MAM
Philips to invest Euro 80 million in Q1 ’05 for new ad campaign
MUMBAI: Philips India today announced the launch of a new brand campaign evolving around the concept of ‘Sense and Simplicity’. The ads are designed to give customers a distinctive image of a sharper, more focused enterprise, which – throughout its activities in healthcare, lifestyle and technology – is held together by a common drive to deliver intuitive end-user experiences.
Royal Philips Electronics has set aside a sum of Euro 80 million in the first quarter of 2005 to bring its message to customers in 11 key markets around the world. In India, the investment will be Euro 2.5 million.
Philips India managing director and CEO K Ramachandran said, “Philips is not the only technology company to grasp the need for simplicity – but I believe we’re the first to put a stake in the ground and declare our intent to take action. Others may aspire to be more fashionable, more cool. Our route to innovation isn’t about extra complexity – it’s about simplicity, which we believe will be the new cool. The advertising campaign will change the way the world sees and experiences Philips.”
“Simplicity is what people expect of technology and it is as applicable to a doctor working under pressure in a hospital with advanced medical equipment as it is to a consumer operating a DVD recorder. Simplicity is equally relevant to our customers, be it in healthcare, in lifestyle or in enabling technologies. In each of these domains Philips already has many proof points of simplicity and some of these we highlight in our new advertising campaign. The challenge before us is to further realign our company to deliver on our new brand promise in each and every aspect of what we do and make,” he added.
The brand campaign will focus firmly on a core target group consisting of the 20 per cent of people who do 80 per cent of the buying, typically affluent decision-makers in the 25-55 age range and A/B+ category who share a dislike for the unnecessary hassle often created by technology.
“These same people make decisions in their personal and professional lives that are profoundly interesting to Philips. One person making a decision on a top-of-the-range flat TV for his or her home could be the very same manager responsible for the purchase of medical diagnostic equipment at a local hospital,” said Philips International senior vice-president and head of global marketing management Enderson Guimaraes.
“We wanted this campaign to be true to the concept of simplicity. We wanted to use a different language than the one you might have expected from any technology company, and from Philips in particular – fresher, cleaner, more human. Every ad, every insertion tells a part of the story. One ad reinforces another. That is why you will always see multiple insertions in TV commercial breaks,” Guimaraes added.
The campaign, which was developed together with DDB, Philips’ global advertising agency, and media buyers Carat, features existing Philips products that fit the new brand positioning. It will run via broadcast, print and online in India, Brazil, Russia and Spain and then in a new version in China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
The total value of the campaign in the first quarter of 2005 is around Euro 80 million. At an annualised rate, the spend for the new campaign is comparable with the world’s most influential advertising campaigns.
MAM
Worldwide Travel Insurance for Indian Travellers: How to Find a Plan Without Geographic Gaps in Your Protection
Travelling to more than one country can make insurance selection more complex, because a policy that looks broad at first may still leave certain destinations, transit points, or regions outside its scope. For Indian travellers, this can lead to gaps in cover during a medical emergency or travel disruption abroad.
Here’s a guide to understanding how worldwide coverage works, which plan types to review, and how to check for geographic exclusions before choosing a policy.
Why Geographic Coverage Matters in Travel Insurance
When travellers look for the best travel insurance, medical cover and premium often get early attention, but geographic scope matters just as much. A policy may appear broad while still limiting cover in certain countries, regions, or travel routes.
This can affect hospital access, emergency support, evacuation terms, and non-medical benefits. For Indian travellers visiting more than one destination, checking where the policy applies is an important way to avoid gaps in protection.
Types of Worldwide Travel Insurance Plans Available to Indians
Worldwide travel insurance may be available in different formats, and each one should be reviewed based on the route, trip pattern, and list of destinations.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
This type of policy is generally chosen for one overseas journey with fixed departure and return dates. It may suit travellers visiting one country or more than one destination during the same trip. The policy still needs to be checked carefully to confirm whether every destination on the itinerary is covered during the full travel period.
Multi-Trip Annual Insurance
This type of plan may be suitable for travellers who visit different countries several times a year. It can be useful only when the policy’s covered regions match the countries included across those trips. Before choosing it, travellers should check trip duration limits, region-wise exclusions, and whether all intended destinations are covered under the annual plan.
Region-Specific Plans
Some policies are built for selected regions rather than for the whole world. These plans may be arranged by destination groups such as Asia, Europe, or broader international zones. They may be suitable in some cases, but they should be reviewed carefully if the journey includes stopovers, connecting countries, or travel beyond the listed region.
Comprehensive Worldwide Plans
These plans are usually reviewed by travellers who want broader international cover across multiple destinations. However, a plan described as worldwide may still have country-wise limits, separate terms for certain regions, or limits on healthcare access and emergency services. The wording should therefore be checked in detail before relying on the description alone.
Key Coverage Areas That Ensure Global Protection
A worldwide policy should be reviewed for the coverage points that matter when travel includes more than one country or a wider international route. These areas help show whether the plan is suitable for broader overseas travel and not limited to only a few listed destinations.
● Cover that applies to all countries listed in the itinerary, not only the main destination.
● Cover for transit stops and connecting countries that are part of the planned journey.
● Clear mention of excluded countries, restricted regions, or destinations not covered under the policy.
● Emergency medical and assistance support that remains available while travelling across different countries.
● Evacuation and repatriation terms that continue to apply during multi-country travel.
How to Check for Geographic Exclusions Before Buying
Geographic exclusions are often found in the detailed wording rather than in the headline promise of the plan. A careful review before purchase can help travellers understand whether the policy matches their travel route.
● Check the destination list in the policy schedule.
● Read whether excluded countries, sanctioned regions, or restricted zones are mentioned in the wording.
● Review whether transit stops and connecting destinations are mentioned as covered travel locations.
● Check if medical network access differs across countries even when the policy appears globally valid.
● Read whether adventure activities, cruises, or remote locations have separate geographic conditions.
● Review assistance and claim support terms to see if they apply equally across all covered destinations.
Conclusion
A travel insurance plan cannot be judged only by premium, destination label, or the word worldwide term alone. For Indian travellers, geographic scope needs close attention because exclusions and regional limits may affect how the policy works during the journey. A careful review of plan type, covered locations, medical support, and destination-specific terms may help reduce avoidable gaps.
