Proposed Acquisition of Yahoo! by MSN

The proposed acquisition of Yahoo by MSN is going to change the landscape of the Internet. For India the move is going to change we look at Internet completely. Implications for Market
The market implication will be that of ease. At any rate Yahoo is far bigger & better site India as compared to MSN. By combining the two (e.g. MSN, Hotmail, Yahoo.com and Yahoo.co.in) we would have the largest database of registered profiled user base in market.
This would definitely help Yahoo sales teams ( which are far better than MSN/NDTV sales team) to push for better rates and offer innovative services ( Yahoo remains only one in India offering Behavioral targeting). They would essentially earn at the cost of smaller sites and opportunities for likes of Sify will lessen.

Rediff will have to counter
With the might of its messenger, mail (with dominance in SEC A & SEC B cities) and the database of Hotmail along with its messenger users, Rediff will have a hard time coping up with competition.
It’s true that they are the biggest website today, but knowing Microsoft, their interest in India along with their strategies on the internet; Rediff can expect a major marketing onslaught. The reason for Rediff to have retained its expanding user base is that of addressing Local needs. They may still not be addressed by Yahoo- MSN combine but that may notr help in case they start rolling out newer innovations

Google – should get elephant as logo since its majestic walk will continue
The Google motto of do no wrong has actually taken them places. The dark marketing strategies of Microsoft have been completely useless before these Spartans of good. The google products (developed or acquired) have been successful because they were innovative, and made life simpler. No one tried to monetize these products unless the users were happy. Even today the ads served (‘contextual or SEM’) have a direct relevance. Its like a friendly suggestion to an old pal about getting a better deal. The good guys have just gotten better and this deal is a testimony to they fears that they evoke in the business models of antiquity.

Smaller Sites
This one is about the likes of Indiatimes, Sify, well guys buckle up, get ready for consolidation. I would say a marriage of Sify and Rediff can benefit in preparing an Indian answer. Or a takeover of webdunia by anyone of Indian times, Sify or Rediff should happen. This is time for consolidation. Be there or perish.

Overall…
This move is going to bring about changes that have not been witnessed in digital space for years and pave way for a new generation of completion along with innovations. This is really good to have happened. I expect fireworks – and looking forward to see them… happy diwaly/4th of July

Tata Nano: We are watching history in making

Tata nano is slated to give mobility to the entire middle class of the county. It will transform our blue and white collar societies to an extent that will be very different from ours let me propose a case - a SEC B family in Lucknow. Typically the mother is a house wife, father- the sole earner gets around about 10K per month.


Here is their life without Tata Nano-


Most of the shopping is done by Mother from the local grocery store

Father typically comes back from work at around 7 PM - the family settles around him and they have prime time TV Dinner

Kids get back to studies/home work, father takes a stroll with his local friends etc

Sundays are for special food (mostly homemade) and occasional visit to Friends and relatives

Now Life with Tata Nano with INR 15,000 down payment and EMI @ INR 1700


Weekend Visits to malls as this is fashionable and now very convenient

Home grocery purchases from malls/super markets ( Reliance must thank Tata for once for increased footfall in its store). Earlie it used to be too messy to shop for grocery in malls, as its transportation to home was a problem

Late evening 'Drives' by Kids & Family (separately) - no longer 'good night at 11 PM'

Weekend picnics to nearby attraction - huge increase in local /inexpensive tourism

many more - just let your imagination roll

This innovation from Tata is far bigger than its size. Its History in making & like cheap reliance phones from Reliance, this will change the way we look, envisage and connect with these great consumers of India.

This car, may in fact start the consumerist aspirations which have been awaited by all corporate. The life is about to change Mr. Tata, and I am grateful to you for giving mobility to our entire nation