Brands
Mercedes-Benz India registers 25 per cent half-yearly sales growth
MUMBAI: Mercedes-Benz announced a strong growth in its sales for the Jan-June 2014 period. The automobile manufacturer registered a significant high of 25 per cent year-on-year growth by selling 4,717 units in this period.
Significant contributor to this growth trajectory has been the flagship S-Class sedan and the ML-Class SUV and the NGC portfolio comprising the A-Class and B-Class. While the C-Class and the E-Class luxury sedans remain the preferred vehicle of choice for the customers, the AMGs continue to grow in the performance segment it created. The recently launched CLA 45 AMG is expected to appeal to a new group of young Indians, hence widening the AMG customer base in India.
Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Eberhard Kern commented, “2014 is our year of excellence and it’s our endeavor to create new benchmark in modern luxury. Our ‘Year of Excellence’ growth strategy is paying-off as we have been able to maintain our key focus of growth and sustainability in the Indian market amidst challenging market conditions. The first six months of sales growth reaffirms Mercedes-Benz India’s strong brand premium and competitive edge in terms of offering continuous product innovations, boasting of a benchmark production facility, extending an enriching after-sales experience and strengthening its qualitative network presence. With some of the most fascinating products lined up in the remaining two quarters, including the much awaited GLA-Class, Mercedes-Benz is all set for another year of strong growth.”
The luxury car maker has the densest network presence in the country with 64 outlets in 36 cities. New outlets were opened in Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Bhopal, Chandigarh and Mohali as well as three new AMG performance centres in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai were inaugurated. The following months will see the launch of eight more outlets.
And it remains the fastest growing luxury brand in India in FY 2013-14 with 47 per cent year-on-year growth.
Brands
EcoMedia Solutions launches EcoMeter to track carbon impact in media
New tool aims to bring real data and accountability to ads and events
GURUGRAM: EcoMedia Solutions has rolled out EcoMeter, a new solution designed to bring sharper carbon accountability to advertising, media, marketing and events.
Built on its proprietary EMS platform, EcoMeter aims to help brands and agencies measure the environmental impact of campaigns and on-ground activations using real-world data rather than broad estimates.
The move comes as sustainability gains traction across boardrooms, even as measurement within the advertising ecosystem remains patchy and often reliant on spend-based assumptions. EcoMeter attempts to change that by using localised emission factors and activity-based inputs, offering a more grounded view of carbon output.
“Today, most carbon calculations in our industry are derived from spends or broad averages. That does not reflect what is actually happening on the ground,” said EcoMedia Solutions founder & CEO Rumjhum Gupta. She added that the tool factors in variables such as location, execution and materials to deliver a more accurate picture.
The platform allows users to compare media choices based on environmental impact, plan lower-carbon campaigns and generate data-backed ESG and BRSR reports. It spans formats including OOH, DOOH, print, digital and live events, bringing sustainability into the same decision-making framework as cost and performance.
EcoMedia Solutions says the larger goal is to move the industry beyond surface-level sustainability claims towards measurable action. As scrutiny from consumers, investors and regulators intensifies, tools like EcoMeter could play a key role in helping brands back intent with credible data.
With this launch, the company is betting that the next big metric in advertising will not just be reach or ROI, but impact that can be counted in carbon.
