Track2Realty Exclusive: As a brand management professional, I am often asked as to which industry in India needs branding the most. Without any second thoughts, my answer is real estate. Prima facie that may sound very counterintuitive as real estate is after all a big advertising spender.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Some of the developers believe that being a responsible corporate entity CSR forms a very important aspect of their day to day functioning. For example, Kamal Khetan, CMD, Sunteck Realty says they have formed Sunteck Foundation that is a dedicated entity which under its umbrella supports various initiatives that lead to social betterment.
Track2Realty: Cushman and Wakefield has been appointed as exclusive marketing partners by Equinox Realty, the real estate arm of Essar Group, for Villas In The Sky range of apartments at Water’s Edge in Hebbal, Bangalore. These super premium homes christened ‘Villas In The Sky’ are luxury four bedroom apartments with study that come with exclusive features such as a private elevator, lap pool and Jacuzzi, raising the luxury quotient.
Track2Realty Exclusive: It is generally believed in the sector that CSR can not be a brand driver the way other branding efforts are being evaluated in terms of ROI. Diipesh Bhagtani, Executive Director, Jaycee Homes, says that CSR alone cannot be the catalyst for brand building; there is no case study as such. CSR is seen more as a responsibility towards the society rather than a business promotion activity.
Track2Realty: Less than 3 million sq.ft of office space entered India’s prime real estate market in the quarter ending September 2013—dropping by more than 75% q-o-q over last quarter’s 10 million sq.ft of fresh office space supply; and by nearly 50% over the same period last year.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a new concept in the Indian real estate and companies are going through the learning curve. Some are adopting it with greater amount of conviction, while for others it is an emerging necessary evil.
Track2Realty Exclusive: When it comes to the esteemed idea of real estate, industry stalwarts can boast that in this country, real estate can match up to any investment. As an investor though, you would require a little more convincing. So what should you look at? The answer stems to a more personal equation between liquidity, appreciation, other income, and probable growth.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A section of developers are not in favour of experimenting with the advertisements as this may have negative effect. According to Diipesh Bhagtani Executive Director, Jaycee Homes, ads have some components which are common and similar in all their creative. This helps us build, recognize and recollect the brand name. This also helps build and reinforce the brand identity.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Mumbaipedia concept has nothing to do with real estate projects or the company of the developer but aims at creating a mindspace amongst the target audience.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Call it stale or repetitive but real estate advertising has always been too sales-centric with no thrust on building the iconic brand. Though the sector has matured on several other parameters of corporate quotient, and charging for the brand premium seems to be on top priority; still the advertising has been by and large project driven.