FR: The Naked Virgin
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A billboard campaign for Virgin in the metro network in Paris. |
Category: Brands
AE: Modern & Old
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Starbucks is joining a modern business model to the old Arabian traditions at the Ibn Batoota Mall in Dubai, UAE |
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EG: Heinz Tuna, You Have Been Copied
Earlier this year, the H.J. Heinz Company said it is in exclusive talks to sell its European seafood unit to the merchant banking arm of Lehman Bros.
The major facilities involved in the potential deal are located in The Seychelles, which is located off the coast of Madagascar, where a plant employs 2,400 workers, and in Ghana, where there are 1,800 employees.
The move follows Heinz’s recent trend of concentrating on its three leading categories: ketchup, condiments and sauces; meals and snacks; and infant nutrition.
During my market visit this week in Cairo, Egypt, I have found this Heinz tuna can and its original imitation, which is almost like the original except of course the brand name.
I am not sure if Heinz people or Lehman Bros are aware of this and they should go again through their trademark and label registration files again.
None EU EU in EU !
| Another international icon you cross while strolling in the walking district of Vienna near the Cathedral.When Nicolas Hayek, from Lebanese origins, launched Swatch in 1983, the whole watch industry watched him closely, being sure of his success, he made Swatch a global brand.
You can clearly see the link between the 2 signs, a country promoting a brand and a brand promoting a country, both parties gave each other what each other deserve. By the way, I own www.MySwatch.com ! |
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Romanian consumers lost in washing powders
| During my market visits, I drop by the major key accounts to check the displays and the visibility of my company’s products and on my way out I grab a copy of the promotional leaflets to check the latest offers and trends of the market.What was catchy to my eyes this time where the washing powders. Oh my God the washing powders !!! They are everywhere and it shows, below is a collage of 4 different catalogs offering the same brand Bonux, a Procter & Gamble extension to its global known brand Ariel. And the case is not only for Bonux, many others are in the same game, Ariel, Persil, Omo, Rex, Lenor, Colgate, Palmolive, Dalin, Always, Dove, Head & Shoulders, etc … |
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| Different formats, different fragrances, different promotions, but one lost consumer inside the pages of the catalogs, for sure housewives are mainly loyal to one brand because it touches their daily life, but what is the purpose of having 14 powder promotions in the same catalog. It is the usual market share war going around and around since forever. |
| Ariel | Bonux | Persil | Omo | Rex | Tide | Surf | Totals | |
| Selgros |
4 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
| Metro |
6 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
| Cora |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
| Carrefour |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Totals |
11 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
34 |
| 34 promotions on one single sub-family in the same category in 4 different chains, with an average of 4 per hypermarkets and 13 per Cash & Carry. I am wondering what the total number would be if I was able to get all the catalogs of all the key accounts in Romania. Look at the price war and difference between the 6kg Bonux Active Fresh at Cora and the 6kg Bonux 2 in 1 at Carrefour, it is 0,01 Lei, equal to 0,0036 US$. Consumers will spread the word, Carrefour is cheaper ;-) |