Pied Pipers of Mumbai

For a city that is constantly on the look out for ideas with instant cash rewards here is a business proposition that’s made by the BMC - Kill a rat, and get Rs. 5 for it.

BMC estimates rat population in the city to be 9 crores, which means Rs.45 crores is up for grabs! That’s a lot of money to make out of rat slaughter. True it’s not really the best way to make money but I can only imagine how many people are going to benefit out of the program.

'BMC hopes that this revised incentive (it earlier paid 50 paise for every rat killed )will move ordinary Mumbaikars enough to participate in its campaign against rodents, which isn't going too far even with dedicated squads working through the night.’ - Source Mumbai Mirror May 3rd 2007

To claim the reward (and be the next Pied Pier of Mumbai) one has to produce the dead body of the rodent to the local ward office. And if you have mutilated the rat’s body beyond recognition and would feel squeamish to carry it with you, just show the civic officials the tails as proof.

Despite the BMC’s relentless efforts they are not able to match the rats’ formidable coupling strength. The gap is only growing wide with every passing year; statistics show that a pair of rats can have 700 offspring in a year. And this has been the cause of many health problems.

It’s a neat social cause incentivised, getting the city together to rid rats and many diseases while also providing livelihood for many. It makes people more consciuos and makes them look out for their fellow citizens. Other metros should undertake such a cause - Plastic recycling plants people could dump their plastic waste in specific bins and get cash for it in return like the good old raddi concept.

While the Mumbikars are all geared up to play Pied Piper why can’t all local municipal organizations think of replicating this idea in their own respective cities?

'Paris FREE' Wire

This piece of news should bring some cheer to you. The Associated Press has adopted a policy NOT to cover Paris Hilton barring anything major, even that will be subject to debate. The addiction was bad, she was covered on an average twice a week last year by AP till they finally decided to give this Vice up! So when are the rest going to join the league or is it too much money at stake?

Now we know Paris has been in the news for all the wrong reason and loves the limelight. I say 'Smart move, Can we add Britney to the list as well?'

What's really funny is that even ignoring Paris Hilton is making news, a typical Hilton trait I suppose.

Pun Intended

Marketers resort to creative routes / puns / things positively gimmicky to out shout competition and here is the proof. This is a hoarding outside Coco Cola’s corporate office on TTK road, Chennai.

This hoarding obviously gives onlookers a reason to smile at Pepsi’s cheek. Most brands today employ reactive advertising ribbing at a particular person or subject that is extremely topical. Amul has been adopting this strategy since time immemorial and it has been very well received by the Indian audience. None have been spared by them, be it Hollywood, politics or Major brands - Amul has an opinion about everything and everyone. Now a lot more brands are adopting the same trend. Think Pepsi blue Billion campaign.

Reactive advertising provides quick relief and catches the eye of the consumer, however its shelf life is limited. When a particular topic looses steam the ad serves no purpose. In my opinion it doesn’t contribute to the brands growth although it creates a high, but temporary, brand recall that may or may not affect sales.

After the recent media attacks on both the cola brands (the pesticide presence issue), it only makes complete sense to rebuild their bond with their customers. What better way to do it than cricket, a sales kicking idea indeed.

Get paid for Blogging!

Personal blogs could now provide opportunities for sponsorship that is, if the contents are widely read for all the right reasons. If you have the flair and are quick witted consider becoming a professional blogger. Blogging for money has caught on and will only move forward in the coming years.

Read on...

http://www.agencyfaqs.com/news/stories/2006/02/14/14194.html

Worlds first Vmail underway in 3 weeks

Hi

NowPos has developed what is probably the world’s first voice email service. The service, to be launched in three weeks, will allow users to send voice messages through the internet in the form of emails.

The comapy hopes to deliver sound files compresses to the smallest possible files easily tranferable across the web. The biggest problem till now was the file size and the high cost of transmission. This software is all set to change the way we communicate.

Cheers

Dhivya

Barista Goes Rural

Brarista now plans to open up shops in smaller towns and thus consolidating its position as a leading player in retail coffee category.

It also plans to set up 'Barista on the Go' which was under way since 2003. These will be setup on Expressways and national highway like Mumbai-Pune Highway to cater to the high volume commuters who use the road everyday.

very smart move indeed, in the recent years these expressways have seen an increase in the travellers.

Barista has started Barista Creme in Delhi. which offers a different experience from Barista Expresso Bar. At Barista Creme one can look to a causal dining experience. With success of barista Creme in delhi they now plan to venture into other metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

to read more one check out agencyfaqs

now one has to wait to experience Barista Creme.

Cheers