Media Release
Kotak Mahindra Bank Partners with Blockbuster Author Amish’s latest book “Scion of Ikshvaku” First Bank to Launch Special Themed Debit Card with the Cover of Bestseller Book - Scion of Ikshvaku & “Tweet to Order” – a book buying service on Twitter for Kotak customers Hyderabad, June 30, 2015: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has partnered with blockbuster author – Amish’s latest book “Scion of Ikshvaku”, to launch a special themed debit card. The card featuring the cover of “Scion of Ikshvaku” offers discount on any book purchased at Crossword. The Bank also launched “Tweet to Order”, where KMB customers registered for Hashtag Banking can order Amish’s book – “Scion of Ikshvaku” via Twitter by simply tweeting #Book Scion 262 @KotakBankLtd. Customers can also order the book from KMB’s website www.kotak.com/books and avail an additional discount. KMB is carving out unique set of services for its customers by going beyond the purview of conventional banking. In addition to offering complete retail financial solutions including a variety of savings and loan products and innovative digital solutions, KMB is enabling its customers indulge in passions like books and movies. The success of KMB’s co-branded credit card with PVR Cinemas is testimony to customers’ preference for such lifestyle propositions from the Bank. Shanti Ekambaram, President – Consumer (L to R) Amish, author of blockbuster book ‘Scion of Ikshvaku’ and Sumit Banking, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “Movies Bali, Sr. EVP, Kotak Mahindra Bank launch Kotak’s special themed debit card featuring the cover of “Scion of Ikshvaku” and books are soul candies. They not only entertain, but have the power to inspire, motivate and uplift. We have India’s most successful cobranded card in partnership with PVR Cinemas, which delivers superior entertainment experiences to our customers.” “Our partnership with Amish’s latest book is a step towards enabling our customers to enjoy what they like and thereby, build a stronger connect with them. We want to partner our customers to not only meet their financial goals but also offer myriad lifestyle experiences”, added Ekambaram. Sumit Bali, Senior Executive Vice President, Head – Personal Assets, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “The special themed debit card is a unique addition in our cards portfolio, and a prized possession for any book lover. We will continue offering exclusive propositions in areas of lifestyle and passion, and make banking with us more delightful.”
Amish, the author of Scion of Ikshvaku and the Shiva trilogy, said, “I am confident that the special themed debit card and Tweet to Order will provide an enriching experience to KMB’s customers. It is indeed a wonderful service for book lovers.” KMB was the first bank to launch banking on social media in March 2014, and followed it up with Hashtag Banking in February 2015. “Tweet to Order” is yet another first-of-its kind seamless digital proposition from the Kotak stable. A simple tweet ensures the book is delivered directly by Amazon to the customer’s doorstep. KMB takes care of the payment by debiting his / her account. Under the new value proposition, KMB will continue to provide customised services and offerings in tie-up with other noted authors as well. KMB will host stimulating discussions between authors and readers by creating on-going connections through channels like Twitter groups and so on. We will provide readers the ability to wear their affection for their favourite authors with pride, at all times in the form of personally curated image cards inspired by book titles, covers, popular characters from the books, even the authors themselves and so on. KMB will deliver relevant benefits to this segment of book lovers, like previews, first edition ordering, autographed copies, access to copies at our branches, et al. Earlier in the year, Uday Kotak launched “The Making of India”, a book on economic game changers by Akhilesh Tilotia, Associate Director and thematic analyst with Kotak Institutional Equities. Customers can now also order this book via Twitter using the hashtag #Book MakingOfIndia 385 @KotakBankLtd. About Kotak Mahindra Bank Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KMBL). Effective April 1, 2015, ING Vysya Bank Ltd has merged with Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd creating a Rs 2 trillion institution (consolidated). The merged entity – Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. has a significant national footprint of 1,200+ branches and 1,900+ ATMs spread across 640+ locations, affording it the capacity and means to serve even better. The Bank has three Strategic Business Units catering to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The Consumer Banking business offers complete retail financial solutions including a variety of savings and loan products and innovative digital solutions - Jifi, a first-of-its-kind fully integrated Social Bank Account, redefines digital banking by seamlessly incorporating social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook with mainstream banking. KayPay is the world’s first bank agnostic instant funds transfer platform using Facebook. On the savings bank account front, the Bank offers higher interest rate at 6% p.a. for balance of Rs. 1 lakh and above, and provides a comprehensive suite of investment services and transactional conveniences. The Bank’s Wealth Management business is one of India’s largest and provides customised financial solutions to high net worth families. The Corporate Banking business offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services – working capital financing, medium term finance, current account, trade services, cash management
services, export credit, transaction banking, custody services, debt capital markets, forex and treasury services. The Commercial Banking business offers a comprehensive portfolio of banking products and services to Small and Medium enterprises (SME) engaged in manufacturing, trading, services and export businesses. It has specialised units, which provide finance to Agri Sector, Commercial Vehicle operators and Infrastructure business. It services farmers across India by providing term loans to purchase tractors. The Bank also offers small ticket Gold loans and business loans. About Amish Described as ‘India’s first literary popstar’ by world-renowned film director Shekhar Kapur, Amish’s unique combination of crackling story-telling, religious symbolism and profound philosophies has made him an overnight publishing phenomenon, with spiritual guru Deepak Chopra hailing Amish’s books as ‘archetypal and stirring’. Amish’s Shiva Trilogy — The Immortals of Meluha (2010), The Secret of the Nagas (2011) and The Oath of the Vayuputras (2013) — has over 2.5 million copies in print with gross retail sales of over Rs 70 crores, making it the fastest selling book series in Indian history. His books have been translated into 14 Indian and International languages. His new book, Scion of Ikshvaku, was released on 22nd June, 2015. Forbes Magazine has listed Amish amongst the 100 most influential celebrities in India, three years in a row. He has also received the Society Young Achievers Award for literature in 2013, Man of the Year by Radio City, Communicator of the Year by PR Council of India and Pride of India award (Literature). Amish was also selected as an Eisenhower Fellow, a prestigious American programme for outstanding leaders from around the world. Amish is a graduate of IIM-Calcutta and worked for 14 years in the financial services industry before turning to full-time writing. He lives in Mumbai with his wife Preeti and son Neel.
For further information, please contact Rohit Rao Kotak Mahindra Bank Phone: +91-22-6166-0001
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Jaydeep Raval Kotak Mahindra Bank Phone: +91-22-6166-0001
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Janki Telivala Genesis Burson-Marsteller Mobile: +91-88793-33249
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