#KhushiyanChakhLo with Shan Foods – The Real, Winning Recipe on the Ad Menu

Nothing else could be as sweet and salty as the latest Ad film by Shan Foods that has been introduced as a part of their Eid campaign. Shan Foods, one of the leading recipe mix brands in Pakistan, will now not only be remembered for producing all those spicy and delicious masalas being found on our kitchen shelves but the brand shall also be celebrated for introducing this awesome and emotionally packed TVC whose content has tugged at the heartstrings of its viewers. 

Living in an ad-age where our minds are being constantly fed with bizarre dance moves or some senseless jingles promoting a certain product, Shan Foods has come up with an inspiring creative that emphasizes upon the cultural values of the human connection. 

Apart from being brilliantly conceptualized and wonderfully executed, following are a few other reasons, in my opinion, that has made this advert a winning recipe on the Ad menu:

The Emotional Roulette:

The newly-launched Shan Foods’ TVC is no less than the emotional roulette that sets your feelings on a spin letting you experience various shades of human emotion. Those living abroad can relate to the pain of being away from home or from your loved ones (as shown in the TVC) while siblings, on the other hand, are found to be relating themselves to the brotherly affection found between two brothers. 

And a lot many of us have almost cried too while watching the ad film, not because we were being upset but for a reason that Alain de Botton defines well when he says;

“The moment we cry in a film is not when things are sad but when they turn out to be more beautiful than we expected them to be.”

How does it feel to be away from home on Eid missing out on those delectable dishes being cooked by your mother and waiting to be hugged and greeted by her -  this is being beautifully depicted in the TVC and being a hostelite myself, this advert resonates with a part of me. 

Jingle Sells, Jingle Sells, Jingle All the Way!

“Woh Maula sab ki sunta hai, par kisi kisi ko chunta hai . . . . . . .”

If not the whole jingle, I am sure I would be remembering this part for it is not only being catchy and captivating but it also lifts your mood at the same time. Jingle being played in #KhushiyanChakhLo TVC carries a melodious tune that adds flavor to the story. 

The Paradigm Shift:

The advertisements being produced by Shan Foods over all these years focused more on providing information about the product rather than presenting emotional content or a story. Breaking its own rule this time, Shan Foods released an emotional ad film, which turned out to be a huge success gaining massive appreciation on the social media (as indicated in the tweets below):

For the first time #ShanFoods have come out with a TVC having a story & tapping the feelings. I can relate to it! #KhushiyanChakhLo

— Xainab Mobin (@zainabmobin) June 22, 2015

So we can win hearts without badly-written jingles and poorly choreographed dance performances! Thankyou #ShanFoods #KhushiyanChakhLo

— Bee. (@s_beenish) June 23, 2015

The best use of 3 minutes by #ShanFoods in #KhushiyanChakhLo. No people dancing in fancy clothing. Or with overly full dastarkhwaans.

— Ayesha Siddiqui (@Ayeshasaurus_) June 23, 2015

And just in case, if you haven’t seen the video yet, you can take a look at the TVC here:

Celebrating the precious moments we share with our loved ones.Shan. #KhushiyanChakhLo
Posted by Shan Foods on Saturday, June 20, 2015

While Shan Foods continue to celebrate its winning ad recipe, let’s have some Biryaani, which is just a masala away! 

Come on, Readers! #KhushiyanChakhLo! J

Pepsi #LightingUpLives for a Brighter Ramzan – A Campaign to Remember

“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” 

― Mary Anne Radmacher

With the holy month of Ramzan soon dawning upon us, it’s that time of the year again when Pepsi Pakistan introduces their new, heartwarming CSR campaign with a purpose of giving back to the society. Having a look at the content and the purpose behind this initiative, it can be safely said that Pepsi’s Liter of Light #LightingUpLives campaign has set a sterling example of contributing to the social good in a compelling way and which may have a long-term impact on the society as a whole. 

Pepsi Pakistan, in collaboration with Liter of Light Pakistan, had successfully launched a CSR campaign at Jalozai camp under which recycled Pepsi plastic bottles were installed at the IDP camps. These plastic bottles were converted to lights or bottle bulbs being powered by solar energy and helped in lighting up numerous houses, hospitals and localities providing them relief from the shackles of darkness, thus making a real difference in lives of the inhabitants.

The installation was filmed by the celebrated filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and was launched through an impactful PR event being attended by several celebrities and influential individuals belonging to different spheres of life.

Extending the same campaign for a brighter Ramzan this year, their newly-launched TVC promotes a call to action to purchase 1.75L bottle; proceeds from which will be donated to Liter of Light Pakistan. By purchasing this 1.75L bottle, you will not only be quenching your thirst with this chilled delight during Ramzan but at the very same time, 1 Re from each 1.75L Pepsi plastic bottle will be donated to the cause allowing you to be a part of #LightingUpLives, and helping them provide light in the rural hinterlands with no electricity. The following TVC elaborates it further:

Lighting Up Lives this ramadan
We're on a mission to make this Ramzan brighter by taking our partnership with Liter of Light Pakistan one step further. On the purchase of every 1.75L Pepsi bottle, we will donate Re 1 towards #LightingUpLives across Pakistan! Spread the word and join us in this mission!
Posted by Pepsi Pakistan on Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Featuring renowned celebrities in the TVC including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sanam Saeed, Syra Yousaf and Azfar Rehman, the campaign is becoming massively popular amongst the younger lot. Not only do these celebrities are supporting the cause online, you too can be a part of their digital promotion by buying a Pepsi 1.75L bottle and sharing a picture of it with a message for #LightingUpLives.

Knowing that these little acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life, let’s join hands with Pepsi Pakistan this Ramzan and become a part of this truly inspiring campaign.

In case you’d like to keep yourself updated with the campaign’s progress, you can visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pepsipk

For now,

Let’s just start #LightingUpLives one bottle at a time! 

Eat, Drink & Be Merry! - Are You the #AsalFoodie 7Up is Looking For?

We all love food, don’t we? Be it some local roadside dhabba serving traditional cuisines or the newly-opened, fanciest restaurant in K-town, there’s nothing that stops us from setting off on the culinary chase and that’s what makes us foodies! But who knew that being a foodie could be so rewarding! The new 7Up #AsalFoodie campaign isn’t only about celebrating love for food but it’s also about cherishing yourself as a bona fide foodie by saying it loud and proud on your social profiles. Team 7Up is on a look out for the #AsalFoodie who not only knows the way to every food outlet in town but also enjoys creating interesting social foodie profiles (using images being available on the 7Up Facebook page) reflecting his/her love for the sugar and spice in life.

Following is a screenshot of one of the #AsalFoodie competitors who has changed his Facebook profile picture and the cover photo especially for the ongoing competition. 

And it’s not just about pictures being shared on Facebook only, the magnitude of its success can be gauged from the number of tweets that were posted, defining #AsalFoodie on Twitter.  Following are a few screenshots of the ones that I found funny and interesting:

My snapchat stories tends to always be about food.. 😋🌚 #AsalFoodie ,,,,

— Mr.... Shahbaz !! (@Mr_shabii) June 3, 2015

#AsalFoodie is the one who can eat 3 rotis even with teenday..! 😐

— T. (@Engr_Tabi) May 31, 2015

Yes i m #AsalFoodie I will marry the one who gives me the same feeling i get when i see food coming at restaurants 😂

— ツرمشاءツ (@ApApnaKamKren) May 31, 2015

#AsalFoodie be like: The only thing which separates us as a nation is the debate between Pulao & Biryani.

— Talha Khan (@talhamr99) May 31, 2015

While the campaign is receiving a tremendous response already, and many of my friends have already participated, I'm strategically waiting to see what they've got so I know exactly what to post and how to beat them! Ssssh! That’s our tiny, little secret!

But let me tell you that there’s a tough competition out there and everyone wants the throne! And of course, the iPads that will be awarded to the chosen ones making it easier for Instagrammers like us to share our epicurean experiences with the people we love.

For more details about the competition, you can visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/7UPPK.
You can also find them on Twitter @7UP_PK & Instagram: www.instagram.com/7UPPAKISTAN

Do not forget to participate if you firmly believe the adage that says, “There’s no sincerer love than the love of food.”

All Hail #AsalFoodie!