A way of life: Mug-ing your way into business

The cost of printing a mug ranges from Rs300 to Rs1,000, said Shahid Masood. PHOTO: IMRAN RANA/EXPRESS

FAISALABAD: For a company to ‘really connect’ with consumers, it has to make its importance felt — maybe even make its product a way of life.

This is the final step in brand connectivity — to engage with the customer in every facet of their daily routine. One of the facets that companies are concentrating on is customer’s crockery, specifically the coffee mugs and teacups that they constantly carry.

As a result, young entrepreneurs in Pakistan have found a way of making handsome returns by taking advantage of an increasing desire by companies to register themselves in the buyers’ eyes.

These entrepreneurs have entered the business of promoting products by crafting pictures, monograms and company insignia on teacups and coffee mugs. There sales are expanding as companies seek to create ever stronger connections between their customers and their brands, according to one entrepreneur.

With the passage of time, modernisations in advertisements have brought new opportunities for these young entrepreneurs. This is just an affordable solution for companies which are either trying to make their gifts look unique or those which are looking to promote or advertise their brand, said Shahid Masood who works in the mug printing industry.

The concept of mug printing is to produce a reasonably priced solution for a low budget campaign, he added. “The companies realise this and engage with the mug printers,” said Masood.

Companies can use varying designs and cup sizes, from a large selection of simple coffee cups, mugs and goblet mugs. The cost of printing a mug ranges from Rs300 to Rs1,000, according to Masood, while the total investment required to set up a mug printing business is Rs100,000, which the investor can recover within a span of two to three months.

These types of cups are not merely appealing in terms of style but also are affordable and durable. “It truly is the mark of a successful advertising campaign,” Masood added.

“Mug printing is simple, effective, and a very affordable marketing campaign.

Every business can get benefit from the promotional campaign and modified mugs for advertising,” said Nadeem Ashraf, another entrepreneur who recently established the mug printing setup.

Because of the low costs, this particular method of marketing attracts both high end customers looking for a large outreach, and smaller customers looking for a personal touch.

According to Ashraf, major customers vary from manufacturing companies, to colleges, universities and students.

“The printing firms have professionals who can help you to ensure your design is the best for the promotional of your business,” said Husnain Shah, a customer who is using this technique as advertising campaign of his business.

Printing personalised photos on a mug to give to your customers is a unique way of attracting others, said Yaseen Shakar, a customer, while talking to The Express Tribune. These mugs are cheap, versatile and something that can be used on various occasions, he adds.

Michael Jackson's children led 'secluded' life

Michael Jackson's children. From left to right; Blanket, Prince Michael and Paris. PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES: Late pop star Michael Jackson’s Prince Michael, 16, Paris, 15, and Blanket, 11, have opened up about their lives with their late famous father in a new documentary “Remembering Michael”.

They had little idea of what went on outside the walls of Michael Jackson’s high-security Californian ranch, Neverland.

“There are a lot of bad people out there…(but he) always wanted (to give us) a taste of normal life… We didn’t know a lot of kids our age. We were more secluded, we never left the ranch that often,” contactmusic.com quoted the singer’s daughter Paris as saying.

“He promised he would teach me how to moonwalk but never got around to it. I really hope his legacy lives on forever. I will never forget him ever. He was amazing,” she added.

Meanwhile, Michael’s eldest son Prince did not even know his father’s name until he was six years old because he led such a sheltered lifestyle.

“He never really wanted to tell us who he is as a person. It took me until I was six years old to learn his name was Michael Jackson – he was always daddy to me and that was it,” said Prince.

Even Blanket, who is usually shielded from the media, recalls some of his earliest memories before Michael tragically passed away in 2009 from a lethal dose of Propofol.

“Sometimes I would go in his room and watch videos of him dancing,” said Blanket

Fawad Khan joins Sonam Kapoor on set of khubsoorat in India!

After hearing that Fawad Khan, who has previously worked in Pakistani popular dramas Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai, would be starring in a Bollywood movie with Sonam Kapoor, fans have been anxiously waiting for further news on the project.

Finally, after what seems like forever, Fawad Khan has officially joined his leading lady on the sets of their upcoming film Khubsoorat.

The movie is currently being shot in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, according to the Times of India.

Directed by Shashanka Ghosh and produced by Sonam’s sister Rhea, the upcoming film will be a remake of the 1980’s Rekha starrer by the same name. Sonam will reprise the role of Rekha as a vivacious, free-spirited young girl whereas Fawad will essay the role of actor Rakesh Roshan from the original version. The film is to be set in a royal era so fans should expect to see Fawad in a regal look.

Soon after joining Sonam, the Pakistani heartthrob tweeted, “Enjoying on the sets of #Khoobsurat. So overwhelmed by the love given by India x.” The actor also posted a picture of himself driving a red convertible

Promising Pakistan: Hope for Pakistan’s textile industry

Annual APTMA event celebrates design students, textile mills and fashion designers. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY

LAHORE: 

The annual textile and clothing show by All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) had a little twist this year with children walking the ramp, much to the audience’s delight. The kids strutted around like professional models at the Governor House on Saturday.

All the clothes showcased were made of fabric produced by local textile mills. “This isn’t really called a fashion show, but a textile and clothing show, which takes place annually,” event host Juggun Kazim said. “This year is a milestone, as we are also celebrating the award of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status, which has granted Pakistani products duty free access to the European market.”

The show consisted of three showcases; the first was by a number of textile mills, including Gul Ahmed and Stoneage. Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design students then showcased their work. The final showcase was from Pakistan’s very own league of designers, including favourites such as Sana Safinaz, Sania Maskatiya and Faraz Manan, who ended the show on a grand note. The fabric for all designs put forth at the event was provided by APMTA. Another notable factor was the amount of variety at the event, from kid’s apparel to bridal wear, there was something for everyone.

“The show exhibits the potential of both Pakistan’s textiles, as well as the country’s fashion industry. The collaboration between the two can do wonders, and there is this chance to show an enlightened image of Pakistan in European Union through its products. Tonight’s show has really been amazing,” said Fauzia Khan, one of the guests at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that he saw potential in Pakistan’s textile industry. “If the textile industry makes a shirt in one dollar, with a little extra hard work, it can improve the shirt and may get $10 in a European or US market. We have achieved GSP Plus status and now, our next target is US markets. Our textile industry should make good use of this opportunity and compete on an international level,” he stated.

APTMA Chairman Yasin Siddik asserted that the textile industry believed in the mantra ‘trade not aid’ for Pakistan. The textile industry in Pakistan needs support from the Pakistani government, and it has the potential to uplift the economic condition of the country, maintained Siddik.

APTMA Group Leader Gohar Ejaz shared that their association was the largest employer in the country and that it had great potential to increase exports. However, he complained about the heavy electricity prices for the industry in Pakistan.

“Despite all the odds, we congratulate the government and are hopeful GSP Plus status to Pakistan will increase our exports and help us in fixing the country’s economy,” he added

Nirvana, KISS make it to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2014

Nirvana is the sole act among the 2014 inductees to be recognised in their first year of eligibility. PHOTOS: FILE

Good news, headbangers! Grunge band Nirvana and 1970s rockers KISS are among the six new inductees in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the organisation stated on Tuesday according to Reuters.

Founded by the late front man/guitarist Kurt Cobain, Nirvana is known for pioneering grunge rock and bringing nihilistic lyrics to the mainstream. It emerged as the focal band of Generation X, with iconic songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come As You Are.

KISS electrified the music scene in the mid-1970s with their quirky black and white make-up, zesty costumes and heart-racing tunes. Their songs, such as the signature Rock and Roll All Nite, helped define a hard rock-and-shock style that continues to thrive today.

Nirvana is the sole act among the 2014 inductees to be recognised in their first year of eligibility. In order to be eligible, an artiste or group must have released their single or debut album at least 25 years earlier. Other than Nirvana and KISS, British singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, Philadelphia rock and soul duo Hall & Oates, country-rock vocalist Linda Ronstadt and singer-songwriter Cat Stevens (now, Yusuf Islam) are the latest inductees that will join the Cleveland-based Hall of Fame.

The inductees were selected by more than 700 voters from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Rock and roll fans were also given the opportunity to vote for artistes who they believed were the most deserving of induction. President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Joel Peresman, said, “This year’s Hall of Fame inductees really capture the passion of fans.” Three out of five top artistes from the fan ballot will be inducted in 2014.

The E Street Band, singer Bruce Springsteen’s primary backing band, will be inducted through the Award for Musical Excellence, the foundation said. Late music entrepreneur and manager of The Beatles, Brian Epstein, and manager of The Rolling Stones, Andrew Loog Oldham, will be inducted with the Ahmet Ertegun Awards for lifetime achievement.

The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place in New York City on April 10, next year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation affirmed in a statement.

Atlanta's twin giant panda cubs turn out to be female

Giant Panda Lun Lun picks up her panda cub Mei Lun to nurse him as her other cub Mei Huan sleeps at her feet. PHOTO: REUTERS

ATLANTA: Atlanta Zoo officials said on Friday that twin giant panda cubs, the first to be born and survive in the United States, have both turned out to be female.

The zoo, which initially had identified both cubs as male after they were born in July, said DNA testing had now shown they are both female.

“Prior to the time they are at least 3 years old, there are no obvious external cues as to their sex,” the zoo said in a statement.

Members of the public this fall helped choose the twins’ names, Mei Lun and Mei Huan, which come from a Chinese idiom meaning “something indescribably beautiful and magnificent.”

The DNA tests showed a third panda, 3-year-old Po also initially believed to be male, is female as well.

Po and the twin cubs were conceived through artificial insemination with the same set of parents.

Giant pandas are endangered and live only in a few mountain ranges in central China. An estimated 1,600 live in the wild and about 300 in captivity, mostly in China, zoo officials said

Toil and trouble: Bigg Boss 7’s Armaan Kohli arrested for assault

Hayat says that Kohli must be punished to show the world that India stands behind its women. PHOTOS: FILE

Once again, reality television programme Bigg Boss has created a stir. The show, hosted by Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, comprises celebrities who are made to live together in an isolated house with cameras that pry on their everyday activities.

This time actor Armaan Kohli, one of the individuals under Bigg Boss house arrest this season, has been arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting housemate and actor-model Sofia Hayat after an argument broke out between the two.

Kohli was arrested on Monday on the set of Bigg Boss 7 after Hayat lodged a complaint against him for alleged physical abuse during their stay in the reality show house, reports bollywoodmantra.com. She filed the complaint just days after she was evicted from the show last month.

The 41-year-old actor was reported to have hit Hayat, 29, on the face with a mop, which she was using to wipe the windscreen of a car during a task on the show, according to ndtv.com. Hayat claims that the programme didn’t air the footage since children also watch the show. The Lonavla police arrested Kohli after examining the raw footage.

Hayat had complained to Khan while she was part of the show, who told her to be more assertive with Kohli. “A six-foot two inches man hit me on my face with a stick. I thought he will be evicted, but he was not. He is a very violent and aggressive person,” said Hayat in a statement. She stated that Kohli must not be given a second chance to hit any other woman. “I don’t want to teach him a lesson. I just want to do what is right,” she added.

Kohli, who has worked in films such as Virodhi and Aulad Ke Dushman, has been in the limelight on Bigg Boss 7 multiple times due to his volatile temper. “I want Armaan to go to jail for at least a month. He should be punished. The world needs to know that India will not tolerate this behaviour; that India stands behind its women,” said Hayat.

Looks like Kohli is in deep trouble!