Should brands reflect social issues?

Yes, I agree with Meena that brands reflect the social issue.Because bradns can change ur living style and ur attitude and any other things which is related to our social issue. And our socialism i depend upon our behavior, attitude etc.

Dear Mr. Bhave ,

I am sorry if you equate debating with conflict. Speaking for myself , I like to exchange ideas with other intelligent people , as a way of keeping my mind sharp. I am very wary of people who agree with me , because that way I will never know if I am wrong. I am sorry if you think this is preaching and in any way intended to insult you.

If you are interested to know more about Marlboro , please check out this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlboro_Man

Regarding condoms , my point was that the packaging for condoms does not in any way reflect any concern for AIDS. I am willing to stand corrected. Every wall which is dirtied with spit has the message "Do not spit" on it ! So graffiti should not be the basis for evaluating condoms.

Dear Mr. Richhariya ,

Your argument is laughable and I will not try to debate on it.

Using your argument , I should also verify that a bottle of mineral water which is marked "Produced on 24.12.2009" was actually manufactured on that date !

yes i strongly agree with u

One very successful example of CSR is the e-Choupal project of ITC. There are several other examples of big industrial houses like the Tatas and the Birlas coming to the help of poor students.

Consider the example of fireworks - today most responsible manufacturers label their products with the message "Manufactured without using child labour". Such manufacturers should be patronised rather than those who continue to use child labour in their operations.

There are paper manufacturers who promote recycled paper ; there are matchstick manufacturers who promote reforestation using a part of their profits. All such socially responsible initiatives need to be encouraged rather than saying that social work is only for NGOs !

Today the IPL has successfully married entertainment and cricket to generate huge profits for everyone - players , sponsors and the cricket boards. Is this also to be condemned ?

A brand or a product that is represented by the brand has relevance at the most basic level only on social values. Personal, familial, social (and so on) hierarchical values determine how we sell and what we sell and why we buy.

So yes, brand must have social relevance.

Yes you are right Ms.Meena.

The brands are very well associated in the minds of the customers and hence it should reflect the social responsibilities. The brands can create a collection of feelings & perception about quality, image, life style, and status in  the minds of the customers. Therefore, it will add more value to the brands in case of incorporating social values & responsibilities while brand building.  

Dear Mr. Manjunathan ,

I think you are confusing two issues here : we are not discussing whether advertising is good or bad ; we are discussing whether advertising / brands should have a social message to them or not.

Whether companies advertise or not , whether they promote social responsibility or not , they are in business to make profits. And their profits will come out of the common man's pockets.

Companies like HUL have annual advertising budgets in crores of rupees. Do you think that this money does not come out of your pocket ? Whether you accept it or not , companies will spend money in promoting :

a) their brands

b) their image

While they are doing this , it is better if they also promote good causes , those which benefit some section of society.

You can call it robbing Peter to pay Paul !

I strongly believe that by creating social awareness about issues related to public welfare can give a gr8 boost to the brand image and a better brand recall.For example, Tata Tea ads, Idea Cellular ads.

Dear Mr. Manjunathan ,

Teaching good values is never hypocrisy ; hypocrisy is talking about good values and practising bad values !

Any company which walks the talk should be appreciated and admired.

Any company which promotes good ideals such as family planning , child education and is against evils such domestic violence , female infanticide , addiction to liquor , drugs , smoking , ... should be appreciated.

You can be a hard-core businessman , and still be moral and ethical.

The second wealthiest man in the world , Bill Gates , has so far donated nearly $20 billion for good causes ; would you term this also hypocrisy ?

Dear Bhave ,

Condoms very rarely advertise by talking about protection from AIDS ; most of them talk about the pleasure that using a condom will provide.

All the initial ads about Marlboro never spoke of cancer as a side effect of smoking !

Today , there is more awareness about the ill-effects of smoking , and cigarette ads are much less enticing than they were in the past.

Ads should be based on right values ; fun is OK , but not at the cost of morality and ethics. Would you condone liquor ads which used teenage models ?

yes they should also keep in mind the culture of the country in which they r aiming to establish.according to that they should promote their brand.

Yes, everyone should act with a social responsibility, so the businesses.

Thanks for the referral Ms Meena,

Lots of people purchase a particular product just because a particular celiberity is attached to the brand or the product is of a certain brand. The brand should conceive ways to promote themselves in such ways that the marketing should not be boring and dull, and at the same time take care that social responsibilities are taken care.

A very good concept ,Meena.buying return 'n' deserving society.

Yes but not all... It depends on R & D dept. at the time of formation of new product. & Marketing Dept. according to their market segmentation that How can we build up a brand Image in the mind of end users...

Social issues can be reflected by brands because brands give them a voice which people understand better

Its a complicated choice, for an entrepreneur, the aim is to make profit. If he is doing it in the legal and right way there is no problem. But if he moves in the wrong way, just like AXE, (which shows womens just like they are mad on men's fragrance and ready to do anything for him) its wrong. Certainly the brands should have to consider social issues when create an add etc., no doubt in that. But we cannot say 'you must consider'.

There are some brands showing social issues in their adds, like 'TATA TEA'. In its add it strike against the peoples who are not voting but criticizing the government. They also show why the scam is increasing and whose attitude to be changed. I respect them for showing such kinds of add although they use it for popularity. 

In my view it will be better if brands decide to go through social issues through their add. If not they have the responsibility to make sure that their add won't create any. 

yes i agree bcoz product become brands by the society .so if brand create a social mater it will help in the growth of brands as well as society