BWI: Anything Else? Marriott Rewards Members Can Now Chat Directly with Hotels on Anything They Need Via the Marriott Mobile App

Source : Marriott International Inc. Saturday, November 28, 2015 10:00AM IST (4:30AM GMT)   NASDAQ:MAR(NSE:MAR)(NASDAQ:MAR) Anything Else? Marriott Rewards Members Can Now Chat Directly with Hotels on Anything They Need Via the Marriott Mobile App Marriott International continues to personalize the guest experience by allowing members to chat and request services via their mobile device 24/7   Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Marriott International continues to improve its mobile app with a new chat and request feature – now available at 100 properties in Asia Pacific.  This feature enables travelers to request services and amenities from their mobile devices and contact on-property staff 48 hours prior to their stay and one day after checkout.   Marriott International was the first company to offer a two-way chat option with on-property staff on a global scale when it launched. Piloted in May 2015 at 46 Marriott Hotel properties around the world, the new mobile requests feature has been very popular with over 20,000 requests made.   “We know today's travelers are mobile. Being always available to our members via their devices allows us to take better care of them wherever they are in their journeys,” said Peggy Fang Roe, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “We are passionate about finding new ways to make the travel experience more seamless and personalized.  The chat feature gives our guests the option of communicating with our hotel on their terms, anywhere in the world.”   Through the Marriott Mobile App, the new chat and request feature allows guests who have upcoming reservations communicate with their hotel in two ways.  The industry-leading “Anything Else?” feature allows guests to chat directly with staff at the property about anything they need, any time of the day. The app also offers a drop-down menu with most requested services and amenities, such as extra towels, bath amenities, or valet parking.    Marriott International continues to lead the industry with global execution of mobile and digital innovations such as mobile check-in, checkout and room ready alerts. Marriott International has also piloted Mobile Key – allowing guests to use their mobile phone as a room key – at select pilot hotels and plans to scale later this year.   Guests can download the free Marriott Mobile app from the Apple iTunes Store, Google Play and at http://mobileapp.marriott.com.  Guests can easily enroll in Marriott Rewards at no charge at http://www.marriott.com/rewards/rewards-program.mi.   ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL:   Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,300 properties in 85 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari® Hotels & Resorts, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and Moxy HotelsSM. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. Photo Caption: Marriott Mobile App    Media Contact Details Tripti Pandey, Madison Communications Pvt. Lt., ,+91-9820678871 , tripti@fort.madisonindia.com   To ensure that you continue to receive email from Business Wire India in your inbox, please add businesswireindia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.   To submit a press release, click here. To unsubscribe or modify your Business Wire India settings, please visit your profile page on Business Wire India. Connect with us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+

BWI: LetsShave to Redefine Indian Shaving Market

Source : LetsShave.com Friday, November 27, 2015 8:27PM IST (2:57PM GMT)   LetsShave to Redefine Indian Shaving Market   New Delhi, Delhi, India   Introduces Global Leader Dorco in India Launches India’s First Shaving Club   Global brand Dorco has now entered the Indian market riding on LetsShave. By bringing Dorco to India, challenger-brand LetsShave plans to shake up the Indian shaving market which currently enjoys an almost monopolistic single-player dominance. LetsShave will provide an exceptional shaving experience to Indian by providing them quality shaving products at the right pricing. Dorco has been manufacturing the highest quality blades since 1955 that are sold to over 100 countries across the world.                                                  Talking about LetsShave its founder and CEO, Sidharth Shankar Oberoi said, “The Indian users are very discerning. They are fully aware of all the international trends. LetsShave was born based on the growing discontent and anger of the Indian shaving community who were paying for highly overpriced products. I wanted to bring more economical and smarter options for people so that they don’t have to think twice before getting a fresh blade shave”.   Speaking on the market potential, Sidharth further said, “The Indian shaving market is estimated at around Rs 1500 crore with a YOY growth of roughly 10%. We aim to capture 10% of the market in the next 3 years, and given the current trends we are quite optimistic that this is easily achievable. Indian men’s grooming products market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% till 2020 where shaving products will control the largest market share in terms of revenue” he further added.   Talking about ecommerce as a platform of choice, Sidharth said, “The overall ecommerce market in India is booming – buyers love the cost-effectiveness and convenience factor that the online platform provides. It cuts middlemen and overheads, and saves time by providing anytime, anywhere convenience. The website has been up for the last 2 months and we have made tremendous traction and sales without any outward communication or marketing support. This in itself is indicative of the potential and possibilities.”   Dorco is extremely pleased with the indications coming in from the Indian market. Speaking about their launch in the Indian market Mr Hong, Ju Shik, Global Chairman, Dorco said, “The entire world is enamoured by the potential that India has to offer. It is a huge market, which is discerning and extremely intelligent. It wants the best, at the right price, and that is what we are here to offer. We have a great partnership in LetsShave, and we are quite optimistic that within a short span of time, India will become one of our leading markets.”   LetsShave is introducing a number of firsts in the Indian market. First of all, it is going to harness the power of Internet and Digital India. LetsShave is using the ecommerce platform for the sale of its product range in India, in keeping with the Indian and global trends. Its website www.letsshave.com is already live and attracting a lot of interest. Significant sales have already been achieved in the soft-launch phase itself. Letsshave.com also has strong logistics network channels that delivers the products anywhere in India.   Secondly, Letsshave is launching India’s first shaving club in India partnering exclusively with Dorco who is also the supplier to the extremely famous Dollar Shave Club of the US which has over 2 million subscribers, all of whom were extremely unhappy with the extremely high costs and monopolistic approach of the shaving razor companies in their region. The India’s first Shaving Club will provide a holistic experience to its members, and ensure that they have a smooth silky shave, the best its members have ever had.   LetsShave will also introduce the World’s first 6-blade razor with trimmer from Dorco in India offering a true one-stroke shaving solution. This razor with a substantial feel and ergonomic handle is truly on the forefront of wet-shaving technology. This will provide a quicker, cleaner and closer shave to its users.   LetsShave is also introducing the pinnacle of shaving innovation with the newly implemented technology called Common Docking System. This technology allowed to cut the cost even more and select personalised combination the skin deserves and hence customize the shaving experience. It allows the shaver to use the same razor irrespective of which razor blades are being used. And this coupled with the inaugural offer of free razor handle with razor blades will make the offering more exciting.   It is just a matter of time when we will see a paradigm shift in the user habit of the Indian shaving community   ABOUT DORCO   DORCO, is a leading name in the shaving razor, razor blade, kitchen knives and stationery cutters category. Dorco has been manufacturing the highest quality technologically advanced and superior quality disposable shavers, shaving systems and shaving accessories for men and women since 1955 that are sold to over 100 countries across the world.   Dorco is well established in the USA, ans is Asia’s market leader for disposable shaving products and is a household recognized brand in numerous Asian countries. Dorco has introduced the pinnacle of shaving innovation to the consumer marketplace, including the world’s first 6 blade shaving system, as well as the patented angulated blade platform.   ABOUT LETSSHAVE   LetsShave is the exclusive partner for Dorco in India, and will be utilizing the ecommerce platform through its website www.letsshave.com for selling its products in India. Letsshave is committed to the concept of ‘Close Shave at Amazing Price’, and aims to deliver an exceptional shaving experience right at the doorstep. By delivering directly from the manufacturer with no middleman cost, Letsshave aims to catalyse 30% to 50% cost differential than other competitive brands. Photo Caption: Shaving Got Smarter Ergonomically Designed One Handle Fits All, Say Goodbye to Hand Clutter     Media Contact Details LetsShave, LetsShave.com, , support@letsshave.com   To ensure that you continue to receive email from Business Wire India in your inbox, please add businesswireindia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.   To submit a press release, click here. To unsubscribe or modify your Business Wire India settings, please visit your profile page on Business Wire India. Connect with us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+

BWI: Delhi to Host 200+ Bikers at IBW's Signature Chai & Pakoda Breakfast Run Up to the India Bike Week 2016

Source : India Bike Week Friday, November 27, 2015 7:19PM IST (1:49PM GMT)   Delhi to Host 200+ Bikers at IBW's Signature Chai & Pakoda Breakfast Run Up to the India Bike Week 2016   New Delhi, Delhi, India The legendary Chai & Pakoda Breakfast Run comes to the nation’s capital this Sunday with over 200 bikers participating from various biking clubs throughout the city. Following from last week’s ride in Mumbai, the Delhi edition is a continuation of IBW’s 2016 social calendar, and serves as a prelude to the monster festival set to take place in Goa on the 19th and 20th of February, 2016.   The annual C&P runs serve as the foundation upon which IBW has built a strong fraternity with the biking communities across India.  The nature of the Chai & Pakoda Breakfast Rides runs deep with bikers, allowing them to express their passion for riding, strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, and extend the culture of biking. This weekend’s breakfast ride will bring together a diverse range of biking enthusiasts, from the dedicated aficionados sporting heavy-duty Harleys and Triumphs, to the more casual fans atop Pulsars and Yamahas.   This year, the main theme for the Chai & Pakoda rides is ‘road safety’. Planning a host of special initiatives that align with the theme, the rides will be inaugurated following a special session on road safety and riding discipline. Additional initiatives include the introduction of IBW Biking Marshals who act as pack leaders, each patrolling a pack of 20 speed machines, all the while maintaining a synchronized proximity between the riding groups. Finally, the IBW management this year will also provide a tailing ambulance service for medical support during the ride.   Registrations are now open at: http://indiabikeweek.in/attend/rides/chai-pakoda-ride-2016/     About the Chai and Pakoda Breakfast Runs:   The idea behind the C&P Breakfast Runs is a simple one: bringing together more than 500 biking enthusiasts in 20 cities across the length of India, setting them a route, and letting them ride free. It’s an opportunity to meet like-minded people, enjoy a good breakfast, and share the bonhomie with friends old and new, united by a common passion for these magnificent machines. These breakfast runs culminate in the fourth edition of India’s only Biker Festival for Bikers, by Bikers – India Bike Week ’16.     About India Bike Week:   India Bike Week (IBW) is the first and only festival in India that’s built exclusively around bikes, bikers, music and much more.  Conceptualized and initiated in 2013 by Seventy Event Media Group and Fox Life, India Bike Week is the nation’s largest dedicated biking festival.   Bringing alive various elements close to a biker’s heart, IBW features a host of star attractions like live bands, movie screenings, Bikini Bike Wash, the Bike Build-Offs, and National Stunt Championship, along with new Bike launches, custom and vintage bike displays, and sessions with international Biker Legends. In addition to that, the festival showcases iconic biking experiences through the best names in motorbike stunt championships, a biking film festival, the international Bike Expo, biker rallies, the Hard Enduro Challenge, and the infamous Moto Trails show by Dougie Lampkin. As a highlight to this 2016 edition, it will feature the iconic “IBW Main Street”, showcasing the first Biker Carnival Parade ever organized in India. Establishing itself as the annual mecca for all things related to the biking culture, IBW builds itself to be more engaging and adrenaline filled, covering every aspect of the biking lifestyle. From Musicians to Marine Engineers and from Celebrities to CEO’s, INDIA BIKE WEEK brings together over 10,000 attendees spanning across domestic demographics and international borders.   Starting November 2015, a host of signature events featuring The Moto Art Collective, Chai & Pakoda Breakfast Runs & Biker Meets will feature as monthly biker community binding initiatives, leading to the mega biking carnival on the 19th & 20th of February 2016.   With the festival’s yearly growth, the annual biking extravaganza has fuelled ties with numerous biking clubs in the country, while also cultivating associations with some of the biggest brands in the automotive industry from Harley Davidson, Castrol, MRF and many more.   For more information, kindly log on to: http://indiabikeweek.in/   Media Contact Details Ritish Das Gupta, Zeno Group India, ,+91-7506926990 , Ritish.Dasgupta@zenogroup.com Tarika Kumar, Zeno Group India, ,+91-8800983342 , Tarika.Kumar@zenogroup.com   To ensure that you continue to receive email from Business Wire India in your inbox, please add businesswireindia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.   To submit a press release, click here. To unsubscribe or modify your Business Wire India settings, please visit your profile page on Business Wire India. Connect with us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+

BWI: Piramal Foundation Partners with Government of Rajasthan Towards Social Development in the State

Source : Piramal Foundation Friday, November 27, 2015 1:00PM IST (7:30AM GMT)   Piramal Foundation Partners with Government of Rajasthan Towards Social Development in the State   Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Piramal Group, is committed towards social development in Rajasthan in partnership with the state government. The resources deployed are in the areas of public education, primary healthcare, safe drinking water and women’s empowerment. Piramal Foundation aims to create replicable models – with governments and entrepreneurs – that ultimately help in improving the quality and access of public services.   Rajasthan Current scenario Piramal Swasthya:   Piramal Swasthya started its PPP journey in Rajasthan with a single project of 104 – Medical Helpline, in Nov 2011 Presently, operates 104 Chikitsa Paramarsh, 83 mobile medical vans and 13 Primary Health Centres (PHCs). The 104 call center also works as a single point of contact to dispatch Janani Express Vans to expecting mothers in the state. Janani Express Van service is a free referral transport provided to expecting mothers upon the onset of labour pains ​ Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership:   PFEL achieved 21% learning outcomes gains in Maths and Language in 2014-15 across 700 schools in grade III and grade V Has trained over 672 Headmasters and 160 Fellows impacting over 1,00,000  students.   Piramal Sarvajal:   Installed 150 water purification plants and 70 Water ATMs. 6.5 billion liters of water purified Serves 160,000 people daily   Piramal Udgam:   Runs a rural BPO which has impacted the lives of over 400 women   Projected impact in Rajasthan:   Piramal Swasthya: ​ Presently, we serve 2.5 million patients annually in Rajasthan. The aim is to increase this to over 5 million patients annually in the next three years, and increase the reach to cover all of 33 districts from the present 17 districts. Jaipur Hub of 1097 National AIDS Helpline caters to Hindi and English languages and has handled over 2 lakh calls this year   Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership: ​ We achieved 21% learning outcomes gain in Maths and Language in 2014-15 across 700 schools in grade III and grade V. We envision increasing student learning outcomes by a further 20% over the next three years in these 700 schools. Additionally, we would be piloting a District Transformation Program in participation with 1 million children in 5,000 government schools across 4 districts.   Piramal Sarvajal: ​ Presently we serve 160,000 people daily. Aim to increase the coverage to over 300,000 individuals over the next three years     This commitment by Piramal Foundation is in line with the new Sustainable Development Goals and focuses on contributing towards universal primary education, empowering women, reduction of child mortality rates, improving maternal health and improving access to safe drinking water. The vision of the Piramal Foundation is to transform health, education, water and social sector ecosystems through high impact solutions, thought leadership and partnerships.   Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group said: “Causing a significant impact on any development indicator requires an intense and sustained engagement. This calls for innovative solutions which carry the potential for discontinuous change – but also carries risks of failure.  It is up to corporate foundations like ours to provide the risk capital in creating models that can be replicated further. We also understand that as Piramal Foundation, our resources will never address all problems across the country. Collaboration with like-minded partners can create force multipliers and help make a dent on key social issues. It is with this mindset that we have created strong partnerships with 10 state governments, including Rajasthan, as also international organizations such as Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, World Diabetes Foundation, McArthur Foundation, Harvard's GEII (Global Education Innovation Initiative), New York University, Plan International, amongst others. India has a large population, multiple cultures and uneven development. The problem can be addressed from multiple perspectives. Our approach at the Piramal Foundation has been to break down the ‘life cycle’ of the problem and go after one or two issues where we can cause disproportionate change. It brings focus to both, the strategy and the execution.”   Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Enterprises said: “Most initiatives of the Foundation – clean drinking water, women’s empowerment, education – were initially piloted in Bagar, District Jhunjhunu. We are privileged that these initiatives have now been replicated in different states of the country and are being studied internationally. The investments made by the Piramal Foundation in its activities have been supported by Piramal Enterprises Ltd and its subsidiaries as well as personal philanthropy of the Piramal family.  Our solutions are aimed at creating the ‘software’ for greater efficiency and quality, rather than only building hard infrastructure. For instance, in education, the Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership focuses on building leadership capacity which, in turn, has a positive impact on student learning outcomes. In Rajasthan, this approach has helped PFEL deliver a 21% increase in learning outcomes in Maths and Language in 2014-15 across approx. 700 government schools, in partnership with the respective headmasters and education officials. In the area of safe drinking water, we have worked with over 150 entrepreneurs in Rajasthan in deploying advanced remote monitoring technology in community solutions to ensure safe drinking water in these villages. This patented technology helps in bringing accountability and transparency to the purification and distribution process while creating a self-sustaining business model for the entrepreneur. Our engagement on primary healthcare in Rajasthan covers a 104 Health Helpline operated out of Jaipur, over 80 mobile medical units across 20 districts and operating 13 Primary Health Centres (the last in partnership with WISH Foundation). Our technology enabled solutions help improve the access and availability of government healthcare services to a rural population that is otherwise deprived of a vital support system. Another supported initiative is Annamrita. To fight the problem of hunger and illiteracy the government of India launched the mid-day meal scheme in 1994. The midday meal initiative was taken up by ISKCON Food Relief Foundation in 2005 under the Annamrita banner. Piramal Foundation has supported the set-up of 2 central kitchens of Annamrita. Operating across 8 states of India, it serves 1.2 million mid-day meals daily through 20 ISO certified centers. Of this Piramal supports approx. 70,000 student meals. Piramal Foundation is not new to philanthropy. In the 1930s, Seth Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia, set up the state’s first school for girls in Bagar, Dist Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, which is operational till date. The first school child admitted here was a harijan. The Piramal Group has demonstrated over the years that the ultimate driver of all social efforts should not just be the redressal of an immediate problem, but also the building of a long-term sustainable ecosystem. It is an opportune time for the corporate sector to step up and build capacity &apply long-practiced corporate philosophies to effect change that is largely consensual, sustained and systemic.   About Piramal Foundation: Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Piramal Group, develops innovative solutions to resolve issues that are critical roadblocks towards unlocking India’s economic potential.   Guided by the Piramal Group’s core values of knowledge, action and care, Piramal Foundation works towards creating technology-based sustainable solutions in the four broad areas of healthcare, education, water and women empowerment.  It operates across 19 states in India, employs close to 2000 people and impacts the lives of 50 million. Piramal Foundation has been featured in Best Workplaces List as one of India’s Best NGO’s to Work For 2015.   Media Contact Details Akansha Pradhan, Corporate Communications PIRAMAL GROUP, ,+91 (22) 30464040 , akansha.pradhan@piramal.com Paroma Bhattacharya, Corporate Communications PIRAMAL GROUP, ,+91 (22) 30464040 , paroma.bhattacharya@piramal.com Amrita Verma, MSL GROUP, ,+91-9833670419 , amrita.verma@mslgroup.com Sumati Chaudhary, MSL GROUP, ,+91-9820918609 , sumati.chaudhary@mslgroup.com   To ensure that you continue to receive email from Business Wire India in your inbox, please add businesswireindia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.   To submit a press release, click here. To unsubscribe or modify your Business Wire India settings, please visit your profile page on Business Wire India. Connect with us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+

BWI: Raheja Developers Re-Defining the Definition of Humanity Through Their CSR

Source : Raheja Developers Friday, November 27, 2015 9:00AM IST (3:30AM GMT)   Raheja Developers Re-Defining the Definition of Humanity Through Their CSR   Delhi NCR, India The real estate sector is growing day by day and it is up to the real estate developers to work for the welfare of people who are always ready to work for them. Raheja Developers, the real estate giant is working for the welfare of society as well as its workforce.   The Krishna Mahesh Gayatri Sansthan (KMGS), a charitable trust is a Live example of Raheja Builders efforts towards society. It was formed to provide education, healthcare and better lifestyle standards for unprivileged children free of cost.   The company aims to provide better lifestyle for those who can’t afford it. DDA for the first time had launched the "In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Scheme" to rehabilitate slum dwellers in the year 2008 under PPP model. In 2008, tenders were invited from private developers out of which eight developers qualified for the bid. The first tender was floated to rehabilitate Kathputli Colony which is one of Delhi's largest slum clusters and was won in a competitive open tender process by Raheja developers Ltd.   Under this scheme, the 2800 families of Kathputli shall be given a new lease of life by providing them the modern apartments with all the amenities they need.   This project was taken by Raheja Developers with a mission to give some contribution to the society by way of making homes for the economic weaker society of India and help in their upliftment and giving them and their families a better living. This also goes a long way to improve the image of India and make it slum free. As per Mr. Navin Raheja, CMD, Raheja Group “In the chase towards success we often forget our moral and social responsibilities. This country has given me a lot in terms of success and love, and Raheja CSR initiatives hopefully have helped my country in some way.” Mr. Navin Raheja is also a wildlife enthusiast and he has always worked for the sustainable development of environment. Several documentaries are filmed by Raheja Productions which is a venture of Raheja Developers. The documentaries aim to enlighten the people about the relevance of environment and conservation of wild life especially the tigers and have won many prestigious awards.   About us   Raheja Developers Limited was incorporated in the year 1990 by Mr. Navin M. Raheja, the first generation entrepreneur. Today, the company enjoys a strong presence in NCR and has made its position as one of the largest companies in the Real Estate Industry. The company is one of the fastest growing entities in the realty sector with a difference that offers luxury for reasonable costs, excellent customer care levels with highest customer satisfaction index and the highest imaginable standards for the welfare of its staff, society as well as for the environment   Media Contact Details Dimple Bhardwaj, GM marketing Raheja Developers, , enquiries@raheja.com   To ensure that you continue to receive email from Business Wire India in your inbox, please add businesswireindia.com to your Address Book or Safe List.   To submit a press release, click here. To unsubscribe or modify your Business Wire India settings, please visit your profile page on Business Wire India. Connect with us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google+