Where Geopolitics Can Take the Global Economy

As India prepares to go to the polls tomorrow in the largest democratic exercise in the world, it might be time to also think of elections that have already taken place this year and the others yet to come. I am looking at it from the point of view of the larger political shifts that… Continue reading Where Geopolitics Can Take the Global Economy

Pernod Ricard and Seagram: Reconsidering the Brand Relationship

Sometime during the Covid-19 pandemic – not a great time for wining and dining, or travel and socialising – I had put my thoughts down on a corporate brand strategy for Pernod Ricard, the world’s No. 2 wines and spirits company. I wrote and shared this on my blog along with corporate campaigns for the… Continue reading Pernod Ricard and Seagram: Reconsidering the Brand Relationship

Protected: Reading For an Uneasy Spring

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Amid War and Elections, What About Europe’s Economy?

It’s been a long time since I wrote about the European economy, although I do mention it whenever I write about the global economy. The reason I think it needs a dedicated piece this time is because I think that the continent is too caught up in too many things at the moment and the… Continue reading Amid War and Elections, What About Europe’s Economy?

In Big Election Year, Old Wine in Old Bottle

The election juggernaut has begun to roll in India, with the Election Commission announcing the election dates just last week. Hundreds of political parties had already started preparing their candidates list and campaigning months before. In this loud and raucous democracy that we have in India, even the news channels have nothing but politicians campaigning… Continue reading In Big Election Year, Old Wine in Old Bottle

How India Loses by Not Holding a Census

2020-21 was the year of the decadal census for many countries, including India, as I wrote in a blog post at the time. It was also the year of the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic across the world and India too had introduced strict lockdowns. This, and social distancing norms being enforced meant that the census could… Continue reading How India Loses by Not Holding a Census

In Advertising vs Subscription Debate, Many Losers

It’s been at least a couple of decades that we have been hearing about the falling circulation and readership of print publications in India and around the world. We know it is largely due to the arrival of the digital medium, and for many of the initial years, digital publications were free to read. Unfortunately,… Continue reading In Advertising vs Subscription Debate, Many Losers

Why 2024 Ought to Be the Year of Rightsizing Luxury

A small bit of news during Q3 2023 corporate earnings struck me as curious. That luxury goods sales were slowing down. And not merely because of China’s economic slowdown, but luxury sales even in the US were reported to be lacklustre. If anything, China was still the saving grace. And it’s not just LVMH; Kering… Continue reading Why 2024 Ought to Be the Year of Rightsizing Luxury

How Should Advertising Agencies Be Remunerated?

It’s 20 years since I last worked at an advertising agency, that being RK Swamy/BBDO India in their Chennai office. As if that mistake was not enough, I made the blunder of then joining a PR firm in Delhi, Perfect Relations, in 2006. I was always a copywriter in advertising throughout my long career in… Continue reading How Should Advertising Agencies Be Remunerated?

Change or Continuity, It’s Horse-trading Season

In just a couple of months perhaps, the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls. The ruling party, BJP, is so confident of returning to power for a third successive term that it has even forecast the number of seats it will win. Prime minister Modi said during his speech in Parliament just a few… Continue reading Change or Continuity, It’s Horse-trading Season