Subject category:
Knowledge, Information and Communication Systems Management
Published by:
Singapore Management University
Version: 2013-04-24
Length: 15 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
This is part of a case series. Case (A) begins in April 2010, where Sharat Verma, the Brand Manager for Gillette India, reflects on the solutions that were developed to overcome stagnant growth in their men's grooming segment - specifically Mach3 razors. The product was unsuitably priced to the market and suffered from poor availability. Faced with this problem, he worked with Harish Narayanan, the Assistant Brand Manager in the Singapore Regional Business Unit, and together they influenced an R&D effort that focused on frugal innovation, wherein they succeeded in removing non-essential features of the Gillette razor design in order to reduce costs, thereby aligning the value proposition and price-point to the target segment. In addition, Verma and Narayanan helped work to develop an unconventional marketing campaign, called the 'Shave India Movement', which catalysed the previously unresponsive yet more affluent urban market, which resulted in record breaking sales for the Mach3 razor in 2010. Verma and Narayanan are then left to analyse the mechanics underlying the success of this campaign, and determine if the Movement can be further expanded. They must also determine if lessons from the campaign can be applied elsewhere, and if so, how?
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2010-2013.Geographical setting
Region:
Asia
Country:
India
Featured company
Gillette India
Industry:
Fast moving consumer goods
Featured protagonists
- Sharat Verma (male), Brand Manager
- Harish Narayanan (male), Assistant Brand Manager
About
Abstract
This is part of a case series. Case (A) begins in April 2010, where Sharat Verma, the Brand Manager for Gillette India, reflects on the solutions that were developed to overcome stagnant growth in their men's grooming segment - specifically Mach3 razors. The product was unsuitably priced to the market and suffered from poor availability. Faced with this problem, he worked with Harish Narayanan, the Assistant Brand Manager in the Singapore Regional Business Unit, and together they influenced an R&D effort that focused on frugal innovation, wherein they succeeded in removing non-essential features of the Gillette razor design in order to reduce costs, thereby aligning the value proposition and price-point to the target segment. In addition, Verma and Narayanan helped work to develop an unconventional marketing campaign, called the 'Shave India Movement', which catalysed the previously unresponsive yet more affluent urban market, which resulted in record breaking sales for the Mach3 razor in 2010. Verma and Narayanan are then left to analyse the mechanics underlying the success of this campaign, and determine if the Movement can be further expanded. They must also determine if lessons from the campaign can be applied elsewhere, and if so, how?
Settings
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2010-2013.Geographical setting
Region:
Asia
Country:
India
Featured company
Gillette India
Industry:
Fast moving consumer goods
Featured protagonists
- Sharat Verma (male), Brand Manager
- Harish Narayanan (male), Assistant Brand Manager