Marketing Initiatives: Coca-Cola India
The post-liberalization period in India saw the re-entry of Coca-cola. But Pepsi had already gained an edge by creatively entering the market in the 1980’s in advance of liberalization by way of a joint venture. It allowed Pepsi to gain precious early experience with the Indian market and also served as an introduction of the Pepsi brand to the Indian consumer such that it was well-poised to reap the benefits when liberalization came. Though Coke benefited from Pepsi creating demand and developing the market, Pepsi’s head-start gave Coke a disadvantage in the mind of the consumer. Pepsi’s appeal focused on youth and when Coke entered India in 1993 and approached the market selling an American way of life, it failed to resonate as expected.
Marketing Strategy
Coca-Cola CEO Douglas Daft set the direction for the next generation of success for his global brand with a “Think local, act local” mantra. Recognizing that a single global strategy or single global campaign wouldn’t work, locally relevant executions became an increasingly important element of supporting Coke’s global brand strategy.
Brand Localization Strategy: The Two Indias
India A: “Life ho to aisi”
“India A,” the designation Coca-Cola gave to the market segment including metropolitan areas and large towns, represented 4% of the country’s population. This segment sought social bonding as a need and responded to aspirational messages, celebrating the benefits of their increasing social and economic freedoms. “Life ho to aisi,” (life as it should be) was the successful and relevant tagline found in Coca-Cola’s advertising to this audience.
India B: “Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola”
Coca-Cola India believed that the first brand to offer communication targeted to the smaller towns would own the rural market and went after that objective with a comprehensive strategy. “India B” included small towns and rural areas, comprising the other 96% of the nation’s population. This segment’s primary need was
Marketing Strategy
Coca-Cola CEO Douglas Daft set the direction for the next generation of success for his global brand with a “Think local, act local” mantra. Recognizing that a single global strategy or single global campaign wouldn’t work, locally relevant executions became an increasingly important element of supporting Coke’s global brand strategy.
Brand Localization Strategy: The Two Indias
India A: “Life ho to aisi”
“India A,” the designation Coca-Cola gave to the market segment including metropolitan areas and large towns, represented 4% of the country’s population. This segment sought social bonding as a need and responded to aspirational messages, celebrating the benefits of their increasing social and economic freedoms. “Life ho to aisi,” (life as it should be) was the successful and relevant tagline found in Coca-Cola’s advertising to this audience.
India B: “Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola”
Coca-Cola India believed that the first brand to offer communication targeted to the smaller towns would own the rural market and went after that objective with a comprehensive strategy. “India B” included small towns and rural areas, comprising the other 96% of the nation’s population. This segment’s primary need was
References: www.coca-colaindia.com