Bacardi-Martini India Ltd is kicking off the new millennium campaign called `Bacardi Blast - The Millennium Meltdown parties,' in six cities, beginning with Gurgaon in Haryana on Saturday. The millennium parties will acquaint the youth with the evolution of music over the decades. The Bacardi Blast concept was developed last year when it originated as a 30-minute weekly sponsored programme on Channel V, anchored by VJ Laila. After Gurgaon, the Blast will wind through Bangalore, Pune, Calcutta and Mumbai. Bacardi claims to have cornered over 10 per cent of the premium foreign spirits market in the country.

Essar jumps onto election bandwagon

Essar Cellphone, in conjunction with technology provider Nokia Telecommunications, has expanded internet-based services under the brand Cell Surf to enhance airtime usage during the election period. The services can be accessed via key words like: for national party standings dial (ERESULTS), seats of BJP & allies (EBJP), congress seats (ECONG), breaking news (ENEWS). The election services are in addition to a wide range of services like political news (NEWSP); Business news (NEWSB); BSE Scrip (BSEKEYS), foreign exchange (forex), horoscope (leo, sco, vir etc), top five songs (TS), jokes (KOKE), riddles (RIDDLE), TV movies (TVM), top five movies (TM), and weather forecast (WEATHER), cricket update (Score).

Designer weighing scales

Atco Industries, market leader in the electronic weighing scales sector, has launched a new range of designer glass weighing scales for the health conscious. The range of scales, each with a capacity of upto 150 kg and a least count of 200 gm, includes scales with tempered glass and etched glass platforms. The glass weighing scales would be useful in individual homes, five star hotels, hospitals, etc. The products were specially designed for Atco's European and American customers, but the company has extended these designer scales to Indian customers as well.

Smallest ECG monitor

Schiller Healthcare India has launched MT 100, the world's smallest 24-hour Holter monitoring system, which is the size of a music cassette and as light as paper. Designed for discerning medical professionals, the system combines the small, solid state, two-channel MT 100 Holter recorder with Windows 95 based MT-200 Holter analysis software to provide the most advanced method of recording, downloading and evaluating ambulatory ECG data. Schiller is the leading supplier of multi-channel ECG products in India and abroad.

McDonald's, PizzaExpress Navratre Specials

With the Navratras round the corner, PizzaExpress and McDonald's have introduced special menus. PizzaExpress' `Navratre Special' menu will be served throughout October. It includes veg pizzas without onion and garlic, for Rs 99. The veg fare will be promoted through a high voltage advertising campaign and imaginative PoP material including printed tent cards at the tables.

At McDonald's also the Shudh Shakahari 100% Festival is on, offering two vegetarian meal combos:

Double Meal for Rs 99 and single meal for Rs 79.

Archies' Bijoya cards range

Archies Greetings & Gifts Ltd, has launched a new collection of `Bijoya' cards across the country. The festival collection includes 25 designs and is priced between Rs 10 to Rs 15. Says Vijayant Chhabra, executive director, AG&G: ``It's an attempt from our side to add colour to the celebrations of Durga Puja. With our cards, people can easily express their feelings.'' The new range is available at all its galleries across the nation.