In a significant move, Parachute - the flagship coconut oil brand from Marico has extended itself to skincare. Recently Parachute launched its new brand extension- Parachute Advansed Body Lotion. This is a major brand extension from Parachute since its After Shower hair cream launch.
According to newspaper reports, this category extension is to de-risk the brand's dependence on the hair oil segment . The move to launch body lotion also marks a significant shift in the brand's positioning and its image. Parachute now will have to shed its close association with hair oil segment and move to another set of brand attributes and image.
Parachute is currently running its launch campaign across various media.
Watch the Parachute ad here : Parachute Body Lotion
The ad is very sensuous in nature trying to convey the message of soft skin that tempts you to touch it again and again. The brand extension has used the tagline " Love Dobara ". The idea and the theme of the campaign is not new. The concept of a husband rediscovering his love for his wife has been used many a times in Indian advertising for various product categories. Parachute body lotion's campaign hence was not able to make any creative distinction in the launch campaign. The ad also raised some eyebrows among certain consumers owing to the overdose of sensuality in this ad. The use of hedonistic advertising is becoming very popular in the personal care category in recent times.
The brand has retained its focus on coconut based ingredient in this product. The brand is claiming to have 100% natural moisturizers promising a smooth skin. More than the promise, Parachute Advansed Body Lotion is using its price to lure the consumers to it. The brand is priced very competitively at Rs 99 for 250 ml which makes it one of the most value-for-money body lotion available in the market. I think the brand has priced itself to success . Smart Pricing + Existing Brand equity will ensure that consumers will try out this product for sure.
Body Lotion segment is witnessing lot of activity these days with many brands vying for consumer attention. Consumers are also waking up to this product category and the frequency of usage also has increased. Earlier, these products were predominantly used in winter season.
Marico has used Parachute Advansed ( sub-brand) to launch value added products to the brand line of Parachute. While parent brand Parachute is being used in the pure coconut oil category, Marico has launched many variants under the Parachute Advansed brand-line.
The launch of body lotion has made Parachute brand an umbrella brand endorsing a range of products in various product categories like - Skin care, hair oils, hair care , cooling oil etc. This also necessitates a shift in the overall brand positioning of Parachute brand.
Marico may be looking at making Parachute a personal care brand in future. The brand should then come out of its perception of a hair-care brand. It will be interesting to see how Marico makes this transformation for Parachute. The brand had earlier ran a campaign " Gorgeous Hamesha " for Parachute. The tagline seems very apt for a transformation to a personal care brand for this brand.
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Hi Harish !
ReplyDeleteNice Post. Just one point:
One of the labels that you have used to describe the post is "product line extension" while you have rightly mentioned in the beginning this as a "brand extension" as the new product launched belongs to a different category as the parent/master brand whose name is being used.
Regards
Gurpreet, the label was only related to the post. your observation is correct. Now theoretically all extensions are considered to be brand extensions. Under brand extension, there is product line and category extension
ReplyDeleteThanks for this I went ahead and tried out the Parachute Advansed body lotion and found it quite alright for my normal skin. I like the fact that it is created with natural ingredients that will not harm one’s skin. I always go for natural products when dealing with my body.
ReplyDeleteHi Harish
ReplyDeleteThe post is very well written.
In addition to the points that you have mentioned, I would like to say that I like the packaging of Parachute Advansed Body Lotion. Do you think packaging differently would help the brand gain usage?