7826 Fevicol Advertising Strategy
7826 Fevicol Advertising Strategy
7826 Fevicol Advertising Strategy
among Indias Top 500 listed companies, including those in the private and public
sector (ET 500, published by the Economic Times in March 2007). The brand has
built strong brand equity over the years and is able to achieve so much success due to
its consistent quality, efficient distribution network and CRM practices by the
company.
Advertising strategy adopted by Fevicol
One of the main reasons for Fevicol's popularity is the creative marketing strategy,
including successful advertising campaigns created by Ogilvy & Mather.
Fevicol advertisements over the years have always been remembered. Right from Bob
Cristo wrestling with a chair made of Fevicol, to a politician who is glued to his chair,
to the hen that laid unbreakable eggs, to the overflowing bus, to the joint family that
refuses to fall apart, every piece of communication developed by Ogilvy & Mather
has broken clutter, increased sales and at the same time entertained the viewer.
The Fevicol campaigns over the years have resulted in making it a 'numero uno' brand
in a segment dominated by unbranded, unorganised, low involvement and low cost
products. Two key drivers have made Fevicol a power brand:
- A continuously innovative approach to own 'bonding'
- Retaining the Indian flavour in the communication with a touch of humour.
Today, Fevicol owns the territory of bonding seamlessly. Today everyone asks
for Fevicol and not adhesive.
Connecting with carpenters
In its early years most competitorssmall-scale local manufacturers of white glue
and multinational brands like Movicol (currently discontinued)marketed their
products through hardware stores and timber marts. Fevicol, on the other hand,
approached carpenters directly. This direct marketing initiative was one of the most
successful strategies employed by the company and helped the brand gain a strong
foothold in the white glue market.
Over the years, Fevicol has introduced a series of programs for carpenters and endusers to help build a strong relationship with them. Fevicol introduced Fevicol
Furniture Books which showcased furniture designs with illustrations and
measurements. These books helped enlighten the carpenters on new styles and trends
in the furniture market, apart from building awareness for the brand. The Fevicol
Champions Club (FCC) was another initiative introduced by the company. It served
as a platform for carpenters to increase their social contacts and be part of a social
network. The company went a step further by sponsoring activities to build relations
with the families of the carpenters.
Connecting people with humour
Creative advertising has also helped keep the brand alive in this non-interesting
category. The creative strategy that Ogilvy & Mather has employed for Fevicol is to
make bonding a Fevicol attribute, and its advertising has used intelligent humour to
convey this meaning.
Catch phrases from popular Fevicol TV ads like "Dum laga kar haisya, zor laga kar
haisya"; "Fevicol ka majboot jodh hai, tootega nahi" and "Pakade rehna, chhodana
nahi" are also used in day-to-day conversation. Fevicol and the other brands from
Pidilite have received more than their share of space in the media as well.
Advertising by Fevicol- over the years
Change is good, but sometimes it's even better to remain impervious. The television
ads for Pidilite Industries' Fevicol brand are a perfect example. When the corporates
around were changing their adverts as often they changed their shirts, the Fevicol
pitch remained unaltered for years, except for small tweaks here and there.
Giving it the unique brand image of ultimate bonding the agency began with the
Dam laga ke haisha ad in 1989 and went on to create some memorable campaigns
like the hen eating out of a Fevicol can laying unbreakable eggs (1998), or a mans
shadow refusing to follow him as it gets stuck to a Fevicol logo (2000) or that of an
overloaded bus in a desert with people not falling off due to the Fevicol signage. All
Fevicol ads are just our takes on how we observe life and are designed to make both
the man on the street.
But why does Pidilite spend between Rs 10 crore and Rs 15 crore on advertising
Fevicol which is not really a mass consumer product. The primary target consumers
for the brand are interior decorators, carpenters, dealers and architects who can
certainly be reached through more prudent ways. That is because Fevicol
advertisements appeal to everybody. Besides the carpenters and architects, it is
essential to talk to the household owners who influence the decision on purchase of
adhesives. Besides, Fevicol and its brand extensions such as Feviquik, Fevistic,
Fevitite are being used in schools, offices, households and do-it-yourself segments.
Initial advertising strategy- Connecting people through humor
Fevicol began its advertising stint by approaching carpenters directly. This direct
marketing initiative was one of the most successful strategies employed by the
company and helped the brand gain a strong foothold in the white glue market.
Introduction of Fevicol Furniture Books which showcased furniture designs with
illustrations and measurements enlightened the carpenters on new styles and trends in
the furniture market, apart from building awareness for the brand.
Some of the famous TVC are discussed below.
(1998)
(2002)
Ending note
Fevicol has penetrated the brand deep into the minds of the customers themselves. In
the beginning it may be that there was not much competition, but now their innovative
ads and marketing campaigns still keep them at that spot. Fevicol is a brand thats so
much into the Indian consumers psyche as Xerox and recently iPod is among the
international audience. Fevicol, in existence since 1959, enjoys upwards of 60%
market share and is manufactured and marketed by Pidilite Industries Ltd .
Yeh Fevicol ka mazboot jod hai, tootega nahi has been playing on the television for
over two decades now. Ogilvy and Mather has a mix of 15 old and new ads, which are
aired in rotation. In fact, the first Fevicol ad that was aired in 1988 is also shown now.
Madhukar B. Parekh, MD, Pidilite Industries has an innovative marketing strategy.
The idea is to seek out every possible opportunity by 'swarming' sales channels
and geographies to maximize penetration. For example Pidilite engages in direct
marketing by publishing magazines and sending them to almost 300,000