The Word of mAn[S]o0r

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Ad Teaser #8: think beyond dandruff - Updated

The whole scheme just screams out Head n Shoulders! Dont u think?

Update 15th August - Guess i was right :-D

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 4:46 PM | Permalink | |

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Ad Teaser #7: Beauty Bachat aaraha hai

This teaser had started making its rounds almost three weeks ago, but since the rain season took over, posting it was delayed.

Im convinced its another stint by either Fair and Lovely, Dove or one of their competitors.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 4:37 PM | Permalink | |

Monday, July 24, 2006

Quite Imaginative.... dripping with sarcasm (Brand Power #3)

We seem to have a new security company operating in Karachi.. there are a lot of them here, what with some people having *all the loot* and others trying to get their loot, its a constant struggle to keep ones possessions (and lives) safe.

So coming back.. i was driving down Kh-e-Ittehad the other day.. on my way to Royal Rodale (thats another post....) when i saw these three corolla's all dressed up in stickers proclaiming...

"Homeland Security"

I mean... COME ON!! Couldnt you have come up with something more original than what our fellow amreekans call their (inept?) federal internal security force? Even their phone number is 111-999-911. When will people LEARN!! Oh well.. atleast i got me another post in the "Brand Power" series..

Labels: ad campaigns, rants

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 5:07 PM | Permalink | |

Monday, July 10, 2006

Ad Teaser #5 Revealed: Caution - Dangerously Delicious

Update July 10th: This teaser campaign has been revealed on Sunday 9th July. Its about a new breed of hot and spicy food at KFC. I guess they've given in to the local taste, and taken the chilli's even higher! I cant wait to get my hands on that, since i already love the spicy version of it. They've changed the Caution sign to an Attention sign.

Another teaser campaign... this time some sort of a food product has started making its rounds. I like the idea.. its simple, its head turning, and its memorable. Any guesses as to what it is?

P.S. In the background you can see the FTC building on Shahrah-e-Faisal

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:50 AM | Permalink | |

Cute Concept - IGI Travel Insurance

IGI Travel Insurance, has started off on a rocking advertising campaign on both print and audio media. Actually, its been going on for quite sometime now. They've used cartoon frogs to deliver the message that your not really that safe while travelling and emergencies *can* occur. So its best to be prepared. This billboard however, really brought the message home! Its cute, funny and being in the city of karachi.. im sure a lot of people can relate to being on the other end of a gun. I know i can!

P.S. i wonder just how much inspiration they've goten from the Crazy Frog song??

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 10:39 AM | Permalink | |

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Ad Teaser #6: Grab the Fun

The latest in the teasers in Karachi... "Grab the fun" seems to be a product in the league of softdrinks to me... But lets see what it comes out as.

Any ideas on what it can be?

By the way, Extiinct has also started a post on this teaser over at Karachi Metblogs (click here), so you can check out the comments there as well.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 3:54 AM | Permalink | |

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Advertising on the move

This new(?) concept in advertising is hitting the streets of karachi with fervor. Huge billboards, on the backs of trucks being carried around the major streets. To date, i've seen this one for Sprite and one more which i think belongs to some electronic appliances company (forgot the name).

Personally though, i dont think they're that useful.. but u never know.

The only thing we lack now (in comparision from lahore) are people wearing costumes and carrying picket signs/etc on the city streets.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:20 AM | Permalink | |

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Ad Teaser #4 : Solved

And here's another ad campaign throwing out teaser's. This board is also on Shahrah-e-Faisal after crossing FTC.

It reads "Music Goes..."

Now im guessing it has something to do with Sony Erricson, since Orange is their color of choice nowadays. Lets wait and see.. Any guesses?

Update 29th June 2006: Well, we were right! it was a teaser for Sony Erricson.. "Music Goes Mobile" which is their campaign for the new Walkman mobile phones k770i and k580i. So much for the mystery. Though i think they dragged it out a little long.. since i had all but forgotten about their teaser myself. All in all, not a good teaser campaign.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 6:21 PM | Permalink | |

Subconsious Messaging - i-mate JasJar

How many times have you seen an ad or a billboard which made you think almost subconsiously about how cool would that product be on you. Most of the campaigns i see around here try to force theat message on you, like the Samsung radio ads "Check out the cutie shes going out with.... and the ear thing! just check that out!", the Axe Effect and so on. However, every once in a while, you come across an ad thats actually done tastefully and sends out the message both clearly and subtly. The JasJar ad i've managed to capture does just that. If you just look at how the girl is looking at the guy (all googly eyed with a touch of wow) you'll understand why so many guys (present company included) now really need to get a JasJar!

Its these sort of things which win customers! Im pretty sure no one likes products shoved down their throats, but if you can manage convince them they need it just by suggestion then the fruits are all the more sweet. Now when the heck will i get my limit upped on the card so i can go and buy it.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 5:26 PM | Permalink | |

Back to basics.. Advertising Methods

Billboard advertising started in karachi, with these huge neon signs in the shape of corporate logos back in the 60s or 70s i believe. I've been seeing them since i was a child. Then recently, thanks to the ever advancing technology of printing, panaflex signs came cropping up, promising a much more colorful and appealing way to reach out to customers.

Then Karachi was hit by the electricity problems its been facing and it no longer became feasible to have those panaflex hoardings since they requried powerful lights to light them up. (At times upto 10 high power lights are needed). For atleast one company now (Pepsico), its going back to the basics, they're lighting up their old neon-based signs once again in addition to the newer ones.

Does the world truly does go around in circles??

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:11 AM | Permalink | |

Friday, June 09, 2006

Ad Review: Good Milk

It seems like people in Karachi have finally found reason's to have milk in their diets. This seems to be suggested by the number of new milk brands popping up all over the city. First the House of Pakola launched their Pakola Milk, then came Olpers.. and now Shakarganj foods have launched their brand of milk called "Good Milk" with their slogan "Roz Roz Good Milk Piya Karo".

Among all the three, i think good milk has come up with the best ad strategy. Even though Olper's has managed to associate a greeting with their product "subha bakhair zindagee", their ads were not as fresh nor inticing as good milk's are. It seems they're also targetting a much younger and sporty audience with boards. The models they've gotten are very much identifiable, and the color scheme of white and red is noticible yet not too overboard.

Technorati Tags: ad review, ad, karachi, pakistan

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 6:26 PM | Permalink | |

Ad Review: Sunsilk Hair Emergency Campaign

I recently posted on both the teaser and the actual billboard ad that Sunsilk ran in Karachi recently. Today im going to post a little about the TV and Radio ad's they've got going. Actually.. only the radio ad's, since i havent seen the TV ones yet (maybe i'll edit that in later).

The one thing which came to mind when i saw the billboard for the first time was, how wrongly targetted the ad is. As a nation, we dont have (yet) the "Break glass in case of emergency" rule or even the luxury here, instead we resort to other (often primitive) methods of fighting off fires, such as throwing water, sand and what not. So that got me thinking they've gotta have something else up their sleeve.

The radio ad's which followed proved to be just that. Not only have they pulled it off beatifully, with three ad's targetting different products under their brand, they've incorporated the concept of an emergency rather well. Whats more.. their ad's are radio friendly! (more on that later). They start off with "this is amna khan reporting live from *** where...." and the content takes over.

The first ad is about a miracle.. "first time there is snowfall in the city".. which happens to be a some poor girls dandruff! That was a funny angle. The next is about a "bomb blast in the girls hostel" where some poor girl's hair was all fuzzled. Third ad is about a girl putting her finger in the electric socket cuz she wanted some volume in her hair! Really brings to light how desperate some girls become...

(edit:) I heard a new ad today while coming to office. Prince charming falling off while climbing rupunzel's hair. "prince to gira hee, saath choti bhee lay gaya". LoL

Each of the ads end off with "wait, we're getting another report of an emergency.. stay tuned".

In one word i would describe the content as brilliant. Hats off to their marketting team!

Technorati Tags: review, teaser, ad campaign, karachi, pakistan

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 12:58 PM | Permalink | |

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Ad Teaser # 3

Driving down Sharah-e-Faisal, just as your cross the Hotel Regent Plaza, this new billboard greets you on your left.

it reads "duniya ka sab say bara plant"

Funny story though, given the strength of our urdu nowadays, a friend of mine remarked... "duniya ka sab say bara planet?" LoL!

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 8:30 PM | Permalink | |

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Early Morning!

The wonderful experience of experiencing the early morning! I finally made it to the office on time (i.e. before 9:30 AM) hurray!! Left home early at quarter to eight... and enjoyed the benefits of having totally clear roads all the way! Tested what my car feels like when driving at a 100 kmph too. (it feels great!!) Shahrah-e-faisal is one road in Karachi which affoards high speeds, especially after so many flyovers and all.

There are two things i've been meaning to blog about, which i havent been able to get pictures of so they've been delayed. I still dont have pictures, but what the hell.. i'll just write the thousand words instead! haha.

They both concern ad wars here in karachi, the first being between chips manufacturers. After the success of the Lay's marketting campaign (didnt Zee TV and Star Network have a hand in that?) many new chips manufacturers have entered the market with their definately foriegn-sounding products trying to capture the appetites of the junk-food generation. The competiting products are Kurliez (from Snackcity), Veezo (dont know who owns this brand, but they've been sponsoring Traffic police signs too) and Kryzo. Havent tried any of them (im a biscuit person. lol) but lets see if they'll have any success. Karachi is literally littered (pun intended) with billboards of these three chips.

The second concerns ad's for tv stations, in which without a doubt TV One is going far far ahead (since their parent company owns half the billboards in karachi i think) with ARY Digital network in tow, and being followed up by Indus and Geo. There was this wonderful board about this new drama, i forget the name of which, by Geo, made really artistically.

Labels: ad campaigns, thoughts

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 9:38 AM | Permalink | |

Monday, June 05, 2006

Ad News: Inbox thinking out of the box!

This was one i couldnt resist, althought pretty common place in lahore i hear, advertising using moving people/vehicles is still a pretty new concept here in Karachi. Returning home from work, i saw these three vehicles, one suzuki alto with "Inbox" plastered on its bonnet and doors (first image), moving along slowly on Kh-e-Jami, Clifton.. complete with a flashing light on top, followed by two fork lifts, carrying big wooden crates with Inbox written on them (second image). There was a sign on top of the crates, which reads "Looking for a small box of wonders?"

I wonder what they're trying to promote, but it was interesting to see this procession. P.S. you can see the forum shopping mall in the background of picture one.

Picture 1:

Picture 2:

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 9:26 PM | Permalink | |

Friday, May 26, 2006

Fido Comes to Pakistan

After years of seeing fido prancing around with foriegn models promoting the 7-up brand, looks like he finally came to town! Havent seen if there's a TV version of it, but the billboard looks very refreshing.

Their slogan here is "Style zara hat kay"

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:38 AM | Permalink | |

Cola Wars in Pakistan

It started with Coke and Pepsi, and mostly, its still running between coke and pepsi, but now a local player has "reentered" the scene! The House of Pakola has been around ever since i can remember with their flagship product, Ice-Cream Soda and the timeless jingle "Hara bhara Pakola, Ice Cream Soda". I've been drinking (and loving) this wonderful product every chance i get, and was always amazed as to why its so difficult to obtain here, that is.. until recently.

Pakola has launched a MASSIVE ad campaign this year, promoting their soft drinks. They've gotten top notch designers and marketing people and are burning tracks in every direction!

Pakola, starting with Ice-Cream Soda (which is self titled) has brought various other brands under its umbrella, namely Apple Sidra and Bubble up (and possible others). And is now aggressively marketting them as well. They boast a 'very' improved supply chain (which i deduce from the fact that i can actually GET pakola from shops) plus they've introduced a vareity of containers for their products, from Regular 250 ML bottles, 300 ML Cans, 300 ML Plastic bottles and 250 ML disposable bottles.

Currently, they're running ad's for ice-cream soda (which to tell the truth i am in LOVE with) as well as for Apple Sidra! It'll be interesting to see how they stack up with the major players, and what their strategy will be. If i get more news i'll post it up here.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:26 AM | Permalink | |

Advertisers become bolder !(?)

Even though personally i have no problems with such tactics, it still becomes a very alarming indicator to how much intimacy is becoming a part of the daily routine here in Karachi. This in a city, where mullah's burned a Mobilink billboard because it featured a model with bare arms(?)

This latest incarnation of such billboards is from TvOne about their drama serial "Dil kee madham boliyan" (Whispers of the heart), and the alarming factor is the the guy holding the girl by the waist.

After the campaigns by Sprite (Thund Program), Apple Sidra (Model featuring tattoo) and countless others... I think we're pretty close to featuring french kissing on billboards! Anyway, like i mentioned before, i personally have no objections to it, check out the billboard.

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 11:01 AM | Permalink | |

Teaser # 1 : The Mystery Reveals

The mystery surrounding the teaser "In case of Hair Emergency, Break Glass" is now finally resolved! Sunsilk revealed their product as "A breakthrough" in hair care! Here's the new billboard campaign!

Labels: ad campaigns

And so said mAn[S]o0r at 10:44 AM | Permalink | |

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Ad Teasers #2

I've also started this one more series about advertising teasers going on here in Karachi. This one catched my eye just today. I wonder if its in anyway related to the hair emergency...? I will be posting followups as soon as i figure out more about them.

It reads: "ON hogaya hai"