Published on 12:00 AM, March 21, 2020

From Dengue to any virus!

In conversation with Codomos,

There are very few products in market that leave a mark on consumers' minds and create a permanent place for themselves on their shelves. With eligible competitors rising aggressively and consumers getting choosy day by day, products are facing hard times holding their ground.

Codomos earlier captured the imagination of the Bangladeshi consumers from all walks with his remarkable performance during the outbreak of Dengue last year and is the first product in the country to snatch both "stockable" and "restockable" badges.

But once dengue disappeared, so did the marketability of Codomos. Talk show invites and movie appearances soon dissipated in thin air.

In a recent chitchat, Mr Codomos talks about his journey, why consumers always keep him in stock, his present condition, upcoming ventures and much more.

Simbran: Why are you getting into rebranding?

Codomos: I have been getting thousands of emails and messages on my Facebook page for the last few weeks from fans and followers regarding this issue. Let me clear it here. After Covid19 storm stirred the world, I have made some changes in my ingredients, to what I bring to the table. Now I am a double-threat, as I can fight off both Dengue and the new virus. This is apparently an effort to inspire businessmen and consumers to stockpile me and create artificial shortage of Codomos in the market, resulting in a price hike. As my value increases, so does my demand. Bangladeshi consumers go by price, not quality.

Simbran: One single solution for both mosquito and coronavirus. Would you explain a bit?

Codomos: Look, in 2019 when dengue broke out, the situation got out of control. Even the government was struggling to suggest a proper solution to fight dengue crisis. People were dying, hospitals were unable to accommodate the patients and traditional mosquito repellents were failing. There is no point of denying that without me, millions would have perished. People were so dependent on me, they started to hoard me. Do you know what it is like to be hoarded? It is an indescribable feeling. I was announced "out of stock". Even India came to get me. Do you know what that kind of love is like? Over time, I became a luxury brand. I earned my badges. My previous success story has inspired me to redesign myself and become the savior again. THEY WILL STOCKPILE ME AGAIN INSTEAD OF ONIONS.

Simbran: How do you even work?

Codomos: Scientists say, washing hands with alcohol-based hand sanitisers or hand wash or soap best protects you from coronavirus. In my case, you actually don't need to wash hands at all. Just rub me all over nicely and gently, or go fast if it pleases you so, twice a day. But make sure you have enough of me in stock. Like a lot. 

Simbran: What is your biggest challenge going forward?

Codomos: I cannot and have not forgotten my roots. I am thankful for dengue making me what I am today. It's already summer and no wonder that bane in our life will return again and as Bangladeshis are mastering the art of stockpiling products, it gives me renewed hope. But I want to branch out and leverage my position as my marketing guy has asked me to. I want to solve all problems from traffic jams, animal conservation, gender equality, climate change, political unrest and much more.

Today one of my loyal consumers informed me that retailers are still selling me at double or triple the retail price, as is the norm in this country. How do they do that? All credit goes to stockpiled products and artificial crisis in the market.

Simbran: Any suggestion for the potential products that want fame like you?

Codomos: No.