Vision Twenty20?

Congratulations to 'Team India' for the biggest comeback in recent times.
One look at the frenzy and fever this last week clearly demonstrates the "back to form" nature of our game. People leaving work early, trains empty, streets empty (although the streets went back to being full minutes after the last ball was bowled, in celebration, ie)

But, its not the game that excites me... nor the 'Return of It'. What gets to me is the way the entire machinery is so kicked about this performance. TV channels are happy that their single biggest cash cow, and their big investments in buying rights and setting up telecast is finally paying off... Advertisers want to recover from their World Cup fiasco... Viewers had all but lost hope of deriving any entertainment from the game whatsoever. Twenty20 may well have been the answer to everybody's prayers (or an elegant solution to everybody's problems... depending on which way you see it)

We win one popularised , "Americanised" version of the game, and everybody involved sees a ray of hope. Cricket is back (regardless of the way, shape or form) Its in their own best interest to hype this up even further. Expect all our 'players' to be suitably and overwhelmingly rewarded. Cars, houses, promotions and hard cash...

Heroes, all of them. Heroes of a nation and an economy starved for entertainment. Heroes of brands and corporations who bet big on the game, lost face and faith and then regained it.

Well played Team India!!!

Boo-daa

Hyderabad has this very nice little lake. They have boating and everything, and a Buddha statue in the middle of it. Given that I went there like a pucca tourist (sans the camera hanging from my neck, of course) I decided to take the boat ride as well.. followed by one of the finest dinners I have had in recent times. (The Waterfront, on Eat Street, Hussain Sagar Lake)

Loved the city, loved their roads, and loved the lakeside. I hereby aspire to have a bungalow in Banjara Hills.

O Buddha, grant me my aspirations.

Mere 2 Bhai

Theres this thing I say about friends... the ones who come to your party are friends... those who are among the last to leave are the best friends, and the ones who stay over are family...

This one goes out to two o' ma' brothers... (you`ll know who they are, and what they are best at) Figuratively speaking, of course.

Cheers!!

Leopold must be very very happy

Couple weeks ago i was mighty kicked about the new Hard Rock Cafe in Mumbai... Awesome ambience, drinks and basically going on about how we all had a nice time (after a long time, too)
Well, last night we did the same at Cafe Leopold's (Colaba Causeway, although if you know me, chances are you will know where this is too)
what made this evening (and the place) special was
i) It was a very dear friends birthday party.
ii) went there (and sat upstairs) after the longest time, brought college rushing back into my head.
iii) Got a load of how much of a Mumbai landmark it has become (see picture above)

Lets see how long it takes for Hard Rock Cafe to get on of those...

Bad Week for the 'Talkies'

The week starting 31st August was an extremely unusual one, especially for Cinemas, who's staff are very flummoxed and very slightly ruffled at the sorry turnout at all their properties across the city. The reason being the dismal outcome of a whole load of hoopla.
3 films, 2 of them remakes and one of them a much touted, much hyped one... BOMBED.
Makes you wonder (and doubt)... marketing. Does it really work. Coz I know for a fact (and don't ask me how), that a whole lot of people put in a whole lot of effort - and not just educated guesswork - into promoting each of these films.

Audience expectations need to be managed...but CAN they be? What makes you wanna see the film before you actually have? What does one need to tell you so that you go out and buy that ticket? Is not like a diamond ring that you can see, wear, rub against your tshirt, shine, see and wear again before you decide to buy it...

Answers to these questions will come once I become a marketing GURU...(and will be duly posted here) till then, go catch a flick. But wait for the next weekend.

Cheers!!