Exams are a stressful affair. Most people tend to put on weight during such times and I am no stranger to this habit. My initial experience with this was in my 10
th grade. The exam in 10
th grade is the first among the ‘Big Three’ (No, not the consultancy firms). Stress levels were high, and parents ensured that we remained well fed at all times. Needless to say, what followed was a period of weight gain which spilled over to the vacations as well. To add to it, there were no plans to visit beaches as summers in India are hot and humid. That eliminated the minutest possibility (if there ever was one) of sculpting a summer body. Instead, time was spent on watching repeat telecasts of T.V. shows that we had missed watching while preparing for the exams. Besides, the newly installed internet connection at home opened doors to the new hangout spot - Facebook. It soon started eating into the time which was earlier reserved for outdoor games. Talking about recipes for disaster, this was surely one.
Idea Cellular (Now Vodafone Idea Ltd.) by Aditya Birla Group has been among the leading players in the telecom industry for quite some time now. It has introduced several innovative products and has been known for its exemplary customer care. Back in 2007, Idea shook the advertising world with its groundbreaking ad campaigns which took on problems like low literacy and marital discord and has been an icon since then. With the introduction of 3G in 2008, India’s smartphone market exploded. With super-fast internet available on your fingertips, smartphones were the new norm and people were hooked. This led to aggravation of an already unhealthy lifestyle for people. Idea wanted to do something different this time too, and in 2009, it came out with ‘Walk n Talk’ ad campaign. By going down the health route, Idea wanted to highlight the benefits of exercise. It urged people to become conscious about their health, by walking around while talking on the phone. This was a perfect amalgamation of exercising and indulging at the same time. And the campaign did its trick. It appealed to the masses and the ‘Walk n Talk’ phrase became ubiquitous. This was my first encounter with the Aditya Birla Group, and it ended up changing me for the better. I started with walks every evening, talking to my friends who would tag along with me. These walks eventually evolved into a habit, which I follow even today. I realized the benefit that discipline can bring to one’s life and it is this discipline that has helped me follow my ambitions.
The lasting effect that a 30-second ad can have on the mindset of people is astonishing. This one has stayed with me for 10 years now and it reminds me every time of Aditya Birla Group’s sense of being socially conscious and responsible. While the ad is a small drop in the ocean, Aditya Birla Group has been leading change for the past 162 years! Among the oldest conglomerates in the country, it has spread out to 34 countries across continents and has been an active contributor to the social and economic development of our country.
#ABGLP #ABGLPWooMe #SJMSOM #IITBombay