MEDIA In advertising context, media means the channels use to communicate the advertising messages.

For example the cost media and the print media. The various media used by advertisers to communicate with the audiences is different in a number of aspects such as the type of audience they can reach, cost and quantitative factors etc. These are basic differences among media concerning the rate and the manner in which the information is communicated and can be possessed by audiences. Marshall McLuhan says, The medium is the message. This means that an advertisement message is interpreted and influenced by the environment in which it is received and communicated an image that is independent of message content. This effect is known as quantitative media effect. The role of media is to bridge the difference between the message and the receiver. Its effectiveness is judged on the basis of how many people it delivers the message to, at what level of intensity at cost. All measurement of media effectiveness relates to how well the message is transmitted and how well it is received. The terms medium and vehicle are of used interchangeably. However medium is a channel or a system of communication such as newspaper or radio. A vehicle is a specific carries within the channel. To illustrate, the times of India is a vehicle within the print medium or star plus is vehicle within the T.V medium.

NEWSPAPER The news paper is a publication devoted chiefly to presenting and communicating on the news. Newspaper provides an excellent means of keeping well informed on current events. They also play a vital role in shaping public opinion.

A newspaper is a regularly published print product containing vital to the function of the market it serves. Definitions become more important as traditional newspaper companies move from single-product management to multi product management, often under the companys brand typically title of the newspaper. Newspapers have certain advantages over other major news media like television, radio, and new magazines. For instance news paper can cover more news and in much greater detail than TV and radio news bulletins. A large daily newspaper provides a great variety of information. News stories cover the latest development in field such as government, politics, sports, science, business, arts and much more. Editorials and columns of opinion comment on relevant day issues. Informative feature article examine a wide range of subjects including fashion, health, child-care, science and technology etc. Providing a daily newspaper requires a greater speed and efficiency. Reporter, editors and photographers work under a constant pressure of deadlines. A large daily also employs many other workers including advertising and sales people, artists, printing press operators, technicians, administrative staff, etc. What newspaper companies are learning is that the value of what they produce is not the ink on the paper, but the content, depth, segmentation, credibility and emotional attributes that are delivered in any distribution channel they choose.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF NEWSPAPER Newspapers in India started with William Bolts, an ex-employee of the British East India Company who attempted to start the first newspaper in India in 1776. Bolts had to beat a retreat under the disapproving gaze of the Court of Directors of the Company. Then, in 1789, James Augustus Hicky started Bengal Gazette, a two-sheet newspaper that publicized the private lives of the Sahibs of the Company. In the newspaper, Hicky even dared to mount scurrilous attacks on the Governor-General and Chief Justice, for ~
2

which he was sentenced to one year in prison and fined Rs.5,000, which finally drove him to penury. These were the first tentative steps of journalism in India. B. Messink and Peter Reed were pliant publishers of the India Gazette, unlike their in famous predecessors. The colonial establishment started the Calcutta Gazette. It was followed by another private initiative, the Bengal Journal. The Madras Courier was started in 1785 in the southern stronghold of Madras. Richard Johnson, its founder, was a government printer. Madras got its second newspaper when, in 1791, Hugh Boyd, who was the editor of the Courier quit and founded the Hurkaru. Tragically for the paper, it ceased publication when Boyd passed away within a year of its founding. It was only in 1795 that competitors to the Courier emerged with the founding of the Madras Gazette followed by the India Herald. The latter was an unauthorized publication, which led to the deportation of its founder Humphreys. The Madras Courier was designated the purveyor of official information in the Presidency. In 1878, The Hindu was founded, and played a vital role in promoting the cause of Indian independence from the colonial yoke. Its founder, Kasturi Ranga Iyengar, was a lawyer, and his son, K. Srinivasan assumed editorship of this pioneering newspaper during the first half of the 20th century. Bombay surprisingly was a late starter. The Bombay Herald came into existence in 1789. Significantly, a year later a paper called The Courier started carrying advertisements in Gujarati. The first media merger of sorts happened with The Bombay Gazette, which was started in 1791, merging with The Bombay Herald the following year. Like, The Madras Courier, this new entity was recognized as the publication to carry Official notifications and Advertisements. Compared with many other developing countries, the Indian press has flourished since independence and exercises a large degree of independence. In 2001, India had 45,974 newspapers, including 5364 daily newspapers published in over 100 languages. The largest number of newspapers were published in Hindi (20,589), followed by English ~
3

(7,596), Marathi (2,943), Urdu (2,906), Bengali (2,741), Gujarati (2,215), Tamil (2,119), Kannada (1,816), Malayalam (1,505) and Telugu (1,289). The Hindi daily press has a circulation of over 23 million copies, followed by English with over 8 million copies.

HISTORY OF FIRST INDIAN NEWS PAPER James Augustus Hickey is considered as the "Father of Indian Press" as he started the first Indian newspaper from Calcutta, the Calcutta General Advertise or the Bengal Gazette in January, 1780. In 1789, the first newspaper from Bombay, the Bombay Herald appeared followed by the Bombay Courier next year (this newspaper was later amalgamated with the Times of India in 1861). The first newspaper in an Indian language was the Samachar Darpan in Bengali. The first issue of this daily was published from the Serampore Mission Press on May 23, 1818. In the same year, Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya started publishing another newspaper in Bengali, the Bengal Gazetti. On July 1, 1822 the first Gujarati newspaper the Bombay Samachar was published from Bombay, which is still extant. The first Hindi newspaper, the Samachar Sudha Varshan began in 1854. Since then, the prominent Indian languages Telugu, Urdu and Bengali. The Indian language papers have taken over the English press as per the latest NRS survey of newspapers. The main reasons being the marketing strategy followed by the regional papers, beginning with Eenadu, a Telegu daily started by Ramoji Rao. The second reason being the growing literacy rate. Increase in the literacy rate has direct positive effect on the rise of circulation of the regional papers. The people are first educated in their mother tongue as per their state in which they live for e.g. students in Maharashtra are compulsory taught Marathi language and hence they are educated in their state language and the first thing a literate person does is read papers ~
4

in

which papers have grown over the years are Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil,

and gain knowledge and hence higher the literacy rate in a state the sales of the dominating regional paper in that state rises. The next reason being localization of news. Indian regional papers have several editions for a particular State for complete localization of news for the reader to connect with the paper. Malayala Manorama has about 10 editions in Kerala itself and six others outside Kerala. Thus regional papers aim at providing localized news for their readers. Even Advertisers saw the huge potential of the regional paper market, partly due to their own research and more due to the efforts of the regional papers to make the advertisers aware of the huge market.

RESEARCH DESIGN

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To know the distribution process to the agents, sub-agents and to final consumers.

To ascertain and access the satisfaction of the agents of Deccan Herald and Prajavani. To access the firms strength and weakness in different areas of distribution. ~
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 To understand the agents expectation. To make the analysis of survey conducted. To highlight the importance of agents opinion towards the products and the brief history of the company. To analyze the marketing elements related to Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd.

METHODOLOGY A descriptive study was undertaken and survey was conducted to collect data. The study was conducted about the distribution process in Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd. The respondents (agents) were selected from local area of Mangalore using the simple random sampling method.

SAMPLING PLAN Sampling technique used was simple random sampling where in the entire agents were from Mangalore. SAMPLE SIZE The sample size is taken to be 40. Personal visits were made to get the questionnaires filled at the respondents. This gave an opportunity to interact with the respondents and understand their views about Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd.

SOURCES OF DATA The sources used were both primary data and secondary data. PRIMARY DATA These are freshly collected data for the first time for a new project, and this happens to be original in character. The primary data in this case has been obtained by meeting the respondents personally and getting the questionnaire filled by them. SECONDARY DATA These are collected and gathered by someone else and which have already been passed through the statistical process. Secondary data in this case was obtained mainly from the company, which has enabled me to get a good understanding about the subject matter. Internet, journal, magazines were also a very important source of secondary data TECHNIQUE OF ANALYSIS Percentage calculation, tabulation, class tables is the technique to analyze the data collected from the agents. In addition to these tables graphs are also drawn.

PLAN OF ANALYSIS The primary data collected by survey and informal discussion were analyzed in the following manner.

 The information collected from the questionnaire was tabulated and made into a compact from every comparison and obtain true and correct picture of agent satisfaction.

Various techniques are used to make the comparison much easier and simple.

LIMITATIONS Since the project is of a very wide area, the actual study is carried out only at Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd., in Mangalore. The findings and conclusions cannot be generalized all over the country. The study report taken as a sample for the organization.

The study is restricted only to the agents in Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd., Mangalore.

The respondents cannot provide relevant information. Time constraint.

THE PRINTERS (MYSORE) PVT. LTD (proprietors of Deccan Herald and Prajavani)

Late Mr. K N Guruswamy The founder of The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd

DREAM OF A VISIONARY Mr. K N Guruswamy had a dream. The year was 1948. The heady days just after the nation's independence. Mr. Guruswamy had dedicated his life to truth and impartiality and he would not rest till his vision took concrete form. The result was The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited and its publications - Deccan Herald, Prajavani, Sudha and ~
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Mayura. An institution that has completed 50 glorious years of chronicling the joys and sorrows of the people of Karnataka, India and the world. Over the years, the group has not forgotten what provides value to readers. Therefore, along with core competency, it satisfies the aesthetic needs of its readers with innovative layout and design in all its publications. Its well-designed publications achieve high communication impact by helping the reader cut through all the information clutter. The Group's strong identity is, therefore, the starting point, and not the residue, of any effort to win and keep readers. While cementing its traditional strengths, the Group is also geared to face new challenges and enhance emotional contact with its readers. As the Group believes that 'change is the only constant', it treats critical thinking as a dynamic process and keeps pace with the rapid change in the newspaper and magazine publishing industry. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited continues to give shape to the founder's ideals, acting as an instrument of service to the people. Here, everybody shares in the pursuit of excellence. And today's widening geopolitical compulsions only make the job more challenging. A band of hardcore professionals bonded together by team spirit, the people at The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited are passionate about growth and compassionate about people. MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

JOINT MANAGING DIRECTOR TILAK KUMAR

DIRECTO R R

DIRECTO

DGMCURCULATION

ADVERTISEMENT CURCULATION DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT V.P ADVT. CIRCULATION & H.R. DGMCURCULATION SRINIVASAN

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AGMCURCULATION RAJASHEKA

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

DGMPRODUCTION

AGMPRODUCTION

DECCAN HERALD EDITORIAL DAPARTMENT

ASSOCI ATE EDITOR

SENIOR EDITOR RAMAKRISH

SR. NEWS EDITOR

CORRESPOND ENT ASHA .K

CHIEF OF CITY BUREAU

PRAJAVANI DAPARTMENT

EDITORIAL

COMPUTERISATION

ASSOCIATE EDITOR PADMARAJ D. DANDAVATI

NEWS EDITOR GANGADHA

NEWS EDITOR SATYANARAYAN

CHIEF SUB EDITOR NAGARA

From manual operations to computerized systems, the Group focuses on Electronic News Transmission and processing. Hence its facility at Bangalore is completely computerized, right from front end up to billing. It was the first Indian publication to provide notebook computers to all its State correspondents. Moreover, all district correspondents have desktops and modems and are connected over I-Net. Since November 1989, Hubli has been a facsimile office - the latest in news publishing the world over. The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited was the first Indian publication group to introduce ~
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colour in the main issue. Deccan Herald and Prajavani evolved to colour in 1987 with colour supplements. Today both newspapers have special sections on every single day of the week and colour on all days of the week. Both magazines also offer high quality colour forms for both editorial as well as advertisements. As Karnataka prepares to be the business nucleus of the 21st century, The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited is also preparing to keep pace with a sophisticated expansion and integration programme designed to make each of its publications reflect the true essence of the new Karnataka. With this objective, the Group is now focusing on making its publications superior, not just in terms of the reading material but also in technology and quality.

TECHNOLOGICAL SUPERIORITY When it started publication in 1948, Deccan Herald was produced on printing equipment that was comparable to the best in this part of the country at the time. From stereo rotary machines to linotype composing machines to fully computerized editing and page production systems and web offset colour printing, it has been striding along the steady path of modernization. The automation extends today to counting, packaging and strapping of the printed copies rolling out of the rotary machines. Side by side. Advances in newspaper concepts, content, design and layout have helped Deccan Herald keep pace with the rapidly expanding interests of its reader.

WELFARE The blueprint for rapid growth is appreciation, excellent infrastructure and a healthy and safe work environment that ensures job satisfaction. The Group cares for its people. ~
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So it has several comprehensive programmes designed to change attitude and behavior and hone strategic decision making and problem solving skills. Encouragement received from the Group has helped the DHPV Lalitha Kala Sangha's troupes to win many major awards and shields in cultural contests at the State level. The Group's sports squads too have fared well in sports meets and tournaments organized for the media. A unique feature is the counseling service offered to employees facing crises of diverse kinds.

REDEFINING EXCELLENCE Fifty spectacular years of growth, multi-faceted and on target. Fifty years of active interaction with Karnataka. Its people, their aspirations, and the history they have made. Today, the Group is poised to stand tall among the newspaper giants of the country.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY - ISO 9002 As the first step towards total quality, the Group changed its quality control processes from 'reactive' to 'proactive'. And installed a quality system ISO 9001:2000 - model for quality assurance in production, installation and servicing. With this, the Group has become the first publishing house in the country to receive this prestigious certification for all its facilities. The functions covered in the quality system include advertisement, editorial, materials, production and training.

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM): ~

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The Group believes in Total Quality Management (TQM) which is an effective system of integrating quality improvement efforts so as to provide a product that ensures customer satisfaction. Every section of the organization is therefore geared to face challenges. A common vision, a common mission and common goals bind people together here. Not content with streamlining its day-to-day functioning, the Group is constantly integrating quality into its corporate strategic planning process.

Every day Deccan Herald touches the lives of the people of Karnataka. Today the daily shapes the opinions and directs their actions. Deccan Herald was born 54 years ago when the first edition hit the streets on June 16, 1948. The newspaper was a reflection of the optimism, and a voice of the aspirations of a newly independent nation. Proud of its regional moorings and responsive to global changes, Deccan Herald is Karnataka's guide to the times we live in. Karnataka and Bangalore hold a special place in the newspaper's scheme of things, but its coverage of national and world happenings is equally comprehensive and analytical. Deccan Herald is also the voice of the poor and the underprivileged. On its agenda is a relentless campaign against corruption and advocacy of pro-environment economic development. The very analytical opinion/policy page presents a variety of views on national, state and international issues. Regular columnists and experts in various fields place the latest events in perspective. The well-written editorials are known for their unbiased and informed commentary on events and developments. The newspaper's human-interest reports and profiles of interesting personalities give the reader not only news and views, but ~
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also the emotions and the drama behind the happenings. Special sections like Miscellany, On the Beat and Around the City encapsulate offbeat happenings in a short and snappy manner.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS To each his own - that is the rationale behind Deccan Herald's multi-faceted special supplements. Each Sunday morning the reader finds three special colour sections waiting on his doorstep.

SUNDAY HERALD is a supplement with strong thought-provoking and mainstream concerns, as well as regular features on consumer issues, green subjects, animal welfare, gardening, bridge, crossword and offbeat travelogues. The Entertainment section of the Sunday magazine tells the reader about all that's hot and happening in showbiz. ARTICULATIONS is devoted to literature and art, with in-depth interviews, quality fiction and book reviews. Articulations also include debates on education.

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS is the weekly round-up of thecountry's industry, trade and commerce. Using interview based articles and features on international developments from foreign publications; it also brings in a global perspective on money matters. The comment column analyses issues like policy decisions, mergers, takeovers and other corporate events.

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY carries articles on science, industry, agriculture, development, health, information technology, ecology and research & development. Articles are written by experts for the specialist as well as the lay person.

AVENUES are a weekly supplement that focuses on careers, personnel and corporate management issues. In-depth features on aspects of human resource development and organizational behavior by management veterans are the section's highlights. Also included here are appointment advertisements.

SPORTSCENE reviews and previews the sporting action of the week past and the week ahead. It covers sports personalities, keeps track of developments in sports and profiles regional talent. The supplement unravels controversies and at regular intervals brings to light malpractices and corruption in the sporting arena. Sport scene also has the opinion column which comments on sports related issues. The RESPONSE section gives readers an opportunity to express their opinions on sports matters.

METROLIFE Your bond with Bangalore was started on November 28, 2002. This eight page tabloid size supplement captures the happenings in and around Bangalore and contains lively articles on civic issues in the city, eating out, weekend getaways around Bangalore, shopping, fashion, real estate and crime file.

SPECTRUM carries a wide range of articles on the people of Karnataka. Profiles of personalities and development stories from the districts are also included.

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LIVING concentrates on the home and family with a look at contemporary life and forays into the realms of nostalgia. It features changes in lifestyle. Dress codes, home decor, gardening, child rearing, relationships, attitudes, table manners and home remedies.

OPEN SESAME is a fun-filled eight page tabloid for kids packed with some of the best children's writing from India, do-it-yourself columns, nature notes, riddles, serial stories that are specially commissioned, everyday science, reflections of school teachers and the occasional comic strip.

THE WORLD WIDE WEB: On April 15, 1996, Deccan Herald launched its Internet edition. Today Deccan Herald reaches out to the world and its innovative and easy to navigate web site is a big hit with netizens.

ZONED EDITIONS: Deccan Herald's several zoned editions serve to cover local news in greater detail and to highlight the developments in these areas, thus being in touch with readers in every region of Karnataka.

HUBLI PRINTING ~
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Karnataka, the land of culture, also happens to be the land of distances. With the increase in technological sophistication, The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited has found a solution to this problem. The facsimile edition of Deccan Herald and Prajavani was launched on November 1, 1989. Edited in Bangalore, the news is sent through high speed telecommunication lines to Hubli-Dharwar where the paper is printed and distributed. By using the cutting-edge of technology, like total digital workflow, to its advantage, The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited has made sure that its publications reach readers in this region on time. The Group challenged basic assumptions like the problem of distance and came up with specific strategies to tap resources using technology as a tool. Three 64 KB lines enable quick transmission of data. Offset printers like News line 45 and Coro set which run on state-of-the-art technology can print up to 40,000 copies per hour. As a result, circulation has increased and the Group is constantly expanding its market in this region. Readers in the districts of Dharwad, Karwar, Shimoga, Davangere, Bijapur, Bellary and Belgaum welcome the day with Deccan Herald and Prajavani.

HYDERABAD-KARNATAKA EDITION In addition to Bangalore and Hubli printing, Deccan Herald and Prajavani started printing a separate Hyderabad-Karnataka edition in Hyderabad on June 15, 1999 to facilitate the readers of the northern Karnataka districts of Gulbarga, Bidar and Raichur getting their papers well in time. The printing was shifted to Gulbarga on March 11, 2001.

MANGALORE EDITION

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To serve the interests of the readers in coastal Karnataka and to ensure that they get their favorite newspaper at the crack of dawn, the Group set up a printing plant at Mangalore and started printing a separate edition on August 25, 2000. The number of editions, districts served and copies printed from these centers are as follows.

BELUR PLANT: Four editions. Serves districts of Bellary, Koppal, Raichur, Bijapur (part), Bagalkot, Davangere, Shimoga (part), Uttara Kannada, Belgaum, Haveri, Gadag and Dharwad. MANGALORE PLANT: Two editions serve the districts of Chikmagalur, Shimoga (part), Kodagu, Udupi and Dakshina Kannda besides Kasargod.

GULBARGA PLANT: Two editions. Serves the districts of Raichur, Bidar, Bijapur (part) and Gulbarga.

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MARKETING CONCEPT Recently, i.e., especially after 1950 the concept of marketing has undergone a great change. Today marketing is not considered as a mere physical process or set of activities connected with the exchange of goods. It is considered as the philosophy of business. It is connected with the creation of consumers, i.e., identifying the needs of the consumers and organizing the business accordingly to meet the needs of the consumers. In short, modern marketing is consumer oriented. Modern marketing is consumer oriented. That is, it is designed to satisfy the needs of the consumers. The consumer-oriented marketing is a difficult task. For its success (i.e., for the satisfaction of the needs of the consumers), every business concern has to determine Marketing mix. Marketing mix is the mixing is the mixing, blending or combination of the four inputs of marketing, viz., the product, price, promotion and place or physical distribution. CONCEPT OF MARKETING STRATEGY

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Marketing strategy is a method of focusing an organization's energies and resources on a course of action which can lead to increased sales and dominance of a targeted market niche. A marketing strategy combines product development, promotion, distribution, pricing, relationship management and other elements; identifies the firm's marketing goals, and explains how they will be achieved, ideally within a stated timeframe. Marketing strategy determines the choice of target market segments, positioning, marketing mix, and allocation of resources. The marketing and sales organization is analyzed for its strengths and current activities. For the sale or promote the new products the marketing department of the company is very important. Factors to consider include:

Experience of Marketing/Sales manager including contacts in the industry (prospects, distribution channels, media), familiarity with advertising and promotion, personal selling capabilities, general management skills and a history of profit and loss responsibilities.

The ability to generate good publicity as measured by past successes, contacts in the press, quality of promotional literature and market education capabilities. Sales promotion techniques such as trade allowances, special pricing and contests.

The effectiveness of your distribution channels as measured by history of relations, the extent of channel utilization, financial stability, reputation, access to prospects and familiarity with your offering.

Advertising capabilities including media relationships, advertising budget, past experience, how easily the offering can be advertised and commitment to advertising.

Sales capabilities including availability of personnel, quality of personnel, location of sales outlets, ability to generate sales leads, relationship with distributors, ability to demonstrate the benefits of the offering and necessary sales support capabilities. ~ ~

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 The appropriateness of the pricing of your offering as it relates to competition, price sensitivity of the prospect, prospect's familiarity with the offering and the current market life cycle stage.

ELEMENT OF MARKETING MIX

Marking Mix

Product

Price

Promotion

Place

1)

Product: The product is the most important element of marketing mix. In fact, the product is the starting point of all marketing activities. The other marketing efforts will become useless unless the nature of the product intended for sale is determined and all policies pertaining to the product are properly decided. The term product covers the characteristics, shape, design, packaging, branding, and the product range, the utility of the product and the guarantee and service accompanying the product.

2)

Price: Price of the products of business concern is a very important element of its marketing mix. Price of the product is of great importance to the seller as well as consumers. Price of a product is the amount of money for which a product can be exchanged. In other words, it is the money value of the product. Pricing means fixation of the price of a product.

3)

Promotion: Promotion means communication with customers to persuade them to buy a product. Promotion includes the various means of marketing ~
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communication such as advertising, publicity, personal selling and sales promotion through displays, sales contests, gift coupons etc.
4)

Place (Distribution): Physical distribution is an important element of marketing mix. It is concerned with making available the goods to the customer at their places. Place or physical distribution covers the various channels of distribution like the wholesalers and the retailers, the places where the products should be made available to the customers and the physical distribution (i.e., transportation, warehousing and storage and handling) of the products.

There are some distribution methods which the consumers will use while buying the products. These include: On-premise Sales involves the sale of your offering using a field sales organization that visits the prospect's facilities to make the sale. Direct Sales involves the sale of your offering using a direct, in-house sales organization that does all selling through the Internet, telephone or mail order contact. Wholesale Sales involves the sale of your offering using intermediaries or "middlemen" to distribute your product or service to the retailers. Self-service Retail Sales involves the sale of your offering using self service retail methods of distribution. Full-service Retail Sales involves the sale of your offering through a full service retail distribution channel.

INTRODUCTION TO DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS Distribution channels are probably the most viable aspect of any companys marketing efforts. A recent estimate puts the number of retail outlets in India at 5 millions. The retail ~
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industry provides livelihood to more than 15 million people in the country. If one included in this the number of distributors, wholesaler, agents including the army of life insurance, agents, transporters, warehouse keepers, and all other entities involved in the distribution of products and services to the end consumers, one might end up with a mind-boggling number. In its contribution to the economy, the sector is far too significant to ignore. Though many people tend to undermine the significant role of the sector, the net contribution in terms of critical services it renders to the society cannot be ignored. While the manufacturing sector is always given the credit for accelerating the rate of economic growth and encouraging developmental activities, what is often ignored is the indispensability of the distribution sector in sustaining the manufacturing sector. The distribution function is currently undergoing tremendous changes in terms of both its span and productivity. As has already happened in the case of manufacturing activities, modern technology is fast transforming this sector beyond recognition. The focus of all these changes is number of benefits or delivering the benefits at lower rates. The internet has enabled manufacturers to perform several distributionrelated activities without the need for employing intermediaries. While this argument is certainly worth considering, the need to gain efficiency by way of specialization has blunted this argument to a certain extent.

MEANING OF CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION Channels of distribution refers to the pathway, path or route taken by goods as they flow or move from the point of production to the point of consumption. In other words, it is the pipeline for goods in their flow from producers to the final consumers. In short, it is the route through which the title to the product passes from the producer, the first owner, to the ultimate consumer, the last owner.

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NEED FOR AND IMPORTANCE OF CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION The need for and the importance of the channels of the channels of distribution is clear from the role they play and the functions they perform in the marketing of goods. Channels of distribution play a very important part in the marketing of goods. The importance in the marketing of goods is follows: i. Channels of distribution serve as a bridge between the producer and the producer and the final consumers or industrial users, in the sense that it is though the channels of distribution that the producers deliver their goods to the ultimate consumers or users. ii. The channels of distribution help to move the goods from one place to another, and thereby, and place utility to the goods. iii. They bring the goods to the final consumers or users, whenever they want them, and thereby, and time utility to goods. iv. They help in the transfer of title to goods, and thereby, create possession or ownership utility. v. They make the goods available to the consumers in convenient unit or size, package, etc., and thereby, add to the convenience of the consumers vi. They have vital impact on decision making in all areas of marketing. That is, the channel decisions determine the size of the sales force, type of sales force, etc.

FUNCTIONS OF CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION i. They facilitate the physical movement of goods from the point of production to the point of consumption. ii. They undertake storage of goods. iii. They transfer or help in the transfer of title to the goods. ~
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iv. They provide information to the buyers about the availability, features, uses and the prices of goods in the channel of distribution. v. They assemble a large variety of goods manufactured by different manufacturers, store them, and sort out those goods into small lots or packages which are convenient to small consumers. vi. They perform the physical handling activities like transportation, ware housing, etc. vii.They undertake financing of marketing activities. For instance, the wholesalers make advance payments to the manufacturers along with their orders. They also sell goods on credit to retailers. viii.They undertake the risk involved in marketing activities ix. .The intermediaries or middlemen provide specialized services of personal selling. x. The intermediaries play an important role in fixing the prices of goods at levels acceptable to the producers and the final consumers. IMPORTANT CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION The channels of distribution may be broadly divided in to two categories.

Manufacturers or Producers

Agent Middleman Wholesaler Wholesaler Agent middleman Agent Middleman Retailer

Retailer

Retailer

Retailer

Final Consumers ~
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1) Direct selling by the manufacturers or producers to the final consumers: Under this method, the manufacturers or producers sells his products directly to the final consumer or industrial users without the help of any middlemen. In other words, under this method, goods move from the manufacturer or producer to the final consumers or industrial users directly without any middlemen, either merchant middlemen or agent middlemen entering in to channel. Direct selling by the producers to the consumers may take any of the following forms: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Sale at the producers factory or production point. Sale through manufacturers or producers own retail stores opened at different places. House-to house sale or door-to-door sale through own sales force. Sale by the mail order method, i.e., sale through mail or post. Sale through mechanical devices or automatic vending machines kept at important places where people gather in large numbers. Direct selling is common in the case of industrial marketing, i.e., in the case of marketing of machines, fabricating parts, equipments, operating supplies and industrial raw materials. It is also undertaken in the case of marketing of agriculture commodities, especially by small producers. But it is not an important channel for the marketing of manufactured consumer goods.

2) Indirect Selling, i.e., selling through Middlemen Under this method, the manufacturer or producer sells his goods to the final consumers not directly by himself, but through one or more intermediaries or middlemen. Indirect selling comprises the following channels: (a) Manufacturer or Producer-Retailer-Consumer Channel. ~
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(b) Manufacturer or Producer -Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer Channel. (c) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer Channel. (d) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Retailer-Consumer Channel. (e) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Consumer Channel. (a) Manufacturer or Producer-Retailer-Consumer Channel. Under this channel, goods are sold by the manufacturer or producer directly to the retailers, by passing the wholesalers (i.e., without using the services of the wholesalers), and the retailers, in turn, sell the goods to final consumers or users. This is a short trade channel. This channel is aimed at the elimination of wholesalers. It has become popular with the growth of large retail organizations like department stores, multiple shops, super markets, etc. It is an important channel of distribution for manufactured consumer goods. It is, usually, adopted by the manufactures of specialty and shopping goods who deal with a few largescale retailers. It is also used for the distribution of ready-made garments, foot-wears, certain types of food products, etc. (b) Manufacturer or Producer -Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer Channel. Under this channel, goods move from the manufacturer producer to the wholesaler, from the wholesalers to the retailers and from the retailers to the ultimate consumer or users. This is the traditional and the most common channel of distribution for manufactured consumer goods like drugs, stationery articles, hardware, cloth, tobacco products, etc. it is also important for the distribution of groceries. This channel finds favor with small manufactures and small retailers. (c) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Wholesaler-Retailer-Consumer Channel. ~
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Under this channel, the manufacturer or producer sells his goods, through his agent (i.e., an agent middleman) to the wholesalers. The wholesalers sell the goods to the retailers, and the retailers, in turn, sell the goods to the final consumers. It may be noted that the agent middleman, i.e., the manufacturer's agent, does not purchase the goods from the manufacturer and resell the same to the wholesalers in the own name. He merely acts as the sales agent or representative of the manufacturer and helps in the movement of goods from the manufacturer to the wholesalers on commission basis. This channel also is in important channel of distribution of manufactured consumer goods. This channel is, usually, followed by manufacturers or producers who cannot afford to have their own sales force. (d) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Retailer-Consumer Channel. Under this channel, a manufacturer, instead of using the services of the wholesalers, uses the services of his goods to the retailers, especially large retailers. The retailers, in turn, sell the goods to the ultimate consumers. That means, under this channel, the wholesalers are eliminated, and the functions of the wholesalers are performed by agent middlemen. This channel is, generally, used for the distribution of manufactured goods. It is, usually, adopted by manufacturers who cannot afford to have their own sales force. (e) Manufacturer or Producer-Agent Middleman-Consumer Channel. Under this method, the manufacturer or producer entrusts the entire work of selling his products to mercantile agents like commission agents and brokers. In other words, the manufacturer or producer sells his goods to consumers through mercantile agents. This method is followed by manufacturers or a producer who cannot afford to have their own sales force. This channel is popular in the case of marketing of industrial goods. It is also used in the marketing of manufactured consumer goods.

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CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AS A INTRODUCTION TO AGENTS SATISFACTION Customer satisfaction, a business term, is a measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet or surpass customer expectation. It is seen as a key performance indicator within business and is part of the four perspectives of a Balanced Scorecard. In a competitive marketplace where businesses compete for customers, customer satisfaction is seen as a key differentiator and increasingly has become a key element of business strategy. To satisfy the consumers of the any organization or a company, agents or intermediaries are required. So the agents satisfaction will be the important element of the marketing. So there should be an agent satisfaction. There is a substantial body of empirical literature that establishes the benefits of agent satisfaction for firms. Organizations need to retain existing customers while targeting non-customers so, they required the middlemen or the agents. Measuring customer satisfaction provides an indication of how successful the organization is at providing products and services to the marketplace and measuring the agent satisfaction provides the details of the success of the company in the market. Agent satisfaction is an abstract concept and the actual manifestation of the state of satisfaction will vary from person to person and product/service to product/service. The state of satisfaction depends on a number of both psychological and physical variables which correlate with satisfaction behaviours such as return and recommend rate. The level of satisfaction can also vary depending on other factors of the agents, such as other which the agents can compare the organization's products. The usual measures of agent/customer satisfaction involve a survey with a set of questions. The agent/customer is asked to evaluate each statement in terms of their perception and expectation of performance of the service being measured. IMPROVING AGENT SATISFACTION products against

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Published standards exist to help organizations develop their current levels of agent/customer satisfaction. The International Customer Service Institute (TICSI) has released The International Customer Service Standard (TICSS). TICSS enables organizations to focus their attention on delivering excellence in the management of customer service, while at the same time providing recognition of success through a 3rd Party registration scheme. TICSS focuses an organizations attention on delivering increased customer satisfaction by helping the organization through a Service Quality Model. There are 5 P's - Policy, Processes, People, Premises, Product/Services, as well as performance measurement. The implementation of a agents service standard should lead to higher levels of agent satisfaction, which in turn influences agent retention and agent loyalty.

MARKETING CONCEPT TO A NEWSPAPER ORGANISATION The success of a newspaper organization depends not only on its journalistic product printing technology and efficient and trained human resources but also on its marketing strategies. The marketing concept says that the company will be proper only as long as it has consumers, products or services that satisfy their needs and wants at prices they are willing to pay at profit to the company. The publisher of a newspaper need to know the public acceptance of its news, features, editorials and advertisements.

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The newspaper circulation or distribution department must apply the marketing concept to circulate the newspaper as much as possible. The more competition among newspapers will decrease the demand, so necessary action must be taken to increase the sales. The needs, likes and dislikes of the people at large must be studied and services must be provided by the concerned department to satisfy the consumers. Efforts must be made to create more and more customers.

THE DISTRIBUTION (CIRCULATION) DEPARTMENT OF THE COMPANY The distribution department of a Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd is a major department and is usually headed by a major executive, the circulation manager. Since the newspaper ultimately stands or fails on the basis of the number of steady readers. The circulation department looks after the dispatch and distribution of newspapers. The distribution department of Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd has any or all of the following subdivisions under its supervision:

City circulation: It involves the circulation of the newspapers to the agents or to destination points through the help of transport facilities. It should maintain the daily records of daily newspapers. It should keep the good relation with the field staff, agents, reporters and the consumers.

Sales promotion: Promotion is essentially made by the company to increase the sales of newspapers. Promotion is usually done by distribution department. It usually coordinates the promotional activities of the organization.

To increase the sale of newspapers in the market the distribution department will helpful. By encouraging the agents and sub agents to sell more effectively. By providing those with special benefit schemes for better performance. ~
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 By conducting the readership survey in the market.

By conducting a comparative study of newspapers.

By making other interesting forms of publicity.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF THE CO. To ensure the newspapers is dispatched to different points at the right time. To arrange for the mode of transportation to distribute. To ensure that the newspapers reaches the destination at the specified time. To appoint the field person, reporters and agents. To collect the bill of payments from the agents.

To check out the ways and means to increase the distribution of newspapers.

Interact with the readers and their view points and suggestions.

CHART SHOWING PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEWSPAPERS. The below chart shows the process of distribution in Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd.

Agent Indent

Preparing Print Order

Printing ~
33

Packing

Transportation

Agents

Sub Agents

Consumers

34

1.

Agents Indent: Before undertaking any work, pre-planning of activities is important. Similarly, before printing the newspapers important thing which the manufacturer should know is how much to print. So, the respected areas agents should give the indent copy to producers. Indent copy is the statement which contains the number of newspapers which they need to circulate to their respected areas. So, all the agents must give the indent copy within 5 pm everyday.

2. Preparing Print Order: After getting the indent from the agents, the printing order should be made by the respected departments. And those print orders should be sent to press for printing of Deccan Herald and Prajavani newspapers.

3. Printing: The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd is having well sophisticated infrastructure for the printing of their newspapers near Baikampady, Mangalore. For the sake of printing, each and every information is to be collected by the news reporters of the respected newspapers. There are totally 7 reporters in Deccan Herald and 14 in Prajavani. For each reporters work assignment will be given by Bureau Chief. According to that they should get the information within a specified time. And that information will be sent to the press for printing. And the printing activities will be ended within 2 am.

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4. Packaging: The company has started computerized packing services which help the workers a lot. The respected department should maintain the print orders which are sending by the head office. According to that computerized packing will be done by the respected departments.

5. Transportation: To make any distribution activities successful the transportation is very useful. Likewise, The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd is having 16 vans to circulate all over the Mangalore division, which consist of Chikmagalur, Shimoga (part), Kodagu, Udupi and Dakshina Kannda besides Kasargod.

6. Agents: Agents are the main person who is helpful in distributes the newspapers. The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd is presently having 700 and more agents for Deccan Herald and Prajavani. These agents are selected from the Field Person and finally appointed by the Distribution Manager. And they will be paid on the commission basis which is to be paid by the company on the basis of their sales. The main aim to having the agents is to distribute the newspapers as much as possible.

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7. Sub Agents: Sub Agents are the important person supply the newspapers to final consumers. These sub agents are selected by the agents of the respected areas. These sub agents will be paid on the commission basis and which is to be paid by the agents.

8. Consumers: The consumers are the important elements for the success of any business related activities. Deccan Herald is presently having highest number of consumers in Mangalore Division. Daily consumers for Deccan Herald: In Karnataka: 225000 In Mangalore Division: 15000 In Mangalore City: 6000 Daily consumers for Prajavani: In Karnataka: 480000 In Mangalore Division: 33000 In Mangalore City: 3500

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DATA ANALYSIS

The data analysis was conducted among the agents who were able to answer my questionnaire. This data analysis is to find out the satisfaction among the agents. The data which is gathered are classified, tabulated and presented in the form of tables, diagrams with the interpretation and analysis. Analyses of each questionnaire are classified below. A graph gives us a clear view of the data that is tabulated. The data is also represented in the form of diagrams, graphs and it can be in the form of diagrams such as bar diagrams, pie chart etc. With the help of graphs and diagrams we are able to see the different data that is being tabulated. Hence, graphs and diagrams serve us the easy way to grasp the more information in the short period of time.

1.

Table showing the classification of agents by age group. ~

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Age Group Within 25 25-30 30-40 Above 40 Total

No. of Respondents 08 15 10 07 40

Percentage 20 37.5 25 17.5 100

Analysis: From the above figure we can see that, there is more number of respondents from the age category 25-30 that is 37.5% of the total respondents. Lowest respondents were from the age group above 40 that is 17.5%. From the age group 30-40 there are 25% of respondents and there were 20% of respondents are from the age group within 25.

Sex Male Female Total

Respondents Percentage 38 02 40 95 5 100

2.

Table showing classification of agents by sex.

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Analysis: The above table shows that 95% total respondents are male, and they are highest in number. And there are only 5% female agents. By this it can be said that, male members are highest in numbers. Qualification Matriculation Under Graduate
3.

Respondents 20 03 05 12 40

Percentage 50 7.5 12.5 30 100

The table showing qualification of the agents.

Graduate Others Total

Analysis: The analysis of this above table shows that most of the agents completed matriculation that is 50% of total respondents. 7.5% of total respondents were under graduate. And 12.5% of total respondents were completed graduation. And 30% of the respondents were from other qualification. 4. Table showing the preference of the agents to take the agency.

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particulars Advertisement Friends/Relation Others Total

Respondents 12 21 07 40

Percentage 30 52.5 17.5 100

Analysis: From the above table it is clear that, 52.5% of the agents took the agency because of friends/relation and it is highest in numbers. 30% of the agents took the agency because of advertisement which they came to know from advertisements. 17.5% of the agents took because of other reason and they are less in numbers.

5. Table showing the English newspaper agencies that the agents deal with. Daily English Newspaper Deccan Herald The Hindu The Times of India All The Above Total Respondents Percentage 18 09 10 03 40 45 22.5 25 7.5 100

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Analysis: From the above table it is clear that, 45% of the total respondents have the agency of Deccan Herald which is more in number. 22.5% of total respondents have the agency of the Hindu. 25% of the total respondents have the agency of The Times of India. And only 7.5% of the total respondents have the agency of all the mentioned newspapers.

Daily Kannada Newspaper Prajavani Udayavani Vijaya Karnataka All The Above Total

Respondents 16 13 07 04 40

Percentage 40 32.5 17.5 10 100

6. Table showing the Kannada newspaper agencies that he agents deal with.

Analysis: The analysis of above table shows that 40% of the respondents have the agency of Prajavani which is more in number. 32.5% of the respondents have the agency of Udayavani. 17.5% of the respondents have the agency of Vijay Karnataka. And only 10% of the total respondents have the agency of all the newspapers which is mentioned.

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7.

Table showing opinion of the agents to take the agency of the company.

Particulars Good Commission Influenced by friends/relatives Particulars Better Working Condition Yes Other No Total Total

Respondents 12 06 Respondents 04 22 18 18 40 40

Percentage 30 15 Percentage 10 55 45 45 100 100

Analysis: From the above statistical data it is clear that 30% of the respondents took the agency because of good commission. It shows that 15% of the respondents are influenced by friends/relatives, 10% the respondents are took because of better working condition. And 45% of the total respondents are took the agency because of other purposes.
8.

Table showing opinion of the agents towards the opportunity to participate in management.

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Analysis: From the above statistical data it is found that, 55% of the agents given the positive feedback towards the opportunity to participate in management, these agents are highest in numbers. And 45% of the agents felt that they dont have the opportunity to participate in management.

9.

Table showing the experience of the agents in the field of a distribution. NO. of Years Within 1 year 1-2 year 2-4 year More than 4 yr Total Respondents 03 14 15 08 40 Percentage 7.5 3.5 37.5 20 100

Analysis: From above table we can say that, 37.5% of the respondents have the experience of 2-4 years which is highest in numbers. 7.5% of the respondents have the experience of within 1

44

year, 3.5% of the respondents have 1-2 year. And 20% of the respondents have the experience of more than 4 years.

10.Table showing the opinion of the agents towards the commission paid by the company. Particulars Respondents Percentage Yes Particulars No High Total Satisfactory Low Total 31 Respondents 09 18 40 20 02 40 77.5 Percentage 22.5 45 100 50 05 100

Analysis: As per the above table, 45% of the respondents were highly satisfied with the commission paid by the company. 50% of the respondents were just satisfied. And 5% of the respondents feel that the commission rate is very low.

11. Table

showing the opinion of the agents towards the satisfaction of time schedule for distribution.

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Analysis: From the above table we can say that, 77.5% of the respondents were satisfied with the time schedule of the company for distribution, and they are in more numbers. Only 22.5% of the respondents were not satisfied with the time schedule.

12. Table

showing the opinion of agents regarding time schedule of getting newspaper for distribution. Particulars Before 4 am 4-5 am 5-6 am After 6 am Total Respondents 12 21 07 00 40 Percentage 30 52.5 17.5 00 100

Analysis: ~ ~

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From the above statistical data it can be determine that 30% of the respondents were getting the newspaper within 4 am. 17.5% of the respondents were getting within 5-6 am. 52.5% of the respondents were getting within 4-5 am which is in high number. And no respondents were getting the newspapers after 6 am
13.

Table showing the opinion of the agents towards the benefits provided by the company. Particulars Respondents Percentage Transport Facility Extra Commission Other Incentives Total 02 25 13 40 5 62.5 32.5 100

Analysis: From the above statistical data it can say that 5% of the respondents were getting the transport facility. 62.5% of the respondents were getting the extra commission for more sales. And 32.5% of the respondents were getting the other incentives.

14. Table showing the relation ship of the agents with the supervisor.

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Particulars Good Satisfactory Bad Total Particulars Yes No Analysis: As per the Total

Respondents 28 12 00 40 Respondents 04 36 40

Percentage 70 30 00 100 Percentage 10 90 100

above table it can be determine that 70% of the respondents have the good relation with the supervisor. Only 30% of the respondents were just satisfied with the relationship with the supervisor. And no respondents have the bad relationship.

15. Table

showing the opinion of the agents towards the problem with supervisor.

Analysis: ~
48

From the above figure we can see that, 90% of the respondents dont have any problem with the supervisor and only 10% of the respondents have some problem with the supervisor. So it is clear that, most of the respondents dont have any problems with the supervisor.

Particulars

Respondents

Percentage 70 30 100 procedure.

16.Table Yes 28 showing No 12 the opinion Total 40 of the respondents towards the grievance handling

Analysis: From the above table we can say that, 70% of the respondents were happy with the grievance handling procedure of the company. And only 30 % of the respondents were not at all satisfied with the grievance handling procedure.

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17.

Table showing the satisfaction of the agents towards rules and regulation of the company.

Particulars Yes No Total Analysis:

Respondents 34 06 40

Percentage 85 15 100

From the above figure we can say that 85% of the respondents were satisfied with the rules and regulation of the company for distribution. And 15% of the respondents were not at all satisfied.

18. Table showing opinion of agents regarding stress in work.

Particulars Yes No Total

Respondents 37 03 40

Percentage 92.5 7.5 100

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Analysis: From the above statistical data it is clear that, 92.5% of the respondents have the stress in their work. But the 7.5S% of the respondents feels that there is no stress in work. It has been clear that more number of agents have stress in their work.

19. Table showing the opinion of the agents towards the welfare measures of the company.

Particulars Yes No Total

Respondents 37 03 40

Percentage 92.5 7.5 100

Analysis: The above table shows that, 92.5% of the respondents felt that they were satisfied with the welfare measures, and they are in highest numbers. And only7.5% of the respondents were not satisfied with the welfare measures.

20. Table showing the opinion of the agent about working environment.

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Particulars Excellent Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Total

Respondents 09 16 08 07 40

Percentage 22.5 40 20 17.5 100

Analysis: The above table shows that 22.5% of the respondents have excellent working condition. 40% of the respondents feel that they have good working condition, 20% of the respondents have just satisfied. And 17.5% of the respondents have unsatisfied about the working condition.

21.

Table showing the rate of satisfaction level of the agent about the company. Particulars Excellent Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Total Respondents 04 18 16 2 40 Percentage 10 45 40 05 100

52

Analysis: From the above table it is clear that 10% of the respondents have excellent opinion about the company. 45% of the respondents have good opinion, which is in highest numbers. 40% of the respondents were just satisfied with the company. And 5% of the respondents were not satisfied.

FINDINGS

Following are my findings after collecting the feedback from the agents of Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd.

There is good channel of distribution from agents till final consumers.

Most of the respondents were completed the matriculation, and those respondents who were completed the under graduation is less in numbers. Majority of the respondents have the agency of the Deccan Herald the English daily newspaper and Prajavani Kannada daily newspaper. Satisfaction level is found to be very high with commission paid by the company. Majority of the respondents have the work experience of 2-4 years. So, it will be very helpful to company to increase sales. It is found that more number of respondents get the extra commission as the extra benefits from the company, but less number of respondents get the transport facility from the company. ~
53

It is found that, more number of respondents gets the newspaper within 5 am, and no respondents get the newspaper after 6 am.

Majority of the respondents have the good relation ship with the supervisors.

It is found that, most of the respondents have the good opinion about the company.

SUGGESTIONS

Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd, is doing very well with many agents and its customers in an around Mangalore. But yet there are few suggestions that I would like to make for the betterment of the company on regard of my personal assessment and survey conducted.

The researcher feels that transport facility should be provided to the agents and sub-agents for distribution of newspapers. It is suggested that the newspapers is to be reach the agents on time. It is suggested that the rate of commission should be increase which is to be paid to the agents. From the survey it is clear that most of the respondents need counseling and general meeting monthly. It is suggested that to give some of the ideas to the agents and subagents to increase the supply of the newspapers.

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CONCLUSION

Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd is a very well established business unit having large number of satisfied agents. It has all the making to grow from strength to strength and become bigger and financially stronger. The city Mangalore is a very good market for newspapers. The growth trend in overall market is good. This healthy trend goes about to show that the process of distributionis still growing, so it can be said that there will be good market for newspapers. The agents of Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd are very happy with the working condition and their agency. There are some of the agents who were not satisfied with the agency, the company should take measures to change their attitude towards their work so that they put their full efforts and help in achieving company goals and objectives. They have many years of experience in the field of newspapers. So, they can understand the agents expectation. So they can take necessary measures to fulfill those expectations. Finally, it can be said that the agents are satisfied with their work and this study was successful to find out the process of distribution and the level of satisfaction of the agents of the company. ~
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Dear Respondent, I am Laxminarayan Prabhu student of III rd BBM studying at SDM College of Business Management Mangalore. I am conducting study on Agent Satisfaction Regarding Distribution in THE PRINTERS (MYSORE) PVT. LTD. I kindly request you to give your esteemed opinion for the following questions: 1. Name: 2. Age: 3. Sex: 4. Qualification: Matriculation Undergraduate Graduate Others 1. How did you get to know about this company? Advertisement Friends/Relation Others, specify 1. Which are the newspaper agencies do you deal with? English Newspapers Deccan Herald.

Kannada Newspapers Prajavani Udayavani ~

56

The Hindu

 The Times Of India

Vijay Karnataka All The Above

All The Above

1.

Give the reason for your preference to take the agency of this company? Good Commission Influenced by friends/relative Better working condition Others, specify

1.

Do they give you an opportunity to participate in management? Yes No

1. Since how many years do you have the agency? Within 1 year 1-2 years 2-4 years More than 4 years 1. How do you find the commission paid by the company? High Satisfactory Law 1. Are you comfortable with the time schedule for distribution? Yes No

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1. At what time you are getting the newspapers for distribution? Before 4 am 4-5 am 5-6 am After 6 am 1. Which of the following benefits are provided by the company to distribute newspapers? Transport Facilities
1.

Extra Commission For More sales other incentives, specify

How is your relationship with the supervisor? Good Satisfactory Bad

1. Have you come across with any problem with the supervisor? Yes No 1. Are you happy with the grievance handling procedure? Yes No 1. Are you satisfied with the rules and regulations of the company to distribute the newspapers? ~
58

 Yes No 1. Do you need any change in the regulation of the company for distribution? Yes

No

1. Do they give lots stress to you when you are at work? Yes No

1.

Are the welfare measures sufficient? Yes No

21. How is your working environment? Excellent Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

22. Rate the satisfaction level as the agent of the company. Excellent Good Satisfactory ~
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 Unsatisfactory

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books Referred:

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Marketing Management by B.S.Raman, United publishers, 5th edition, Jan 2005, Page No. 14, 556-566. Sales and Distribution Management by Taran K. Panda and Sunil Sahadev, Oxford University Press, Page No. 475-479.

Journals Referred: Marketing Mastermind March 2009, Volume ix, issue 3, Page No. 28,29.

Marketing Mastermind April 2010, Volume x, issue 9, Page No. 41.

Web Sites:

www.deccanherald.com www.prajavani.net www.google.com

Other Sources: Annual report of the company. Broachers and Articles of the company. News papers.

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