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Tag: Indian Premier League

  • Star India launches MI Vs CSK IPL opening game campaign

    Star India launches MI Vs CSK IPL opening game campaign

    MUMBAI: With just two days for the gripping cricketing action-entertainment of the much anticipated VIVO IPL 2018 to begin, Star India has unveiled yet another feisty campaign; this time, it’s the ‘Best vs Best’.

    The narrative stokes passion of the fans around the high-octane action promised highly awaited opening clash between current champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), returning after two editions.

    This match and all the matches will be aired on the Star Sports bouquet (Star Sports 1 English, Star Sports 1 HD English, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 HD Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Select SD English, Star Sports 1 Select HD English), Suvarna Plus, Star Maa Movies, Jalsha Movies and live streamed on Hotstar in India, US and Canada.

    The narrative of the latest campaign created by the Star Sports creative team rekindles the greatest rivalry of IPL between the two teams, who amongst them have won five IPL trophies out of the total ten leagues organised so far. The campaign drives a gritty face-off between MI and CSK in an opening encounter that promises great action with some of the best players in the VIVO IPL 2018.

    What is already fuelling fan frenzy is that VIVO IPL 2018 is set to witness CSK’s return under the iconic MS Dhoni’s leadership, after a two-year absence. The fact that these fierce rivals, who have clashed in three of eight past finals, will square up for the opening game of the VIVO IPL 2018, will give a dream start to the single largest event. The film, driven by a catchy, clever script, gives strident voice to the fanatic support of fans of CSK and MI, with each side throwing the gauntlet at the other, confident that their team will crush their rivals in the opening match.

    Star India president of consumer strategy and innovation Gayatri Yadav says, “With the combined power of digital and television and a first-ever six-language presentation including, Star Sports Tamil for CSK fans who have waited patiently for two long years for their heroes’ comeback, we are confident our presentation of the Vivo-IPL 2018 will deliver never-before fan experience.”

    BCCI CEO Rahul Johri adds, “The IPL is the biggest and widely followed cricketing properties in the world. Over the years, each of the franchisees has developed a strong and loyal fan following, globally. The opening game between MI and CSK will serve as the perfect start to the action-packed season. The latter will be returning after two years amidst much hype and celebration and led by none other than MS Dhoni while the former is a three-time champion and one of the most consistent T20 teams.”

    Star India will broadcast live matches of the league in six languages – Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Kannada on its broadcast network. The VIVO IPL will also be beamed live in these six languages on Hotstar.

  • Vodafone launches first IPL 2018 campaign with ZooZoos

    Vodafone launches first IPL 2018 campaign with ZooZoos

    MUMBAI: With great customer service at the core of its philosophy, Vodafone India has developed new age digital experiences for its 210 plus million customers. Vodafone is now bringing back the ZooZoos in a new Ninja avatar and communicating about “Happy to Help – In a click”.

    Like every cricket season, Vodafone is back this year with a big bang ZooZoo campaign.

    With the world going digital, customer service across categories has evolved from being a human led, call centre-based query resolution mechanism to a more digitally evolved, self-care and 24/7/365 experience. Vodafone is leading this evolution, handholding customers to move from assisted only care to digital self-care and anytime and doorstep services.

    With speed and efficiency at the core of its service philosophy, Vodafone focuses on convenience across channels for the customers. For example, customers can now customise their plans and numbers online and have a connection home delivered. They can also manage their entire family’s accounts on the My Vodafone App and pre book appointments before they visit a store.

    Vodafone India executive vice president of marketing Siddharth Banerjee says, “As technology drives the changing customer behaviour and expectations, we at Vodafone have driven our digital transformation initiatives hard and also evolved our Happy to Help philosophy for the 2018 Digital Customer to “Happy to Help – IN A CLICK”. Further, in keeping with the topicality of our campaign break, we are bringing back our much loved ZooZoos in a brand-new Ninja avatar, they are quick, agile and efficient; much like our service experience, enabled by the digital transformation initiatives at Vodafone India.”

  • Nerolac Paints associates with Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2018

    Nerolac Paints associates with Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2018

    MUMBAI: Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd (KNPL), one of the leading paint companies in India has announced its continued association with the most followed sports extravaganza in the nation, IPL. For IPL 2018, Nerolac will continue to sponsor the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

    This year also, the brand Nerolac will be visible on the helmets of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

    Nerolac has been an active advertiser in BCCI events for a very long time. In 2016, it associated with Gujarat Lions and to further deepen connect with the sport, Nerolac Paints became the official partner of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017.

    Nerolac believes in the significance of sports as a marker for human performance and cricket continues to be the biggest unifier of it in India. Thus, IPL becomes the natural platform to create a strong emotional connect with the nation.

    Nerolac Paints has always strived to create unique experiences for its stakeholders that money cannot buy. One such key initiative in the past was the ‘Man of the Match Grant’ whereby a total of 83 youths were trained and skilled to take up livelihood through painting.

    This year too, a variety of initiatives are being lined up to continuously build upon the association and the company will soon be announcing the same.

    Kansai Nerolac Paints director decorative Anuj Jain says, “The growing impact of IPL continues to give us great confidence in the potential of the league to impact the lives at large. Last year, our association with the Sunrisers Hyderabad created a fair amount of value for us and we are excited to announce our continued association with the team. We wish all the best to the players for this season and are sure that the team will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

    Expressing his excitement about the continued association, Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K Shanmugam adds, “This is an important season for us and renewed support from Nerolac, SRH’s lead helmet sponsor, will be vital as we bid to win the title after a solid show last season where we qualified for playoffs. With a stronger partnership this year, we look forward to continue what promises to be an exhilarating, and hopefully in our case, a triumphant journey ahead.”

  • IPL ’18 media rights decision likely in July, player recruitment norms to be tweaked

    NEW DELHI: Even as the Indian cricket board BCCI explores tweaks in new player recruitment norms by franchisees for the next edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2018, decisions on media rights is likely to be taken by next month and the title sponsorship to be decided by month-end.

    This was stated by IPL commissioner Rajeev Shukla yesterday during the India-Bangladesh semi-final match in England where the Champions Trophy is under way.

    According to Shukla, who was in conversation with commentators of All-India Radio (AIR) during the India-Bangladesh cricket match, the media rights would be hawked in a bundled form as well as separately. The media rights for IPL include those for TV, online, digital and overseas (outside Indian geographical region).

    Chinese phone maker Vivo, wanting to make a splash in the Indian market and establish a presence, had picked up the title sponsorship for IPL for two years in 2015. Earlier, such sponsors included Indian real estate company DLF, and PepsiCo. The latter had opted out of sponsorship after betting and match-fixing scandals rocked IPL a few years ago.

    A 2016 news report in the Mint newspaper stated that, for the Indian sub-continent, BCCI will award the television rights for 10 years and digital media rights for five years. The competitive bidding process would close on 25 October 2016.

    At present, IPL’s TV broadcast rights are held by Sony Pictures Networks Pvt. Ltd, which will expire in 2017, and the Internet and mobile rights rest with Novi Digital Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, a unit of Star India, for a period of three years till 2017.

    As to whether IPL is contemplating increasing the number of participating teams from the present eight, Shukla replied in the negative. This would mean that the teams from Gujarat and Pune would have to bow out in 2018 as controversy-tainted Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are likely to stage a comeback after a two-year suspension.

    Shukla also said during the conversation on AIR that BCCI and IPL are contemplating making changes in various criteria to pick and buy cricketers by various franchisee owners from next year.

    The senior BCCI official elaborated that “some restrictions” would be placed on IPL team owners to desist them from picking a rookie player without any experience of BCCI-supported domestic cricket tourneys as it amounted to discrimination of deserving players who have played in Indian domestic cricket tournaments (Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, etc).

    About the reason behind BCCI agreeing to participate in Champions Trophy (where India would sometime have to play Pakistan, a country regarded back home as abetting and encouraging terrorism against India), Shukla smartly skirted answering directly, preferring to say that BCCI agreed on participation in CT 2017 as it wanted the national team to retain the trophy.

    India is the current holder of the Champions Trophy and the next edition of the tournament would be held in India.

    Shukla, while admitting that India has become a nerve-centre for global cricket contributing sizably to the revenue kitty of cricket’s international governing body ICC, stated that all outstanding financial issues related to revenue sharing would be sorted out soon and amicably between ICC and BCCI.

  • Wrogn tie-up with Royal Challengers

    MUMBAI: India’s most promising celebrity fashion and lifestyle brand Wrogn is associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as the official lifestyle clothing partner for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League. Off field the RCB players will be seen in Wrogn merchandise and while on field their caps and helmets will sport the Wrogn logo.

    Wrogn merchandise is designed to complement the team’s play bold philosophy and makes a fearless, daring & heroic fashion statement. Wrogn’s in-stadia branding will also add colour to the home ground and will augment the vibrant and lively atmosphere during the matches.

    This annual association will be promoted by both partners through their digital properties; their official site and social media channels. Additionally, the brand has comprehensive plans to engage and interact with RCB fans and Wrogn customer sat Wrogn outlets across the country. All customers of Wrogn clothing will also be entitled to tickets to the RCB matches. Fans are of assured free tickets to watch live RCB matches in Bangalore by purchasing clothing /merchandise worth Rs.5000/- and above from the Wrogn line.

    Announcing the tie-up, Wrogn CEO Anjana Reddy said, “T20 is the most celebrated cricket format in the world and we are excited to partner with RCB, a strong contender this season that is brimming with youth, talent and has always kept fans entertained. The Wrogn brand ethos of being bold and dynamic matches that of the RCB and this partnership will give the fans and our customer’s opportunities to engage. From all of us Wrogn we wish the RCB team all the very best.”

    Commenting on this association, RCB chairman Amrit Thomas said, “Wrogn and RCB are a bold brand fit. We are excited to see RCB’s personality getting reflected through the fashionable lifestyle sensibility of Wrogn . We hope to see our fans come to the stadium dressed in RCB Jersey and Wrogn apparel to cheer their favourite team.”

  • TVS Tyres is co-presenter for Asian Champions Trophy 2016

    TVS Tyres is co-presenter for Asian Champions Trophy 2016

    MUMBAI: Continuing its strong connect with sports, TVS Tyres has associated with Asian Champions Trophy 2016 by becoming the co-presenter. The Asian Champions Trophy is one of the premier hockey tournaments, a much sought after annual international competition promising some great hockey action. This association adds on to the brand’s prestigious list of previous associations with other sporting events like; Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, Pro Kabaddi League, Hockey India League & Cricket All Star Series among others.

    TVS Srichakra director P. Vijayaraghavan said, “Through this partnership, we aim to elevate our brand recall to a much larger audience and feel that it will add value to both our brand as well as business. The association with Asian Champions Trophy aligns the brand with a premier sporting event and a dedicated fan base. Sporting platforms like these augment our strategy to reach out to our customers.”

    Top six Asian teams will be participating in this tournament and it will be a great season of hockey across the continent. Post the launch of new identity, TVS Tyres has associated with many such sporting events and this latest association with Asian Champions Trophy is in line with the brand’s strategy and ongoing engagement with sporting events to enhance brand visibility.

  • TVS Tyres is co-presenter for Asian Champions Trophy 2016

    TVS Tyres is co-presenter for Asian Champions Trophy 2016

    MUMBAI: Continuing its strong connect with sports, TVS Tyres has associated with Asian Champions Trophy 2016 by becoming the co-presenter. The Asian Champions Trophy is one of the premier hockey tournaments, a much sought after annual international competition promising some great hockey action. This association adds on to the brand’s prestigious list of previous associations with other sporting events like; Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, Pro Kabaddi League, Hockey India League & Cricket All Star Series among others.

    TVS Srichakra director P. Vijayaraghavan said, “Through this partnership, we aim to elevate our brand recall to a much larger audience and feel that it will add value to both our brand as well as business. The association with Asian Champions Trophy aligns the brand with a premier sporting event and a dedicated fan base. Sporting platforms like these augment our strategy to reach out to our customers.”

    Top six Asian teams will be participating in this tournament and it will be a great season of hockey across the continent. Post the launch of new identity, TVS Tyres has associated with many such sporting events and this latest association with Asian Champions Trophy is in line with the brand’s strategy and ongoing engagement with sporting events to enhance brand visibility.

  • Reliance Jio, Times Internet throw their hats into the IPL telecast rights ring

    Reliance Jio, Times Internet throw their hats into the IPL telecast rights ring

    MUMBAI: The names are spilling out about those who could be taking a stab at acquiring the broadcast television and digital streaming rights to the richest cricket league in the world – the Indian Premier League (IPL). Star India, Sony Pictures Network India (without prejudice), Amazon India, are amongst the names known to have coughed up $10,000 to pick up a copy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tender document for the IPL.

    Apparently the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio has also called for the tender, according to news reports in The Times of India and The Mint. Other companies which the media says have reportedly evinced interest include: Times Internet, Super Sport (a South African network), Econet, OSN (Dubai), BT, Sky Sports (both from the UK), ESPN and Followon (US). Sources reveal that sports OTT platform VEQTA has also bought a tender. Though a report has stated that Zee TV is also in the running, it is not clear how it will do so as sources say the tender document strictly forbids any one involved in litigation with the BCCI from participating in the bidding.

    The BCCI threw open the bids to potential bidders on 19 September with the last date for purchasing the document being slotted as 18 October and last date of submission being 25 October.

    The current bidding round will give the winner the television rights for 10 years, while the digital rights are being offered for five years.

  • Reliance Jio, Times Internet throw their hats into the IPL telecast rights ring

    Reliance Jio, Times Internet throw their hats into the IPL telecast rights ring

    MUMBAI: The names are spilling out about those who could be taking a stab at acquiring the broadcast television and digital streaming rights to the richest cricket league in the world – the Indian Premier League (IPL). Star India, Sony Pictures Network India (without prejudice), Amazon India, are amongst the names known to have coughed up $10,000 to pick up a copy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tender document for the IPL.

    Apparently the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Jio has also called for the tender, according to news reports in The Times of India and The Mint. Other companies which the media says have reportedly evinced interest include: Times Internet, Super Sport (a South African network), Econet, OSN (Dubai), BT, Sky Sports (both from the UK), ESPN and Followon (US). Sources reveal that sports OTT platform VEQTA has also bought a tender. Though a report has stated that Zee TV is also in the running, it is not clear how it will do so as sources say the tender document strictly forbids any one involved in litigation with the BCCI from participating in the bidding.

    The BCCI threw open the bids to potential bidders on 19 September with the last date for purchasing the document being slotted as 18 October and last date of submission being 25 October.

    The current bidding round will give the winner the television rights for 10 years, while the digital rights are being offered for five years.

  • 82% Indians say IPL not a drag: Ipsos Survey

    82% Indians say IPL not a drag: Ipsos Survey

    MUMBAI: —Ipsos IPL survey shows that 82% Indians polled view the IPL as an extravaganza for cricket buffs and are fine with the tournament stretching to 7 weeks, given our high interest in the game; 12% respondents however find the duration of the tournament too long leaving little time for other things; though 7% respondents desisted from voicing their opinion.

    “Weariness from watching too much IPL is unthinkable for a cricket crazy nation like ours. IPL does hijack complete attention of cricket enthusiasts,” said Amit Adarkar, Managing Director – India, Ipsos.

    Given the popularity of the IPL, we’d asked respondents to name star batsman of the IPL who would notch up the highest runs. 46% named Virat Kohli and other batsmen chosen were: MS Dhoni (21%); Chris Gayle (9%); Rohit Sharma (7%); AB De Villiers (6%); Suresh Raina (5%); Brendon McCullum (2%); David Miller (2%); Steven Smith (1%) and Glen Maxwell (1%).

    Interestingly, the Orange Cap Holders, batsmen with highest run tally in pecking order so far are: Virat Kohli (RCB), DA Warner (SH), AB de Villiers (RCB), RG Sharma (MI), AM Rahane (RPS), G Gambhir (KKR), S Dhawan (SH), M Vijay (KXIP), Q de Kock (DD) and SK Raina (GL).

    We’d also asked respondents to name bowlers who would take most wickets. Star bowlers chosen were: Ravichandran Ashvin (21%), Sunil Narine (19%), Zaheer Khan (14%), Umesh Yadav (12%), Mitchell Johnson (9%), Lasith Malinga (8%), Dale Steyn (6%), Jasprit Burmah (5%); Mitchell Star (4%) and Tim Southee (3%) .

    In IPL 9, Purple Cap Holders (bowlers bagging maximum wickets) are: YS Chahal (RCB), B Kumar (SH), MJ McClenaghan (MI), Mustafizur Rahman (SH), SR Watson (RCB), AD Russel (KKR), Sandeep Sharma (KXIP), JJ Burmah (MI), DJ Bravo (GL) and DS Kulkarni (GL).

    “A lot of dark horses have created new benchmarks in their career in this season of the IPL,” said Adarkar.

    Virat Kohli, skipper Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has kept the momentum going and has notched up the highest run tally in the IPL Season 9 and had recently displayed a scintillating performance at the ICC T20 World Cup as well. Comparing Kohli with Tendulkar has been rife for some time; we asked respondents if Virat Kohli was a legend in making a la Sachin Tendulkar? 51% respondents agreed that Kohli is a legend in making and inching towards being next Tendulkar; 28% however felt that Kohli was a legend in making but far from being the next Tendulkar; 11% felt that Kohli still has to play some more good cricket to either be a legend league or be the next Tendulkar. 10% had no views.

    With all the hoopla around the IPL, our survey asked which team would lift the trophy. Overall we got, divided views: 26% voted for Mumbai Indian (MI); 23% for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR); 20% chose the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB); 14% voted for the Delhi DareDevils (DD); 6% for Sunrisers Hyderabad; (SH) 4% for Kings Eleven Punjab (KXIP); 4% for Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) and 3% for Gujarat Lions (GL).

    Adarkar is all praise for Gujarat Lions: “Debutants have notched up highest points when we look at the matches-won-tally (this is likely to change as more matches are played). Underdogs have zipped past the rest.”

    Point wise pecking order, till now was: Gujarat Lions is leading and at the top, followed by RCB, SH, KKR, MI, DD, RPS and KXIP.

    Interestingly, our survey shows allegiance by most cities for their state team, barring a few exceptions: Delhiites feel DD will bag the coveted IPL Trophy (56%); Mumbaikars say MI (75%); Chennai chooses MI (44%) and DD (21%); Kolkata sure about KKR (80%); Ahmedabad torn between KKR (48%) and RCB (38%); Bangalore for RCB (58%); Hyderabad for SH (40%) and RCB (26%); Lucknow fan following is split between RCB (30%), KKR (29%) and MI (21%).

    “This season we have seen the two debutante teams of Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants. It will be interesting to see whether defending champions Mumbai Indians lift the trophy or will it be the Gujarat Lions, Delhi Devils or Kolkata Knight Riders. Still a lot more action on the anvil; and frenzy among fans will only increase as the final matches draw close,” adds Adarkar