Vora and Company began selling quick cooking oats under the brand Blossom in 1961 as a competitor to Champion oats. [1] However, by 1963 sales had failed to become profitable. [2] The product was still in the early introduction stage of its life cycle and not well established among Indian consumers. [3] Marketing efforts including a Rs. 4,000 advertising campaign did not increase sales enough to cover costs. [4] The company was losing over Rs. 3,000 per month based on current sales and overhead costs. [5] Changes were needed to the marketing mix and business operations to make Blossom oats successful.