The Three Es of India to Look Out For in 2022

It’s been a while since I wrote on the Indian economy and since our second quarter GDP news was released just a fortnight ago, I thought it might make sense to consider this news as well as other issues looming on the horizon. Which is why this piece is not so much about the Q2… Continue reading The Three Es of India to Look Out For in 2022

Ovid in the Time of Covid: Time of Change

Hello readers. In what is the last of my Ovid in the Time of Covid blog posts, I wish to focus on looking ahead at the time of change. The Covid-19 pandemic is still in our midst, and despite the efforts of the medical and scientific community, it is mutating and spreading ever faster. The… Continue reading Ovid in the Time of Covid: Time of Change

Why COP26 Is a Missed Opportunity

Going by the past record of UN Climate Conferences, the latest one that concluded in Glasgow a few days ago was no different. It was a repeat of the same old discussions, the same sticking points, the same contentious issues, and finally the usual watered-down statement that is palatable to all. That is because it’s… Continue reading Why COP26 Is a Missed Opportunity

China’s Debt Crisis Reflects Deep Problems Within

In this month’s Owleye column, only the second since I began writing it last month, I would like to focus on China and its huge debt crisis, which leads to several other problems within its economy. While the debt crisis in China isn’t new (the earliest news reports of its looming debt problem surfaced in… Continue reading China’s Debt Crisis Reflects Deep Problems Within

Building, Managing and Measuring Brands

In one of my recent blog posts, I said I would like to read David Aaker and Kevin Lane Keller and I am glad to say that I have just finished reading Aaker’s Building Strong Brands that I ordered from Amazon. A lot of it was familiar territory to a seasoned advertising professional like me,… Continue reading Building, Managing and Measuring Brands

The Global Economy In a SWOT, Wot?

As countries report their September 2021 quarter GDP growth rates, the world will be eagerly watching to read and parse the news and data. So far, China has reported a much lower than expected GDP growth at 4.9% over the previous year. I am not sure how much of that is due to the government’s… Continue reading The Global Economy In a SWOT, Wot?

The Return of The Prodigal

In recent days, the Indian media has been full of news and views about Air India finally being sold to the Tatas. Divestment done. People have also been opining about how this reflects the government’s seriousness about privatization and reforms. My reaction was: If only it had been allowed a couple of decades earlier, when… Continue reading The Return of The Prodigal

Between Equity and Valuations, What Brands Represent

We all talk of brand equity, especially in the advertising and brand communications industry. The Economic Times in India even has an advertising and marketing supplement called Brand Equity. What exactly do we mean, when we speak of brand equity? The term has come to encompass many aspects of a brand’s growth, from brand awareness… Continue reading Between Equity and Valuations, What Brands Represent

Afghanistan Impoverished by More Than War

Hello readers. Welcome to the first of my Owleye blog posts - a monthly column of commentary on the most important issue facing the world - in place of my Writings on The Wall blog posts, that now says goodbye. This one is on Afghanistan's economic troubles and its future. After the longest war that… Continue reading Afghanistan Impoverished by More Than War