BK Singh, Senior Executive Director – Group Marketing & Corporate Communication, Dalmia Bharat

Our core concept supports better and innovative products, services and better ways doing business, hence holistically delivers best value to the key stakeholders, the trade partners, customers and end consumers, says BK Singh, Senior Executive Director – Group Marketing & Corporate Communication, Dalmia Bharat. Singh explains the motive of the company in roping in Mary Kom as their brand ambassador, as well as their branding strategies. Excerpts from the interview.

Could you share with us what made you rope in Mary Kom as brand ambassador?

As a brand with a national presence, we wanted our brand to be symbolised as national and yet local. Mary Kom fitted the slot perfectly and the timing was just right, after her Olympic win. Both the Dalmia brand and Mary Kom stand for the core values of perseverance, breaking of tradition and above all, of commitment. Our entry into this region is a serious step; we are committed to the people of the north-east. Hence, for us the right personality mattered.

Does this indicate the importance of region specific branding that could connect well with the people and their culture, and create a positive link?

You are right, while the core position of the brand of Dalmia is that of being a premium brand, trusted over 70 years and yet modern in approach like the latest technology, we need to activate according to the nuances of the markets that we plan to serve. Mary Kom is from the region and people will proudly identify with her. This brings in a connection and a direct to the heart link, as well as a unifying symbol of the land of the Seven Sisters.

There is so much of movement in your new logo; it gives an impression of continuous flow.

Yes, the identity and logo of the Dalmia brand is a very thoughtful representation of the various facets of this organisation, like expertise built over 70 years, its Indian core, traditional yet modern. It is a response to the new young India. The colourful windmill represents the tricolour of our nation, a fresh and progressive spirit. The italics fonts depict dynamism.

There is a greater shift towards the concept of green sustainability in the cement industry. But the same does not seem to be reflected in the brand positioning of the company.

Well, the industry is actively sensitive and a few companies including Dalmia are deeply involved in a well-designed sustainability programme. In fact, ‘new think’ embodies new hope, new ideas, and new directions. Thus, the brand positioning fits perfectly, creating a safe, healthy sustainable world for the India of the future. You will be happy to know that we are the third Indian cement company invited to join the Cement Sustainability Forum (CSI, Geneva, Switzerland, part of World Business Council for Sustainable Development). We have won many awards both at the national and international levels for our green sustainability efforts.

How do you rate your brand positioning in terms of differentiating a product and creating value?

As the positioning indicates, the brand stands for innovations and fresh ways to deliver value to our customers. These manifest in many forms while in the interaction or consumption stage. This then creates the foundations for differentiation. In the north-east, we have adopted new packaging, a first in industry quality assurance hologram which supports the best- in-quality product inside. Additionally, we have introduced various innovative programmes to connect with trade partners, customers and influencers, used technology to support speed, efficiency and above all, a new delightful experience. Our positioning has helped define our delivery in product, service, emotional quotient and overall value to all our stakeholders.

How do you view the potential of aligning with sports?

The strength of the positioning of the brand gives that flexibility to encompass wider areas of creating value, including sports. In fact, we are behind our brand ambassador in her effort to popularise her favourite sports in her own way. We are open to any opportunity in future to connect and unleash the immense potential of the sportsmen of the region.

Do you think this will help create the trust in different set of customers like retail, institutional and corporate customers?

The core is fresh and new ways of doing things and it is in response to the new India, the growing India. India is at the cusp of becoming an economic superpower and eventually finding its rightful place in the world order. We believe the youth of India has a significant role in this journey, and fresh ideas and approaches naturally connect with them. The core concept supports better and innovative products, services and better ways doing business with, and hence holistically delivers the best value to the key stakeholders, the trade partners, customers and end consumers.

Was the rural-urban divide a problem while designing the ad campaign?

It can be a challenge for any marketing organisation but as we see the power of communication and information flow becoming seamless and instantaneous, the expectations start converging. Hence, my personal view is that the core concept can be universal across markets while the delivery medium will need calibration and fine- tuning as per the type of markets and consumers.