Social Media Campaign Review: Launchpad, The Bombay Store

Building a truly “social” brand is not something that can be achieved by sitting by yourself and keeping people out.  Partnering with people, forging strategic links and creating a win-win situation is the way to go. This is what The Bombay Store seeks to do with “Launchpad”, an initiative to showcase Art, Craft and Design.

Objective:

As a concept, Launchpad seeks to be exactly that, a springboard for aspiring designers in an intensively competitive market. Today, India has hordes of young designers churning out pieces of art that are both functional and beautiful.  What some of them lack is the financial prowess or marketing support to get their designs out in the public space. With Launchpad, these young designers get all this and perhaps a little more in terms of exposure and experience.

Execution:

So if you are a braveheart with a flair for design then the ‘Launchpad’ might just be your stepping stone to success. To register, simply log on to the beautifully designed Facebook app by creative digital agency, Digital Latte, at The Bombay Store Facebook page to register yourself.

Some more useful information:

1. Entries are invited from across India; the best initiatives will be shortlisted.
2. The selected ones will get the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase and sell their merchandise at The Bombay Store’s flagship outlet located in the heart of South Mumbai for 10 days.
3. Better still, if they like your collection, you can become a permanent vendor with them.

To get a better idea of their current collection visit their e-store. If you are willing to LAUNCH with them, send a maximum of 10 product pictures along with a one-page write up about your brand or collection at launchpad@bombaystore.com.

For more details, contact - 022 40318888

Positives:

The event was conceptualized as a platform for all those bitten by the creative bug and that is its biggest strength.  It seeks to do good for young designers and nurture design.

The initiative is open to all designers or manufacturers of home décor, furnishings, fashion accessories, tableware or knick knacks, so the range of participants that it will attract is wide, basically anyone dabbling in creative merchandise.

Scope for Improvement:

When I tried to check out the Facebook app, I couldn’t access it without letting the app access my public profile, friend list and email address.  If the aim is to attract people I think those with privacy concerns might be deterred by this.  This is also probably why sharing information about this initiative with your friends on Facebook might be a tad difficult. This aspect perhaps requires some working on.

Of course submission via email might seem safer and less public an option to use.

The campaign also scores low on the engagement factor as all it seems to do is encourage people to register and upload pictures of their work.  Snippets of information about the person behind the design or a design story might have been an interesting and engaging option.

Conclusion

Having played an instrumental role in the launch of popular fashion and lifestyle brands like The Elephant Company, Tantra and Provogue, The Bombay Store with the “Launchpad” endeavor is taking its commitment to recognizing and promoting craft and design one step further.

The Bombay Store is highly recommended by Lonely Planet and rated as one of the best shopping destinations in Mumbai by Trip Advisor.

So if you are a braveheart with a flair for design, you must try ‘Launchpad’. It might just be your stepping stone to success!