Profile and Samples Blog of Partha Anant

HP Networking Solutions Invite EDM + event flow

Labels: EDM, event flow, event theme, HP, invite, networking

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:31 AM 0 comments

HP Networking convergence invite flow script

Labels: content, convergence, copy, flow, HP, invite, networking

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:27 AM 0 comments

HP Converged Infrastructure - the winning edge

Labels: banner, content, copy, EDM, HP, visuals

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:23 AM 0 comments

HP Blade Superhero EDM - 2

Labels: Blade, content, copy, EDM, HP, ideation, visuals

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:21 AM 0 comments

HP Blade Superhero EDM

Labels: Blade, content, copy, EDM, ideation, Posters, visuals

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:19 AM 0 comments

HP Blade EDM - 2

Labels: Blade, campaign, concept note, content, copy, EDM, HP

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:16 AM 0 comments

HP Blade Hero EDM - 1

Labels: Blade, concept note, content, copy, EDM, HP, ideation

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:14 AM 0 comments

HP ProLiant servers

Labels: campaign, concept note, copy, EDM, HP, Posters, ProLiant, servers

posted by Partha Anant @ 11:11 AM 1 comments

Max New York Life Audio-Visual script

AV

Audio:
Walking the road to our dreams...

Nothing can stop us now for our dreams soar!

Visual: rock climbers looking up a high climb. Cut to a Shot - all of them reaching the top and swipe of sweat from their brow with a feeling so exhilarated

Audio:
Bound to reach our aim/goal...

Conquering hurdles in our way!

Visual: sprinters shown in an Olympic hurdle race. Cut to the shot showing the winner jumping over the last one and crossing the finish line

Audio:
With strength in our soul & arms...

Destined to reach our aim/goal!

Visual: shots taken from Jallian Walla Bagh

Audio:
The ground shakes beneath our feet...

as we walk towards another great feat!

Visual: shot taken from The Fantastic Four where 'The Thing' who possesses superhuman strength and endurance is walking and the road shakes with a thump at every step!

Labels: audio-visual script, content, Max New York Life

posted by Partha Anant @ 8:51 AM 0 comments

BANNER COPY & VISUALS FOR MAX NEW YORK LIFE

Precision
So flawless, so clear in its approach towards work that even the world’s best of the diamond experts would find the services delivered by MNYL in the lines of their own workmanship. At MNYL, the employees symbolize the same precision at their craft; most of the times taking it to the hilt of perfection.
VISUAL – Dart

Dedication
Most times it takes years and years of dedicated moil for diamond cutters to shape the stone even with lasers. The MNYL family too, place in sincere efforts in order to process the various customer needs worldwide. The responsibilities are often enormous but never enough to deter an MNYL employee to move away from them.
VISUAL - Rubik Cube

Strength
The strength of an employee’s over his/her line of work at MNYL can in all respects be reflected in a diamond’s virtue of being the strongest stone. The intensity with which MNYL works on any given project is well represented in the results delivered. The ever growing satisfaction amongst the customers proof is alive enough.
VISUAL - A power grip

Clarity
Even if a single irregularity occurs or comes under vision while a diamond cutter is at work, it is a sacrilege. All the people who serve at MNYL don’t just believe in facts like these; they live it up as well. The other word for representation of/depicting work conducted by MNYL is ‘crystal’.
VISUAL - An eye piece view


Client: Max New York Life

Labels: banner, content, copy, visuals

posted by Partha Anant @ 8:39 AM 0 comments

Emcee Script

MC SCRIPT
Best Restaurant Awards 2007



MC calls for attention of audience to be seated.

MC – Good Evening Ladies & Gentlemen, it is with immense pleasure that I welcome you to The Best Restaurant in Mumbai Award Night.

This evening is a momentous occasion as we applaud the diligence and great performance of each one of you present here.

Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture. Food to a large extent is what holds a society together and eating is also closely linked to deep spiritual experiences
Without further ado, May I now please call upon someone who is a popular cricket comedian and is known to imitate the great commentators such as Tony Greig, Geoffrey Boycott and India’s very own Siddhu in his own inimitable style…Put your hands together for non other than Vikram Sathe
Vikram Sathe Standup Act

MC – Thank you, Mr.Sathe for this brilliant performance.


To Quote David Ogilvy - A well-run restaurant is like a winning baseball team. It makes the most of every crew member's talent and takes advantage of every split-second opportunity to speed up service.


And now ladies & Gentlemen let me call on stage Mrs Mohini Bhullar to acquaint you with the evening…

Mohini Bhullar’s Speech

MC – Thank-you very much Mrs Bhullar


MC– I will now call on stage Mr. XXX to start with our awards for the evening.

Awards – Category 1

--Ladies & Gentlemen, our first category of awards this evening is Best North Indian Restaurant. We all love North Indian food especially Tandoori, which is famous all across the world! And the nominees for this category are –

1. Copper Chimney.
2. Rajdhani
3. Khyber

To present the award, may I request Mr , to kindly come on stage


Thank you very much MR. ________________-

MC – Congratulations Mr._________ (winner)

Awards – Category 2
--Ladies & gentlemen lets move on to our second category of awards this evening the
Best South Indian Restaurant. The South Indian food is a brilliant blend of flavors, colors, seasoning, nutritional balance, fragrance, taste, and visual appeal…and the nominees for the category are-

1. Café Madras
2. Konkan Café
3. Dakshin

May I please request Mr._________________ to give away the award

Thank you very much __________________

Congratulations Mr. _____________ (Winner)


Continuing with the awards

Awards – Category 3
--Let me introduce the third category of awards Best Rest of Indian Restaurant…and Nominees for this category are-

1. Trishna
2. Mahesh Lunch House
3. Gajalee

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

Congratulations Sir

Awards – Category 4

--Let us move to the next category of awards that is Best Oriental Restaurant…and Nominees for this category are-

1. Golden Dragon
2. Wasabi by Morimoto
3. Thai Pavilion

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

Congratulations Sir




Awards – Category 5

-The next category for the evening is- the Best Multi-Cuisine Restaurant…and Nominees for this category are-

1. Café Sidewok
2. Tiffin
3. Café Mondigar

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

Congratulations Sir

The next category reminds me of an incident. Let me share it with you…once…

Santa in a restaurant asked to Banta please finish your coffee jaldi yaar or we have to pay more.
Banta, why we have to pay more?
Santa, the price of Hot Coffee is Rs.10/- and Cold Coffee is Rs.20/-.


Awards – Category 6

Let me introduce the next category for the evening Best Coffee Shop…and Nominees for this category are-

1. Bombay baking Company
2. Indigo Deli
3. Firangipani

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

Congratulations Sir


Awards – Category 7

--Let us move to the next category of award Best Street Food Restaurant and the nominees for the category are-

1. Haji Ali juice Corner
2. Bade Miya
3. Bachelorr’s

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

Congratulations Sir

Awards – Category 8

--Let me introduce next category of award Best Mumbai Special (City Delight) and the nominees for the category are-

1. Mucchand Paanwala (Breach candy)
2. Swati Snacks
3. Kailash Parbat


To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

MC - Congratulations Sir



Awards – Category 9

--Let us move to next category of award Best European / Mediterranean Restaurant… and the nominees for this category are-

1. Zodiac Grill
2. Salt Water Grill
3. Indigo

To give away the award may I please call Mr______________, on the stage

MC - Congratulations Sir


The final category reminds me of an incident where
--This man tells another man in a bar that if you jump out the window at the exact right time, you will fly right back in again. The first man does, and it works. Then the second man does, and he falls out and dies. Then the bartender says, "You're a real jerk when you're drunk, Superman.

Awards – Category 10

Ladies and gentlemen…last but not the least our final category of awards this evening Best Pub & Bar and the nominees for the category are-

1. Geoffrey’s
2. Olive Lounge & Bar
3. Prive

To give away the prestigious award may I please call Mr.______________, on the stage

MC - Congratulations Sir

ladies and gentlemen…it has been a really wonderful evening…but don’t worry the fun has just begun….we have here with us… A Performer who made her debut and touched our hearts with the famous foot-swinging song/number Nach Le

Let’s welcome with a huge round of applause, Ms. Mansi Scott


Mansi’s Performance

Labels: content, copy, emcee, event flow, script

posted by Partha Anant @ 8:12 AM 0 comments

MAX NEW YORK LIFE CONCEPT NOTES FOR EC

MAX CONCEPT NOTES FOR EC

RAISE THE BAR


A true champion has no competition other than himself. Every time he descends on the proving ground he has only one motive “Raise the Bar”. And every time he does so he wins.

He wins because every time he transcends to a different level.

Each time world champion and legendary pole vaulter Sergie Bubka soared in the sky he bettered his own record – No man challenged him – he was challenged only by his will to better his best.

Tiger Woods, Roger Bannister, Michael Schumacher, and Sachin Tendulkar are legends only because they raised the bar.

A goal is meant to be attained, hurdles are meant to be crossed. The bar only goes higher for success has no limit; it has no boundary for a true champion.

Elements – lends it self to a great and visually exciting AV – lends it self to interactive games and candid AV formats.

OVERDRIVE

When you enter the victory lap and the checkered flag is but a mirage in the distant you shift into overdrive.

Overdrive is when the laws of combustion combine with the raw pulsating adrenalin rush to push man and machine faster and further.

At Max NYL we are in constant overdrive. We don’t shift gears – we steer the course of business.

We are machine powered by the passion to win. Victory lane is where you will find us.

Elements – AV Song – Break Through The Barrier by Tina Turner from Days of Thunder. / AV with car racing footage – Days of Thunder – 2 Fast 2 Furious – Bad Boys II. Set can have a giant RPM meter that changes every day signifying the progress of the conference.


UNLEASH
Passion and Power are only intangible feelings that hold great promise. That promise becomes reality when we find the courage to unleash them for deep within us where they lie dormant waiting for that one chance to change life itself.

Those who succeed in unleashing the power – the passion - succeed in winning the ultimate prize. They join a league of champions.

Unleash the potential and translate dreams into reality.

Unleash the power and transform adversity into strength

Elements – visually, a very powerful theme



Client: Max New York Life

Labels: AV, concept note, content, copy, Max New York Life

posted by Partha Anant @ 8:05 AM 0 comments

CONCEPT NOTE- MAX NEW YORK LIFE CEO'S COUNCIL

MAX CONCEPT NOTE FOR CEO’S COUNCIL

rEVOLUTION
evolution through revolution

The history of the human race is a story of evolution through revolution. The earliest explorers who charted new worlds, to the men who crossed the mighty oceans and finally those who ventured into the unknown realms of space. Our evolution is a testament to the revolutionary spirit of a few. The few who chose not to be followers but leaders. The few who decided to walk the path less traveled. In a world on the move the only constant is change and our theme celebrates those who mastermind and control this change.

The CE’s council is a gathering of such individuals. Individuals who are not followers but leaders. Individuals who revolutionize the business by just being a part of it and changing the very rules of the game by taking it a notch higher.

A.C.E.S.
Aim.Challenge.Excel.Succeed.

Everybody knows that in a standard deck of cards the person who holds the 4 aces is a winner. At Max New York Life we play with a deck of cards that has all aces.

What makes you our ACES?

It is your grit determination and focus, your unwavering Aim.
It is your ability to challenge yourself and your ability to rise to any challenge.
It is your drive to excel.
It is your passion to succeed.

With ACES...you can never lose./ ACES don't allow you to lose

The CEO’s Council, a gathering of ACES – the best of the best.

Elements – A deck of cards with all Aces as the invite - the memento an ACE OF SPADES sandwiched between clear glass personalized with the name and venue and date of conference.

Divide the days or create interactive games each with the aim of reinforcing the core values of the acronym. An AV the shows ACES from every walk of life – men and women who are heroes because of their talents.

Labels: concept note, copy, event theme, ideation, Max New York Life

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:52 AM 0 comments

Concept Note and Copy options for HP LaserJet Printer

HP LaserJet Printer (The Winning Edge)

Event Details:
DATE: END OF MAY
VENUE: 5 star HOTELS (DELHI, MUMBAI, CHENNAI, KOLKATA, BANGALORE)

TELLING THE TRUTH IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT.
- GEORGE ORWELL

EVENT CONCEPT:

HP- REVEALING THE WINNING REVOLUTION

•‘REVEALING THE WINNING REVOLUTION’ DEPICTS THE FACET OF THE ADVANCEMENT IN THE TECHNICAL ARENA WHERE INNOVATION GIVES THAT WINNING EDGE
•IT IS HERE NOT JUST TO STAY…BUT TO SHOW THE REST THE NEW WAY
•IT IS HERE TO KEEP TRACK OF NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF PRINTOUTS BUT THE NUMBER OF PRINTERS AS WELL
•IT IS HERE NOT JUST TO ENHANCE THE PRODUCTIVITY…BUT TO DECREASE THE COSTS INVOLVED
•IT IS HERE TO REVOLUTIONALIZE
•IT IS HERE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WORLD OF NEW AGE PRINTING TECHNOLOGY


HP synonymous to innovation…this year too, the legacy continues…

Here we showcase the concept products.

Then entire space will be white, using tensile material.

The zone would have innovative displays of the products.

As one walk into the space, the stark white with blue neon hue would give the futuristic, minimalist look.

Showcase products on plasma screens, installations.

As an entertainment piece one could look at doing a short and crisp fashion case.


Client: HP

Labels: concept note, copy, event, IT, printers

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:39 AM 0 comments

HP Conference Invite

We take the pleasure in inviting you to the enthralling HP PC a Mobile Mughal Club. In order to delight your eyes and ears, the conference is scheduled for high-spirited evenings of the 20th, 21st and the 22nd of May 2007. You will find the exquisite Mughal ambiance, especially created for the luxury of your senses at the Taj Malabar, Cochin to match your elite standards. This Conference & Awards Night is your Mughal dreams brought to life. To miss it would be a mistake.


Client: HP

Labels: content, copy, HP, invite

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:26 AM 0 comments

bruzed mustang inc.

We do not wear straitjackets, read 'business suits'. We save that fuss for your work instead. We don't take your corporate aspirations to post-modernist boardrooms or golf courses or over a couple of beers. We make it simpler by just exchanging e-mails or through any zero paper media. Our belief lies in processing your brief in as primal a way as possible. And; time is not considered to be a luxury around here.

At bruzed mustang inc., we make it happening…
sOlUtIoNs fOr YoUr IlLuSiOnS

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:41 AM 0 comments

Golf Shirts Keeping Sweat At Bay On As Well As Off the course

It is no longer enough that a shirt be a nice color or design, people today are expecting a shirt to ‘do’ something be it wicking moisture, protecting from UV rays or killing bacteria. The expectation is evenmore when the shirt is worn for sports and active lifestyle. Golf apparel is jumping on a ‘high in demand’ trend and at just the right time, which is serving as an amazing way to launch the urban fashion on the golf course.

The biggest trends in golf apparel in the last couple of years have revolved around technical fabrics. A surge is observed in moisture-wicking and stretch fabrics aimed at offering the wearer a higher level of performance and comfort when active, infact sport shirts and golf apparel are some of the most versatile garments available in the market today. Golfers are on the lookout for garments that are made to meet their specific needs, whether it’s providing UV protection, or small pockets for tees and extra balls. As far as the fabric is concerned, mercerised cotton remains to be the preferred fabrication for golf shirts.

One such technical fabric, Sensor Cool, is used in the Ping Collection golf line offered by Miami based Perry Ellis International. As the body heats up, the pores in the fabric expand allowing extreme breathability and as the body cools, the pores contract and store the body heat, like a natural radiator for the body. Leading manufacturer of golf apparel, Dunbrooke Apparel Corp. also report a growing demand for performance features in the golf wear.

Nike Golf initiated the use of technical fabrics in golf fashion by introducing elements such as moisture management, dimension of stretching, sweat zone ventilation, evaporation and airflow, lightweight compression for range of motion, and more. Dri-Fit which was initially developed for running at Nike Inc, is a performance fabric that is lightweight and less restrictive. Dri-FIT fabric helps in keeping one comfortable and dry by moving perspiration from your skin to the outside for rapid evaporation. The process transfers perspiration through layers of fabric as the body produces moisture, these layers carries the moisture through the garment and up to the outside layer. From there it is dispersed across the outer surface and released into the air. Nike added UV protection to prevent sunburn through the fabric to enhance Dri-Fit technology. It also improved the original Dri-Fit by adding a new dimension of stretching capabilities that enabled a greater range of motion.

The recreational and professional golf industries can also serve as a very lucrative market for any embroiderer. To become a sought-after embroiderer for this unique market, one has to demonstrate the ability to create clean and crisp logos on apparel such as pique knit shirts, sweaters, terry cloth towels and headgear.
Although mercerised cotton is a hot commodity, it also proves too ‘hot’ to wear in certain situations. While they are appropriate for the executive in the office, mercerised polos do not breathe and are not considered to be ideal golf shirts. In today’s competitive retail environment retailers are seeking bigger share in market by addressing customers’ needs, including the potential weather conditions to enhance sales.

The rising popularity of camp shirts is being considered as a unique alternative. The latest trend, however, is toward polo shirts made of a high-tech polyester blend designed to keep the body cool and providing a roomy and comfortable fit.
The golf shirt market is now crossing gender borders making a leap for the ladies segment. The importance of appropriate styles for the fairer sex can be emphasised. Women certainly don’t want to wear something that looks like a downsized men’s garment. Styles need to be feminine and fits need to be correct. According to the National Golf Foundation the sport attracts an average of 2 million new players each year in the U.S. Novice golfers are getting younger (almost 60 % are between the ages of 18 and 39) and more women are hitting the links for the first time (more than 38 % of the golf first-timers are women). A growing number of women see golf as a necessary business skill; an activity that serves as an effective networking and business development tool. Now that apparel makers have become more aware that women are a viable segment of the golf market, new lines of clothing are being created just for them.

Lady golfers, in recent years, made some of the most exciting golf news. Accomplished athletes capture the world’s attention through clothing endorsements. In the ongoing year, Annika Sorenstam will complete the second of two consecutive three-year deals with Seattle based Cutter & Buck. Thanks to the agreements, she has worn the company’s golf and lifestyle apparel exclusively for all professional golf tournaments, events and media appearances; created the Annika Collection, which includes pieces for on and off the course; and consulted with Cutter & Buck’s design and merchandising team on performance features and design innovations for the company’s women’s golf collections. Well-known designer names as Giorgio Armani, Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren and La Coste have all added to their women’s golf offerings.
Teen phenom Michelle Wie announced in October that she is turning professional, is hot on Sorenstam’s heels not only on the golf course, but with corporate endorsements as well. Sources predict Wie will be donning all things Nike for several years to come.

With these golf celebs leading the way, one can expect to see styles created for the course making their way into women’s daily routines. Most women’s golf apparel is designed to cross over from business casual and leisure. It is also predicted that, as ladies’ apparel continues its explosive growth in the promotional industry, more golf-specific styles will emerge.

As golf apparel for women continues to increase dramatically, different trends prevail when comparing the purchasing and wearing habits of the two sexes. Women usually shop for their golf apparel at retail outlet, not in the pro shop. A man on the other hand will buy a shirt with the logo of his club or a course that he played which holds some sentimental value; women don’t prefer logos on their clothing.
According to Frank Hannigan of GolfObserver.com, though the general interest in golf peaked years ago and is now in decline, there is growth in the concept of golf apparel that is designed for multiple uses.

Based on fashion, form and function, this is one category that isn’t going away any time soon. For the most part, golf apparel is transcending the course and making its way into the business-casual environment and leisure settings. Golf wear is no longer an apparel which is worn only to the golf courses, but has also emerged as a favoured wear for workplace, weekends and life wear. Golf wear leader Ashworth has evolved into a lifestyle brand and wants to follow the customer from golf course to work, and through the weekend and travel. The company plans to provide its customers a clothing line that can be worn seven days a week.

Anatomy of a quality Golf Shirt

·Buttonholes -- Stitching should be clean
·Collar -- Should be balanced, not favoring one side, and seams should be taped
·Sleeves -- Set-in sleeves are best, seams should be straight
·Placket -- Should be reinforced and have quality stitching
·Tail -- Should extend beyond front of shirt
·Fabric, Pattern Direction -- Stripes should be straight, pattern consistent


Partha Anant

Client: Apparel Online

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:34 AM 0 comments

World Cup 2006 Instigates Consumers Worldwide to Buy More Apparel to Retailers’ Delight

World Cup 2006 brings along immense opportunities for retailers as more and more customers pour into apparel outlets with every passing match, for which the big brands are even creating customised soccer and sportswear outlets. It is like a Yuletide boom for the retailers and manufacturers big or small, as soccer fans around the globe are on a buying spree of football related merchandise, reflecting the brands endorsed by their favourite teams and players who are playing in the world’s biggest sporting event.

The FIFA World Cup 2006 has brought a boom in sales of football oriented garment and apparel through the retail doors from all around the globe. ‘Wear what the Pros wear!’ is the selling tagline of major soccer oriented retail outlet chain like MLS (Major League Soccer) that is selling the host country’s very own adidas goods as a part of an agreement to feature adidas apparel and equipment throughout the season. The phrase is in perfect unison with the way it is being exhibited live by the consumers. The football fanatics are buying almost all apparel endorsed by their favourite players and teams. It enables fans to be part of the action, to declare their support through wearing a cap or T-shirt or buying a souvenir.

Expectations of the retailers are on a high, as the global gross turnover for the 1994 FIFA World Cup generated US$ 550 mn at retail selling prices, while the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups produced a record breaking $ 1.2 bn plus. Projections made for the current World Cup season are turning positive in nature for the retailers who went through some rough times in the past few months, and serves as good news for them.

Each company is trying to make their product stand out in the world’s biggest sporting event through various promotions techniques like roping teams competing in this year’s World Cup to wear apparel and use equipment manufactured and retailed by them, thereby driving soccer fans to purchase items endorsed by their favourite teams and players resulting in increased sales. An estimated 3 million visitors from 32 countries that have qualified for the World Cup this year are in Germany and an audience of more than a billion viewers is expected to watch the 64 game tournament on TV across the world. The players are serving as models and brand ambassadors as the apparel giants are trying to capture every move of theirs in photographs and films to create advertisements in all forms of media transmitted to fans all over the world through various modes. The better the teams perform, the more screen time they get to showcase their respective products, which would further push the brands in the soccer crazy crowd.

Puma had the strongest presence on the grounds for shirt sponsorship deals and supplied to 12 out of 32 nations. But it is Nike that is leading by those numbers after the first round with Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal, Mexico and Ausralia. Twelve million people have seen Nike’s edgy internet 'Ping Pong' ad, featuring a digitally enhanced Ronaldinho of the star contenders and five time World Cup champions Brazil. The design team of Nike has made the “Swoosh” logo distinctive enough to deviate the attention of customers from rival adidas’ “three stripes” that are the official sposors of World Cup alongwith the host country being its home ground.

Football mania has spirited the world with its kicks and a similar spirit is being reflected in the buying behaviour of consumers at retail outlets. The sports goods dealers have constantly been running short of stocks for the last one-month as apparel of football teams and players are quickly exhausted from counters. In the previous World Cup 40 % of the licensing revenue was generated by textiles which was over $ 1.2 bn. Lotto Sport Italia has appointed PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP) as its exclusive licensee to establish itself as a leading sports brand this year, while Creative Licensing Plus (CLP) has bagged South African merchandising and licensing rights for World Cup 2006. Even shops specialised in leisure clothing have introduced clothing printed with flags of countries participating in this game. The lifestyle apparel chain Steve & Barry’s has left the retail world awestruck by getting into a licensing agreement with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), for soccer’s biggest event. Steve & Barry's has produced a variety of 2006 FIFA World Cup licensed T-shirts for men, women and children, to be sold at participating locations nationwide, while supplies last.

FIFA World Cup 2006 scarves and jerseys are among the major sellouts in Europe, with 44 million fans owning either of these. The biggest price hacks came in discounted sales of children’s sportswear. This is of concern for major brands manufacturers, as they saw the decline in sales of their branded items by Euro 65.5 mn, brought about due to price cuts. Average price of sportswear at discount chain Sports World is just Euro 14.4 as compared to premium chains like JD Sports, who are serving products at Euro 45.14.

Much to the happiness of British retailers, England has had a decent start in the tournament and is performing well, and the big brands are now reaping the kind of sales they were looking forward to. In Britain alone, clothing and footwear sales rose strongly even though there were signs that the rate of discounting on the high street had broken up somewhat. The Centre for Economics & Business Research Ltd has forecast that an additional Euro 1.82 bn will be spent in the UK, driven by the World Cup mania. UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany have spent Euro 6.84 bn on football club merchandise. Men have not been seen buying much in the on-going season, even with the drop in the price of sportswear and styles in clothing and the younger lot shifted trends, surprisingly giving a rise of 10 % in the sales of non-sports clothing. But the older fans are the real spenders in the segment buying football related merchandise worth Euro 142 mn.

It is now being speculated whether the last World Cup’s 24 % growth in apparel sales will be matched or surpassed in this year’s football extravaganza. Apparel manufacturers are hoping for their national teams to stay as long as possible for the fans’ spending rises with every week a team stays back in the tournament. Though the euphoria is short-lived, the business generated is sizeable.

Partha Anant

Client: Apparel Online

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:28 AM 0 comments

VF Corporation Riding High with Stronger Brands and Supply Chain Management

VF Corporation has started the year on a positive note, with earnings well in excess of the initial assessment in February. The group showed an increase of 5 % in the first quarter with revenues up to $ 1,666.7 mn when compared with $ 1,582.2 mn year over year. The growth strategy has momentum, which continues to build up as the year progresses. Even more, the execution of processes this year are driven by strong organic growth.

VF Corporation is the world´s largest apparel company that designs, manufactures and markets branded jeans wear, intimate apparel, occupational apparel, knitwear, outdoor apparel and equipment, children's playwear and other apparel. For over 100 years, the company has grown by offering consumers high quality, high value branded apparel. VF's leading brands in jeans wear, intimate apparel, outdoors and specialty apparel span virtually every channel of distribution.
Overall performance of VF Corporation’s Jeanswear experienced higher sales of full-priced products that were reflected by the rise in operating income of 5 % and operating margins rising to 17.5 % from 16.4 %. Though the US market for jeans saw a slight slow down in the first quarter, VF continued to experience solid gains in the Mass Market and Western Specialty businesses. While down from prior year levels, Lee(R) brand domestic revenues turned better than anticipated and the company expects improved top line comparisons in the second quarter. VF Corp. has scheduled announcement of Q2 results on July 19, 2006.

The outdoor division is driven by strong growth in global demand for various VF Outdoor brands, especially the Reef(R) brand that contributed a whopping $ 42 mn to overall revenue generated. Revenues of other brands like The North Face(R) brand also grew to acceptable figures. The adventure backpacks business driven by higher end Eastpak(R) brand sales in Europe is growing modestly but grippingly. Mackey J McDonald, Chairman and CEO, VF Corporation, plans to invest an additional $ 20 mn this year in increased advertising behind the company’s jeans wear brands as well as support a variety of growth initiatives in its Outdoor business. The group recently acquired net assets of Holoubek Inc and Reef Holding Corporation.
Each of the group’s sportswear businesses, which include Nautica(R) and John Varvatos(R) brands, as well as Kipling(R) brand sales in North America are achieving higher revenues. Nautica(R) branded wholesale business, which includes men's sportswear, has increased revenues in the quarter along with strong sales of spring product offerings that partially compensated for slightly lower revenues earned in Nautica(R) brand retail stores. In addition, margins reflected increased promotional activity in Nautica(R) brand retail stores during the first quarter of 2006. Nautica products are styled in timeless design and premium quality. Today Nautica products are available in more than 40 countries, including India, with more than 170 Nautica branded stores worldwide. Nautica continues to focus on global growth, with its prime focus to launch Nautica in all markets in Europe. Nautica is also on the verge of launching a new sportswear line exclusively for women. VF works closely with key retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to manage inventory and replenishment and to gather data that will put in the picture the latest styles. The group’s successful use of demand-side data to deliver consumer needs is it’s biggest competitive advantage.

Driven by strong sales in Image apparel, VF Imagewear has delivered yet another excellent quarter. Revenues rose 4%, which includes uniforms for the industrial, public safety and service markets. The ability to add new companies to the common platform is critical to VF's growth strategy. The company wants to own great brands with growth potential and consumer appeal, though not necessarily operating at an optimum level. The management at VF claims to fix all those bits up by connecting them to the group’s coalition system. The Intimate Apparel coalition business of VF Corporation continues to anticipate more stable performance for the remainder of 2006. The focus of the management team is high and tight on returning the business to traditional levels of profitability and renewing growth in its strong brands, including Vanity Fair(R), Lily of France(R), Vassarette(R), Bestform(R) and Curvation(R).

Based on the strong performance of the Q1/FY’06, VF is raising its full year guidance for both revenues and earnings. The company is looking forward to a great performance in the second half and expects a 7 to 8 % increase in revenues. The fourth quarter is expected to be particularly strong. This forecast is based on certain strengths that VF Corporation possesses, like its reliance on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of VF's customers and its adaptation to changing fashion trends and consumer demand. VF's growth strategy comprises of the continued usage of ethical business practices by VF's suppliers, its ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights, and most importantly, the way it relates to demands of end consumers.

To further strengthen its distribution network, VF Corporation has chosen Averitt Express to provide a variety of transportation and supply chain management services, also including Averitt ground transportation, inventory management, distribution, consolidation, deconsolidation, postponement and several other value-added services for warehousing. It will manage all the shipments from VF’s multiple leading brands and subsidiaries. As a part of VF’s long-term national expansion strategy, Averitt will use ‘merge-in-transit’ system for delivering the products directly to VF Outlet stores present in Southeastern and Midwestern realm of USA. Averitt has been zeroed in for its proven service with other national retailers, advanced visibility, electronic data interchange capabilities and functioning of its management team that is well coordinated with VF Corporation’s programme needs.

VF has made the transition from successful-but-stodgy manufacturer to world-spanning enterprise, delivering strong growth and financial performance by sourcing and selling its products all over the map. The company is on a growth strategy aimed at cost savings, customer service for big retail partners, new products and acquisitions that could reach more consumers and keep up with their changing tastes. About 30% of its products are now sourced from Asia and over 50 % from Mexico and Central America. Meanwhile, rapid growth in foreign markets, especially Europe, has made VF the US's most successful mass-market apparel company in terms of international sales.

Partha Anant

Client: Apparel Online

posted by Partha Anant @ 7:20 AM 0 comments

US Retailers Make the Most Out of Cotton in the First Six Months of 2006

The first six months of the ongoing year has left the US retailers asking for more as consumers are on a buying spree for new apparel with differentiating factors as trends change with every passing day. Export of readymade garments to US has increased by 28 % in the first six months of 2006 compared to a drop by 16 % during the same period last year. During last year, readymade garments worth $ 4,359,945 were exported to US, while this year saw an export worth $ 5,563,610. Observing this year’s buying behaviour of the end as well as potential consumers, retailers in United States are developing diverse strategies directed towards the coming fall-winter business.

A large number of US apparel retailers have picked up the strategy to give fastest and finest response on consumer feedback to alter its product assortments at the slightest indication of change in consumer demand. The fast fashion cycle has kept the brands on their toes. The significant task which the sales-staff conducts is to understand market mechanics. Even while the consumers are in the store, the sales staff is busy interacting with them. Once the consumer requirements have been evaluated, new products are developed keeping under consideration the changes in demand.

This year, in fabrics, cotton has increased its dominance in the imports of apparel. Organic cotton is being used in most of the new and popular men and women's styles as the demand for the eco-friendly fabric is at an all time high. Levi's brand will include jeans made with 100% organic cotton in its fall 2006 product line. Consumers who seek to minimise their personal impact on the environment can choose apparel that demand less from the environment without throwing overboard the style or quality they've come to expect from the brands and retail stores. Additional styles made from 100 % organic cotton, or a significant percentage of organic cotton, are being introduced in the market by quite a lot of manufacturers and retailers. On the flip side of coin, it reflects

Cotton jackets and jeans are the cotton products actually creating positive swings in the sales chart. Some of the retailers and brands that have witnessed good sales include Plus-size women’s line fashion retailer United Retail Group, brand for the youth-American Eagle Outfitter, Zumiez known for its action sports apparel, urban apparel retailer Citi Trends, men’s suits chain Men’s Wearhouse, Stage Stores, Abercrombie & Fitch for its trendy apparel, women’s contemporary wear bebe stores, The Gymboree Corporation for children’s wear and fashion apparel major The Wet Seal. All these apparel retailers and chain stores have a net increase in sales driven by cotton jackets, jeans, adventure wear, and lingerie at the end of first six months of the year. Footwear and cotton jerseys also got a big push in sales by the ongoing FIFA World Cup fever, as USA had advanced in the first couple of rounds.

Along with brick and mortar, the internet has also been a major force in giving a jump to the sales during the ensuing period. Internet sales have undoubtedly grown at a tremendous rate in the last five years. In spite of the continued reluctance of some retailers to separate or release their sales by channel, online retail sales in the first quarter totaled to $ 24.2 bn. More and more consumers are placing orders in assortments as well as in bulk. The e-tailing turnover has gone up with the rise in the number of net savvy retailers and consumers. It has become an important medium for businesses and driven many a brand and retailer to develop exclusive websites for consumers, sitting at some other corner of the planet, to place orders. The competition between retail chains and brands to create as interactive a website as possible is at cutthroat levels. A success story is VintageTrends.com, which has emerged as the shopping paradise for vintage clothing, military apparel & accessories as well as the latest retro fashion from the cool comfort of home.

As China continues to dominate imports into the United States, the ‘Made in USA’ tag is once again looking more attractive to some US retailers than importing from China. According to the findings of a research by CNN, several specialty chain stores like trendy women’s clothing Hot Topic, deLia’s, Dillards and Nordstorm are very interested in moving ‘no less than a practical percentage’ of their product sourcing either back home (USA) or at least closer to the country or to countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador, or for that sake, nations that belong to Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). US retailers are finally looking at lost sales as lost revenue. In order to capture maximum sales they need to turn their inventory much quicker thus keeping their stock looking fresh and in-step with the fad of moment.

Partha Anant

Client: Apparel Online

posted by Partha Anant @ 6:44 AM 0 comments

Department Stores Give Specialty Stores a Run for Their Gains

Consumers are turning to midpriced department stores, which generally offer cheaper fashions than specialty clothing chains. For the second month in a row, sales at department stores chain of the likes of Kohl’s and JCPenney have outperformed those of speciality apparel chains of Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch. Specialty apparel stores sales rose by a meagre 0.6 % in June 2006 whereas department stores sales climbed up by 3.8 % according to research analysts at International Council of Shopping Centres and Retail Metrics.

The unexpected shift in consumer behaviour, which earlier moved towards specialty stores in the last two years can be due to many reasons, including the slow economy and hike in gasoline price that has driven shoppers to lower-priced department stores. CFO Wal-Mart, Thomas M Schoewe observed the rise in the number of customers who shopped in June, demonstrating how gasoline prices are shaping their buying patterns, as sales at Wal-Mart’s discount chain increased by 1.2 % which is, however, less than expected. It also brings onto the surface the rationale building up amongst the consumers for “value for money”.

Department stores have always been the traditional favourite for shopping as they appeal to customers because of their ability to meet the needs for the entire family under one roof. Another reason to shop at a department store is because large stores can afford to research and determine the popular opinion, thus making it more likely for consumers to find something they need or like in a department store. On the other hand, speciality stores reflect a certain signature style endorsed by a section of shoppers; one of the reason for the rising popularity of specialty stores in the past.

However, in the last two years, a lot of reshuffling has brought the focus back to department stores. Among the foremost reasons besides economics are: closing of malls, consolidation of department stores, upscaling of products at department stores and cutthroat competition amongst the speciality stores.

It cannot be denied that consolidations and mergers have assisted Department Stores to a very large extent in expanding their reach. The merger of the May and Federated Department Stores chains last year and the closure of some of May's mall stores has made way for Macy's and has left thousands of May’s loyals up for grabs by department stores. Analysts at Stifel Nicolaus have conjectured that these alienated consumers will go shopping, if it is at the mall, to JCPenney and when it's outside the mall, it's Kohl's. Stifel Nicolaus is a full-service brokerage and banking firm that also provides market insights to its clients. The revival of the department store has served as a bright spot in the retail sales for June this year as sales at ‘stores open for at least a year’ rose 2.8 % last month compared with June 2005, according to Retail Metrics, a research firm. Upscale department stores also fared well. Saks Fifth Avenue that tried to win over consumers with updates of classic looks instead of being trendy, saw sales rise 5.3 % in June from a year earlier, well above expectations again. The discount chain Target had its sales up 4.8 % in June, primarily because of better product range to serve the higher-income consumers.

Chico's and the Limited were few others in the specialty store segment who missed their sales forecasts for the month, and so did Abercrombie & Fitch, which had been selling hot cakes for the entire period last year. The management of the company that mainly sells apparel to teenagers and young adults, and also operates the Hollister and Ruehl chains, stated that its sales were down by 4 % in June, compared with the figures for that month a year earlier. The company's namesake stores, known for dim lighting, wood panelling and posters of semi-naked male models fared the worst, with sales down 10 % from a year earlier, especially for men's swimwear and women's denim.

The other reason for Abercrombie’s slow sales was the stiff competition it faced from American Eagle Outfitters, as the two specialty stores targeting the same audience, aggressively pushed the expansion of its tight-fitting knit clothing, which has always been a popular category with the tween set. At Gap, sales fell across all three divisions, including Old Navy and Banana Republic brands. Sales at Gap itself that is testing a back-to-basics approach favoring T-shirts and jeans over designer-inspired handbags and dresses, fell 4 % from last year. Tara Carter, an analyst at the research firm Jennifer Black & Associates, which is often highly critical of Gap, wrote that "although Gap's June performance was not impressive, we have viewed pieces of all three division's up-and-coming fall lines, which has caused us to warm up" to the company.

As speciality stores continued to suffer, department stores like JCPenney (4.3 %) and Kohl's (7.1 %) posted big gains followed by Federated that owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's with sales up by 1.7 % and Wal-Mart up 1.29 %. JCPenney saw customer traffic going up at many of its mall stores, citing among other things, the mergers of rival department stores.

This shift in the buying trends on the part of the consumers is assumed to be temporary by many research analysts like Lehman Bros’ Bob Drbul, as specialty stores are gearing themselves up with various strategies to attract back the consumers. The specialty stores are very likely to stage a comeback, as the consumers on the lookout for the distinguishing style in their apparel would soon get over the changes in the prices of commodities and services that has led them to shop from the department stores.

Partha Anant

Client: Apparel Online

posted by Partha Anant @ 6:09 AM 0 comments

Impacts of Internet Marketing on Millennium Enterprises

As we entered and took the first step into this millennium, the mechanics running the market also stepped forward. This was simply due to the rise in the number of rational & internet-savvy consumers or end users. One fact to which we (marketers) cannot afford to turn our backs at.

The target population is literate; a thirteen year old boy sitting at one corner of the world, with the help of a web-cam and strong connectivity of internet turned a millionaire by the time he was 17 as he marketed images through chat rooms. So with internet, one now can understand needs, whereabouts and habits of the target population and chart them in accordance to the product/service development leading to a definitive market strategy.

Where do all this and other studies in the change of consumer behavior direct us? Is it the same old marketing game of the four to n number of P’s? Or is it the World Wide Web/internet? It is the former equipped with later as one of the strongest tool/medium. Internet Marketing for the enterprises of this era is giving ground breaking results in terms of ROI, CRM, Brand loyalty and most importantly customer retention as the interaction has come to mouse clicks & ‘Enter’ keys as in speed and accuracy. Evenmore to find out about the impacts of practicing or using Internet Marketing tools the market studies are done with the help of web-based marketing research.

posted by Partha Anant @ 10:14 PM 0 comments

On Selling Engagement Rings

Engagement Rings

If weddings are the locks then engagement rings are the keys that lock them up. Engagement is a commitment towards a harmonious relationship between two individuals. They make some gain pleasure and some suffer, but they do sell as for a huge percentage of human beings, the engagement ring is the eventuality they look forward to. Once engaged, the person becomes obliged towards a certain responsibility, and the ring keeps reminding him/her of that from time to time. Go by the instinct instead going by the rules while selecting the engagement ring for your to-be partner.

By instinct I mean what your partner would like in the ring finger also that would fit in it. Take him/her along when you are going to pick up the ring instead of walking inside the jewelry outlet with your mother. Or just find out what he/she likes; silver or gold or platinum with diamonds on it; they come in all forms and one can get them customized as well with whatever pattern you want. It is advisable to use a metal in the ring that is less likely to corrode. And invest some extra money and buy an expensive one, which can be used again. Well you never know.

The engagement ring also gives you time to think over the most important step in your life. Time to think and decide about the compromises, the sacrifices and other complexities that come along with the wedlock. The engagement ring once worn will show you an entirely different world altogether just like after wearing Tolkien’s ring. It can be a wonderland, it can be scary as hell or it can be a void where you and your partner would be required to put the pieces together. In other words, shape it in accordance to your will. Like the ball often falls in your court, the engagement ring follows a similar philosophy.


By

Partha Anant
Client: Tags Content Team United States

posted by Partha Anant @ 6:34 AM 1 comments

E-business Mechanics

How E-business has changed business operations marketing dynamics? As in 2005…
Electronic Marketing or E-marketing is basically traditional marketing using Information Technology as a powerful tool. With Internet now serving as an even more powerful tool and medium to meet challenges on very high ends in business, E-Marketing sure has provided marketers a positive twist. Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Mosaic Browser, which gave birth to the Web era.

It also can be sub-divided into stages; the technology leap leading to growth & the big time explosion of the market and now up to pragmatism. Marketers are now at a point where they have begun grappling with these highly empowered/rational and connected consumers. Business solutions are being provided on the basis of e-research and investigation driven through the electronics. Solutions lead to strategies for further development of the any marketing driven Process creating a niche for the Product/Service in the web industry promotional act of 2006. And this trend can in a very primal way be called Web-Branding. Hence, leading to a brand loyalty, knowledge bank and client retention. The Internet and other technologies have increased efficiency in establishing marketing functions. The assistance of the access to resources and with the speed of information transfer in forming marketing strategies have led to many & accurate results. And most importantly it has changed the consumer behavior with a power shift from firms to mouse holders.

This transformation in the market mechanics has resulted in some awesome business models that add customer value, build customer relationship, and finally increasing a brand loyalty & company profits. But if and only if asked for a candid opinion I would consider the digital age still in the infancy stage*. Evolution is being done as ever. We are at work.

By

Partha Anant
Client: Olive e-business Solutions


*=> Something that can’t go wrong will go wrong, humans presumed to commit mistakes and then spend rest of their natural born life trying to resolve it. So and but, time moves ahead leaving you a little behind…as always.

posted by Partha Anant @ 5:29 AM 0 comments