Bal Mundkur – the Shining Star
The legendary Ulka founder left a blazing trail through the world of advertising, writes Prabhakar Mundkur Bal crashed through the advertising atmosphere with as much bang as a meteor would. …
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The Soap of the Stars
Remarkable in a fast-changing world, Lux has maintained its USP for nearly 100 years, writes Prabhakar Mundkur When Helen Landsdowne Resor, the wife of Stanley Resor who ran the erstwhile …
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Will the Maharajah survive 2021?
Returning to the Tatas, how will Air-India treat its mascot, wonders Prabhakar Mundkur With the Tatas poised to gain control over Air-India after 68 years, speculation is rife on how …
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Holiday & X’mas Advertising
Holiday and Christmas advertising is often a chance for humour as well as social messages, writes Prabhakar Mundkur There is a certain air about holiday advertising that pervades most celebrations; …
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Utterly Butterly Iconic. The Magic of Amul’s Advertising
She’s a little girl of 54, and she will never age. The Amul mascot has gone beyond butter to become an indelible part of Indian life, writes Prabhakar Mundkur “Amul …
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From Hutch to Vi – An Endearing History
Vodafone’s recent evolution into “Vi” is the latest step in the brand’s long trail of evolution. Prabhakar Mundkur takes a quick look back At least in recent times no brand, …
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How has Covid-19 impacted Advertising?
Changes in media habits have also forced advertisers to change their strategies, writes Prabhakar Mundkur The Covid-19 pandemic has changed most things around the world. It has dramatically changed the …
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Life after George Floyd: Brand Purpose & Justice in Advertising
Brands are increasingly under pressure to be seen as just and egalitarian, writes Prabhakar Mundkur The death of George Floyd did not have only cultural repercussions on the way we …
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Does Advertising make you Happy?
As we try to lumber back to the normal lives we lived in 2019, the brands that use happiness as a cue might be the most successful, writes Prabhakar Mundkur …
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Final bow for the Maharajah?
A little bird says Tatas may come full circle and acquire Air-India. Will the regal mascot strut again as he once did, asks Prabhakar Mundkur JRD Tata founded Tata Airlines …
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For a Few Dollops More… Dipy dee, Dipy do!
An Indian brand whose mascot was a very Western cowboy, Dipy’s captured young imaginations. Prabhakar Mundkur looks back It’s November 1977 and I meet Dipy the Kid. Life was getting …
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How to deal with the Chairman’s Wife (in Advertising)
Prabhakar Mundkur tackles a perennial – and sticky – dilemma History repeats itself. Cleopatra may not have been the only wife to yield power behind the King’s throne. It seems …
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Sports Stars, The New Cultural Icons
Today, sports stars are competing with film personalities for celebrity brand endorsements, writes Prabhakar Mundkur Time was when you said ‘celebrity’, people took it to mean a film star. …
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Love for Sale
One of the most potent emotions people can feel, love, is a favorite ploy with advertisers the world over – by Prabhakar Mundkur “Love for Sale, appetizing young love for …
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Patriotism as Brand Strategy
Patriotic branding can make brands seem selfless instead of chasing profit margins, observes Prabhakar Mundkur When I was growing up we didn’t paint our faces with the tri-color while watching …
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How Celebrity Endorsements Have Evolved
Prabhakar Mundkur looks back at stars who promoted products, and the varying reactions over the years When Lux was launched way back in 1924 in the US, perhaps it was …
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The Indian Mad Men
In an era when numbers matter more than figures of speech, Prabhakar Mundkur doffs his hat to some of the people who made our Advertising Memorable ‘Advertising is the most …
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