For God's Sake (An Adman on the Business of Religion)

An adman constantly strives to connect market research data to insight on a winning campaign. Ambi Parmeshwaran has developed a fascination for how Indians are becoming more religious, but also more consumption driven. Combining his thirty- year experience as an adman with a lifelong passion for religious studies, Ambi seeks to answer questions like: Why has the bindi disappeared from advertisements? How did Akshaya Trithaya become such a big deal? What makes Lord Shiva so cool? How did a Chennai-based department store start the New Year's Sale phenomenon? Are Muslims more open-minded shoppers? Why do people who have no interest in using an MBA degree still get an MBA degree? How did the Manusmriti do a disservice to Hindu women? What can Harvard Business School learn from the Kumbh Mela? Ambi has filled this book with personal stories, anecdotes, lessons and excerpts from research and other publications. This book is a treat for anyone interested in how religion has evolved and how clever marketers have ridden the wave by tailoring their products and services.