Assignment Topic

Marketing Mix (4 Ps) Analysis and Competitors

Evaluation: A study on Grameenphone Company Ltd

Groups Members name

Jewel Rana

130105169

Letter of Transmittal
Date: 02 August 2010
Md. Hamidul Islam
Course Instructor
Principles of Marketing
Dear Sir,
It gives ours immense pleasure to submit a report on Grameenphone. This report is
submitted as a partial fulfillment as a part of our course. The preparation of the report
has given ours and insightful experience and in-depth knowledge on Grameenphone
Company in Bangladesh. We have given our best effort to make it a worthy one and each
aspect of the problem is considered and studied as required.
If any confusion arises or further explanation is needed, we shall be available to explain
the matter to you as and when required despite when required despite having limitations.
Your benign and authoritative advice will encourage us to conduct further flawless
research in future.
Yours sincerely,
BRIGHT COSTA ID: 09-14293-2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This marketing plan is prepared on the basis of the assignment given by Md. Hamidul
Islam, lecturer of the American international university of Bangladesh.
While preparing the report, We acknowledgement the encouragement and full guidance
given by my course instructor .without his relentless support, it would have been
impossible to conduct this study. We express my gratitude to our instructor for providing
us detailed feedback and technical assistance on the report.
Besides, a number of people and institutions are to be thanked

Chapter 1: Introduction

Company Overview
Grameenphone (), widely known as GP, is the leading telecommunications
service provider in Bangladesh . With more than 20 million subscribers (as of June 2008),
Grameenphone is the largest cellular operator in the country. It is a joint venture
enterprise between Telenor and Grameen Telecom Corporation, a non-profit sister
concern of the internationally acclaimed microfinance organization and community
development bank Grameen Bank. Telenor, the largest telecommunications company in
Norway, owns 55.8% shares of Grameenphone, Grameen Telecom owns 34.2% and the
remaining 10% is publicly held.
Grameenphone was the first company to introduce GSM technology in Bangladesh. It
also established the first 24-hour Call Center to support its subscribers. With the slogan
Stay Close, stated goal of Grameenphone is to provide affordable telephony to the entire
population of Bangladesh.

History

The idea of providing wider mobile phone access to rural areas was originally conceived
by Iqbal Quadir, who is currently the founder and director of the Legatum Center for
Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT.\He was inspired by the Grameen Bank
microcredit model and envisioned a business model where a cell phone can serve as a
source of income. After leaving his job as an investment banker in the United States,
Quadir traveled back to Bangladesh, after meeting and successfully raising money from
New York based investor and philanthropist Joshua Mailman, and worked for three years
gaining support from various organizations including Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank and the Norwegian telephone company, Telenor.
He was finally successful in forming a consortium with Telenor and Grameen Bank to
establish Grameenphone. Quadir remained a shareholder of Grameenphone until 2004.
Grameenphone received a license for cellular phone operation in Bangladesh from the
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on November 28, 1996. Grameenphone
started operations on March 26, 1997, the Independence Day in Bangladesh.
Grameenphone originally offered a mobile-to-mobile connectivity (widely known as GPGP connection), which created a lot of enthusiasm among the users. It became the first
operator to reach the million subscriber milestone as well as ten million subscriber
milestone in Bangladesh

November 28, 1996: Grameenphone Ltd. received cellular license by the Ministry of
Posts and Telecommunications of Bangladesh.
March 26, 1997: Grameenphone launched its service on the Independence Day of
Bangladesh.
June 1998: Grameenphone started its services in Chittagong, the second largest city and
the port city of Bangladesh. Cell to cell coverage between Dhaka-Chittagong was
established.
1999: Grameenphone started its service in Khulna, the industrial city of Bangladesh. Also
cell to cell coverage between Dhaka and Khulna brought a number of other districts
under coverage.
2000: Grameenphone started its services in Rajshahi, the education city of Bangladesh.
Service also started in Sylhet and Barisal and thus all six divisional headquarters got the
cellular network coverage for the first time Bangladesh.
August 2003: Grameenphone's subscribes base has become more than one million.
Grameenphone became the first operator in the country to reach the million subscribers.
November 2005: Grameenphone registered more than 5 million subscribers.
November 5, 2006: Grameenphone crosses the 10 million subscriber mark after almost
ten years of operation.
September 20, 2007: Grameenphone reaches 15 million subscribers mark.
June 2008: Grameenphone reaches 20 million subscribers landmark.

Oddvar hesjedal
(CEO of GP)

Iqbal Quader
(Founder of GP)

Logos of grameen phone:

Vertical logo:

Horizontal logo:

Company Vision

We are here to HELP

We exist to help our customer get the full benefit of communication services in their
daily life. We want to make it easy for customer to get what they want, when they
want it.

Company mission
The vision will be achieved by
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

connecting Bangladesh with ease and care

being user-friendly
providing value for money
providing simple and timely connections
having a right understandable process

CHAPTER-ONE: Objectives of the study

Broad objective
Products marketing strategies and competitors evaluation: A study on
GRAMEENPHONE ltd.

Specific objective
The objective of this study is to have a clear idea of grameenphone and to find the
limitations of the tasks carried out all sector of the grameenphone.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)

To find the business portfolio of GP.

To know the marketing strategy of GP.
Know the price of GP products
Communications process
Distributions system
Last year products performance.

Limitations of the study

in every research work there are some limitations faces when conducting different
activities. In the process of research work we also faces certain limitations that
hampers our general activity. some of this notable limitations are-

The report has been conducted within a short time frame

The study is mainly focused on product marketing strategy on

GRAMEENPHONE in Bangladesh but it is foreign company. But here we
emphasizing on GP in Bangladesh. so being concerned only within the GP in
Bangladesh seems to us limitation of a study.

GP Headquarters is located in Gulshan . But they are very busy with their regular
task, so it becomes quit difficult for them to give time in outside. And also there
are some rules and regulation so that we can not enter the head office. So that we
have to talk with their customer center officer. that was a big limitation to us.

GP it is huge company and there are lot of employers and customer care center is
also available. the study conducted can be hampered as the marketing strategy of
GP can not be covered at the short time. We got only 2-3 weeks for preparing this
report. It could be a limitation of the study.

We faced a big problem by doing this report that is electricity problem that take
lot of time.

CHAPTER-2: Methodology of the Study

2.1: SAMPALING PLAN

-Sampling procedure:
The Sampling procedure has been conducted on the deliberate sampling method has
used where the respondents interviewees considered on my convince and priority.
-Sampling unit:
In order to carry out the research work, the study was focused on taking the
interviews of the personnel involved in the GRAMEENPHONE Company.
Number of respondents: 20
Age range: 20-35
Occupation: student, teacher, house wife, service holder.
Economic status: Higher middle class.
Geographical location: Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani, Dhanmondi, Santinogor,
Framgate.

2.2: Data collection techniques:

Questionnaire:
Unstructured and open-ended Questionnaire (please see appendix) we asked to the
different people in the different areas of Dhaka city to find whether they are satisfied
with GP performance or not.

Observations:
When we visited the Gulshan office of GP that time we used our own observation to
collect certain pieces of information about their product marketing strategy,new
product performance as well as up coming product.

Secondary information:
Secondary information has collected by reviewing websites and some articles printed
time to time and other relevant documents.

2.3: sources of data collection:

Primary:
The primary information is gathered through internal of the employees working over
there under GP center.

Secondary:

Secondary information sources had also used to collect information.

Sources include:
-Different articles, index of GP.
-Visiting website of Grameenphone official company.

CHAPTER-3: FINDING AND ANALYSIS

MARKETING MIX
Marketing Mix is the set of controllable tactical marketing tools the firm blends to
produce the response it wants in the target market. The marketing mix consists of
everything the firm can do to influence the demand for its product. The many possibilities
can be collected into four groups of variables known as the four Ps: product, price,
place, promotion. Figure shows the particular marketing tools under each p.
Product

Price

Variety
Quality
Design
Features
Brand Name
Packaging
Services

List price
Discount
Allowance
Payment period
Credit terms

Promotion
Advertising
Sales proportion
Public relation
Personal selling

Product

Price

Target
Customers
Intended
Positioning

Place
Channels
Coverage
Assortments
Locations
Inventory
Transportation

Marketing Mix
Product means the goods and services combination the company effect
that offers to the target market for attention, acquisition, use, or
consumption that might satisfy a want or need.
Price is the amount of money charged for a product or service, or the
sum of the values that consumers exchange for the benefits of having or
using the product or service.

Place

Place includes company activities that make the product available to

target consumers.

Promotion

Promotion means activities that communicate the merits of the product

and persuade target customer to buy it.

Grameenphone Product Mix

A product is anything that can be offered to a market and that is potentially valued by a
target market for the benefit or satisfactions it provides, including objects, services,
organization, places, people and ideas.
As in a service providing business Grameenphone provides different types of service in
its market as its products. In telecommunication business coverage and quality is more
important than the number of product or service offered. With its best coverage and good
quality Grameenphone has become the number one mobile operator in Bangladesh.
Grameenphone has categorized its products in two types. These are
1. Standardized and
2. Customized Products.

Standardized Product
Standardized Product also has been divided into two types: Pre-Paid and Post-Paid.

 Pre-Paid
The brand name of prepaid products is Smile Prepaid Standard and Smile (Mobile to
Mobile).
Smile (Prepaid Standard)

Shohoj Package
Aapon Package
Bondhu Package

Smile Standard prepaid allows consumers to make and receive ISD and NWD call in
all telecom operators.

Smile (Mobile to Mobile)

Smile Mobile to Mobile allows its consumers to make and receive call from any mobile
Postpaid

Xplore

Xplore is the brand name of post paid product of Grameenphone. It is categorized in

two types: Xplore Package 1 and Xplore Package 2. Both of these Post-paid products
has BTTB (Local, NWD, ISD and Economy ISD) connectivity, Flexible Credit
Policy, Wide collection of value added service (SMS, EDGE, Welcome Tune, Voice
Mail, Voice SMS) and International Roaming facility.

Customized Product
Business Solution is provided as a customized service to different medium and large
organization and Professionals. This customization allows interesting call and sms charge
among the member of the organization, fax and internet service within the organization
branch. The customized service of one organization is never told to other or disclosed.
Separate Strategic Business Unit (SBU) is responsible for the success of each of this
product. As the way, this organization has proved that SBU is important for the success of
a product in its market.
Interestingly d-juice, which is claimed as a life style brand of Grameenphone, is not
mentioned with this product line.

Different types of value added services are provided with these products as product
feature.

Value Added Services

With Grameenphones VAS, consumer can use mobile phone for many other purposes
than making voice calls. With Grameenphones VAS, consumer can use mobile phone to:

Send and receive text messages, picture messages, voice messages

Download ring tones, logos, wallpapers
Obtain news updates, cricket score updates
Browse the Internet and also send and receive e-mails
Transfer data and send fax
Participate in competitions and vote for opinions
Health line services.

Branding
The name or names that identify a companys products can be very important in
positioning them. The brand name distinguishes a product from competitors
products. A strong brand identity creates major competitive advantages. A brand that
is recognized by buyers encourages repeat purchases. Grameenphone is successful
in its products branding. All most every prepaid mobile phone user is aware about
its Smile prepaid package and business consumers are aware about Business
Solution. This Branding images comes from good quality of Grameenphones
products as well as its high promotion activities. Corporate branding places primary
emphasis on building brand identity using the corporate name. Grameenphone has
become a corporate name in telecommunication business in Bangladesh. Corporate
branding offers the advantage of using one advertising and sales promotion program
to support all of the firms products. And it is often found in Grameenphone
advertisements. Corporate branding has become a branding strategy because the
product offering is relatively narrow in telecommunication business.
Grameenphones Strategic Analysis of Existing Products
Grameenphone regularly evaluates the performance of its product. This evaluation of the
performance of the product portfolio provides its management with diagnostic
information to guide its strategies for new products, product modification, and product
elimination. But the strategic analysis of existing products requires tracking the
performance of the products in the portfolio, as shown below:

For tracking product performance Grameenphones management first establish the

criteria and levels of performance for gauging product performance. These include both
financial and non financial factors. Because of the various demand and cost
interrelationships among products, an information system is established to measure how
well a particular product is doing. The purpose of this tracking system is to maintain a
product review process that will help to spot problem products or products features.
Grameenphones management uses the diagnosis to help select a strategy for eliminating
the problem. Action includes adding new products, cost reduction, product improvement,
marketing strategy alteration or product elimination.

Product life cycle analysis

The length of product life cycle is shorter in telecommunication business. So in a few

years Grameenphones products moved from its introduction in to the growth stage
and it is now in maturity stage. This first movement through the product life cycle
also creates the need to alter the cycle by introducing new products or products
feature.

Product portfolio analysis

Grameenphones strategic analysis of the products portfolio determines if each

product is measuring up to managements minimum performance criteria, and
assesses the strength and weaknesses of the product relative to other products in the
portfolio.
Portfolio grids highlight differences among products. After identifying the relative
attractiveness and business strength of the products in the portfolio, a more
comprehensive analysis of specific performance factors may be appropriate,
including:

Profit contribution.
Barriers to entry.
Sales fluctuations.
Extent of capacity utilization
Responsiveness of sales to prices, promotional activities, service levels, and other
influences.
The nature of technology (maturity, volatility, and complexity).
Alternative production and process opportunities.

Several of these factors are included in the grid analysis when composite grid dimensions
are used.
Grameenphones Strategy for existing products
Cost reduction, product alteration, product elimination works as a strategy for existing
products within this organization.

Cost reduction

Grameenphones lower cost comparatively its higher class products quality give this
company major advantage over the competition. Grameenphones technological
innovation, marketing productivity and high volume consumer helps to maintain this
lower cost.

Product alteration

Products are often improved by changing their features and quality. A number of
features are included with Grameenphones products. And these features provide a
way of differentiating a brand against competition. In November, 2006
Grameenphone renamed its products as Easy to Smile; Regular to Explore. A number
of new features also have been added with these products in that time. But
consumers preferences suggest that quality is more important than features in the
choice of taking connection. So quality improvements are also considered as an
important strategy for increasing competitive advantage.

Product elimination

In deciding to drop a product from product line, Grameenphones management

considers variety of performance criteria in addition to the products sales and product
priorities. In November, 2006 Grameenphone eliminates some of its products from

product line such as Any Time-300, Any Time-450 and Any Time-500. But product
elimination is a very important decision that is thoroughly evaluated by
Grameenphones management. Because Grameenphones core value is Make it
easy. Those similar type of products confused customer. There fore these have been
eliminated so that consumers feel easy to use Grameenphones products.
Grameenphones corporate culture committed to provide good quality services .It
believes that quality improvement is an organizational responsibility. So this will
continuingly introduce good quality services or product comparatively minimum price.

Analyzing the Pricing Situation of GP:

Price Elasticity:

It is the percentage change in the quantity demanded when price changes, divided by the
percentage change in the price. GP has gained high price elasticity in the market.

Non-price factors:
The Gold holders pay a high amount of money in buying to get the high facility.
Cost Analysis:
Product cost provides essential information for pricing decisions. To analyze cost, GP
uses the following steps:

Competitor Analysis:

Aktel is the major competitor of GP as it is consistent in its rates and facilities and gain a
most part of the market shares although Banglalink has more promotional activities and
call charge, they have not been able to hold the market yet. GP fixes its competitor on the
basis of market share. They fix price in keeping pace with the competitors price and their
probable responses to an alternative price strategies.

Legal Anbd Ethical Ckonsiderations Of GP:

Price fixing in channels of distribution:
GP provides its distributors at low cost. In pricing the channels of distribution, it has
discrimination.
Price information:
GP publishes articles and advertisements in all national dailies and television about the
form and the availability of price information for the customers.
Price of Different Offers of GP at A Glance:
XPLORE PACKAGE 1

Tariff and line rent

GP-GP

(4 P.m. - 12 p.m.)
TK.1.30/min

12 pm-4 pm
TK 0.49/min

Any Mobile

F&F

BTTB (local/NWD/ISD)

4 F& F
TK 0.49/min

Incoming: Free
Outgoing:
TK 1.30/min

24 hours
TK 1.30/min

SMS Charge

F&F: Tk.0.50
GP: Tk.1.00
International:
Tk.2.00

Line Rent: Tk.50/month (This fee too will be waived if the subscribers' monthly airtime
usage exceeds BDT 450)
BTCL Incoming is absolutely free for Xplore :

1 sec pulse from 1st minute onwards for all numbers except F&F

60 sec pulse from 1st minute onwards for F&F

NWD calls: BTCL's Peak (8am - 10pm) & Off-peak (10pm - 8am) rate will be
applicable for BTCL charge

All figures are excluding VAT. 15% VAT will be applicable.

XPLORE PACKAGE 2:

Package 2 has come up with a very attractive and competitive tariff.

BTTB Incoming is absolutely free for xplore Package 2.
No Monthly Access Fee/Monthly Line Rent
Monthly Package Fee (Minimum Usage): Tk.1000

Tariff
GP mobiles (6
am -1 am)
GP mobiles (1
am -6 am)
Other operators
(24 Hrs)
* Promotional Tariff

Tk.1.50/min
Tk. .30/min*
Tk.1.50/min

F&F

BTTB
(local/NWD/ISD)

Incoming: Free
Tk.1.0/min Outgoing: GP Tariff
+ BTTB charge
(Local/ NWD/ ISD)

SMS Charge

F&F: Tk.0.50
GP: Tk.1.50
Other Operator:
Tk.2.00

New Prepaid Price Plans

Grameenphone brings you a new prepaid connection only at Tk 149 with a bonus
talktime of Tk 50. You will get a bonus talktime of Tk 20 instantly after recharging. This
connection, gives you the freedom to choose amongst the three exciting offers Shohoj,
Bondhu and Aapon. You also have the option to move into the djuice package.
Special packages for new prepaid connections
Shohoj Package: Grameenphone prepaid connection comes with this pre-activated
package where you will be able to talk to any operator number at a low, flat rate of Tk
0.79. You can also send SMS at Tk 1/SMS to any operator ( GP/ others) number.

Voice call

Time

GP-GP

GP-Other Operators

24 Hours

Tk. 0.79/min

Tk. 0.79/min

Tk. 1.00/SMS

Tk. 1.00/SMS

SMS

Aapon Package: You will be able to talk to over 23 million Grameenphone numbers at a
low rate. The package offers the following features:
Time
Voice call

GP-GP

GP-Other Operators

Morning Time: (8 am-12pm) Tk. 1.25/min

Tk. 1.49/min

Day Time: (12pm-4pm)

Tk. 0.49/min

Tk. 1.49/min

Evening Time: (4pm-12 am) Tk. 1.25/min

Tk. 1.49/min

Night time (12am-8 am)

Tk. 0.49/min

Tk. 0.99/min

3 FnF (Voice call) 24 Hours

Tk. 0.49/min

Not Applicable

SMS

Tk. 1.00/SMS Tk. 1.00/SMS

SMS (FnF)

Tk. 0.50/SMS Not Applicable

This package gives you the privilege of calling 3 FnF numbers at Tk 0.49 and sending
SMS at Tk 0.5 ( GP-GP, GP-other operator at Tk 1/SMS)
Bondhu Package: This package with the highest number of F&Fs allows you to talk to
your near and dear ones at the lowest rate. This package gives you the privilege of calling
7 FnF numbers at Tk 0.49/min. You can calls to all other numbers (Other than the seven
FnFs) are BDT 0.99 per minute. SMS rates are BDT 0.50 per SMS to FnF numbers and
BDT 1 to other GP-GP and other operator numbers.
Time

GP-GP

GP-Other Operators

7 FnF (Voice call)

24 Hours

Tk. 0.49/min

Not Applicable

Voice Call

24 Hours

Tk. 0.99/min

Tk. 0.99/min

SMS

Tk. 1.00/SMS

Tk. 1.00/SMS

SMS (7 FnF)

Tk. 0.50/SMS

Not Applicable

International SMS:

Any GP user can send SMS to more than 100 million GSM subscribers all over the
world. It costs much less than making a call and is quite convenient to send.
Tariff:
Product

djuice

On-Net

Off-Net

International SMS

Smile

BDT 1.50

BDT 1.50

BDT 2.00

BDT 2.00

Smile PSTN

BDT 1.50

BDT 1.50

BDT 2.00

BDT 2.00

Post paid

BDT 1.50

BDT 1.50

BDT 2.00

BDT 2.00

djuice

BDT 0.50

BDT 1.00

BDT 1.50

BDT 2.00

News service:
GP provides news and sports update.
Tariff:
BDT 2.0 MP3 tones

Grameenphone EDGE

Grameenphone offers EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), an advanced
mobile technology which enables high-speed mobile Internet and data services. It is
about 8 times faster than GPRS.

Tariff Structure
PACKAGE 1

PACKAGE 2

Subscribers

ALL

Post Paid Only

Monthly Access Fee

None

BDT 1,000.00

Browsing Charge

BDT 0.02 / kb

NIL

Content Download

As per content

As per content

Pricing: The following table shows price of different contents offered by GP:
Contents

Price (in BDT)

Poly tones

15

True tones

20

Wallpaper

10

Animation

10

Color Logo

10

J2ME Games

40

Video Clips

30

Themes

20

Grameenphone Distribution Mix

Importance Of Distribution In GP:

To perform the above task effectively GP uses its own distribution channels, which are
distinguishable from others. When initially selecting a channel of distribution for a new
product, the pricing strategy and desired positioning of the product may influence the
choice of the channel. Once the channel of distribution design is complete and
responsibilities for performing the various marketing functions are assigned, these
decisions establish guidelines for pricing, advertising and personal selling strategies. GP

is very much efficient in establishing these types of strategies. It helps them to maintain
an exclusive distribution channel to serve the end-users.

Mission Of GPs Distribution Strategy:

The motto of GP in establishing distribution channels is: to be the nearest of the
customers. And exactly their motto is realistic. GP is the nearest company of the
customers. It has opened all the doors to serve their customers most conveniently.

Overview Of GPs Distribution System:

The number of GP owned distribution centers all over the country is around 18. The
centers serve customers directly and deal them with guidelines and advices to make the
communication through network system easier and quicker. Besides there are around 60
franchises spreading all over the country right now.
These franchises deal with the customer problems and requirements; they gets complains
from customers, they collect creative suggestions from the valuable customers. And other
channels- such as dealers, retailers- are making the products and services of GP more
diversified to the customers.
GP has not come to its present situation instantly. Various types of changes incurred
during the years of its business. We will see the different channels at different time period
one by one.

Initial Distribution Channels

From the beginning of the business of GP, it supplied its SIM to the distribution centers.
Dealers got the product from the centers and sold those to retailers. The retailers, at last,
sold the product to end users. This was a traditional channel. Sometimes, end-users
purchased products from dealers as a whole to minimize the purchasing cost. Company
did not sell directly to the customers at that time.
Only three years ago GP introduced a new and convenient channels of distribution to
overcome the traditional system. The two tails of the channel is the most attraction part to
the customers.
Through around 30 distribution centers, GP distributes all key parts of the country.
Dealers, as an intermediary, purchase the products from the centers and disburse those to
two types of retailers. One is exclusive retail outlet and another one is non-exclusive
retail outlets are permitted to sell the products of only GP. They are the guaranteed or
authorized retailers. Non-exclusive retail outlets can sell other companies product as well
as they have no relation the customers or end-users buy products from either of two types
of retail outlets. They get the product or service of company in the most convenient way
at the student time period.

Grameenphone Promotional Mix

Grameenphone uses promotional activities that communicate the merits of the product
and persuade target customers to buy it. Grameenphone can succeed to acquire more than
10 million customers as of December 2006 not only providing good service but also
using high frequency promotional activities. Grameenphone uses most of the promotional
tools to give message for its customers on the new product & existing product and
product features. Grameenphone must do more than make good product- they have to
inform customers about product benefits and carefully position products in consumers
mind. To do this Grameenphone promotes the promotion tools are:

Grameenphone Promotional tools

Sales Promotion

Advertising
Newspaper
Television
Radio
Magazines
Newslette
r
Internet

Price packs
Cash Refund Offers
Prizes
Patronage Award
Premium
Price Offs

Public Relation
Publications
Events
News
Sponsorships
Public service
activities
Identity Media

Personal
Selling
Inside Sales
Force

Grameenphone Advertising process :

Any paid form of nonperson presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services
by an identified sponsor. Grameenphone advertising can introduce the company and
the products. If the product embodies new features, advertising can explain them.
Advertising can remind customers of how to use the products and reassures them
about their purchase.

Grameenphone Advertising Objectives:

Grameenphone uses advertising as a promotional tool to make a communication task
to be accomplished with a specific target audience during a specific period of time.

Grameenphone Advertising objectives

Informative advertising
Telling the market about a new product
Suggesting new uses for a product
Informing the market of a price change
Explain how the product works
Describing available services
Building a company image

Persuasive Advertising

Building brand preference

Encouraging switching to Grameenphone
Changing customers perception of product attributes
Persuading customer to purchase now
Persuading customer to receive a sales call

Reminder Advertising
Reminding consumer that the product may be needed in the near future
Reminding consumer where to buy it

Grameenphone Advertising tools:

Grameenphone uses different types of media to acquire different types of objectives.
To select media depend on the target audience, product characteristics, message
characteristics and cost. The advertising tools that grameenphone uses as a media to
communicate with the existing and potential customers are:

o Newspapers
Newspaper covers all sorts of information about grameenphones product. It mainly
covers the informative and reminder advertising.

Target audience
Literate people.

Message characteristics
Flexibility, high believability

Duration

Cost

Short life

Lower

o Television
Television is an effective media for good mass-market coverage. Television telecasts
messages about new product and it is mostly used for persuasive advertisement.

Target audience
All types of

Message characteristics

Duration

High attention, high reach, high Long life

Cost
High

people but
teenagers
influences more

clutter

o Radio
Within a lower cost, grameenphone broadcast their massage through radio. It is a
better way for persuasive advertisement.
Target audience
All types of people
but teenagers
influences more.

Message characteristics

Duration

Audio presentation only but usage Relatively

mass and cover high geographical area. short life

Cost
Lower

o Magazines
An effective media that grameenphone uses as a promotional tool to achieve the
customers awareness about grameenphone and its product. It is an effective media
for informative and persuasive advertisement.
Target audience
Middle and Upperincome audience.

Message characteristics

Duration

High-quality reproduction, credibility long life

and prestige.

Cost
Medium

o Newsletters
Grameenphone publishes newsletter regularly to inform existing customer as well as
potential customer about companys recent activities and offer.
Target audience
Loyal
consumers and
interest persons

o Internet

Message characteristics
Very high selectivity, full control.

Duration
Short life

Cost
Relatively
low cost

Internet performs effective promotional tools grameenphone advertising. It gathers all

sort of information about grameenphone.
Target audience
Internet browser

Message characteristics
High selectivity, interactive
possibilities.

Duration

Cost

Long time
still update

Relatively
low cost

Grameenphone Sales promotions Process :

Grameenphone uses sales promotions that consist of a diverse collection of incentive
tools, mostly short term, designed to simulate quicker or greater purchase of
particular products or service by consumers or the trade.

Grameenphone Sales Promotion Objectives:

Sales promotion tools vary on their specific objectives. Grameenphone uses sales
promotion to acquire broader promotion objectives:

Grameenphone Sales promotion objectives

For consumer
Encouraging purchase of large sized units.
Building trail among nonusers
Attracting switchers away competitors brand

For retailers
Persuading retailers to carry new items
Encouraging stocking of related items
Offsetting competitive promotions
Building brand loyalty
Gaining entry into new retailers outlets

For the sales force

Including encouraging support of a new product
Encouraging more prospecting

Sales promotion tools:

Many tools can used to accomplish sales promotion objectives. Describes of the main
consumer, trade and business tools that grameenphone uses as short-term incentives
to encourages the purchase the product follow:

o Price-packs:
Nokia handset festival @ GPCs
Grameenphone Ltd. kicked off the first handset bundled promotion at its
Grameenphone Centers around the country. Under this promotion free GP
connections and bonus talk time, Tk.660 to Tk.2000 depending on handset, are being
offered with select popular Nokia models.

o Cash Refund Offers:

thankyou
thankyou is grameenphone way of expressing their gratitude, because not only has
consumer loyalty touched us but has also made grameenphone the preferred mobile
operator. Grameenphone thankyou program provides consumer with a number of
rewards that will make consumer mobile phone experience with gramophone even
more satisfying.

o Prizes:
grameenphone pothe pothe utchob
Grameenphones mobile transport travels all around the country and arranges
different types of amusing game/contest for their loyal customers and offers attractive
prizes who win the game /contest.

o Patronage Awards:
thankyou crown, Be Special, Be crown
Grameenphone offers the prestigious thankyou crown membership to especially cater
to you. To enrich your life, grameenphone offers premium services and exclusive
discounts.

Membership

Average Monthly Usage Over Last Six

Months

Discount on SIM
Replacement

Platinum

BDT 6500 and above

100%

Gold

BDT 4500 to below BDT 6500

75%

Silver

BDT 2500 to below BDT 4500

50%

You will also enjoy exceptional service at all our customer touch-points. Just
introduce

yourself with your Grameenphone number and put your feet up! We will

take care of

your problem while you relax.

o Premium:
Enjoy free stuffs with a new xplore Package2 connection
With every new xplore Package 2 connection, you will get 25 Text SMSs & 25 free
Voice SMSs, and 5 GP branded Ring tones. Subscriber has to use the free content and
VAS within 2 months after activation.

o Price-Off:
450 minutes free!
All Business Solutions postpaid subscribers will enjoy 150 minutes free talktime per
month for 3 months to call their F&F numbers.
For new subscribers, the offer is valid from the date of activation and for existing
subscribers, the offer is valid from 28 March '07.

Grameenphone Public relations process:

Public relation is one of the grameenphone strategic promotion tools building good
relations with the companys various publics by obtaining favorable publicity,
building up a good corporate image.

 Grameenphone Public relation Objectives:

Public relations can have a strong impact on public awareness at a muck lower cost
than advertising can. Grameenphone use public relations to communicate with their
publics by setting some public relation objectives. The objectives are:

Grameenphone Public relation objectives

Build marketing excitement before media advertising tools.
Build a one-to-one relationship with consumers.
Build a core customer base.
Turn satisfied customers into advocates.

Grameenphone Public relation tools:

Grameenphone public relation uses several tools. The tools are following:

o Publications:
Grameenphone published some sorts of materials to reach and influence their target
market. Some publication materials are:
Annual report
Articles
Grameenphone Newsletter

o Events:
Grameenphone arranges some special event to draw attention to new products or
companies activities. Some special events that grameenphone arranges frequently:
Seminar
Conference

Trade shows

o Sponsorship:
Grameenphone promote their brands and corporate name by sponsoring sport and
cultural events and highly regarded causes. Some current sponsorship by
grameenphone are:
Grameenphone sponsors International Conference on ICT
Official sponsor of Bangladesh Cricket
Grameenphone sponsor International Trade Fair in Khulna

o News:
Grameenphone finds or creates favorable news about the company, its product and its
people and get the media to accept press release and attend press conference.
Grameenphone in its official website media site covers all news about grameenphone,
its product and its people.

o Public-Service Activities:
Grameenphone has always been more than just a mobile phone service provider in
Bangladesh. It builds goodwill by contributing money and time to good causes.
Public service activities that performed by grameenphone are:

Mother's Day thankyou vaccination discount. On the occasion of World

Mothers Day, subscribers may also receive the following benefits:
Samorita Hospital offers 25% off on screening test.
Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital offers 50% off on screening test

and free EPI vaccination.

Honoring unsung heroes. Grameenphone in collaboration with Prothom Alo, a
leading daily newspaper in Bangladesh, organized a program titled Prothom

Alo-Grameenphone Shommanona 2006. The aim of this program was to

bring the little-known development practitioners to the limelight creating
inspiration and confidence for others.

o Identify Media:
Grameenphone creates a good image by using promotional tools. Grameenphone
promotes the public relationship by its attractive logo, signs, uniform and others.

Grameenphone personal selling process:

Grameenphone personal selling is a good way to communicate the target
customers. It focuses on more creative types of selling and the processes of
building and managing an effective sale forces.
Grameenphone personal selling Objectives:
Personal selling serves as the grameenphones personal link to customer. The sales
representative is the grameenphone to many of its customers. Personal selling
performs for establish some objectives. Those are:

Grameenphone personal selling objectives

To diagnose customer problem and providing services to the customers.
Information gathering about the market.
Building companys goodwill.
Increasing the sales forces.

Grameenphone personal selling tool:

Grameenphone mainly focus on inside sales forces that conduct business from their
customer care centre via telephone or visits from prospective buyers.