Luxor Group, the country&rsquo;s pioneer in the niche segment of writing instruments, will soon diversify from its core business into sectors ranging from latest technologies, real estate and hospitality to retail. It plans to issue an initial public offering in the next three years and will invest Rs 50 crore in a manufacturing plant in Noida - exclusively meant for Parker pens.

Pen-maker Luxor writes new script

Business Standard

If a recent commercial showing the Indian cricket team captain cheering for World Cup countries other than India has left one as confused as the Chote Nawaab, Saif Ali Khan, PepsiCo India&rsquo;s star brand Lay&rsquo;s brings in the clarity with a campaign for the cricket world cup in February.

Lay's opens ICC World Cup account with six hits

Ten B-schools join hands with IIM Ahmedabad in the move.

Placement reporting norms coming soon

Year 1961: The Indian government realised the need for development and growth of small industries in the country and joined hands with Ford Foundation, to sponsor a three month visit of renowned American designers&mdash;Charles and Ray Eames.

NID to revive Northeast textile industry

Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business (ISB) will launch a Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), equivalent to PhD, for young researchers this September.

ISB to start doctoral programme

Raheja-owned Hypercity plans its growth on the back of quality merchandise rather than cheaper price points.

The premium play

With PVR productions like Aisha and Lamha failing at the box office, and acquired films like Ashutosh Gowarikar&rsquo;s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se garnering dismal collections, the company has decided to park its money in co-productions this year.

PVR Films goes after co-productions

A year after calling off its alliance with Mahindra &amp; Mahindra, Renault is preparing for an all-out assault on the Indian car market.

Late mover advantage

Steeped with tradition and one of international cricket&rsquo;s most cherished trophy, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is upon us. To be hosted this time by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Cup faces the unique challenge of garnering viewer interest, with a host of cricket tournaments and leagues clamouring for viewer attention. As analysts warn of a possible &ldquo;cricket overkill&rdquo; in India, the event organiser, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has upped the ante to promote this once-in-four-years event.

The cup that will cheer

The next phase of growth for organised retail is expected to be more gradual.

Back to basics

Pepsi, the official global sponsor of the ICC Cricket World Cup, has unveiled its event campaign, titled &lsquo;Change the Game&rsquo;. It comprises five television commercials (TVCs), of which two are already on air. The campaign also includes outdoor advertising, consumer-engagement programmes, special-edition packaging, in-stadia amplification and digital-engagement programmes.

The official game changer

India&rsquo;s education system has undergone significant capacity expansion over the last decade. Most of it has been in the higher education and K12 space. The action on vocational training, which is a critical industry demand, is a recent development.

KIT: Vocational training in India

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The top 10 business bestsellers

    Its first product is branded as Adam and it runs on Eden. It is coming up with an app store called Genesis. Name the product and company.

The Strategist Quiz (#186)

    Microsoft Corporation. It replaces its old tagline &lsquo;Your potential our passion&rsquo;.

Answers to last week&#39s quiz (#185)

I think that summer placements will not be affected by the recessionary trend again this year. This is so because much of the recession period had gone and bail out process were also involved in many of them.

Student's corner

It&rsquo;s back to school for several coaching institutes of the country. Many prep schools known to coach students for admission to business schools and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are now making a place for themselves in the business of mainstream education.

Prep schools test new waters

Here is what made the Tatas integrate all mobile services and products under one common brand &mdash; Tata Docomo.

One brand fits all

Jonathan Kopp is the global director at the Omnicom-controlled Ketchum Digital, the interactive arm of public relations firm Ketchum. The latter has a majority stake in local agency Sampark. Kopp, who has worked on Barack Obama&rsquo;s presidential campaign in 2008/09, was in Mumbai recently to launch the digital operations at Ketchum Sampark. He spoke to Viveat Susan Pinto on how PR firms can leverage the power of social media. Edited Excerpts.

Q&A: Jonathan Kopp, Ketchum Digital

Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) announced that the Center for Public Policy with support from UNDP and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has completed 10 years. The post-graduate programme in public policy and management (PGPPM) is meant for mid-career managers aiming to be policy specialists and public system managers, according to a release.

IIM Bangalore programme completes 10 yrs

Corporate India learned tough lessons as the global financial markets melted down in 2008. With economic data in the country suggesting the recent recovery may be affected by headwinds from the global slowdown, now is a good time to remember the lessons from 2008
&ldquo;Get ready for the sun&rdquo;
M G Parameswaran
After almost a decade of double digit growth the Indian advertising market took a big hit in 2008-09. Reports indicate that total ad spends actually shrunk by as much as 5 per

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