Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Marketing Goof-Up

While reading today's newspaper i got stuck up with a news about Indian railways selling its train names, tickets space etc to advertisers for generating more revenues. A trail has already begun with 3 trains being taken by Frito-lays promoted "Kurkure". Now the train will be called "Banglore-Chennai Kurkure Express". What!!! Kurkure Express.......!!! Are they going to distribute free kurkure to all passengers or what?? Imagine if this trial goes successful and more advertisers come calling for trains, we might end up with fancy names for trains. e.g.
"Patna-Lucknow kamasutra Express"
"Jaipur-Bikaner Bisleri Express"
"Allahabad-Bhopal Jockey Express"
"Lalquila Viagra Express"
I am not doubting the credibility of our beloved Railway minister Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav as he has already proved himself by turning loss making Indian railways into a profit making organization. Now he can also boasts of being the only polticians who has addressed management graduates in Ivy league institutes e.g IIM-A and Harvard. I don't profess to be a marketing guru either. The only point i want to get across here is that an advertiser needs to be careful while choosing a particular train.
Imagine Jockey buying rights for a train to hinterland UP or Bihar?? Common!!! U can't expect those dhoti clad guys to buy your Jockey. While a Good marketing move would be a condom brand (kamasutra, durex etc) buying the rights for a honeymoon train between Dehradoon and Darjeeling.
Hmmmmmmm..... Good funda!! ain't it??
Anyways, Dr. Philip Kotler needs to watch out as here comes our very own desi marketing guru Dr. Lalu Prasad Yadav.