Videocon has roped in Abhishek Bachchan to endorse its D2H (Direct to Home) services. Videocon is the latest entrant in D2h segment, competing with already established brands like Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Reliance Big TV and a few regional players.

Videocon product range would consist of satellite LCD, color television, DVDS and satellite box offering DTH services. This range offers direct service to home without a set top box. The products will have exclusive features like live preview, two tickers on screen, active games, transparent onscreen display, and information bar on screen that will give details about programs, time, date and weather. Customers will get to choose from 244 channels and services.

Speaking about the association, Anil Khera, CEO, Bharat Business Channel Ltd. (BBCL) commented, “Abhishek makes a perfect match with the Videocon d2h brand attributes of innovation and high-quality entertainment. As our brand’s face, he will be instrumental in communicating the benefits to consumers across the country. It is our privilege to be associated with an actor of his calibre and excellent standing in the entertainment industry.”

Abhishek Bachchan also added, “I am delighted to be associated with the brand which has combined technological innovation with a range of products. Videocon d2h is the only one which epitomizes the true meaning of direct–to-home as it connects the viewer directly through their latest product offerings, which no other brand has to offer currently. These satellite Products receive DTH services directly, they do not need a set top box”.

LG Electronics has roped in Bollywood hottie Akshay Kumar to endorse its LG Flat Panel Display (FPD) segment.

Moon B Shin, MD, LG Electronics India confirmed the news and said, “We are aiming to be no. 1 in flat panel TV market with a targeted market share of 33% in 2010. To achieve this we are coming up with whole new series of full LED LCD TV’s. Our full LED range, known as Infinia, is loaded with superior features showcasing next generation technology like 3D display, broadband TV, wireless solutions and Full LED’s. We have chosen Akshay as our brand ambassador for LG FPDs because he personifies the LG brand. He is a big style icon, gizmo and action freak”.

A 360 degree marketing campaign with Akshay will be rolled out soon. A multi-media campaign which will include print, television, radio, outdoor, cinema and the internet media, has also been planned.

The advanced version of LED (Liquid Emitting Diodes) will be launched in 2010. The company aims to sell atleast 3 lakh units by the end of this year.

All the leading ladies of Bollywood have endorsed Lux at the peak of their respective careers. And the latest name to follow tradition is Katrina Kaif. Lux officials have roped in Katrina Kaif as the new face of Lux Purple Lotus and Cream, the new variants from HUL.

Katrina will be seen in a TVC created by JWT, directed by Marco and shot in Bangkok.
Sudhanshu Vats, vice-president, home care and skin cleansing, HUL “Lux, over the years, has been known for introducing exciting innovative variants for its consumers and here’s another such variant which is sure to appeal to consumers with its unique purple color and sensuous aroma. We look forward to this variant becoming a favorite amongst consumers across India.”

“Lux has always used stars that are on top and even the stars realize that. Kaif was the obvious choice because she’s currently very popular and is endorsing the brand for the first time,” concluded Nandita Chalam, VP and senior creative director, JWT, the agency which has worked on the latest TVC.

LG Electronics is all set to launch 14 new models and reposition the brand as a fun-loving, free-spirited brand, which promises quality, innovation, style and excellence in performance. LG has therefore signed Bollywood hotties John Abraham, Genelia D’souza and Abhay Deol to endorse its latest range of mobile phones.

LG officials added that John, Abhay and Genelia are youth icons and fit the role well. Sudhin Mathur, business group marketing head, Mobile Communications, LG Electronics India Limited, further added, “They are youth icons. Having established ourselves in the field of innovation and design, LG Mobiles is now poised to scale new heights. As part of our overall strategy to reposition LG Mobiles as a youthful brand, the brand ambassadors will help us in relating with our consumers.”

Prior to this LG did not have any celeb endorsers except for Abhishek Bachchan, who was the brand ambassador for LG’s consumer durables range. Co-incidentally this will also be Abhay Deol’s first association with a FMCG brand. He has been associated with Video Volunteers, an organization that aims at creating alternative media at the grassroots level.

Abhay Deol confirmed the news and spoke about his association, “I always stand for what I believe, be it professional or personal life. Brand LG has always been a personal favourite, and when I was approached for these elegant and stylish mobile phones, I was very excited. These phones come with the perfect bundle of offerings that any youngster would want and is a perfect fit with me.”

John Abraham also added, “I love the networking concept in LG phones. I believe in togetherness, sharing, networking and am completely hooked on to social networking sites, which help me keep in touch with family and friends.”

“LG mobile phones are trendy, stylish, funky and chic; just the way I am. The mobile phones are conveniently designed, which makes them user friendly and simple to operate,” concluded Genelia.

Imran Khan, the Bollywood star who made a smashing debut with Jane Tu Ya Jaane Na is all set to debut in the world of endorsements. Imran has been signed as the brand ambassador of Coca-Cola.

Talking about the association, Imran said, “This is actually the first and the only endorsement I have signed over a year and a half since I have joined the film industry. This was the only endorsement that I wanted to sign before they ever came to me. I think Aamir has been endorsing Coke for 10 years now and ever since I was a kid, I used to watch his ads. I have always considered Coca-Cola to be synonymous with refreshment and happiness. I am sure everyone will find the new Coca-Cola communication extremely engaging.”

The new campaign also features Kalki Koechlin (from Dev D). Speaking about the TVC, Imran added, ‘The entire concept of the film is about how Coke breaks the ice between two characters who might not have been together, if Coke wasn’t there. What is really interesting in the ad is that we have used an imaginary bottle.’

The campaign was conceptualized by the creative team of McCann Erickson and was directed by Dibakar Banerjee (director ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ and ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!’).

Coca-Cola also plans to get mamu Aamir Khan and nephew together for an ad shortly. Until then, enjoy this one..