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Tag: Puma India

  • PUMA India signs Mohammed Shami for specialised pacer spikes

    PUMA India signs Mohammed Shami for specialised pacer spikes

    Mumbai: Sports brand PUMA has roped in Team India fast bowler Mohammed Shami as its Brand Ambassador. Shami joins PUMA’s illustrious roster, which consists of some of the greatest names from the world of sports, including batting icon Virat Kohli, champion sprinter Usain Bolt, football stars Neymar Jr and Sunil Chhetri, celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom, cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Harleen Deol, and para-shooter Avani Lekhara.

    Under this partnership, the Indian pacer will endorse PUMA’s footwear, apparel and accessories through multiple activities and campaigns throughout the year.

    Fast bowlers play a critical role in cricket. The long-distance sprint followed by leap, high-pressure landing and usage of back and shoulder to bowl, makes fast bowling intense. PUMA has created a new bowling spike with a mid-sole meant for runners, to support fast bowlers.

    “Bringing Mohammed Shami into the PUMA family reinforces our dedication to the sport of cricket. We are delighted to support and welcome Shami into the PUMA family which has been home to cricket icons Virat Kohli and Harmanpreet Kaur. Shami is an outstanding fast bowler with an impressive track record across cricketing formats. His relentless courage, unwavering spirit and the finesse he brings to the game perfectly resonates with our brand values. We strongly believe that Shami’s association with PUMA will not only inspire fans and athletes but also drive our commitment to further sports culture in the country,” commented PUMA India managing director Karthik Balagopalan.

    Commenting on the association with PUMA India, Mohammed Shami said, “Just as every fast bowler in the world, I love speed and when you talk about speed, nothing beats forever faster PUMA. While I strive for excellence on the cricket field, PUMA continues to create path-breaking products that aid athletes like me to be the fastest in their game. I am delighted to be part of the PUMA family and it’s an amazing feeling to join their star-studded roster.”

    Shami has been a key member of India’s pace bowling unit. He made his debut against the West Indies in 2013 at the Eden Gardens, picking up nine wickets in the match, the most by an Indian fast bowler on debut. The right-arm fast bowler has played 64 Tests and picked up 229 wickets at an average of 27.7.

    He bowled four maiden overs on his One Day International debut against Pakistan in January 2013. He has scalped 171 wickets in 94 matches.

    In 23 T20 matches, Shami picked up 24 wickets with 3 for 15 being his best figure. 

  • PUMA launches AI campaign with Virat Kohli

    PUMA launches AI campaign with Virat Kohli

    Mumbai: Sports brand PUMA India has launched a unique AI-led campaign called PUMA DIVE  this season. Virat Kohli, ace cricketer and PUMA ambassador, took to his social media today to announce the PUMA Dive campaign along with an image of him diving and asking fans to rate it.

    Virat’s fans in the past have often compared his iconic dives on pitch to PUMA’s leaping cat logo, creating content that has gone viral several times. This season, PUMA has taken the fans’ love for spotting the cat and created a platform to reward them for every image of a dive that they upload on X (formerly Twitter).

    Under the two-month-long campaign, participants will be invited to upload images of the best dives in everyday life – be it swimming, sky diving, artistes at concerts, to even self-participation at PUMA’s offline events at malls and stores this season with hashtag PUMADive. With #PUMADive, the brand promises that once you see the dive, you can’t unsee it!

    What makes PUMA DIVE unique is the integration of generative AI, which will assess the accuracy of each dive in relation to the PUMA’s iconic leaping cat logo, in under a minute. The closer a participant’s image of a dive matches the PUMA logo, the greater the reward they receive.

    Top entries in the season have the unique chance to play a real life cricket match against PUMA brand ambassador Virat Kohli or win his special boots. Every participant is guaranteed a reward.

    “Fans are the heart and soul of the sporting culture of our country. As a brand, PUMA wants to give these fans a fun way to engage to celebrate iconic moments. Our #PUMADive campaign is a reflection of PUMA’s unique approach at capturing a collective emotion and creating innovative ways for people to own and express it. This campaign is an immersive mix of fun and AI-led technology with once-in-a-lifetime rewards such as playing a game with our star ambassador Virat Kohli, building an all-round fan experience,” said PUMA India MD Karthik Balagopalan.

    Conceptualised by Leo Burnett India exclusively for PUMA, the campaign is expected to see enthusiasts from around the world taking part in this unique engagement.

    “When it is about owning the sporting season, we at Leo Burnett spotted a simple observation. Be it a diving catch at mid-wicket, or a goal-keeper saving a top-corner penalty; all dives in sport and in life resemble the PUMA logo. We leaned on AI technology to open the PUMA Dive campaign for fans, offering them dive scores for each dive they capture and share, gamifying the two-screen experience entirely. Our big plan is to make “PUMA Dive” a universal phrase because ‘once you see it, you can’t unsee it’, “ said Leo Burnett India national creative director Sachin Kamble.

  • Puma partners with Indian popstar Harrdy Sandhu to strengthen youth culture

    Puma partners with Indian popstar Harrdy Sandhu to strengthen youth culture

    Mumbai: Puma India has partnered with popular Indian singer Harrdy Sandhu. The new association comes as part of Puma’s decisive commitment towards connecting with youth culture and strengthening the brand’s geographical relevance.

    With this, Harrdy joins Puma’s roster of ambassadors such as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yuvraj Singh, MC Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Dutee Chand.

    Under the partnership, Harrdy will engage with Puma’s large base of customers and create exclusive content poised to further cement the brand’s market leadership position in India. He will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel, and accessories, including select collections.

    Speaking of the association, Harrdy Sandhu said, “I am extremely excited about my association with Puma, a brand known for being at the forefront of all things sports and lifestyle. Puma is the No. 1 sports brand in the country and drives the sports and lifestyle choices of millions of people, which keeps me updated on the latest lifestyle trends. This is an extremely valuable association for me, and I am looking forward to everything Puma and I have planned this year.”

    Commenting on the association, Puma India & Southeast Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly said, “We are happy to have Harrdy Sandhu in the Puma family. Harrdy has been a good friend of Puma, and we have now combined this friendship into a partnership. As a brand, Puma has a strong commitment towards influences on culture. We want to connect and influence our target consumers through all forms of culture, such as art, music, and cinema, along with sports. India is a music-loving nation and hence it is an important part of our dialogue in the country. This confluence of music, culture, and sports makes Harrdy a perfect brand-fit and we are confident of a deeper engagement with India’s huge youth cohort with this partnership with him.”

  • Puma India appoints Smita Balram as head of corporate communications

    Puma India appoints Smita Balram as head of corporate communications

    Mumbai: Global sports brand Puma has appointed Smita Balram as head of corporate communications for the India business. 

    In her new role, Balram will further build Puma’s communication strategy and efforts while driving the PR narrative for the brand, said the statement.

    “Smita brings with her a wealth of rich and diverse experience in the field of media,” said Puma India and Southeast Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly. “Her creative vision and strategic bent of mind coupled with her strong background in business and lifestyle journalism will add a fresh perspective to Puma India’s brand story.”

    Balram comes with over 16 years of deep and extensive experience across print and broadcast journalism. In her previous role, she was associated with The Economic Times, where she covered the retail eco-system and tracked multinationals and large Indian conglomerates. In the past, she has contributed to prominent media houses such as TV Today Network, Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd, and Deccan Herald where she primarily reported on fashion and lifestyle.

    “As a former journalist with experience in tracking lifestyle consumption, Puma is the perfect brand fit for me with its narrative around fashion and sports,” said Balram. “The team has laid a strong foundation for the company in India which I hope to build on and deliver on our business objectives. I look forward to working with the teams, our business partners, stakeholders, and the media to strategise and tap into the growth opportunities in order to strengthen our presence in India, which has emerged as a key market for our company globally.”

  • Puma India appoints Prabhdeep Bedi as director & head of D2C e-commerce

    Puma India appoints Prabhdeep Bedi as director & head of D2C e-commerce

    Mumbai: German sportswear brand Puma on Monday announced the appointment of Prabhdeep Bedi as director and head of the retailer’s direct-to-consumer e-commerce operations in India.

    Bedi will be responsible to accelerate the brands’ digital transformation journey and lead the D2C eCommerce business and the entire value chain of operations, cataloguing, technology, account management, and customer experience. Prabhdeep will report to Puma India and Southeast Asia, managing director Abhishek Ganguly, the brand said in a statement.

    Commenting on the appointment, Ganguly said, “Prabhdeep brings a strong track record of driving growth-oriented strategies. I am confident that Prabhdeep, with his knowledge and understanding of the e-commerce space coupled with his effective leadership style, will significantly contribute to our growth. His digital-first approach towards business will further help build the next phase of PUMA’s eCommerce journey in India. We are thrilled to welcome Prabhdeep to the PUMA family.”

    Bedi comes with 13 years of rich and diverse experience in various domains like education technology, FMCG, and consulting. In his previous role, he was associated with Toppr Technologies as a chief operating officer for five years. His past stints also include brands like McKinsey & Company, Procter and Gamble India. He holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and an undergraduate degree from IIT Bombay.

    Speaking about his new role, Bedi said, “It’s commendable to see how PUMA has strengthened its foothold in the Indian market in such a short span. The rate at which e-commerce is growing in the country is unimaginable and I am really looking forward to driving strategic innovation initiatives for the brand, keeping in mind the heightened digital awareness of the new-age consumers of today. I am absolutely thrilled to join the team at such an exciting phase in the company’s growth trajectory.”

  • PUMA India signs 18 athletes ahead of Tokyo Olympics

    PUMA India signs 18 athletes ahead of Tokyo Olympics

    MUMBAI: In a move signifying its substantial investment in Indian sports, global sportswear Puma announced that it has signed 15 Indian athletes and three para-athletes, who will represent the country in national and international events at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

    In addition to ace boxer Mary Kom and national sprinter, Dutee Chand, the brand has signed boxer Pooja Rani, track and field athlete Tejinder Singh, shooter Manu Bhaker, and swimmer Srihari Nataraj among others, as a part of its latest brand campaign ‘Only See Great’.  The athletes ranging from multiple sporting disciplines like hockey, table tennis, discus throw, and badminton are set to participate in the much-awaited international multi-sport event that begins on 23 July.

    Through the  ‘Only See Great’ campaign, the sportswear giant sheds light on how these athletes have strived to achieve greatness during these extraordinary times. With this, the sportswear giant aims to push boundaries and celebrate diversity in sports in order to bring about a mindset transformation towards equality in sports. In its bid to support diverse talent, the brand has also tied up with para-athletes like shooter Avani Lekhara, table tennis champ Bhavina Patel, discus throw athlete Ekta Bhayan.

    The brand’s roster of athletes includes hockey players Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Savita Punia, Sushila Chanu, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Gurjit Kaur, and Udita Duhan.

    “We are thrilled and honored to sign some of the country’s finest athletes. As they continue to lead the way with their strength and athleticism, it’s equally important to work with them to break down barriers on the field of play. As a brand, we strongly believe that being unique is a great strength and our unwavering commitment to inclusivity in sports is testament to this,” said PUMA India & Southeast Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly.

    “Our athletes have time and again proven their mettle. I am sure with their grit and determination they will continue to outperform themselves. I wish them good luck in their pursuit to achieve greatness and make our country proud,” he added.

    With their eyes set on the challenge, each athlete will be showcasing their prowess as they set out to achieve their own moment of greatness in the sport. The ‘Only See Great’ campaign puts the spotlight on them as they strive for greatness, listening to their hearts, and finding a vision that no one else can see.

    Commenting on the association, Mary Kom said, “I have been associated with PUMA for over two years now and I am proud of the fact that the brand has always been at the forefront of encouraging the spirit of sports. For any athlete, grit, passion, and hard work are the key ingredients to success. My boxing journey has not been that easy, but with years of practice, hard work, and determination, I achieved the improbable. I am glad to represent India in the international sports circuit after such a long time.”

    Dutee Chand shared, “PUMA was my very first brand association and will always be very close to my heart. I’m thrilled and proud to see the brand encourage athletes across sporting fields and support them in their journey to achieve greatness. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I believe that my hard work has brought me closer to my goal. My single focused aim is to win more laurels for the country in national and international sporting events.”

    Para-athlete Ekta Bhayan said, “Everybody has the right to dream, don’t let disability define you. I hope my sporting journey sets an example for others that nothing can stop them. I am so thrilled to be associated with PUMA at this juncture in my sporting career. It’s great to see the brand continuing to break stereotypes and champion inclusivity in sports.”

  • Puma India signs Washington Sundar & Devdutt Padikkal

    Puma India signs Washington Sundar & Devdutt Padikkal

    MUMBAI: Global sports brand Puma has signed a long-term partnership deal with two up and coming players, Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal. The duo joins Puma’s impressive roster of cricketers that include Indian captain Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, women’s national cricketer Sushma Verma and legends like Yuvraj Singh.

    Considered the future of Indian cricket, Sundar and Padikkal have been punching above their weights in major cricketing tournaments. Sundar’s all-round performance in Australia helped the Indian cricket team clinch a historic away test series win and Padikkal emerged as a ‘find of the season’ with his stellar performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Sundar, a game changer and Devdutt, a consistent run-getter in the domestic circuit perfectly embody Puma’s ‘Forever Faster’ spirit.

    Puma India and southeast Asia managing director Abhishek Ganguly said, “Washington and Devdutt have displayed remarkable resilience and grit on field that’s led to their meteoric rise as athletes. We have always believed in supporting not just established players, but also talent with immense future potential. We will continue to partner with young athletes, also at the grassroots to give back to India’s sporting ecosystem.”

    Washington Sundar said, “Feels great to be associated with a brand like Puma which has some of the world’s greatest athletes in their roster. Watching skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul closely has given me a deeper insight into the brand. Puma adds a lot of credibility to an athlete’s journey and I’m excited to work with the brand in India.”

    Devdutt Padikkal added, “A partnership with a global sports brand like Puma is really a big motivation for young athletes like me. I’m looking forward to a long-term association with the brand.”

    Sundar and Devdutt are currently part of the Kohli-led IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2021.   

  • Puma India elevates Shreya Sachdev as head of marketing & strategic Initiatives

    Puma India elevates Shreya Sachdev as head of marketing & strategic Initiatives

    NEW DELHI – Global sports brand Puma has elevated Shreya Sachdev as the head of marketing & strategic Initiatives. In addition to her current role of heading strategic initiatives, she will now be responsible for leading creative, brand marketing, and managing brand personalities. Shreya will continue to report to general manager Puma India, and Southeast Asia general manager Abhishek Ganguly and will be a part of the company’s leadership team.

    Commenting on the appointment, Ganguly said, “Puma’s brand differentiation in the Indian market stems from our unconventional approach to marketing. We have always believed in telling the right stories, with the right content, and in the most compelling manner to build consumer connect. Shreya’s analytical skills coupled with her penchant for creativity will further help build local relevance for our marketing excellence in the years to come.” 

    Sachdev joined Puma in 2019 to lead strategic initiatives. Her rich and diverse experience saw her successfully lead numerous key projects. Prior to joining Puma, Shreya worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. She holds an MBA in marketing from IIM Lucknow and an undergraduate degree in Literature from Lady Shri Ram College.

    Talking about her new role, Sachdev said, “Even before joining the team, I was enthralled by the success of Puma brand in the Indian market. For me, having an opportunity to connect the brand and consumers is very empowering. Puma is known for creating unique and impactful brand campaigns with a focus on consumer engagement. I am looking forward to working with some of the best minds to further build our marketing excellence in India.”

  • Puma expands experiential retail concept in India

    Puma expands experiential retail concept in India

    NEW DELHI: Global sportswear brand PUMA today announced the launch of its entirely remodeled stores at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad and Pacific Mall, New Delhi. Spread over 4200 sq ft and 3800 sq ft, respectively, it seamlessly combines technology, sports and experiential retail under one roof. This also marks the launch of the brand’s first PUMA SELECT shop-in-shops in India to range exclusive global designer collaborations. 

    PUMA India and southeast Asia general manager Abhishek Ganguly said, “In line with our efforts to continue to enhance customer experience, we are thrilled to launch two completely redesigned stores in India. With health, fitness and sports becoming a priority for many, we believe Sportswear is poised to grow significantly in the future. Our stores will continue to be a key touchpoint – offering a more interactive and personalised experience. Remodeling key PUMA outlets only reinforces our commitment to engage and serve our customers better. All our stores will prioritise safety of every visitor and team members. We will strictly follow established guidelines in this regard in our daily operations.”

    The stores feature digitally connected offerings, personalisation zones and futuristic product range. Incorporating experiential elements from the PUMA flagship store at 100 Ft Road in Bengaluru, key highlights include:

    PUMA x YOU: The customisation studio allows consumers to customise and personalise PUMA footwear, apparel and accessories using embroidery and print. The on-demand personalisation offers over 100 quirky and fun design options to choose from.  

    PUMA SELECT shop-in-shop: Fusing performance with culture and fashion, this premium product line will feature the brand’s latest global collaborations with streetwear labels and designers like The Hundreds, RHUDE and Charlotte Olympia among others. 

    Updated retail concept: The design is captivating with clean lines and a very modern look and feel. Taking the consumer on an intuitive shopping journey, the elevated layout and display like illuminated footwear walls focus on the products to ensure they demand attention, stand out and resonate with the consumer. 

    Interactive retail experience: Consumers can now access all PUMA products at the touch of a button. The interactive screen allows them to virtually scan through the entire PUMA range and not limit their selection to styles or colors available at the store. Thus, allowing them to place an order directly from the warehouse and have it shipped to their home. 

    Hygiene and safety are brand’s biggest priority. All PUMA stores have implemented the required protocols to ensure enhanced hygiene measures and social distancing norms are followed. Some of these measures include:

    A cap on the maximum number of consumers inside the store at any given point  

    Contactless payments and billing

    Hourly sanitization of store fixtures including cash desk, trial rooms, door knobs and hangers 

    Contactless temperature screening at the store entrance 

    Making masks mandatory

    Sanitizing hands at the entrance and at all touchpoints across the store 

    Demarcated areas/ layouts that allow for social distancing within the store

  • PUMA, Cara Delevingne release colorful collection for pride month

    PUMA, Cara Delevingne release colorful collection for pride month

    MUMBAI: Global sports company PUMA is spreading the message of love and unity alongside PUMA ambassador and LGBTQ+ activist Cara Delevingne with the launch of the From PUMA with Love pack to celebrate Pride Month. Made to be worn with pride, the collection features vibrant colors, rainbow designs and bold graphics.

    The collection is inspired by Cara’s passion to show love, hope and kindness toward one another while also giving back to the LGBTQ+ community and its members.

    “This collection was designed and created with so much love. I was really looking forward to wearing it at this year’s Pride celebrations that I was planning to attend but, given the circumstances, I can’t wait to wear it and celebrate Pride month from my home via Zoom and FaceTime,“ said Cara Delevingne. “Through my foundation, I am looking forward to making donations to LGBTQ+ organisations around the world who are making such a difference every single day. The LGBTQ+ community deserves to be celebrated and I’m so grateful PUMA partnered with me to create such a prideful collection.”

    The "From PUMA with Love" styles include colorful graphic tees, hoodies and Pride waistbag releases June 24 on Puma.com and select PUMA stores.