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Tag: Jay Shah

  • ICC teams up with Google to turbocharge women’s cricket

    ICC teams up with Google to turbocharge women’s cricket

    LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has inked a landmark global partnership with Google to accelerate the growth of women’s cricket, betting that technology can turbocharge fan engagement at a moment when the sport is reaching critical mass.

    The tie-up, unveiled on Friday, comes just as the women’s game prepares for its two biggest stages: the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, to be split between India and Sri Lanka, and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales.

    For the ICC, the partnership signals a decisive push to make women’s cricket more visible, accessible and lucrative. Earlier this year, Unilever became the ICC’s first global partner for the women’s game. Now, Google’s entry adds the sheen of Silicon Valley to cricket’s most ambitious attempt yet at elevating women’s sport to parity with the men’s version.

    ICC chairman Jay Shah called the deal “a landmark moment” that would help take women’s cricket “to even greater heights” by inspiring new generations and strengthening the sport’s global reach. “Together with Google, we aim to make women’s cricket a truly global force, resonating with fans in both established and emerging markets,” he said.

    Google’s arsenal of consumer products—Android, Google Pay, Gemini AI, and Pixel smartphones—will form the backbone of this strategy. The idea is to create an integrated ecosystem that enhances every stage of the fan journey: discovering match schedules, watching highlights, engaging with players’ stories, making seamless payments for tickets or merchandise, and celebrating wins online.

    “This alliance is not just about a single tournament; it’s about building deeper engagement,” said Google India vice-president of marketing Shekar Khosla. “We want to make the sport more accessible and enable fans to feel a stronger connection with what they care about.”

    The ICC hopes this “always-on” digital presence will not only expand the fan base but also attract new advertisers eager to reach younger, more digital-native audiences.

    Women’s cricket has been growing rapidly, buoyed by marquee tournaments like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, the Big Bash in Australia, and increasing broadcast commitments. Audience numbers are rising, sponsorship is flowing in, and players such as Smriti Mandhana, Alyssa Healy, and Nat Sciver-Brunt are becoming household names.

    But the economics still lag far behind the men’s game. Rights packages, sponsorship valuations and player salaries remain a fraction of men’s cricket. By hitching the sport to Google’s technology stack, the ICC is signalling it wants to fast-track the commercialisation curve, making women’s cricket a product that broadcasters, advertisers and fans cannot ignore.

    The deal also reflects the growing entanglement of global tech platforms with sport. From Amazon streaming tennis to Apple bankrolling Major League Soccer, Silicon Valley is embedding itself in the sporting ecosystem. For Google, cricket is a natural fit: it is India’s most-followed sport and one of the most powerful cultural exports across the commonwealth. By associating with women’s cricket, Google also gets to position itself as a champion of inclusion and representation—values that resonate with global consumers.

    For the ICC, this is as much about geopolitics as sport. The women’s World Cup in 2025 will be staged in India and Sri Lanka, markets where Google dominates digital infrastructure but where competition from local players like Paytm, PhonePe and Jio is fierce. Embedding its brand through cricket is a way to reinforce dominance at a cultural level.

    For women’s cricket, the timing could not be better. With two World Cups in less than a year, unprecedented visibility is guaranteed. The challenge will be to convert eyeballs into habit, passion into loyalty, and novelty into permanence.

    Cricket’s men’s World Cups have long been billion-dollar properties. The women’s version has so far lived in their shadow, but that is changing. The 2022 Women’s World Cup drew record viewership globally, and the inaugural WPL auction stunned observers with player valuations that rivalled established men’s leagues. The ICC now wants to seize this momentum and institutionalise women’s cricket as a commercially viable product on its own terms.

    The Google alliance, then, is more than a sponsorship. It is an attempt to rewire how women’s cricket is consumed, blending sport with technology to create experiences that transcend stadiums and television screens. If successful, it could turn the women’s game into a global sporting phenomenon, not just a promising sideshow.

    If it fails, critics will dismiss it as another flashy announcement without structural change. But for now, women’s cricket has the wind at its back, the ICC has its boldest partner yet, and Google has found a new pitch to play on.

  • ICC Champions Trophy 2025 smashes viewership records in India

    ICC Champions Trophy 2025 smashes viewership records in India

    MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has knocked previous cricket viewership records for six, becoming the most-watched multi-nation cricket tournament ever in India, the ICC declared in a press release issued on 21 March. The eight-team competition outpaced the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 by a whopping 23 per cent in TV ratings.

    Indians devoured an eye-watering 250 billion minutes of cricket action across platforms during the tournament, with 137 billion minutes consumed on Star Sports and another 110 billion minutes on JioHotstar.

    The India-New Zealand final played in Dubai on 9 March drew an extraordinary peak concurrency of 122 million live viewers on television and 61 million on JioHotstar—the highest digital viewership ever recorded for cricket. The match became the second-highest rated ODI in TV history outside of World Cup matches, with 230 million viewers tuning in and 53 billion minutes of watch-time across all platforms.

    “The Champions Trophy made an amazing return after eight years and the viewership numbers from India have been overwhelming,” said an over-the-moon ICC chairman Jay Shah. “The incredible figures highlight the mass appeal that cricket has in India and how taking ICC events to audiences in different languages can significantly boost fan engagement.”

    The group stage encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan—cricket’s equivalent of a bare-knuckle brawl—became one of the most-watched ODI matches in Indian history. The match clocked over 26 billion minutes of watch-time on linear TV, besting the countries’ 2023 World Cup clash by 10.8 per cent.

    The Dubai contest on 23 February, which saw India maintain their hex over Pakistan in ICC tournaments thanks to Virat Kohli’s heroics, was watched by a staggering 206 million people on linear TV.

    Jio Star  chief executive for sports Sanjog Gupta couldn’t resist a bit of corporate chest-thumping: “This accomplishment is a result of the combined strength of the widest, most deeply penetrated multi-platform destination for sports, the fan-focussed story-telling approach of the JioStar ‘mega-casts’ and our superior technological capabilities.”

    The extraordinary viewership was bolstered by rights holders JioStar’s comprehensive coverage strategy. Matches were broadcast in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada on Star Sports and Sports 18 channels.

    On digital platforms, the tournament was streamed across a record 16 feeds, including nine languages—English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada—plus four multi-cam feeds, an Indian Sign Language feed and the Max View feed on JioHotstar.

    India’s unbeaten run to the trophy certainly didn’t hurt viewing figures, with fans glued to screens throughout the tournament. The marketing campaign, targeting “differentiated audience segments with distinct persuasions across devices,” appears to have hit the sweet spot of the bat.

    For advertisers who paid top rupee for spots during the tournament, the unprecedented viewership must feel like money well spent. For Indian cricket fans, it was simply another opportunity to indulge their national obsession—albeit in greater numbers than ever before.

  • Jejurikar of M&M is CEO of the year at glittering Forbes India Leadership Awards 2025

    Jejurikar of M&M is CEO of the year at glittering Forbes India Leadership Awards 2025

    MUMBAI: The Forbes India Leadership Awards 2025 culminated in a grand ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, where the country’s top leaders were honoured for their innovative and transformative leadership and contributions to their industries and the nation. 

    The first awards of the evening celebrated breakthrough innovations and stellar achievements: 

    * Emerging Innovator Award: BugWorks Research, with Dr Anand Anandkumar, Dr V Balasubramanium and Dr Santanu Datta remarking, “Innovation isn’t just discovery; it’s impact.” 

    *  Outstanding Startup Award: BrowserStack. Recipients Ritesh Arora and Nakul Aggarwal noted, “We power half the world’s airlines, banks, and tech firms.” 

    * Icons of Excellence: Ajay Singh of SpiceJet and Katrina Kaif of Kay Beauty were honoured, with Singh saying, “We started SpiceJet against all odds,” and Kaif emphasising, “If you enter business, you must have something unique to say.” 

    Fireside Chat – Katrina Kaif on Business and Branding: Katrina Kaif, in conversation with Naini Thaker of Forbes India, talked about her journey from Bollywood to the boardroom, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and self-expression in branding.  

    Business & Economy Panel: This segment featured robust discussions on the economic outlook and key business strategies: 
    * Leaders like KVS Manian, Rajesh Jejurikar, and Madan Sabnavis explored topics ranging from global trade challenges to growth projections and the role of MSMEs in job creation. 
    *  A standout quote from Rajesh Jejurikar: “The world needs India more than India needs the world.” 
    Final Set of Awards and Closing Highlights: The ceremony recognised outstanding leaders: 
    *  Icons of Excellence: Jay Shah, Chairman of ICC; Shyam Srinivasan, Veteran Banker; and Mohit Joshi of Tech Mahindra were honoured. 
    *  Promising Startup: Presented to Minimalist, received by Rahul Yadav and Mohit Yadav. 
    * Regional Goliath: Presented to MTR Foods, received by Sunay Bhasin and Sanjay Sharma. 
    * Grassroots Philanthropists: Rizwan Koita and Rekha Koita of Koita Foundation. 
    *  Climate Warrior: Presented to Indra Water, received by Amrit Om Nayak and Krunal Patel. 
    * Turnaround Star: Presented to Indian Hotels Co Ltd (IHCL), received by Puneet Chhatwal. 
    * Next-Gen Entrepreneur: Varun Jaipuria of Varun Beverages. 
    * Institution Builder: Ashish Dhawan of Central Square Foundation and Ashoka University. 
    * Entrepreneur of the Year: Supam Maheshwari of FirstCry. 
    * CEO of the Year: Rajesh Jejurikar of Mahindra & Mahindra. 

    “These are tricky times, when great leaders and transformational leadership are needed more than ever. These are people who seize the day. Today, we have a hall full of people who seize the day, and we are here to raise a toast to them,” said Suveen Sinha, Editor, Forbes India. 

    The event concluded with a grand finale that included a celebratory toast and a group photo of all the winners, embodying the spirit of collaborative success and leadership. 

    Special thanks were extended to partners Federal Bank, KIA, Indiqube, Rajasthan Tourism, and Reliance Industries for their support in making the event a success. 

  • Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    MUMBAI: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary Jay Shah began his tenure as chair of the International Cricket Conference on 1 December.  

    Said Shah in a press release issued by ICC: “I am honoured to be starting in the role of ICC chair and want to thank the ICC directors and member boards for their support and trust in me to undertake this important role.

    “This is an exciting time for the sport as we build up to the LA28 Olympic Games and strive to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before. We also stand at a critical juncture in terms of the coexistence of multiple formats and accelerating the growth of the women’s game. There is huge potential for the game of cricket globally, with so much opportunity to engage with existing and new fans, while ensuring the best resources and platforms for our cricketers around the world.

    “I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period. I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the member countries to sustainably expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”

    Shah like the cricketers – who his organization governs – who  notch up records match after match has  got quite a few records under his hat himself.

    One of the youngest members of the Gujarat Cricket Association. The youngest ever honorary secretary of the BCCI. ). And  in August 2024  the 36 year old Jay Shah added  another feather to his hat: the youngest ever chairperson of the International Cricket Conference.  Shah was unanimously elected as the ICC chair – as he was the sole nominee –  succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who was in the role from November 2020. 

    Shah has built his reputation as a great administrator. While at the BCCI, he helped take Indian cricket to newer heights with key accomplishments such as record-breaking IPL media rights deal, creation of the Women’s Premier League, creation of new state-of-the-art centre of excellence, test cricket incentive scheme and more. He has also played important roles in world cricket as the president of the Asian Cricket Council and as chair of the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee.

     

    Picture: ICC website

  • Mahindra I-Rock’s ‘Dirty 30’ sells Rs 30 tickets to mark its 30th edition

    Mahindra I-Rock’s ‘Dirty 30’ sells Rs 30 tickets to mark its 30th edition

    Mumbai: Since its inception, Mahindra Independence Rock has embraced an unapologetic spirit. Iron Maiden’s lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson once said, “Kids get bored easily. They have got to get out and get their hands dirty: make things, dismantle things, fix things.” In its 30th edition, the festival, titled ‘Dirty 30,’ will take place on 16 and 17 November 2024, continuing its tradition of embodying the rock genre’s anti-establishment ethos. To celebrate the milestone, Mahindra I-Rock offered ₹30 limited edition tickets, which sold out in 90 minutes after being announced via an Instagram post, without aggressive marketing.

    The Bayview Lawns in Mazagon will host the 30th edition, following last year’s performances, including a surprise act by Parikrama featuring Farhad Wadia. This year’s edition promises a diverse lineup of genres and languages. ‘Dirty 30’ will maintain its theme throughout the festival, while continuing to represent the spirit of a legacy that challenged India’s music norms. The event will feature guitar riffs, pounding drums, and frontmen delivering powerful performances.

    In 1971, a distinct music scene began to take root in Mumbai, then called Bombay. The Simla Beat Contest in Matunga served as the precursor to Independence Rock, marking a shift in the country’s musical landscape. Farhad Wadia, the driving force behind I-Rock, started the movement after being banned from performing at St. Xavier’s College. The first edition took place during India’s Independence Day celebrations, laying the foundation for a rock revolution in India.

    Independence Rock has shaped India’s festival scene, becoming a key event for rock and metal fans. The festival has featured artists like AR Rahman, Indus Creed, and Hanumankind of T.ill Apes, many of whom went on to achieve global success.

    In 2001, despite heavy rain, Farhad Wadia found the festival venue filled with eager attendees, reinforcing the resilience of rock music. Although the festival paused in 2013, it returned with new energy a decade later, partnering with Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd and Insider.in. Each year, the festival has aimed to surpass previous experiences, cementing its place as India’s oldest and most prominent rock event.

    Independence Rock founder Farhad Wadia said, “My love affair with rock music began long back, and I-Rock became a channel to express that love and reverence for the genre. It has been a fulfilling journey to see an act of rebellion culminate into 30 editions of a universal, raw, and intimate sonic odyssey that has grown into a big platform, accommodating artists across the nation. We have levelled up and brought some interesting acts on board for the 30th edition, setting a new benchmark for experiential concerts. These thirty years have been nothing short of arduous efforts, sweat, and most importantly, love. To sum it up, I would like to quote a lyric from a Black Sabbath song, which goes, ‘Love is life and hating is living death.’ ”

    Wadia, along with Mahindra and Hyperlink Solutions, has laboured to take fans’ experience up another notch. Through the evolutionary years of rock in the world and India, it has always been reinvented, as the genre itself stands for challenging the conventional.

    Mahindra Group VP of cultural outreach Jay Shah said, “Mahindra Group has always strived to push the cultural envelope in the country and initiate an important dialogue around arts and culture. By joining forces with Farhad and Hyperlink Brand Solutions, we are instilling life again in a genre that has caused transformation across the globe, and Mahindra Group is more than happy to associate with the 30th edition milestone of I-Rock, working as a catalyst for reshaping the sonic experiences of Indians and scaling the volume of the festival as we enter a new decade of India’s loudest rock event.”

    Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd founder VG Jairam said, “Hyperlink Solutions’ vision lies in promulgating any medium that transforms the storytelling experience for its audience. All these years, since the inception of the festival, Farhad Wadia and I-Rock have contributed to creating a cultural wave that revolutionised rock in the country. It is a great pleasure to further promote the indigenous talent at Independence Rock that goes on to pave the way for others on the global stage. With this 30th Edition, Farhad and Hyperlink Solutions are all set to create a transcendental musical experience for the audience and a rite of passage for the performers and audience alike.”

    As the festival begins, attendees will experience powerful riffs that resonate with the crowd of rockers and metalheads. There will be pyrotechnics, and artists will engage directly with the audience. The blend of cultures and genres will take the crowd from Mazagon to the streets of New Orleans and the reggae rhythms of Jamaica.

    Ranging from raw rock to neo-soul, the music and food will connect the audience for an evening of timeless beats. I-Rock’s 30th edition marks its shift from a niche event to a nationally recognized rock festival, drawing multiple generations to celebrate the genre. Tickets are available on Insider.in.

  • RCB announces flagship sports conference in partnership with leaders in Sport

    RCB announces flagship sports conference in partnership with leaders in Sport

    Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with its innovation arm—RCB Innovation Lab, has partnered with Leaders in Sport, the premier global sports events and media organisation, to bring the first-ever Leaders Meet to India, scheduled in Bengaluru on 29 and 30 November.

    RCB Innovation Lab is a groundbreaking intersection between sports and business, that aims to generate insights, ideas, methodologies, and products in order to shape the future of sports. Leaders Meet: India aligns seamlessly with RCB Innovation Lab’s mission to further grow sports ecosystem.

    The first-of-its-kind summit is set to host a stellar line-up of global sporting leaders who will collectively delve into the convergence of sports, business, technology, and social impact. They will address critical themes and share insights on multi-faceted topics that are not only shaping the sports industry but are also poised to drive the expansion of India’s future sports market.

    The event will mark a historic occasion and witness insightful discussions in the presence of prominent figures from the sports world such as BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah, Will Brass (chief commercial officer of the English Premier League), Ellie Norman (chief communications officer of Manchester United), and Charlotte Burr (director of strategy, corporate development & digital, FIFA). Notably, the summit will also feature the Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, Brendon McCullum (former New Zealand skipper and current head coach of England’s Test team), and Olympic Gold Medal winner and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, Italian International Football icon & World Cup winner 2006 Alessandro Del Piero, G20 Sherpa – India & Ex – CEO of Niti Aayog, Government of India Amitabh Kant among many other notable dignitaries.

    Commenting on RCB Innovation Lab bringing leaders meet to India for the first time, Royal Challengers Bangalore vice president & head Rajesh V Menon said, “Growth requires a catalyst; we want to create the perfect conditions for sport and business to thrive – sowing seeds of change through new connections, relationships, opportunities, ideas, and perspectives. We want to make it happen faster by creating optimal conditions – bringing together the very best in the sports industry, both on and off the field. We want to accelerate the process by connecting members of the business & sporting community to the best conversations, the best connections, the best insights, the best solutions, and the best opportunities. I am confident that this confluence of industry stalwarts will help bring out valuable insights and build & engage stakeholders contributing to India in the journey of creating more participants in sports than just spectators”.”

    Leaders in Sport has been in existence for 15 years and has served as a catalyst for bringing together the most prominent figures and groundbreaking ideas in the world of sports. With past editions hosted in key cities like New York, Abu Dhabi, London, Los Angeles, Beijing, and Shanghai, Leaders in Sport has been instrumental in facilitating dialogues and propelling the sports industry towards progress. It continues to lead the way in providing the latest sports business intelligence and delivering exclusive perspectives from global industry leaders at the forefront.

    Sport managing director and leader Laura McQueen said “We stand on the verge of an exciting new chapter in the world of sports. Leaders Meet is not just an event; it’s a convergence of some of the world’s most influential leaders and a platform to usher in a new era for the sports industry in India and Southeast Asia. At the summit, we will witness catalytic discussions, innovative ideas, and a global perspective on how to shape the future of sports.

    We are thrilled to partner with RCB to host this event in India for the first time, and it serves as a testament to our shared vision of unlocking India’s potential as a thriving hub for sports and all verticals in sports, related to business, technology, and social impact. The summit promises to bridge the gap between opportunity and execution, propelling India to the forefront of the global sports landscape.”

    Leaders Meet: India will also see the participation of distinguished government administrators including Amitabh Kant, who served as the G20 Sherpa and previously held the role of CEO at Niti Aayog, and R Vineel Krishna, an IAS officer and Special Secretary to Odisha CM & Secretary of Sports and Youth Services in the Odisha Government. These esteemed individuals will engage in discussions and brainstorming sessions covering innovations in sports technology, business, performance, and social impact during the two-day conference.

    Below is the detailed list of speakers with their theme of the talk:

    1.   Jay Shah: Honorary secretary, BCCI; president, ACC; Chair F&CA Committee, ICC

    Topic: How the BCCI built the IPL, launched the WPL and what it tells us about the future of cricket and the trajectory of Indian sport

    2.   Amitabh Kant: G20 Sherpa – India & ex-CEO of Niti Aayog, Government of India

    Topic: The Indian growth story, the socio-economic opportunities, and the role for sport

    3.   Alessandro Del Piero: Italian International Football icon & World Cup winner 2006

    Excerpts of one of the most picture-perfect careers, multiple series A league titles, World Cup winner, champions league winner. Reflections of an iconic career and the current changing landscape of football and with emerging markets what is the future trend of football, will Europe still be the premier club football destination in the near future.

    4.   Dr. R. Vineel Krishna, IAS: Special Secretary to Odisha CM & Secretary – Sports and Youth Services, Odisha Government
    Topic: How states can drive sports promotion and development – the Odisha model and the future of public-private partnerships

    5.   Brendon McCullum: Head Coach, England Test Cricket Team
    Topic: Leading transformative change in team environments – what’s gone into Bazball?

    6.   Neeraj Chopra: Indian Olympic Gold Medallist and World Champion – Javelin
    Topic: The journey, reflections and path ahead to create more world champions in India.

    7.   Abhinav Bindra: Indian Olympic Gold Medallist and 5-time Olympian, Shooting
    Topic: The future of the Olympic movement and Olympism in India

    8.   Pullela Gopichand: All England Badminton Champion and iconic badminton coach
    Topic: From also-rans to Champions – reflections on the growth of India as a badminton powerhouse.

    9.   Charlotte Burr: Director of Strategy, Corporate Development & Digital, FIFA
    Topic: The importance of India to football and the importance of football to India

    10.   Will Brass: Chief Commercial Officer, Premier League
    Topic: An insider’s account of the business affairs of the #1 football league in the world and its plans in a high-growth market like India.

    11.   Ellie Norman: Chief Marketing Officer, Manchester United
    Topic: Managing a global fan base and an iconic brand through the ups and downs of sport through strategic marketing, partnerships, content and fan engagement

    12.   Scott Munn: Chief Football Officer, Tottenham Hotspur
    Topic: How to harness and internationalise the power of a legacy fan base in the Indian subcontinent.

    13.   Mohammad Bobat: Director of Cricket Operations, RCB. Ex-Performance Director: England Men’s Cricket team.
    Topic: Managing high-performance environments and translating potential to winning performances in a team filled with star players.

    14.   Harsh Jain: Co-Founder and CEO, Dream Sports
    Topic: Helming the largest fantasy sports platform in the world and reflections on engaging 200m+ users.

    15.   Nic Coward: World Renowned Sports Advisor and Ex-Gen. Secretary of the Premier League, Ex-CEO of FA, Ex-Consultant FIFA
    Topic: From market entry to consolidation – how foreign brands and investors can look at opportunities in the Indian sports market

    16.   Max Hamilton: Global Commercial Director, European Tour, Golf. 
    Topic: The journey of building and curating a premium brand identity for a sport and its properties.

    17.   Rufus Hack: CEO, Hawk-Eye Innovations
    Topic: How technology builds trust in sports adjudication

    18.   Shikha Tandon: Former Indian Olympic Swimmer and chief partnerships officer, Svexa
    Topic: How human performance intelligence, physiology, health data science, tech & molecular profiling translate into practical peak sports performance.

    19.   Gareth Balch: Co-Founder and CEO, Two Circles
    Topic: Trajectories and trends in the global sports rights market – from acquisition to measurement

    20.   Anil Jayaraj: CEO, Viacom 18 Sports. 
    Topic: Delivering one of the largest sports leagues in the world from rights acquisition planning to advertising to operational execution to broadcast/innovations.

    21.   Abhijit Bhattacharya: Founder, Brahmaputra Volleyball League, former captain of the Indian volleyball team
    Topic: Learnings from building a community sports league

    22.   Nitish Chiniwar: Founder and CEO, Bridges of Sports Foundation
    Topic: Making the community a stakeholder in the sporting journeys of athletes

    23.   Rohini Mukherjee, Head – Global Partnerships & Strategy, Naandi Foundation
    Topic: Empowering India’s adolescent girls through sport – The Toofan Games.

  • Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles joins Mahindra I-Rock 2023 as official ride partner

    Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles joins Mahindra I-Rock 2023 as official ride partner

    Mumbai: Last year’s historic return after a nine-year hiatus set the stage for a legendary rock comeback. India’s oldest, largest and loudest rock festival, Independence Rock, was reborn as Mahindra Independence Rock (I-Rock) in 2022 and is now once again making its way to the city in November. This year too, Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns will witness a thunderous reunion of headbanging and moshing rock scenesters in a loud celebration of the genre on the 4 and 5 November, 2023.

    Overlooking the breathtaking Arabian Sea, the Mahindra I-Rock stage is all set to transform into a kaleidoscope of rock subgenres coming together for two days of rock shindig. This year, the festival is transcending geographical boundaries by stretching its soundscape across the length and breadth of the country. From the north and the northeast to the west and the south, as well as crossing borders to Nepal, Mahindra I-Rock seeks to bring and unite diverse sounds of rock to its iconic stage.

    This will see the festival become a confluence of genres and languages and a collision of energies – from pummeling death metal and old-school thrash influences, genre-bending fusion of rock and reggae and authentic 80s style glam metal to the nuanced blend of Indian classical and folk sounds of the mridangam and flute with guitar riffs and pulsating drums – Mahindra I-Rock will dig deeper into Indian Rock music subcultures to underscore rock music’s spirit of diversity and inclusivity through its unique sonic landscape.

    Reflecting on 2022’s Journey

    In 2022, Farhad Wadia, Hyperlink Brand Solutions, and the Mahindra Group, along with Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles as the Riding partner got together to reignite the rock movement by reviving the festival and creating an ecosystem of rockers all over India. The 2022 edition of Mahindra I-Rock saw 7000 rock-and-rollers flock to the venue, proving that the country’s rock spirit was intact through the years and reinstating the festival as the largest and most iconic rock festival in India. Pure energy and raw emotions punctuated Mahindra I-Rock as the festival reclaimed its 28-year-old legacy as the bedrock of a thriving rock scene, with some of the most celebrated rock artists, such as Parikrama, Thaikkudam Bridge, Avial, Indus Creed and Pentagram taking to stage – a testament to the enduring love for this iconic festival.

    Continuing the Legacy – Mahindra I-Rock 2023

    Coming from this legacy, Mahindra I-Rock, in its 29th edition, will continue to live upto it’s reputation as a national phenomenon by amplifying its reach and pushing the Indian rock community to take the genre to the next level. Moreover, by providing fans across the country a never-seen-before experience of the highest standard, the festival seeks to become a rock destination in this part of the world.

    It will stay rooted in its three-decade-old tradition and nurture the growth of new and aspiring artists in the genre with “Tomorrow’s Headliners,” and provide them an opportunity to perform on the biggest rock stage, aka the Mahindra I-Rock stage.

    Independence Rock founder Farhad Wadia said, “Since the 80s, the festival has provided a platform to launch careers of several huge names in the rock fraternity, and it has sparked an everlasting spirit among rockers across India. This stage is where it all began! Mahindra I-Rock is not just a festival; it has become a meaningful movement. And movements never die – they are recorded in history. They not only continue to inspire future generations but are also reborn over and over. Mahindra I-Rock is one such movement that I hope continues to inspire the new gen to express themselves uninhibitedly through rock and live on.”

    Mahindra Group vice president – cultural outreach Jay Shah said, “We look forward to beginning the Mahindra Season of Festivals 2023-24 with Mahindra Independence Rock. It has been a pleasure to be able to revive this iconic festival, and we were heartened by the love shown by Mumbai last year. The Indian rock scene is waiting to be tapped, and this festival aims to present India’s incredible talent while simultaneously nurturing an appreciation for this genre in our youth.”

    Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles CEO Ashish Singh Joshi was quoted as saying, “We’re thrilled to once again partner with Mahindra Independence Rock. Just as our motorcycles provide riders with the exhilarating experience of the open road, rock music evokes a sense of liberation and self-expression. What makes this association even sweeter is that this legendary music festival has had a resurgence story just like us at Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles. As enthusiasts of both rock and the open road, we can’t wait to be a part of this thunderous reunion of rock fans and Jawa Yezdi riders!”

    Hyperlink Brand Solutions founder VG Jairam mentioned, “Multidimensional storytelling, creating cultural movements and being the bridge between consumers and culture is at the core of Hyperlink. And we are expanding on this by once again partnering with Farhad Wadia and the Mahindra Group to bring back Mahindra I-Rock, which is not just a rock festival but a cultural lifestyle movement in itself. After a successful sold-out show last year, I am looking forward to the newest edition which promises to be grander in all aspects and give both artists and the attendees an experience, unlike any other editions of Mahindra I-Rock.”

    Mahindra I-Rock’s journey: From rebellion to revival.

    Mahindra Independence Rock’s origin story embodies the very ethos of rock music culture – democratisation, freedom of expression, equality, inclusivity, and challenging the status quo. Three decades ago, in 1986, Farhad Wadia and his band’s gig at St. Xavier’s intercollege fest Malhar was cancelled. The principal didn’t approve of their music. However, this did not deter Farhad, who, with other students and bands, organised what eventually became the first edition of I-Rock at Rang Bhavan. In the 80s and 90s, I-Rock was the rite of passage for countless Gen X rockers in the country, giving birth to a roaring Indian rock scene and growing from a rock fest to pioneering a cultural movement in the Indian indie and rock music scene up until the close of its legacy venue in 2013.

    Mahindra Independence Rock 2023 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of rock music, with a focus on diversity and new-age talent. The festival has consistently been a platform for rock enthusiasts to come together and revel in the magic of live music, and this year will be no exception.

    Mark your calendars for 4 and 5 November 2023, and join us at Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns for a weekend of rock music like no other. Registrations for the festival are open now  – log on to the website and Instagram for more updates on the lineup and early bird tickets!

  • IPL e-auction: Viacom18, Disney Star & Times Internet win media rights for 2023-27

    IPL e-auction: Viacom18, Disney Star & Times Internet win media rights for 2023-27

    Mumbai: The 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights auction has concluded. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sold the rights at a combined value of Rs 48,390 crore. Disney Star has won the TV broadcast rights, Viacom18 has laid claim to the digital rights, including exclusive and non-exclusive games, and Times Internet has won the bid for international media rights.

    “IPL is now the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value!” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday.

    “The BCCI will utilize the revenue generated from IPL to strengthen our domestic cricket structure starting from grassroots, to boost infrastructure and spruce up facilities across India & enrich the overall cricket-watching experience.”

    He further said, “Now, it’s time for our state associations, IPL franchises to work together with the IPL to enhance the fan experience and ensure that our biggest stakeholder – the cricket fan – is well looked after and enjoys high quality cricket in world-class facilities.”

    The bidding for Package C and Package D concluded on Tuesday. Viacom18 and Times Internet shared Package D that included international media rights. Viacom18 won the rights to Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom while Times Internet won the rights to the rest of the world that included the Middle East and Africa (MENA) & US. Package D was sold for Rs 1,058 crore for five years or Rs 2.58 crore per match for 410 matches.

    Package A for TV broadcast rights was won by Disney Star at the value of Rs 23,575 crore for five years or Rs 57.50 crore per match for 410 matches. Package B for digital broadcast rights for exclusive matches was sold to Viacom18 at Rs 20,500 crore for five years or Rs 50 crore per match for 410 matches. Viacom18 also won the bid for Package C that included non-exclusive digital matches at a value of Rs 3257.52 crore for five years or Rs 33.24 crore per match for 98 games.

    Sony Pictures Networks India MD and CEO NP Singh said, “I want to begin by congratulating and thanking BCCI for an extremely well-managed and transparent bidding process. Next, I want to congratulate the winners of the four IPL media rights packages. The IPL began with SPN and has since developed into one of the world’s most popular sporting leagues in its 15-year history. We’ve seen the league grow and would have liked to see it on the Sony Network again. In this regard, we made a reasonable bid, considering all the expected returns. We had to factor in the market’s anticipated expansion and potential economic and other concerns over the next five years. Fiscal prudence, in my opinion, is critical for strategic management.”

    The highly anticipated auction was first announced on 29 March by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The contenders for broadcast rights included Disney Star, Sony Pictures Networks India and Viacom18. The bidders for digital rights include Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Disney+ Hotstar and Reliance Jio. Mjunction conducted the auction.

    The IPL is the second most valuable sports property after the National Football League (NFL) in terms of broadcast price per match. The value of the media rights per match has reached almost Rs 114 crore leaving the Premier League behind which is valued at around Rs 81 crore per match. The action continues on Wednesday.

  • BCCI announces an increase in the monthly pensions of former cricketers and umpires

    BCCI announces an increase in the monthly pensions of former cricketers and umpires

    MUMBAI: At a time when the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) e-auction is making the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) richer by over Rs 46,000 crore, the board has announced a hike in monthly pensions of former cricketers (both men and women) and former umpires. More than 75 percent of the beneficiaries will get a 100 percent raise. People getting a pension of Rs 15,000 and Rs 22,500 a month will see that amount double. The highest bracket where the pension was Rs 50,000 will see a raise to Rs 70,000.

    BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said, “It is extremely important that the financial well-being of our former cricketers is taken care of. The players remain the lifeline and as a Board, it is our duty to be by their side once their playing days are over. The umpires have been unsung heroes and the BCCI truly values their contribution.”

    BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah, said: “The welfare of our cricketers be it former or present is a top priority, and increasing pension amounts is a step in that direction. The BCCI values the contribution the umpires have made over the years and this is one way to express our gratitude for their diligent services to Indian Cricket. A total of around 900 personnel will get the benefit of the scheme with more than 75 percent of the beneficiaries getting a 100 percent raise.”

    BCCI honorary treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said, “Whatever the BCCI is today, it is because of the contribution of its former cricketers and umpires. We are pleased to announce the increase in the monthly pensions which will be a gesture for the well-being of our former cricketers.”

     

  • BCCI extends deadline for purchasing IPL media rights ITT document

    BCCI extends deadline for purchasing IPL media rights ITT document

    Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended the date to purchase the ‘Invitation to Tender’ (ITT) for media rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023-2027. The tender documents are now available for purchase until 20 May.

    “Pursuant to requests from various interested parties, BCCI has now decided to further extend the date for purchasing the ITT documents,” said BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah.

    The governing council of the IPL had issued the ‘Invitation to Tender’ documents on 29 March that were available for purchase for a non-refundable ITT fee. Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid.

    BCCI is expected to rake in at least Rs 32,890 crore by selling the TV and digital media rights for the IPL for the 2023-2027 seasons. This is more than double the value at which the rights were sold to Star India five years ago i.e., Rs 16,347.5 crore for the combined TV plus digital media rights. Notably, this time, BCCI has not offered an option for a composite bid to acquire both the TV and digital media rights for the IPL. This means that the TV broadcast rights will be sold separately at a base price of Rs 18,130 crore for five years and the digital broadcast rights will be sold separately at a base price of Rs 12,210 crore for five years.

    As per media reports, Disney Star, Sony Pictures Networks India-Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Viacom18-Reliance Industries, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Dream11 and Times Internet have bought the ITT document.

    According to a report by Media Partners Asia, sports rights investment in India will grow at 10.1 per cent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) bolstered by demand for cricket properties, led by the IPL.