Bachchans Fan Club#3-Vote for 2 names P.1 - Page 10

Leading eyeware leader Ray-Ban is thinking of roping in junior AB to endorse their sunglasses. In fact, the strategy could materialise with hardly any time having elapsed since the company's nearest rival Fast-Track started running promotions with the help of John Abraham.

The thought of bringing in Bachchan is at still at a nascent stage. But Ray-Ban believes that he can be the most ideal brand ambassador for its products in the country.

A FIRST FOR RAY-BAN

Interestingly, Ray-Ban has never involved any Indian celebrity to endorse its products so far. "The reason is that the market for premium eye-wear is very small here. At least 90 per cent in the US wear branded sunglasses and 70 per cent in European countries. But, in India, only about 1 per cent of the population uses branded sunglasses, despite everyone knowing that eyes are one of the most delicate and sensitive parts of the body," Manoj Nayak, Regional Manager (West), Ray-Ban Sun Optics India Limited, told Mumbai Mirror.

Nayak pointed out that this small market limits expenditure on marketing and advertising. "Still, we spend about 15 per cent of our turnover on marketing. But now, with people having ever-increasing disposable incomes and a retail boom, our turnover is growing by about 12 per cent annually," Nayak said, hinting at the growing budget for advertising.

PIRACY A BIG PROBLEM

Nayak said that Ray-Ban loses about 30 per cent of revenues due to piracy. "Aviator glasses – a cult product for a decade now – are the most pirated glasses!" Nayak said.

The company also claims that the entry of Fast Track has not affected Ray-Ban's market at all. "In fact, it's helping us as people are becoming more aware of style. There is no competition as Fast-Track is ranged from Rs 700- 1,700 while Ray-Ban is another price category of Rs 2,400 onwards," Nayak said.

What's Shahrukh Khan worth? Rupees eight hundred, says the Filmy Stock Exchange or FSE. The make-believe brouse is meant to be an online game that Bollywood buffs can play on the internet and through mobiles. To bring in the fun the promoting channel, Filmy, has roped in actor Arshad Warsi as brand ambassador whose repartees at the Friday press announcement, at the Hilton Towers, proved he's living it up to the success of Lago Raho Munnabhai.

To start in October, players at FSE will be provided with virtual money to trade in shares representing the value of popular stars whose market value will be decided by industry buzz. Points made will be redeemed with prizes.

By the way, the Amitabh Bachchan's valued at Rs 700 and beta Abhishek at Rs 500. Wonder who we'd rather put money on?