Nokia signs SRK as brand ambassador

Mumbai, Dec 23: Mobile handset major Nokia has signed up Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan as its brand ambassador and targets to launch more than 40 new handsets next year. Nokia will launch its new brand campaign initially on TV and later include print, outdoor, radio, on-line and digital media, Company Marketing Director Devender Kishore said.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Kishore said ''Nokia, with its approximate 72 to 73 per cent mobile handset market share in India, had introduced atleast 40 models including E-series and N-series last year and would come up with more than 40 next year.'' However, he declined to disclose the details and price segments of the new handset models.

Presently, the brand has 21.5 crore subscribers in the country, of which about 80 lakh were added in the last three to six months of this year, Mr Kishore informed.

To a query on the rationale for choosing Shahrukh Khan as brand ambassador, he said there is complete synergy between Nokia the brand and personification of Shahrukh. ''Both have a youth connect,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Khan said ''I have been using the brand for more than a decade now, and I do prefer a company which has a trend of excellence.''

UNI