.65 to the dollar) for a 30-second spot as being outrageously prohibitive.
Gupta points out that there is not that much ad inventory left to sell in the first place. Between 10 to 12 spots (30-seconders) is all that SET has on offer per match for the 12 matches from the Super Sixes up to the final. That is a total of 300 to 400 seconds per match, says Gupta.
And for those who think that they can pick and choose the matches on which to put their advertising, that will not be possible. Spot buy packages for all 12 games is what Gupta expects advertisers to sign on to. Because there is limited inventory and considering that advertisers will have to take a a full 12-game package if they want to advertise, Gupta is expecting that three to four advertisers will complete the list.
Queried as to how he expected to get the kind of rates that are being bandied about, Gupta draws comparisons with Balaji’s top soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, which at its peak was commanding Rs 500,000 per ten second slot on Star Plus. If a half-hour show could extract those rates then the cricket, which according to Gupta was expected to garner TVRs above 20, were worth the cost in terms of deliveries, he said.
The good showing of the Indian team is certainly proving a boon in more ways than one.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
