Pond's will also unleash a host of Web promotions as part of its celebrations for the first time this year. For effective online advertising, Pond's has recently joined hands with two popular Websites Rediff.com and Hungama dot.com.

Says a spokesperson from Pond's: ``This year, we have extended our media reach by entering the Internet medium. Through various media, we want to convey our special congratulatory messages to Indian women. It's a celebration of womanhood on March 8, 2000.'' In the Rs 300-crore Indian talcum powder market, Pond's currently enjoys a market share of 60 per cent.

``Our market share is around 17 per cent in the Rs 400 crore skin-care products market in India,'' adds the spokesperson. In addition to the use of traditional media, the company will be also be using Radio FM to convey its messages, this year. It was three years ago that Pond's started celebrating Women's Day as ``Pond's Woman's Day'' across the nation.

The theme of this year's adblitz is: `Your gentle touch moves the world'. To create awareness for its Web promotions, the company has inserted a tagline in all its communications by saying - `Visit us at Rediff.com and Hungama.com'. As for its media plans, the company will be releasing the print campaign in all leading dailies and magazines across the nation.`` We will be flashing the special TVC in all popular channels like Zee, Sony, Sun, Eenadu, MTV and DD1,'' informs the spokesperson.

`As part of the Women's Day celebrations, you can choose a free gift to be sent to your woman in your life,' reads the promo on the Rediff.com site. ``For over 50 years we have shared an intimate and ever-growing relationship with Indian women. On March 8, our endeavor is to felicitate the very essence of Indian women,'' explains the spokesperson from Pond's. Pond's will also be flashing across a banner on all Hotmail accounts across the nation with an e-service. ``You can click on the banner to order roses for your dream woman'' informs the spokesperson.

The company will be offering roses to women customers at its key outlets across the country on March 8, 2000. And as part of its celebrations, it has plans to decorate the `Ladies Special' at Churchgate station with Pond's banners and products on March 8, 2000.