Narendra Modi’s NaMo app is the PR winner this week

 26th February 2014    Good and Bad PR 

Good PR

NaMo app to rescue women

Narendra Modi is one of the most branded politicians in India’s political history – from  defence pepper sprays for women to NaMo tea stalls for “chai pe charcha with NaMo” (discussion over tea with Modi). Now a NaMo app has been launched for women in distress.

After the horrifying attack on a young woman in Delhi on December 16th, 2012; stories on the safety of women get considerable play from the media. Distress apps, such as VithU, are already available in the market. It’s an indication of the star power of Modi, that after Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, its Modi’s name which is being used to promote an App.

What is interesting about the app is that you just have to shake the phone thrice to activate the app which will dial present number and send information about your location.

Great PR and intelligent tying in of a cause and a big brand name.

Get your Masters in Manipulation at the House of Cards!

The first season of House of Cards is currently showing on Zee Café. Zee has come up with an interesting website to introduce the political based show to the Indian audience. You can not only find out your personality type, but more interestingly earn your very own masters in manipulation by viewing simple “lessons” on life (nothing but one liners from the show!). This one tells you how to say no to the boss:

House of Cards, which premiered last year, is the first Emmy winning show to be developed exclusively for the web.

Luxury suit makers and premium whisky brand stich a partnership for customers

Designer Ashish Soni and Pernod Ricard have joined hands to sell aged Chivas Regal and luxury suits. According to the Economic Times, over a soiree in Delhi’s French Embassy Soni and Pernod Ricard got a chance to sell their wares.

Interesting brand communication. Through this tie up, Soni hopes to reach out to 1000 high net worth individuals in metros as well as cities such as Ludhiana.

Bad PR

The Home Minister has landed himself in trouble after allegedly vowing to “crush the electronic media”

According to the Times of India, during a speech at Solapur, Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shindevowed to crush the electronic media in India for their sustained anti Congress campaign. The Times of India quotes a report by a Solapur based local journalist for the news.

Shinde has since denied saying that he wanted to crush the electronic media, stating that he was referring to the social media’s role in fanning the violence against people from the north east working in Southern states like Karnataka. This naturally fanned further fury on Twitter about Shinde’s comments.

Shinde has also been censured by the News Broadcasters Association for his remarks.

The upcoming elections will, no doubt, prod further such incidents of bad PR as the pitched battle between all the parties becomes more intense.

Have you seen any great or even bad PR?

Write to Paarul Chand at paarul@prmoment.in or tweet @PaarulC or @PRmomentIndia throughout the week and we’ll happily credit you for your trouble