ITV

Tag: Fifa World Cup

  • TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

    TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

    CANNES; Magine has secured partnerships with four of the industry’s most exciting sports, documentary and entertainment content providers. Partnerships with beIN, the international media group and owner of MIRAMAX; Yaddo, the new documentary streaming service headed up by former head of The BBC’s documentary division, Nick Fraser; Africa XP and a Chinese digital TV distributor have activated Magine’s TV Superhighway in over 35 markets.

    Magine’s TV Superhighway aims to fully democratise content distribution, providing a global network of content providers and distributors, liberated from geographical limitations; enabling ambitious content owners to quickly access and monetise new markets and audiences anywhere in the world.

    The TV Superhighway empowers content creators, allowing them to utilise Magine’s cloud technology, distribution network, and industry expertise to choose which market to enter when and how. This new approach to content distribution opens up channels for broadcast producers, giving them the opportunity to tap into Magine’s technology and distribution network and decide where, when and which content is available in each market, with real time data analytics available throughout the process.

    Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal said, “Our recently announced partnerships with beIN and Yaddo mark significant proof points in Magine’s development of the ‘TV Superhighway’, and we’re looking forward to introducing our unique opportunity to new content partners with global ambitions.”

    Magine’s growth and innovation in global content distribution is hitting important milestones, accelerating beyond its German and Swedish origins and introducing the TV Superhighway to the Middle East, African and Chinese markets.

    The new partnership with beIN, a global sports and entertainment leader within the media industry, parent company of MIRAMAX, and broadcasting 75 channels across five continents – sees Magine’s platform enabling the access to the FIFA World Cup, the NFL, Formula 1, and the French, US, and Australian Opens in 16 countries.

    beIN director of digital Olivier Dufour comments: “Magine serves our premium content to hundreds of thousands of customers each day in 16 countries. They supported the launch of beIN’s digital on-demand services securely, delivering our premium content on a reliable and proven platform.”

    In addition to servicing established and multinational blue-chip companies like beIN, Magine will also provide an end-to-end service for new content providers. Magine’s recent partnership with Nick Fraser’s new documentary streaming service, Yaddo, will see some of the world’s most critically acclaimed documentaries streamed to over 160 territories this autumn.

    Yaddo founder and former head of documentaries at The BBC Nick Fraser notes that “Magine was the obvious choice as a distribution partner when we looked beyond technical capabilities. Their commitment to providing a TV Superhighway, at the service of great content, makes them the perfect partner to build a truly innovative global business model with.”

    Furthermore, a new agreement, announced in August with a Beijing-based digital TV system operator saw the start of a drive to build, launch and operate a cloud-based video streaming system for the Chinese market, which will see Magine’s TV Superhighway Stream Live TV to Over 100 Million Chinese Households. Mr Marten Liu, Chinese a digital TV executive said: “We are delighted to have Magine as our partner for this important development of our internet video streaming system and service offerings.”

    Magine recently entered into a partnership with Africa XP to extend their business beyond existing conventional broadcast platforms, additionally monetising their channels in partnership with dynamic, new and direct to consumer digital platforms.

    Africa XP CEO Craig Kelly had this to say: “Magine gives our channels global reach affordably and offers our operator partner’s instant OTT deployment of our channel bouquet in their markets – this expands our footprint and revenue generation potential exponentially”.

  • TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

    TV Superhighway: beIN, Yaddo, AfricaXP have joined us, says Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal

    CANNES; Magine has secured partnerships with four of the industry’s most exciting sports, documentary and entertainment content providers. Partnerships with beIN, the international media group and owner of MIRAMAX; Yaddo, the new documentary streaming service headed up by former head of The BBC’s documentary division, Nick Fraser; Africa XP and a Chinese digital TV distributor have activated Magine’s TV Superhighway in over 35 markets.

    Magine’s TV Superhighway aims to fully democratise content distribution, providing a global network of content providers and distributors, liberated from geographical limitations; enabling ambitious content owners to quickly access and monetise new markets and audiences anywhere in the world.

    The TV Superhighway empowers content creators, allowing them to utilise Magine’s cloud technology, distribution network, and industry expertise to choose which market to enter when and how. This new approach to content distribution opens up channels for broadcast producers, giving them the opportunity to tap into Magine’s technology and distribution network and decide where, when and which content is available in each market, with real time data analytics available throughout the process.

    Magine CEO Ambuj Goyal said, “Our recently announced partnerships with beIN and Yaddo mark significant proof points in Magine’s development of the ‘TV Superhighway’, and we’re looking forward to introducing our unique opportunity to new content partners with global ambitions.”

    Magine’s growth and innovation in global content distribution is hitting important milestones, accelerating beyond its German and Swedish origins and introducing the TV Superhighway to the Middle East, African and Chinese markets.

    The new partnership with beIN, a global sports and entertainment leader within the media industry, parent company of MIRAMAX, and broadcasting 75 channels across five continents – sees Magine’s platform enabling the access to the FIFA World Cup, the NFL, Formula 1, and the French, US, and Australian Opens in 16 countries.

    beIN director of digital Olivier Dufour comments: “Magine serves our premium content to hundreds of thousands of customers each day in 16 countries. They supported the launch of beIN’s digital on-demand services securely, delivering our premium content on a reliable and proven platform.”

    In addition to servicing established and multinational blue-chip companies like beIN, Magine will also provide an end-to-end service for new content providers. Magine’s recent partnership with Nick Fraser’s new documentary streaming service, Yaddo, will see some of the world’s most critically acclaimed documentaries streamed to over 160 territories this autumn.

    Yaddo founder and former head of documentaries at The BBC Nick Fraser notes that “Magine was the obvious choice as a distribution partner when we looked beyond technical capabilities. Their commitment to providing a TV Superhighway, at the service of great content, makes them the perfect partner to build a truly innovative global business model with.”

    Furthermore, a new agreement, announced in August with a Beijing-based digital TV system operator saw the start of a drive to build, launch and operate a cloud-based video streaming system for the Chinese market, which will see Magine’s TV Superhighway Stream Live TV to Over 100 Million Chinese Households. Mr Marten Liu, Chinese a digital TV executive said: “We are delighted to have Magine as our partner for this important development of our internet video streaming system and service offerings.”

    Magine recently entered into a partnership with Africa XP to extend their business beyond existing conventional broadcast platforms, additionally monetising their channels in partnership with dynamic, new and direct to consumer digital platforms.

    Africa XP CEO Craig Kelly had this to say: “Magine gives our channels global reach affordably and offers our operator partner’s instant OTT deployment of our channel bouquet in their markets – this expands our footprint and revenue generation potential exponentially”.

  • IBC to Honour NASA at IBC2016 Awards

    IBC to Honour NASA at IBC2016 Awards

    MUMBAI: IBC announced that it is to give one of its highest awards, the Judges’ Prize, to NASA. Celebrating the achievements of one of the world’s most well known brands, the award will be presented at the ceremony held on Sunday 11 September at the RAI, Amsterdam. NASA’s contribution to the ceremony promises to be literally out of this world.

    From the very beginning, NASA has ensured that every moment of the space exploration programme has been captured, firstly with film cameras and then video, including the globally viewed footage of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in 1969. Today NASA operates a 4K Ultra HD channel and allows viewers to watch footage on a wide range of televisions and internet connected devices.

    The Judges’ Prize is presented to a company or project displaying a unique creative, technical or commercial imagination and past winners include Stereoscopic 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and DNA’s single frequency networks for HD with DVB-T2, which was awarded in 2011. The award will be accepted by Carlos Fontanot, Imagery Manager for the International Space Station and Kelly O. Humphries, the voice of mission control for more than 50 shuttle missions and hundreds of space station activities.

    “It is impossible to understate the importance of NASA’s film and video efforts,” said Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC. “Their engineers and producers have had to overcome massive technical challenges, which has meant close co-operation with suppliers of equipment and systems. The result has been stunning imagery, which has literally changed our view of the world.”

    The IBC Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday 11 September, and is free for all IBC attendees. Find out more about the awards at IBC.org/awards and register for your IBC2016 pass at IBC.org/register

  • IBC to Honour NASA at IBC2016 Awards

    IBC to Honour NASA at IBC2016 Awards

    MUMBAI: IBC announced that it is to give one of its highest awards, the Judges’ Prize, to NASA. Celebrating the achievements of one of the world’s most well known brands, the award will be presented at the ceremony held on Sunday 11 September at the RAI, Amsterdam. NASA’s contribution to the ceremony promises to be literally out of this world.

    From the very beginning, NASA has ensured that every moment of the space exploration programme has been captured, firstly with film cameras and then video, including the globally viewed footage of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon in 1969. Today NASA operates a 4K Ultra HD channel and allows viewers to watch footage on a wide range of televisions and internet connected devices.

    The Judges’ Prize is presented to a company or project displaying a unique creative, technical or commercial imagination and past winners include Stereoscopic 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and DNA’s single frequency networks for HD with DVB-T2, which was awarded in 2011. The award will be accepted by Carlos Fontanot, Imagery Manager for the International Space Station and Kelly O. Humphries, the voice of mission control for more than 50 shuttle missions and hundreds of space station activities.

    “It is impossible to understate the importance of NASA’s film and video efforts,” said Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC. “Their engineers and producers have had to overcome massive technical challenges, which has meant close co-operation with suppliers of equipment and systems. The result has been stunning imagery, which has literally changed our view of the world.”

    The IBC Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday 11 September, and is free for all IBC attendees. Find out more about the awards at IBC.org/awards and register for your IBC2016 pass at IBC.org/register

  • Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2015 ropes in Seiko as official ‘Timing Partner’

    Airtel Delhi Half Marathon 2015 ropes in Seiko as official ‘Timing Partner’

    MUMBAI: Sports management and marketing company Procam International has roped in Seiko as the official ‘Timing Partner’ for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) 2015. This is Seiko’s maiden alliance with the half marathon to be held in Delhi on Sunday, 29 November 2015.

     

    Seiko decided to come onboard for Delhi having sponsored the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015 (SCMM 2015) and TCS World 10K 2015. With this partnership, all three events join the ranks of international sporting events such as the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the IAAF World Championships in Athletics and the FIFA World Cup, all of whom Seiko has provided its timing technology and served as Official Timer.

     

    Keeping true to the tradition of partnering with major brands globally, Seiko will join a list of partners and sponsors partnering the ADHM, SCMM, and TCS World 10K Bengaluru.

     

    Procam International joint MD Vivek Singh said, “Over the years Seiko has associated with some of the most significant international sporting events and through those associations has built a stellar reputation for itself. Having had them onboard during the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015, and TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2015, we are delighted to welcome them to the beautiful city of Delhi for the ADHM, and are also pleased to be our partner of three events in India. We are sure that this is just the beginning of a long-standing association with the world’s leading time-keepers.”

     

    “Our maiden partnership with Procam International for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2015 and TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2015 was a success. The run attracted world’s top distance runners and emphasised on the growth of the running revolution in the country, and we hope Delhi is an encore in terms of the enthusiasm as well. As a brand that believes in supporting the growth of sport Seiko is glad to associate with the ADHM 2015, as the event’s Official Timing Partner and we hope to contribute to its success,” added Seiko India president Atsushi Kaneko.

  • FY-2015: Subscription growth leads Sky revenue growth of 4.7%; EPS declines 2%

    FY-2015: Subscription growth leads Sky revenue growth of 4.7%; EPS declines 2%

    BENGALURU: London, UK headquartered pan-European satellite broadcasting, on-demand Internet streaming media, broadband and telephone services company Sky reported 4.7 per cent broad based total adjusted revenue growth for the year ended 30 June, 2015 (FY-2015) at ?11,2083 million as compared to the ?10,776 million in the previous year (FY-2014). Subscription is the biggest contributor to Sky’s revenue. The group’s revenue growth in the current year was led by a 4.6 per cent increment in adjusted subscription revenue at ?9697 million (85.9 per cent of total revenue) as compared to the ?9272 million (86 per cent of total revenue) in FY-2014.

     

    Across its five territories (UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy), the group reported 973,000 new customer additions in FY-2015, 45 per cent more than previous year, and 158,000 new customers in Q4-2015. Subscription revenue growth was underpinned by excellent customer growth across the group and strong product growth of 4.6 million (829,000 in Q4-2015), with the largest proportion of revenue growth continuing to be delivered through the UK where revenues were up over ?300 million. Alongside this, the group’s best year of customer growth in Germany drove a 10 per cent increase in subscription revenues, whilst Italy held total customers and revenue flat.

     

    Other segments

     

    Sky’s advertising revenue in FY-2015 grew 3.8 per cent to ?716 million (6.3 per cent of total revenue) as compared to the ?690 million (6.4 per cent of total revenue) in FY-2014. Sky attributes growth in advertising revenues with Germany delivering growth of 26 per cent through higher sellout rates and increased inventory around Bundesliga. Advertising revenues in the UK grew strongly, up five per cent, due to the benefit of incremental AdSmart revenues combined with Sky Media increasing their share of net advertising revenue by almost 170 basis points, whilst advertising revenue was down in Italy as we lapped the €27 million benefit of the FIFA World Cup revenues in Q4 last year.

     

    Transactional revenue increased 21.8 per cent to ?173 million (1.8 per cent of total revenue) in FY-2015 as compared to the ?142 million (1.3 per cent of total revenue) in the previous fiscal. Sky says that it benefited from the success of its Buy and Keep service, which surpassed weekly revenue of ?1 million in Q4-2015, and NOW TV transactions, which totaled almost 1.5 million over the past twelve months.

     

    Sky’s wholesale and syndication revenue in the current year increased 5 per cent to ?550 million (4.9 per cent of total revenue) as compared to the ?524 million (5 per cent of total revenue) in FY-2014. Sky says that growth was largely driven by continued growth in the UK where revenues were up 19 per cent as success on screen led to more favourable terms for our channels with wholesale partners. Alongside this, revenues were strong through the distribution of our programming internationally and the first time consolidation of Znak&Jones and Love Productions. In Italy, underlying wholesale revenues were broadly flat year on year (excluding the benefit in the prior year from Champions League resale revenues), whilst revenues in Germany were slightly down following the successful migration of former Deutsche Telekom wholesale customers to a retail relationship in the prior year.

     

    Other revenue was almost flat (declined fractionally) to ?147 million (1.3 per cent of total revenue) as compared to the ?148 million (1.37 per cent of total revenue) in the previous year.

     

    Adjusted profit before tax increased 5.9 per cent to ?1196 million as compared to ?1129 million in FY-2014. Adjusted EPS declined 1.9 per cent to 56p as compared to the 57.1p in the previous year

  • After Serie A MSM bags broadcasting rights of FA Cup

    After Serie A MSM bags broadcasting rights of FA Cup

    MUMBAI: When Multi Screen Media (MSM) CEO NP Singh said that the network was looking at building an ecosystem for football in the country, he had a foolproof strategy to back it up. The network has bagged the exclusive three-year broadcasting rights for The Emirates FA Cup from the 2015-16 to the 2017-18 season and Italian Seire A.

     

    Indiantelevision.com was the first to report about the channel acquiring the telecast rights for Italian Seire A. It can be noted that both the assets were earlier with Star India’s sports channel Star Sports.

     

    Following an agreement with MP & Silva, The Emirates FA Cup and Serie A Tim rights holder for the India sub-continent, Sony Kix will exclusively showcase live coverage from the two football properties in a bid to tap into the growing popularity of the sport in the region. These acquisitions strengthen the current portfolio of live football programming which already boasts of a strong line-up of marquee properties including the UEFA Euro 2016, Qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2016, European Qualifiers for 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup and Copa America.

     

    With the consistent increase in viewership for football witnessed in the past decade in India, the channel is looking to capitalise on this opportunity and provide Indian viewers with a slice of the best in football across the globe. The acquisitions come as a mode to bolster the group’s football portfolio, consolidating their position as the ultimate destination for international football. The Italian jewel of premier division football – the Serie A, along with the oldest and most historic association football competition in the world – The Emirates FA Cup, will surely add a new dimension to the channel’s library of iconic sports properties.

     

    Starting 2 August, 2015, Sony Kix will broadcast the traditional curtain raiser to the English football season, the FA Community Shield which will be played between FA Cup champion Arsenal and Barclays Premier League winner Chelsea, followed by The Emirates FA Cup.

     

    The Italian Serie A Tim Football Championship, the topmost division in professional league in Italian football, kicks-off the 2015 season on the weekend of 22 August 2015. This will be the 114th season of top-tier Italian football, featuring some of the best teams and players in international football. The channel will also showcase in-depth post-match highlights accompanied by a weekly highlight bulletin providing exclusive insights into the league.

     

    This comprehensive and holistic offering of the league will be accompanied by high quality audio and visual feed of the live matches, providing viewers with an unparalleled and enhanced viewing experience.

     

    Sony Kix and Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan said, “We are witnessing a golden era of sports viewership transition in the country, and are proud to be offering two of the world’s most renowned events in football. We have seen an overwhelming demand for football viewership in the country, and through these acquisitions, we wish to cater to that need and reiterate our commitment towards providing high quality sports content for our viewers.”

  • Q1 2015: India continues strong growth for WPP; China weakens

    Q1 2015: India continues strong growth for WPP; China weakens

    MUMBAI: In the first quarter of 2015, India continued the strong growth seen for WPP in the Asia Pacific market, with China being a little weaker.

     

    In the first four months, WPP’s revenue was up eight per cent to ?3.8 billion in sterling. However, in dollar, revenue was down 1.9 per cent at $5.698 billion and up 21.4 per cent at €5.129 billion in euros.

     

    On the other hand, its advertising and media investment management revenue increased 13 per cent in constant currencies, and 9.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and foreign currency fluctuations.

     

    Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe, softened slightly in April, but still at high levels of absolute growth, with year-to-date constant currency revenue up 10 per cent and like-for-like up 5.6 per cent. Net sales were up 8.3 per cent in constant currency and 3.1 per cent like-for-like in the first four months, compared with 9.1 per cent and 4.0 per cent respectively in the first quarter.

     

    “The faster growth markets of the BRICs and Next 11, located in Asia, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe continue to grow faster than the slower markets of North America and Western Europe, although the growth gap has narrowed as Brazil, Russia and China have slowed and the United States and United Kingdom have quickened,” said WPP chairman Philip Lader at the company’s 43rd annual general meeting held in London.

     

    Agency reviews due to digital media shift cost $20 billion

     

    Furthermore, in light of the shift to digital media, many brands have been looking at reviewing their advertising agency accounts and marketing spends. These reviews represent about $20 billion in billings.

     
    “There has been some commentary recently on the significant number of media investment management reviews, particularly, in the United States, which we believe has been driven primarily by clients’ desire to optimise their media spending, in an increasingly digital media environment. These reviews total approximately $20 billion in billings,” said Lader.

     

    However, Lader added that WPP is particularly well positioned to compete in these pitches as it is an incumbent in less than a quarter of these reviews.

     

    According to Lader, 2015 should follow a pattern similar to 2014 but sans maxi or mini-quadrennial events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup or United States Presidential Election (as there will be in 2016) to boost marketing investments.

     

    For the remainder of 2015, WPP’s focus will remain on growing revenue and net sales faster than the industry average, driven by its position in the new markets, in new media, in data investment management, including data analytics and the application of new technology, creativity, effectiveness and horizontality.

     

    Providing a cautious economic outlook for 2015, Lader said, “All in all, 2015 looks to be another demanding year. Even in the best of times, successful companies are careful in their allocation of promotional funds. But when times get tougher, carefulness tends to be replaced by caution. A certain nervousness infects the entire enterprise. Costs are trimmed… and trimmed again. Investment is postponed. Much of this, of course, is prudent and necessary; but there’s a lurking danger. What were first adopted as temporary tactics almost imperceptibly become a permanent strategy. And when that happens, companies may fail to take early advantage of any up-turn. The long-term becomes no more than an indefinite extension of the short-term.”

  • Sony Six targets HSM with launch of Hindi feed for TNA

    Sony Six targets HSM with launch of Hindi feed for TNA

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) sports and entertainment channel Sony Six has launched the Hindi feed for its wrestling entertainment property – Total Non-stop Action (TNA).

     

    Starting 6 June, 2015, every weekend at 9pm, the channel will air two hours of the wrestling entertainment in Hindi across India. The announcement comes as a major development in response to the growing popularity of Mahabali Shera, the first-ever Indian wrestler on TNA. This also marks a significant investment by Sony Six towards the growth of wrestling programming across the Indian market.

     

    The televised show hours will be encapsulated under the branding Shera ki Kahaani that will feature Mahabali Shera aka Amanpreet Singh and follow his storyline right from his entry in TNA.

     

    It may be recalled that recently TNA and Sony Six signed a long-term deal, wherein the channel will be the exclusive home for all TNA-based content until 2022.

     

    To garner viewer interest, the channel has initiated an on-air campaign, including promos inviting viewers to catch his story exclusively on Sony Six. Through this initiative, the channel aims at expanding its current programming reach amongst the vast Hindi-speaking market, which also follows combat sports keenly.

     

    Sony Six and Sony Kix business head Prasana Krishnan said, ‘‘We are really excited to announce the launch of an alternative language feed for TNA as with this initiative we move into the next phase of expanding the popularity of TNA in India. This endeavour aligns with our commitment to constantly innovate and offer localized content to appeal to the taste of our Indian viewers. Shera’s introduction has managed to further Brand TNA in the country, and now with the launch of local feed, we aim to further expand the sampling of the sport amongst the mass viewership demographic in India.”

     

    Sony Six has been experimenting with the local language feed offering for prime sporting properties, which has further contributed to its viewership growth. The channel initiated the local feed option by airing the 2014 FIFA World Cup for the first time ever in Bengali. Following its success, the channel also offered multiple regional feeds including Telegu, Tamil and Bengali for the Pepsi IPL 2015.

  • MSM’s Rohit Gupta bullish on IPL; 95% ad inventory sold

    MSM’s Rohit Gupta bullish on IPL; 95% ad inventory sold

    MUMBAI: The “We won’t give it back” mantra didn’t work, unwillingly though India had to give the cricket World Cup back as Australia defeated New Zealand in the finals to clinch the title. The ICC Cricket World Cup may be over but the cricket fever is far from over. The mania is set to unleash with the India Ka Tyohaar (India’s festival) – Indian Premier League (IPL) just around the corner.

     

    Multi Screen Media (MSM), the official broadcaster of the flagship tournament, is leaving no stone unturned in order to ensure that the eighth edition is bigger and better. The channel has lined up multiple innovations to take the level a notch higher and produce an allusive presentation for both viewers and advertisers.

     

    Sony, in association with BCCI, will project matches in huge screens in cities not hosting live matches to enhance ground awareness. This innovation will rope in more opportunities to local advertisers to use IPL as a platform to promote themselves and also fans will get an exclusive opportunity to witness the extravaganza at a mass gathering.

     

    Multilingual feed is the other innovation that Sony has in store for the flagship tournament. IPL will be aired in English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and Telegu across various Sony channels. It must be noted that Star followed the same policy during the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup. 

     

    Talking about the various innovations to Indiantelevision.com, MSM president Rohit Gupta said, “IPL 2015 is going to be bigger and better. Our association with BCCI will enable people to see match in big screens across various cities. And the multilingual feed is something that Sony has done before too. The FIFA World Cup matches were showcased in numerous languages.”   

     

    “With 11 sponsors, we have sold 95 per cent of our ad inventory and this is the first time that we have managed to garner such a response before the start of the tournament. All the matches are played in prime time and fans don’t need to wait for a week time to witness a close encounter,” adds Gupta.

     

    Many new brands have joined IPL as sponsors and a few elevated themselves across different categories. IPL, besides all the controversies, is still a destination for advertisers to endorse, as the viewership is always in ascending order.

     

    Helios media managing director Divya Radhakrishnan said, “IPL is a much safer option for advertisers as all the matches are highly poised and the audience loves it. In IPL you don’t need to wait for an India match and all the Indian players are playing in different teams, which makes every match equally important for fans and hence advertisers like the tournament when it comes to promoting their brand.”

     

    “The way the Indian team played in the World Cup (especially after a forgetful Test and ODI with Australia), is very encouraging. Am sure IPL will perform well and advertisers will be happy. IPL, over the years, has become a marketing campaign in itself for brands. Brands plan their campaigns keeping the IPL in mind. Whether it is being associated with teams (as sponsors) or through on-air spots, brands are using IPL smartly and will continue to do so,” asserted Maxus ESP client leader Jigar Rambhia.