Brand Quest      (October 23, 2003)

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I.

1. This nearly Rs 1,00,000-crore project, announced by the Prime Minister, is likely to be a maritime transport equivalent of the Golden Quadrilateral highways project. It will focus on ports, shipping and inland waterways to realise the potential of sea- borne trade. Can you name it?
   
   
   

2. It is a unique but legitimate market research technique, wherein the respondents aren't aware that they are subjects of research. It's used to assess and improve service standards. Usually, evaluators pose as consumers and record their experiences, whi ch helps the company assess the performance of its training programmes. What's the technique called?
   
   
   

3. Formed in 1906 by a group of Mumbai (then called Bombay) businessmen, this bank in supposed to have been the first one to open an overseas branch. It opened its London branch in 1946. It currently has over 20 overseas branches, and around one-fifth of its total business comes from international accounts. Which is it?
   
   
   

4. A fraudulent practice, this enabled investment bankers to persuade "favoured recipients" of IPOs to promote and push up its issue price and, in return, secure a larger allotment of the offering. This is to ensure that the price continues to climb after the stock debuts in the market. Can you name this practice?
   
   
   

5. Easy! In October 2001, which became the first country to roll out 3G?
   
   
   

6. In 1971, Frederick W. Smith launched his company and named it — — due to the patriotic meaning associated with its first word, which he thought would suggest an interest in "nation wide economicactivity". This is despite the fact that Smith couldn't b ag a contract with the American central bank. What was the company called?
   
   
   

7. Now, you will have to find the name of a brand by 'connecting' two tragedies — assassinations, to be precise: In 1865, John Wilkes Booth assassinated this leader outside a theatre. Ninety-eight years after that, Lee Harvey Oswald shot dead John F. Ken nedy. Two names (one of which is the name of a building) that are prominent in the first tragedy form a brand name which is central to the second one. Can you name it?
   
   
   

8. Adam... founded this company in 1862 to manufacture sewing machines. It later became a bicycle-making concern. It is now famous as an automobile manufacturer, and is part of the GM family. Which is it?
   
   
   

9. He played cricket for India for a short while and then tried his hand as an actor in television serials. He has recently launched Film Temple, a production company that will make ad films, documentaries, television software and conduct corporate events . Who's this?