June 5, 2006

Nothing sells a mobile phone like a familiar face, or at least that’s the idea behind Motorola’s harnessing an Indian actor to boost sales in India.

The handset maker, battling its rivals in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets, will enlist the aid of actor Abhishek Bachchan, a popular movie star there.

Bachchan, whose photos frequently show him with an advanced case of manly stubble on his face, was clean-shaven for the Motorola announcement today in Mumbai, his hometown.

He is a 30-year-old graduate of Boston University and has leading appearances in the well-known movies “Bluff Master,” “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna” and “Umrao Jaan”—OK, these titles are well-known in India.

As Motorola’s first “brand ambassador” in India—dubbed their “Motostar”—Bachchan will support marketing and branding efforts for the handset vendor’s entire product range. Motorola said that Bachchan’s broad appeal to all demographic segments of Indian society made him a suitable spokesman for its brand.

Bachchan is a self-described “techno-geek” who relies “on these gadgets to keep myself organized.” On an Indian movie fan site, asked his favorite Web site, Bachchan replied that he had no time for the Web except to send and receive e-mails.

Interestingly, Bachchan has also done advertisements for Motorola’s rival LG Electronics Co. Ltd. Bachchan is also featured in ads for LG home appliances.

Source: RCR