Brands
Intex targets revenue of Rs 6500 crore by 2016; to focus on south India
BENGALURU: Intex Technologies (India) that got into the mobile business around two years ago, had initially focused on the north and west Indian markets. Now, it has set its eyes on the south to help grow its business, starting off with Karnataka. The company is targeting revenues of Rs 6500 crore (a little more than $1 billion) by FY 2016.
It has roped in Kannada actor Sudeep, who is also the anchor of Suvarna TV’s reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 2, as its brand ambassador for a year. The TV/movie star launched Intex’s new range of aqua mobile handsets – Aqua Style- in Bengaluru earlier this week.
The company states that its revenue doubled to Rs 2000 crore in FY-2014 as compared to Rs 1000 crore in FY-2013 and it plans to close the current fiscal with revenue of Rs 3500 crore. 65 per cent of the company’s business comes from mobile phone sales.
Intex senior general manager mobile business Sanjay Kumar Kalirona said, “The Aqua range has been widely accepted by our customers across India. The Aqua Style has been designed keeping in mind, the need for style and quality. We are focused on increasing our footprint in Karnataka and I am certain that our association with Sudeep will be well accepted by the regional audiences. With Aqua Style, we aim to empower youngsters looking for a mobile that speaks about their personality.”
Earmarked for brand spends is Rs 150 crore for FY-2015, with around Rs 100 crore solely on mobile phone promotion. Intex is planning a Rs 30 crore to Rs 40 crore campaign over the next three to four months, with a big percentage of the spends in south India. The campaign will cover print, television, radio, outdoor, social media and BTL activities, along with retail branding strategies.
Intex had roped in Farhan Akhtar as its brand ambassador in 2013, and launched two TVCs featuring its smartphones – Aqua i5 and Aqua i7 with him. It plans to launch its third TVC, also with Farhan for Aqua i5 HD as one of the four to five TVCs planned for this fiscal.
To enhance its customer base, Intex has joined hands with various players in the sports and entertainment industry through associations with cricket tournaments and a partnership with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the Priyanka Chopra-starrer biopic on Mary Kom.
Most of the creative work has been done in-house, and the company has two to three agencies for media-buying, sources at Intex said.
Intex is a player in India in mobile handset, consumer durables and IT accessories. It claims that it has a pan India presence through its wide network comprising 29 stock and sales offices and over 800 service touch points.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
