MAM
Marketers should anticipate threats: LK Gupta
MUMBAI: Marketers should look at the new opportunities to grow themselves and should stay ahead of time, these were the thoughts of LG Electronics CMO Laxmikant Gupta, who was speaking at the World Brand Congress (WBC) that is being held in Mumbai.
He said, “The moment we start thinking that new opportunity is threatening our existing practices, we start forcing ourselves to think of new ideas. When change happens, when new things start happening in the market, our reaction is ‘can I use this technology?‘, ‘how will it help me?‘ When there is an opportunity we go from clutter to the opportunity which ends up becoming a clutter.”
“Almost all brands are present on Facebook today. Once the consumer clicks on the like button he starts getting brand messages, about products, innovations, services, developments. Everything does have a use by day and expiry date. One has to reinvent ideas. A better way to differentiate when every company has same opportunity, the questions should be how this new opportunity threatens my present practices, my existence,” Gupta added.
Gupta explained this with an example. He said, “When in early 2000s Apple invented i-pods, it changed the music industry model. I-pod alone contributed to 45 per cent revenue of Apple in first year. Later, in mobile industry, camera handset started struggling. Apple thought that will it be a threat if mobiles with camera start producing music features too. If that happens it will kill i-pod. Then i-phone was launched. Today it makes more than 50 per cent global profit of the mobile industry. With each changing scenario, see how it can affect you today or tomorrow.”
“No one thought of the demise of Orkut or My space but the launch of Facebook, its applications attracted so many that it eventually killed Orkut and MySpace.com. Spot problems before things get worst. Don‘t wait for the crisis,” he added.
“Youtube as a video channel is bigger than many of the TV channels we used to watch. Also, giving consumer a search is as important as giving her a store, to experience your product. Banner advertising can assure you visibility but does not assure that consumer will walk out with a positive perspective. You need to talk to bloggers or people who can write reviews because that can help consumers have a viewpoint about your product,” he emphasised.
On the usage of social media Gupta said, “Brands like MTV and LG, are on FB for not just talking about product. The main purpose is to engage consumer in a way that they want to come back to your page, interact with you. You should create general interaction through Facebook instead of creating impression. When we know that people are talking about the brand online one should see whether they are positive or negatives that is being talked about. The positives should be reinforced and negatives should be checked and corrected.”
MAM
Promotedge marks 11 years with expansion into D2C and performance marketing
Kolkata-based agency strengthens global footprint and launches new platforms.
MUMBAI: Promotedge has spent 11 years quietly building momentum and now it’s ready to take a much bigger leap. The Kolkata-based integrated marketing and branding agency, founded in 2015, has completed 11 years of steady growth, evolving from a local creative firm into a full-service marketing partner with a growing international presence. With operational hubs in the US and Canada through its platform PromotEdgeDigital, the agency now serves clients across India, the US, Canada, Australia, and the Middle East.
Over the past 11 years, Promotedge has partnered with more than 200 businesses across diverse industries. Guided by its “Digitally Desi” philosophy which blends cultural insight with data-driven execution, the agency offers end-to-end services including web solutions, digital marketing, creative design, brand planning, and audio-visual production.
In its eleventh year, the agency made significant strides by developing branded IPs and content series for the automotive and industrial sectors, creating audio-visual content for international sporting bodies like the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, and strengthening its performance marketing capabilities, particularly on quick-commerce platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, Flipkart, and Swiggy Instamart.
To further boost its D2C focus, Promotedge has integrated the operations of Fizzle Digital into its performance marketing division, now led by founders Avi Saraf and Jhalak Agarwal. The agency continues to serve B2B clients in sectors like steel, energy, engineering, and infrastructure.
Beyond traditional services, Promotedge has introduced new platforms. DesiMachines is an online marketplace for heavy engineering and construction equipment, supported by two financial institutions and six top OEMs. The agency also launched Pexora, a joint venture with Prodigy focused on workspace design, branding, experiential marketing, and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) solutions in Eastern and North Eastern India.
Additionally, Promotedge nurtures The Trip Space, a boutique travel brand that curates personalised, luxury journeys for high-net-worth travellers.
Promotedge CEO Saurav Agarwal said, “PromotEdge has always been built with a long-term vision. Our goal is to develop capabilities that provide long-term value to our clients.”
As it approaches its 12th year, the agency plans to expand its global clientele, deepen D2C and performance marketing capabilities, invest in AI-enabled solutions, and strengthen its platform-led initiatives.
From a modest start in Kolkata to building platforms and partnerships across borders, PromotEdge is proving that smart, culturally rooted marketing can travel far and deliver real impact. The agency is clearly gearing up for an even bigger chapter ahead.
