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Tag: Knight Riders Sports

  • Mayank Dayal switches gears, takes the wheel at LA Knight Riders

    Mayank Dayal switches gears, takes the wheel at LA Knight Riders

    MUMBAI: Mayank Dayal, a seasoned sports marketing whiz, has made a cracking move, transitioning from the dusty pitches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the sun-kissed shores of Los Angeles. He’s stepped into the role of business head – Los Angeles Knight Riders, a full-time gig with Knight Riders Sports, effective June 2025. This chap knows his onions when it comes to brand building and fan frenzy, having honed his skills across two decades in global sports, media, and entertainment.

    Just five months ago, Dayal was the head of marketing for Gujarat Titans, where he was instrumental in driving brand growth and whipping up fan engagement for the IPL franchise. Before his stint with the Titans, he was a key player at Sony Sports for nearly three years, leading award-winning campaigns for behemoths like the Fifa World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Olympics, and even the WWE. Talk about a versatile player!

    His career journey reads like a thrilling sports documentary. Dayal spent over six years at Sony Pictures Networks India, climbing the ranks to head – marketing, sports, after a four-year stint as associate vice president. Prior to that, he spent a considerable nine years and one month at Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, where he held various marketing leadership roles, including senior manager – marketing and director, marketing for channels like Comedy Central and Vh1.

    Dayal’s early innings saw him at Star India Pvt Ltd for nearly three years, where he served as an assistant manager and assistant manager – brand solutions, crafting innovative brand integrations. He also had a four-year, five-month spell as a manager – major accounts at Star News, where he was even awarded “The Best Sales Performer.” His foundational experience includes a brief stint as a trainee – marketing at Bharat Petroleum Co. Ltd and an executive trainee at Linterland – Rural.

    With a deep understanding of audience insights and digital media fandom, Dayal is all set to knock it out of the park for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. It seems his career is always playing on the front foot, driving brand, fan, and revenue growth in the global sports arena.

  • KKR serves up Knight Bite a tasty blend of cricket, fun and food

    KKR serves up Knight Bite a tasty blend of cricket, fun and food

    MUMBAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are adding a dash of flavour to fan engagement with Knight Bite, a unique digital series that blends cricket, camaraderie, and cooking.

    Partnering with TTK Prestige, KKR has kicked off Let’sgetcooking with Knight Bite a five-episode series that takes fans beyond the pitch and into the kitchen. Hosted by celebrity chef Kunal Kapur, the show features KKR players cooking, chatting, and competing in fun kitchen challenges, offering an exclusive glimpse into their personalities beyond cricket.

    Knight Riders Sports group chief marketing officer Binda Dey shared the inspiration behind the initiative, “Our partnership with TTK Prestige is more than just a collaboration it’s a celebration of Indian culture and the shared passions that unite our fans beyond cricket. Through our research, we found that beyond their love for the game and KKR, our fans are deeply passionate about food and fitness. This insight led us to introduce two new IPs that offer fresh, meaningful ways to connect with them. Knight Bite is the first of these initiatives, and we are thrilled to bring it to life with TTK Prestige. It’s more than just a series it’s a way to showcase our players’ personalities beyond the field while celebrating something that brings us all together: the love of food.”

    TTK Prestige MD & CEO Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan said, “Cricket and food have a way of bringing people together, and Knight Bite is a perfect fusion of both. At TTK Prestige, we’ve been a part of Indian kitchens for decades, making cooking effortless and enjoyable for generations. This collaboration with KKR allows us to reimagine the kitchen as a space of fun, energy, and shared experiences just like the game itself. Watching players step off the field and into the kitchen, taking on challenges with camaraderie and humour, makes this series truly special, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

    With Knight Bite, KKR isn’t just serving up a digital series they’re building an immersive fan experience. Over the next year, the initiative will expand into special events, interactive workshops, and exclusive merchandise, making it a year-long celebration of cricket and cuisine.