Indian Eye

The Good Samaritan

There is a parable told by Jesus Christ about a man beaten up by robbers, robbed and left half dead, who was tended to by a Samaritan and restored back to health. This is popularly referred to as the parable of the Good Samaritan. In today’s day and age unfortunately, its more of a parable and less of a reality. There is always someone at some stage, some juncture in life who is in need of help, be it financial, in kind or any other form of support. The Internet has helped alleviate it in some manner, but with its reach and infinite possibilities its high time somebody came up with a venture.

This Internet venture could provide a platform to connect the needy with the giver. For instance, if somebody needed blood or needed urgent financial assistance for a surgery, this could be flashed on the website and instantly notify people about it. With the help of RSS feeds and widgets, affiliate websites and other subscribers could flash it somewhere in their website and attract more donors. I see this as a great possibility, as a matter of fact I have more ideas in store.

In this day and age of digital divide, one needs a good Samaritan to bridge the gap.

Tags: Good Samaritan, Venture

Posted in Inspirational, Opinions, Philosophy | 2 Comments »

Virals anyone?

If you are in the business of Online Marketing, a viral is probably one of the buzzwords you are surrounded with. I’ve seen a few interesting videos or animations that pose off as virals, are even funny, but it ends with that. To me, a good viral isn’t necessarily about itching to forward it to your friend. A good viral leaves an impression on the viewer long after you’ve seen it, probably even stays with you for a lifetime.

I came across a cleverly done viral made for Fevicol (which had a legacy of such ads).  

Tags: Fevicol, Online Marketing, Virals

Posted in Advertising, Inspirational, Marketing, Viral | No Comments »

Internet Ad Spend in India to overtake radio, outdoor and cinema by 2009

The growth in Internet advertising spend in India has reflected global trends, even as growth across traditional media (except television) has declined. According to a report by ZenithOptimedia, ad spend on the the Internet is expected to surpass radio, cinema and outdoor media by 2009.

Globally, the Internet ad spend has already overtaken these 3 media and for the first time will exceed 10 per cent of global ad investment. Advertising spending in newspapers and conventional classifieds is expected to continue to suffer, with the Internet already providing a greater value. The loss is already evident in large categories such as airlines, retail, travel.

In some places, the Internet already holds a bigger share of the overall ad spend pie. In Britain for instance, about 25% of the ad investments will go to the web this year. This will rival the leading the two traditional media formats, newspapers and television, which are expected to collect 27.2 and 25.9% of ad spending respectively.

The overall Indian Internet ad spend in 2007 (Rs. 450 crores or about $115 MN) has doubled that of the 2006 figures. By 2009 this figure may exceed Rs 2,500 crore, about 5 times the existing figure.

Tags: Ad Spend, Advertising, Internet

Posted in Business, Inspirational, Marketing | 3 Comments »

Selling Strawberries - Inspirational Business Series

The following are excerpts from a speech first delivered as the keynote of the American Marketing Association annual meeting in New York City in 1973. It was published the Saturday Evening Post in 1974, October issue.

James Lavenson owned a marketing and advertising company before being invited to become a senior management executive with Sonesta International Hotels. He was given responsibility for the company’s hotel and food interests and some non hospitality businesses, including the famous Mad Magazine and Hartman Luggage. For the last three years of that period he was president and chief executive officer of the chain’s ‘flagship’, the famous Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Inspirational Business Series

Posted in Business, Inspirational, Marketing, Sales | 1 Comment »