How to Buy & Sell Online in Pakistan

There are over thousands on Facebook pages & groups yet the process to buy or sell online from them is so tedious. Instead of relying on such pages I have decided to buy & sell products from places like OLX Pakistan. You might wonder why?

There are many reasons, the most important being it’s a one stop solution for all kinds of goods to buy and sell. From books to phones, electronic items to even car, one can actually buy or sell any kind of goods that they want through OLX Pakistan. People are willing to pay actually good rates for the things that we have to sell. And to top it all there are no hidden charges.

Online Shopping in Pakistan (thank God) is gaining momentum. Which means for people like us, who have literally no time to do their chores let alone shopping, can sit back & enjoy shopping through their phones. It hardly takes two to three steps I which we have to log in to the website, select our goods & we are good to checkout! Online shopping saves time, irritation of traffic & the haggling process altogether. The best part is there is hardly any fear of scamming now because of many reliable websites.

And it’s not only goods we can buy or sell but also we can create online free classifieds as well for all kinds of services. So if we have to find some baker in the city or tuitions for the kids, every service is just a search away. All in all making life much simpler and giving opportunity to young business owners without a lot of budget to flourish & market themselves effectively. 

Hamari Pehchan Hamara Pakistan

With so much negativity floating around the country, inflation, corruption, terrorism and the never ending list, it’s extremely important for the people to have something to keep them connected with the country. To show them what our true identity is. It is crucial for us to know what makes us Pakistanis stand apart from the crowd.

Dolmen Mall took an initiative this year and decided to show not only the people of the country but across the globe to show what Pakistan actually is via their digital campaign #HamariPehcan.

Via a series of posts on social media and a grand Independence Day program they managed to capture hearts of millions. At 12 midnight on 14^th August famous pop band Noori sang National Anthem at Dolmen Mall Clifton which was an extremely moving moment for the jam-packed

mall. Check out the video to see if for yourself.

#HamariPehchan #Pakistan #DolmenMall 

Goodbye Slow speed Internet , Hello Storm Fiber

I am a digital buff. I am the one person who has to be online 24/7 no matter what the conditions are and where I am. However living in Pakistan that is only a dream i.e. 24/7 connectivity that also with decent speed.  It’s a nightmare when I have to stream a show online or am trying to upload a video. At times reading an article becomes a hassle because it takes ages to upload.

Over the time period, I have switched my internet connection gazillion times in search of that one connection which will help me stay connected. Recently I came across StormFiber internet connection. Although I heard it from friends that it sounds promising and few who here using it were swearing by it still I had some serious doubts until I used it myself.

I cannot go back to the landline and other internet connections were after StormFiber because of

1.       Affordability

2.       Fast Speed

3.       Seamless connectivity

4.       TV & Phone option

Although it’s not yet available across Karachi but do pray it comes to your area soon. Check their website out for more details. https://www.stormfiber.com/

#StormFiber #StormStruck 

Which School Gear Items to Customize

The best part about going back to school for me was the chance to get new stationery and school gear! Yes, going back to meeting friends and enjoying the school like was important but nothing can beat the joy of new stationery and the smell of new books.

As a kid I always used to wonder what if I could customize my school gear. Yeah we had the options to opt for the cartoon characters or go color coordinated with the bag, water flask, pencil case and other stuff but I always wanted to have a bit more.

Think city specific stationery, or country. Or stationery based on your favorite book. How cool would that be?

If it were to me and I was going to school in this high-tech era, I would definitely customize the following school gear:

-          Customized backpack is a must have. Show what you stand for, who you are!

-          Customized stationery is a great icebreaker and conversation starter. Your cool pens and pencils will definitely get you the right kind of attention in the class. Try it!

-          Flasks are important, staying hydrated during school days is a must. Customized flasks would definitely be a cool accessory for all the kids.

Most of these, I’d still want for my travel, writing and unconditional love for reading!

What are some things that you’d want to customize?

Lay's Honey Butter

Ever since I saw Lay’s let’s do us a flavor campaign I have always wanted them to introduce something similar in Pakistan. I am delighted to see if the campaign doesn’t make its way to Pakistan at least the different flavors do. Previously I loved their chat street flavors and recently they came up with Honey Butter.

At first, I was unsure about chips being in honey & butter flavor but it is defiantly worth a try. It’s like have caramel popcorn but only better. I am glad that I have a different snack to munch on which is satisfying not  only my sweet tooth but also salt cravings. 

You should try it as well before it goes off the rack! 

Mothers of Pakistan

The trend of celebrating special occasions other than birthday and New Year has increased tremendously thanks to boom of social media. We see brands taking the opportunity in being part of the celebrating and connecting with audiences on an emotional level. However in order to compete with other brands, they come up with such far-fetched ideas that the essence of the celebration or the event is lost in the message.

This Mother’s Day Dalda decided to pay a special tribute to Mother of Pakistan in their campaign. The good part was the kept the identity of the campaign completely separate. They asked people to send messages for their mother in picture & video form and then they shared them on Facebook.

All the wonderful messages can be seen at www.facebook.com/mothersofpakistan

Apart from the social media campaign they came up with a beautiful TVC in which they depict all the adorable situations of a child that a mother cherishes in her own way.

#MotherOfPakistan

Copter Hunting with Mountain Dew

The problem living in Pakistan is that people don’t get to experience different activities frequently but am glad recently the trends have been changing. On 24^th April Mountain Dew launched their TVC communication on-ground and asked people to hunt copters for real!

Two locations in Karachi (Harbor front & Boat basin) and one in Lahore (Liberty Market) were chosen for the people. The audience had to spot the copters with small Mountain Dew flags, take pictures of it and share on social Media with the hashtag #HuntAndWin & #CopterHunting. Lucky Winners would get one Iphone & ten Ipod shuffles respectively. But the activity wasn’t just limited for the lucky winners, with every check-in people got free chilled Mountain Dew as well!

Some of the pictures from the activity 

Engro Onaaj 2015

Haven’t written a review for any campaign in a long time frankly because I was tired of bashing but finally the bashing comes to an end because I came across a very well executed and integrated campaign.

The campaign is of newly launched Engro Onaaj. After a long time I feel Engro managed to pull off a campaign that is not only visually strong but emotionally connects with the target audience. Playing on a very basic yet strong insight that households in Pakistan start everything with the name of God, the brand team & their creative agency has come up with an appealing concept. Flour is staple food yet the ad makes it quite fancy so hats off to the team for managing to do that. However I still feel there is more room of improvement in terms of creativity when it comes to outdoor advertising (I sincerely hope they have good BTL plans for near future).

What makes me love the campaign more is integration of other mediums. The brand is not only present through TVC but I have seen billboards across Karachi on key locations and their very well managed & organized Facebook page is cherry on top.

Overall  7+2 out of 10 for the campaign.

Watch the ad: Engro Onaaj (Chakki Atta) Launch TVC - Video Dailymotion

#Engro #Onaaj 

Cup of Freedom

August, that time of the year when emotions are running high and every Pakistani feels patriotic. When we see the color green everywhere and it makes us all very proud. But since a couple of years amidst all that emotions, the spirit of independence somehow is losing its worth. Younger generation takes Independence Day more of as a holiday rather than a day which they should celebrate together to show love, unity & respect for Pakistan.

To bring the sense of pride in the younger generation for their country Tapal this year came up with a brilliant concept. By showing thoughts and emotions of people who have seen the time of partition, the way they value Pakistan & what freedom means to them Tapal has made the younger audience rethink of their actions and feelings regarding the country.

It has bought the kind of positivity that this time of the year needed the most.

Watch the video here 

www.business.facebook.com/tapalofficial/videos/vb.512476162176683/859668377457458/?type=2&theater

#CupOfFreedom #Pakistan #14August #Tapal 

Tapal's Creative Billboard: Cup of Freedom

For as long as I can remember I have seen billboards hovering over all roads across the city. Our cars pass by them and hardly have we acknowledged them because they are the same as the brand’s TVC which we already have seen on our television screens a million times. But this time when I glanced at a billboard I was surprised pleasantly to see a very beautiful billboard with very creative concept.

A few days earlier from Independence Day Tapal Dandedar put up a billboard full of tea cups near Two Swords Karachi. At night the tea cups light up white and green and presented a beautiful picture of Pakistan’s flag. Kudos to the team for coming up with the concept.

Check out making of the billboard in this behind the scenes video :-

https://business.facebook.com/tapalofficial/videos/vb.512476162176683/860930600664569/?type=2&theater

#CupOfFreedom #Tapal #Pakistan #14August 

Pepsi Lightning up Lives 2015

Brands usually come up with event based ads and campaigns selling their product only and not giving anything back to the audiences. But this year I am glad Pepsi Co has taken a beautiful initiative of lightning up Pakistan!

Simple and effective campaign, they have started from grass root level, nothing fancy which cannot be achievable.

They started with a small village called Mohalla Ali Pura, Khaliq Abad in Khushab District. The work is still in progress as one can follow it on their social media profiles. I love how they are involving people in the good cause as well. With every purchase of 1.75 Liter Bottle of Pepsi you actually donate Rs.1 for this cause.

Good to see great work being done in Pakistan ! #LightingUpLives

▶ Lighting Up Lives this ramadan - Video Dailymotion

https://www.facebook.com/pepsipk

Shan Foods TVC 2015

A few days back my  friend posted a status saying finally good ad campaigns are back in Pakistan and tagged Shan Foods new video. Curious I watched the ad and was completely moved by the concept.

It's so simple and almost all of us can relate to it. My sister living abroad actually cried after watching the ad. Not only Shan Foods have done wonders with the concept but the execution of the entire ad is very well done. Clean crisp shots, simple color palate and focus more on the story rather than the product. Good work always speaks for itself hence everyone I know and any social media profile I check, I see only positive comments for the ad and people loving the simple concept.

I love the way how a guy is cooking using Shan Foods because cooking is a difficult task which Shan Foods is making lot easier for him.

Kudos Shan Foods for coming up with a wonderful campaign. Looking forward to see the BTL and Digital extension of the campaign.

Check Out the TVC here.

https://www.facebook.com/ShanFoods/videos/961674010549632/?video_source=pages_finch_trailer

▶ Shan Foods Eid TVC - Video Dailymotion

https://www.facebook.com/ShanFoods ‪#‎KhushiyanChakhLo‬

Nan Khatai – The biscuit of the Sub Continent

he brittle Nan-Khatai is the sub continent’s most acclaimed confection. The lineage came into existence since the Mughal Era, whereas, some say its origin was from China as the literal meaning of Nan is ‘bread’ and Khatai  is considered to come from 'Catai' or 'Cathay', the older name for China.

Some historian says Surat, a large port city of Gujrat in India, is considered the birthplace of Nan Khatai.

Near the end of the 16th century, two Dutch explorers started to make trading posts in India for trade in spices. For this, these traders settled in Surat and structured a bakery to produce bread for their own consumption. Later, when these traders left India, they handed over the bakery to one of their workers named Dotivala. Dotivala continued baking bread for the Dutch being left behind and the bakery became 'Dotivala Bakery'. But with the passage of time the demand for bread declined as more and more Dutch started leaving India.

Hindus would not eat this bread because of its prohibited ingredients. So, the left over bread would become dry and crispy and sold to the underserved at discounted prices. The locals liked the taste of this inexpensive dried out crispy bread and this led Dotivala to change the shape of the bread and dry the slices in the oven. Hence, for financial survival, Dotivala accidently became the master of fusion cooking and with alteration in Dutch bread, he created the local sweet called “Nan Khatai”.

The fame of Nan Khatai spread all over India; they were transported to markets in Bombay where it became a famous teatime snack. The traditional delicacy was also quite famous amongst the Mughal emperors and it was cooked and served on many occasions for the Royal family and their workers to rejoice moments of cheerfulness. 

In Pakistan, Nan Khatai has its roots in the city of Lahore, famous for its cultural heritage and centre of Mughal history in Pakistan. Lahore’s well-known Khalifa Bakers are famous for their Nan Khatai and people from all over the world visit their bakery to attain pleasure of this traditional sweet.

The tradition is now reviving and being replaced by the likes of the commercially available cookies at every big and small store in all major cities of Pakistan. The humble Nan Khatai is now gracing tea times at both work and home.

The pioneers of this being LU with their Bakeri Nan Khatai have transformed the conventional cuisine into biscuits of the modern era. With the launch of Nan Khatai, LU has become the first manufacturer of Nan Khatai in the confectionary industry of Pakistan. By playing a key role in reviving this product, it has been able to transcend the geographical limitations. Nan Khatai is now available nationwide in packaged form. The packaging of Bakeri Nan Khatai itself is a tribute to its origins and history and has been appreciated both nationally and internationally. Bakeri Nan Khatai is also the first Pakistan brand featured in the Packaging of the World (an international website that showcases the most creative packaging from all over the world). Following the footsteps of LU other industry players have also entered the market sensing the enormous potential of this product. 

Play with Oreo

Oreo is international biscuit brand loved by millions. Only recently it has officially been launched in Pakistan by Continental Biscuits. 

Oreo launched with a very emotional series of ads in which a kid is in conversation with his/her father regarding what is the correct way to have Oreo. Though the ad was cute it was too emotional for my liking. Because honestly Oreo isn't just for kids. It's loved by all age groups equally and enjoyed not only as biscuits but with shakes and ice cream etc.

Recently Oreo came up with a new TVC showing a very colorful and playful side of the brand. The bilingual jingle is catchy telling the story of how to have Oreo in a very interesting way. This ad reminded me of Coke's ad (maybe the creative took inspiration from there) in a good way.

Overall the execution is fairly good making the brand exciting instead of emotional.

 

PlayWithOreo from user17973054 on Vimeo.

Digital Agency: The Step Child

Brands annually spend billions on their marketing budget. For one minute ad on a TV Channel with less than 2% viewership it is not a big problem for the Brand Manager to pay a hefty amount. They are also happy to invest large sum of their budget on outdoor & print advertising (the lifespan of advertising on these platforms in smaller than goldfish's memory time span). But when it comes to digital (OH MY GOD THAT MONEY SUCKING PHYSCO KNOW IT ALL MEDIUM) Brand managers have to even consult their company's gatekeeper to spend even a penny on this mode of advertising.

Digital is one of the fastest growing platform worldwide. In Pakistan only we have more than 31 Million Internet users and a staggering number of more than 150 Million subscribed mobile users. Not only digital platforms are giving brands a large number of audience but it also allows brands to be very selective about their target audience. Brands can pick and choose who they want to talk to, what should be the habits of their audience, their age & gender, almost everything about the target audience can be customized. And unlike traditional media, digital gives the brands exact numbers how many people viewed their ad, talked about it and were engaged.

Digital is the only two way communication platform for brands where the audience can give their negative or positive feedback. Through digital only brands can learn exactly what their customer wants. The views of the customers allows the brand to grow in a positive direction.

So if digital is doing so good to brand why are brands so nervous to pay their digital agency the money that they deserve? Recently I came across this post of Nirala Sweets in which the agency has taken a drastic measure against the brand and put up a cover photo stating that the brand has not cleared the dues. Well I do not support this kind of activity but this is an eye opener for all the brands to not treat your digital agency as trash. When brands are willing to pay their traditional creative agency millions for a plagiarized jingle they should feel comfortable paying their digital agency (which is monitoring their page 24/7, making at least 30 visuals with unique copies, media planning, creating kick ass strategies, and doing what not for the brand) without any hesitation because digital agencies are complimenting their sales, brand image etc. But usually what the digital agency gets in return is what my dear friend Siddhu says Baba ji ka thulu (peanuts).

Brands, digital is nothing to be afraid of. Worldwide digital advertising has matured and is doing so well that brands have started to allocate more marketing budget for digital than print. Some of the brands are thriving only through advertising smartly on digital.  In Pakistan also brands need to understand that digital is not a short term gimmick but a long term plan. It is the future and only who are prepared for it will be able to master it.

Be nice to your digital agency because once it goes on internet it will stay online forever (unless there is a Zombie apocalypse in which people would only be tweeting and posting status about the Zombies but wait even then your digital agency will be making Zombie related  posts for the brands).