• Second Coming

    The past several months has seen a frenzy in what is called web2.0 in general parlance, and the lions’ share of it is being done by and in relatively new entities… which has led to a few experts already snooping around for the proverbial bubble…
    I’m not expert enough to comment on that, but i really hope there is no bubble 2.0, because i am not sure that this time around, the crowd that’s in the thick of things, is mature enough to handle it.. This is a good read…but oh well, we’re almost going into my other blog’s territory, so we’ll get back to what this blog talks about.
    So, whats in web 2.0 for brands? Yes, wrong question to ask because its too generic, but still… viral marketing, buzz marketing, vblog, podcasting, social bookmarking.. yes, some things have been around in various avtars earlier, but perhaps this is their time in the sun…
    So how helpful is the phenomenon of create, share, collaborate in the Indian context? With an internet population of 25-40 million (depending on who you quote) and with an urban penetration of less than 10%, does it really matter what web2.0 is when even the static web (or web 1.0) is yet to make a serious impact on Indian media/brand/advertising? Does the long tail of any brand have enough numbers to justify its’ venturing into the zone?
    Even killer applications like bollywood, cricket, matrimony and other classifieds havent succeeded in drastically changing the fortunes of the internet in india, will this new edition of the web do it? Coming back, how best can traditional brands use this changing internet landscape to their benefit – by doing research and product development online? But thats a bit like blogs, and i personally consider that web 1.0. Building communities around the brand? Fair, but how many brands are like say, a Harley Davidson, in whose case the brand attributes make sense to build communities? But then again, HD didnt need the net for communities….
    What will a Surf user/ Chlormint eater/ Clinic All Clear user talk online in a community on a larger timeframe? Will the stuf being created just fizzle out as fads? And there lies the real challenge, and to each band its own…..
    and i bid adieu, while you crawl the web…

  • A couple of things that made me think

    The irony of Real Good chicken having an expiry date on it…..
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    On one of those inane remote flipping trips, i somehow got stuck on the initial minutes of Salmaan Khan’s Judwaa… Dalip tahil and Reema lagoo have just had twins and are being congratulated by kader khan, a family friend.
    Kader Khan: Badhai Ho
    Reema Lagoo & Dalip Tahil: Aap ko bhi..
    And i had a startling revelation – that david dhawan was a filmmaker far ahead of his times. They tomtom movies about human relationships these days, but this was way back and i was amazed by his subtle way of handling a complex extra marital affair with three mature characters who acknowledge it..

    until next time, did that provoke you, the thoughts , that is?

  • Evil designs

    Lingerie strewn around, and women. That might sound great, but he wouldn’t agree. His furtive glances to see her weren’t looked upon kindly by the women who seemed to be everywhere. They were looking at him in distaste. He wondered which moron had designed the lingerie section near the fitting rooms. The sale didn’t help.
    Until next time, a Westside story

  • To boldly go

    where no other tv crew has gone before…. what had perhaps started out as a spoofy ad on how television channels report even the most inane news as breaking news, ballooned into a series of ads on a whole range of products, and before we know it, its a trend, that every fmcg worth its salt wants to ape.
    Salt, lets start with that… the ad goes this way, a guy is brushing his teeth, when all of a sudden, a tv crew barges in and gives hima lecture on having Active Salt in your toothpaste and obviously xyz is the only brand that has it… there are similar ones for stains on clothes (multiple brands – powder and soap), stains on vessels,and so on….
    D says she would love to meet that ‘Vanish’ lady and get her to remove the turmeric stain on a handkerchief. apparently the damn thing didnt work on it when D tried:)
    I have a bigger fear, what if soaps get into the act, followed by Kamasutra?

    until next time, ad shads

  • Hogwash – The Finale

    The day before the world goes potty for the final time. And tradition demands that this version releases a day before. So here it is, and for those who are still not quite clear on what we are talking about, here’s the story so far.. and now

    Parry Hotter and the Deathly Hallows

    Legends never die, and Parry Hotter is no exception. As he struggles to relate to a world that has become a constantly blurring phenomenon between virtuality and reality, the world suddenly witnesses the sudden disappearance of celebrities. Parry is forced to get back to his old profession as he tries to seek out his young missing relative, who is a socialite and happens to have the same initials as him. Because of her constant use of controversies to generate hype around herself, the media and the law are not too keen on tracking her. But is that all there is to it?
    Parry begins his investigation on Whotube, where she had posted a cryptic video about her seemingly planned disappearance. As Parry trudges the murky territories in cyberspace, he realises that both of them might be mere pawns in a diabolical game played by whotube, a video sharing site, now owned by the famous search engine Hoogle. It was no secret that Hoogle had paid too much for their new acquisition and Parry realises that Hoogle is desparate to get people addicted to their site.
    As more celebrities and socialites continue to disappear,after messages posted on Whotube, the traffic in the search engine and its new acquisition soars. Parry begins to realise that this may not be a coincidence and there might be a sponsored link behind the seemingly random occurences.The tension mounts as new videos begin to surface on Whotube, showing the execution of celebrities amidst bizzarre religious ceremonies. Parry is now convinced that the search engine is not as hallowed as perceived, and the white homepage hides deadly secrets.

    In a fitting finale to the series, author Howling pits the old school detective against the new age search engine. Can Parry Hotter feel lucky or will he become just another part of search history?