07.04.2011– New Delhi, July 04,2011: If you love the globally famous pop star Shakira, be one of the first to snap up Zippo’s new and exclusive range of Windproof Lighters, now available in India.

The Zippo Shakira collection features two striking, vibrant designs of Shakira; one a rainbow motif and the other a photograph-like finish of Shakira in a saucy swimsuit.

A Zippo lighter is more than just a style statement, it’s a true collectable. And these limited edition lighters are the perfect gift for fans this world-famous singer.

The Zippo Shakira range can be purchased from www.zippoindia.com or can be picked up from selective retail outlets across India.

If you love Shakira, get one! The range starts at Rs 2,200.

About Zippo
Zippo markets in more than 160 countries and is one of the most recognized brands in the world. Based in Bradford, PA, Zippo has produced over 475 million windproof lighters, each backed by an unparalleled lifetime guarantee. Zippo’s diverse product line includes lighter accessories; butane candle lighters; watches, fragrance, and lifestyle accessories for men; and a robust line of heat and flame products for outdoor enthusiasts. Zippo also owns W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company, Bradford, PA, and Zippo Fashion Italia, Vicenza,Italy. Zippo will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2012. For more information, visit Zippo.com.
For more information about Zippo, please visit www.zippoindia.com.

For further information or imagery, please contact:
Neha Singhvi/ Divya Sibal / Kanika Sharma
Corporate Voice| Weber Shandwick
9811056927 / 9818259257/ 9999108107
nsinghvi@corvoshandwick.co.in / divyas@corvoshandwick.co.in / kanika@corvoshandwick.co.in

The Zippo Manufacturing Co, maker of the iconic refillable lighters, is hosting a rock ‘n’ roll competition with Tencent, in which bands from Beijing and Shanghai will compete for votes cast online.

While Zippo’s marketing team is using social media to promote the Zippo Encore rock festival as well as its brand, Chinese bands musicians are hoping to win grand prizes from the company by campaigning on their Weibo accounts.

Zippo is not the only luxury brand to join the social media scene in China to advertise its products. Instead of creating a Chinese account on Twitter, which can be difficult to access in China, brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Este Lauder, Louis Vuitton, Anna Sui, and Swarovski have active and popular micro blog accounts on Sina Weibo.

The marketing teams for these brands have learned from their initial social media experiences with English-speaking customers. Social media channels are time-saving and cost-efficient for marketers and also interactive and dynamic for fans and customers.

Currently, China has the world’s largest Internet user population and has witnessed a rapid rise in micro blogs. Sina Weibo’s users numbered 140 million as of April, less than two years after it launched. Tencent Weibo’s number of users reached 200 million last month.

In addition to a large online population, China will also soon surpass Japan in becoming the biggest consumer of luxury goods. Luxury companies have responded to these trends by creating interactive micro blogs as a marketing strategy.

“Micro blogs are a fairly new but hot tool in China. Most brands have just recently started their micro blog and we are all experimenting with the potential,” said Anne Wu, Este Lauder’s public relations manager. Este Lauder currently has nearly 41,000 followers on Sina Weibo.

Zippo spokesman Gao Xu told China Daily that the Sina Weibo marketing strategy increased interaction between the brand and customers. The micro blog often gives out Zippo prizes to keen followers.

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Source: China Daily

（Editor：梁军）