Answers to last week's quiz (#075)

 

1. This major American investment management firm has $1.3 trillion (approximately) of assets under its management across fixed income, liquidity, equity and real estate. It has a technology platform named Aladdin, which it offers to other investment management organisations, too. Identify the firm.
   BlackRock, the company which took over Merrill Lynch recently 
    
2. Just before presenting a full-sized clay mock-up of a car to the board of directors of a car company, the chief designer realised the model did not have an exhaust pipe. He picked up an empty beer can, punched a hole in it, stripped off the paint and pushed it into the clay at the back of the car. The overall design was so good that the board members told him not to change a thing, resulting in a distinctive exhaust tip seen in this model of cars. Name the car.
   The Mini, a British automotive brand now owned by BMW 
    
3. An inventor developed and patented a first-of-its-kind substance in 1855 and described it as a beautiful substance for the arts. It was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862. What is it? 
   The first plastic patented by Alexander Parkes 
    
4. Name the world’s first chain store — a series of shops owned by the same company and selling the same range of goods.
   W H Smith plc (England). Though founded in 1792, it became a chain store in 1848 when it began selling books and other goods at all railway stations. 
    
5. What is common to the Taj Group’s Gateway Hotel, the US department of Homeland Security and Jet Airways?
   Their logos were designed by renowned design agency Landor Associates 
    
6. The original name of this product formulated in the 1890s was “LR Croup and Pneumonia Salve”. Its founder’s son thought that the name was too cumbersome and renamed it after his brother-in-law, who was a doctor. Identify the brand. 
   Vicks Vaporub named after Dr Joshua Vick. It was formulated by Lunsford Richardson. 
    
7. Spiffs, too, were responsible for triggering off the current world wide gloom. What are they?
   Bribes are referred to as spiffs 
    
8. Which cricket team has recently tied up with Camlin, Café Coffee Day and Peter England?
   Chennai Super Kings 
    
9. Which product is named after Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Its marquee was established in 1875.
   Cuban cigars made by Habanos SA. The Romeo y Julieta marquee was established in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Mannin Garcia. 
    
10. This company (logo below) was established in 1966 by the Government of India. Identify it.
    Hindustan Latex Ltd 
    
    
    
    
    
    

There was one all-correct entry for the strategist quiz # 75. The winner, Rakesh Kumar Barman of Mumbai, will receive a copy of Marketing Genius and Rs 2,000.