O&M and Eastman Kodak: How the Kodak KB 10 campaign deepened their association

After the commercial’s release, it received critical and commercial acclaim, and KB 10 was sold in millions in the first year of its launch. It changed the whole landscape of the photography market, distanced it from being an expert’s domain and made it available to the average user. (Still from the ad)

O&M released an ad on the Kodak KB 10 camera in the mid-1990s to educate consumers on the ease of photography the product offered. The commercial helped the brand sell in millions, and the ad etched itself a permanent place in the memory of those who watched it.

Gold Spot: When ‘The Zing Thing’ restored the brand’s lost market share

The commercials were rolled out on national TV broadcaster Doordarshan in both Hindi and English. The 1985 campaign was immensely popular and became one of the most successful for soft drinks by Rediffusion. The campaign helped Gold Spot make a grand comeback and restore its lost position in the market. A notable aspect of the series of commercials was that none of them featured celebrities. (Stills from the ads)

Can nostalgia help Gold Spot if it were to be brought back today, just as Campa was? Back in the 1980s, Gold Spot was perceived as a drink for children but after the arrival of Rasna, it started to lose market share. Storyboard18 got in touch with the creative folks who then successfully repositioned Gold Spot among teens.

#TBH: Why are ad agencies pivoting from ad-making to business problem-solving?

EBIT margins for TCS is expected to improve by 40bp QoQ, largely due to investment made in talent development and training, operational efficiency and absence of wage hikes. HCLT’s margins may rise ~50bp due to operating leverage and a strong software quarter, despite a wage hike impact and furloughs. For Infosys, it is anticipated that margins will decline by 30bp owing to furloughs and lower working days, offset by pricing gains, subcontractor cost optimization, and Project Maximus.

Tech disruptions and startup ecosystems are making agencies work harder to address real business issues rather than just dealing with an ad or campaign.

RK Swamy draws up listing pitch, appoints i-bankers for public issue

Print continues to be a stronghold for education advertisers, with a 32% increase in ad spending in 2024 compared to 2022. The North Zone dominated print advertising with a 50% share, followed by the South Zone at 19%. (Representative Image: Wance Paleri via Unsplash)

In July 2022, RK Swamy and BBDO (a leading network of the global Omnicom group) announced parting of ways after an alliance that lasted 37 long years. Under a new agreement, RK Swamy bought out BBDO’s stake in the joint entity and BBDO bought out RK Swamy’s stake in BBDO India.

Are media agencies the new creative agencies?

Ad agencies don’t really have a reputation for maintaining work-life balance. A lot of industry folks see this as a welcome change. Riya Ahuja told us that a thoughtful strategy is required to nurture a people-oriented approach in advertising companies that have difficulty with work-life balance. (Representative Image: Jon Tyson via Unsplash)

Has the infusion of creativity transformed the traditional roles of media agencies?