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Tag: Rajat Patidar

  • RCB crowned kings as IPL brand value hits $18.5bn in record-breaking 2025 season

    RCB crowned kings as IPL brand value hits $18.5bn in record-breaking 2025 season

    MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) juggernaut stormed into 2025 with record-breaking viewership, blockbuster auctions, and soaring brand valuations—cementing its status as one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties.

    According to Houlihan Lokey’s latest IPL Valuation Study, the business value of the league has surged to a staggering $18.5 billion—up 12.9 per cent year on year: in rupee terms that tots up to Rs 156,568 crore -a 16.1 per cent growth. Its brand value alone clocked in at $3.9 billion, a 13.8 per cent jump while in rupee terms it grew 16.1 per cent again to Rs 32,721 crore.  The numbers reflect not only the league’s financial firepower but also its bulletproof commercial appeal amid global uncertainty.

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally shed their “chokers” tag after 17 seasons to lift their maiden IPL trophy, catapulting them to the No. 1 brand spot with a valuation of $269 million. Virat Kohli’s on-field heroics and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy delivered a fairytale finish that sent digital viewership through the roof—JioHotstar recorded a peak of 678 million views during the final, eclipsing even the India–Pakistan ICC clash earlier this year.

    Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained their spots in the top three, with brand values of $242 million and $235 million, respectively. While MI impressed with eight wins and Hardik Pandya’s smooth takeover as captain, CSK’s season was defined by MS Dhoni’s calm return to the helm amid injuries and a rebuilding phase.

    The 2025 season also saw record media rights revenues, a $300 million extension of Tata Group’s title sponsorship till 2028, and mega-bucks player signings—Rishabh Pant fetched a record $3.19 million at the auction.  The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition. The BCCI sold four associate sponsor slots for Rs 1,485 crore, up 25 per cent from the previous cycle, while advertising revenues soared to an estimated $600 million—up 50 per cent YoY. The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition. 

    Franchisees continued to ride high on asset-light models and predictable revenue streams. Top teams clocked Rs 6,500–7,000 million in annual revenue with over 80 per cent visibility secured pre-season, aided by front-loaded sponsorships and tight salary caps. The league’s capital-light structure and OTT-driven audience growth make it a poster child for high-yield sports investments.

    Meanwhile, Punjab Kings emerged as the fastest-growing brand in 2025, leaping to $141 million in value. With Shreyas Iyer as captain, and bold marketing campaigns like “Sarpanch Sahab” driving regional fandom, the franchise not only made it to the finals but also dominated digital chatter.

    As cricket’s footprint grows beyond its traditional bastions—with the ICC Champions Trophy breaking global viewership records and the US hosting marquee events—the IPL remains the sport’s commercial and cultural vanguard. It’s no longer just a league; it’s a billion-dollar blueprint for the future of cricket.

  • Puma hits it out of the park with fan-first billboard for RCB supporters

    Puma hits it out of the park with fan-first billboard for RCB supporters

    MUMBAI: Bengaluru’s skies just got a sixer’s worth of star power courtesy of RCB fans. As IPL fever tightens its grip on the country, Puma India is taking the fandom game up a notch by putting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) loyalists on the big screen literally. In a first-of-its-kind digital activation, fans can now appear alongside their cricketing idols on a high-impact billboard in Bengaluru through a unique ‘Fan on a Billboard’ experience.

    The campaign launched ahead of RCB’s home match on April 18, featuring RCB’s biggest names Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Phil Salt. All it takes is a trip to the Puma stores at Indiranagar or Brigade Road, where fans can don their official Puma x RCB jerseys and capture pictures or videos with virtual versions of their heroes in a specially designed photo booth. The cherry on top? Their content gets beamed across the city on a giant digital screen.

    RCB, with over 18 million Instagram followers, recently bagged the title of India’s most-followed cricket franchise. With a billion searches and 12 million social media conversations in 2024 alone, Puma’s campaign taps into a massive well of fan passion and turns it into something unforgettable.

    “At Puma, we’ve always kept the consumer at the center of everything we do, especially when it comes to sport,” said Puma India, director of marketing Shreya Sachdev. “RCB fans are some of the most passionate out there, and this experience is our way of putting them right where they belong next to their heroes. In a world where tech often takes people further apart, we’re using it to do the opposite, bringing fans closer to the game and the players they love,” she added.

    The activation also signals how Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising is evolving in India. According to the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2025, OOH revenues jumped from Rs 4,140 crore in 2023 to Rs 4,650 crore in 2024 and are expected to grow at 12 per cent in 2025. But Puma’s effort goes beyond static visualsM it’s an immersive, personalised moment on a public canvas, giving fans their 15 seconds of fame, backed by serious tech muscle.

    From turning store names into Puma to honour PV Sindhu, to crafting an anthem from runners’ warm-up sounds, to letting fans “dive” into AI-generated campaigns Puma India has been sprinting ahead in innovation. With the Fan on a Billboard experience, they’ve bowled over cricket lovers once again making sure the fans don’t just wear the jersey, they become part of the game.

  • Confirmtkt jumps aboard RCB’s train again, ready to bowl over cricket fans

    Confirmtkt jumps aboard RCB’s train again, ready to bowl over cricket fans

    MUMBAI: Ever had that sinking feeling of missing your train and the first ball of a crucial T20 match? Fret not! Confirmtkt has decided to play superhero again, renewing its partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to ensure cricket fans catch every delivery—whether it’s on the pitch or at the platform. Talk about keeping fans on the right track!

    Announced on 18 March 2025, Confirmtkt proudly continues its innings as RCB’s official Train Ticketing Partner. Fans will now spot the Confirmtkt logo prominently flaunted on the sleeves of RCB’s official and training jerseys. Now, that’s one heck of a sleeve statement!

    In this electrifying partnership, Confirmtkt rolls out an expansive 360-degree marketing campaign spanning television, outdoor, and digital platforms. Even better? Star players Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya feature in these campaigns, making sure Confirmtkt and RCB remain a fan-favourite duo.

    But wait, there’s more! Confirmtkt’s fan-loved, interactive in-app game, Ticket to Cricket, returns with even more excitement this year. The game, combined with social media contests, gives die-hard RCB fans a chance to win coveted match tickets, signed merchandise, and travel vouchers. Fancy a trip, anyone?

    Expressing excitement, Ixigo Trains & Confirmtkt CEO Dinesh Kumar Kotha said, “We look forward to another exciting season with RCB as we continue to simplify travel for cricket fans. This collaboration goes beyond just the game – it’s about bringing the excitement of cricket into every journey. Whether fans are traveling to catch a live match or celebrating victories on the go, we want to be a part of their experience, ensuring they stay connected to the action both on and off the field.”

    RCB’s COO Rajesh Menon added, “We’re thrilled to renew our partnership with Confirmtkt. This collaboration will bring the excitement of cricket to every journey, ensuring our fans stay connected to the action and their favourite team.”

    As the T20 league storms into its 18 season—having pulled a massive viewership of over 54.6 crore last season—Confirmtkt gears up to keep the cricket fever sizzling long after the final match.

    So, cricket buffs, are you ready to board the Confirmtkt express? This cricketing season, miss nothing—especially not your train.

     

  • Navi UPI becomes official UPI partner of RCB for T20 2025

    Navi UPI becomes official UPI partner of RCB for T20 2025

    MUMBAI: Navi UPI has been announced as the official UPI partner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the T20 2025 season. This collaboration grants Navi UPI users a 24-hour exclusive early access window to book tickets for RCB’s home matches before general sales open.

    RCB, enters the 2025 season with a restructured squad led by Rajat Patidar. With players including Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the team is set to make an impact in the highly anticipated 18 edition of the tournament, which will see 10 teams competing across 74 matches from 22 March to 25 May in 13 cities across India.

    Navi Technologies CEO Rajiv Naresh said, “Navi UPI is growing rapidly, and teaming up with RCB was a natural choice given the immense passion for cricket. This partnership allows us to bring fans closer to the game while delivering a seamless digital payment experience.”

    As part of the tie-up, Navi UPI users will receive early access to RCB home match tickets,

    – For the first four matches, early booking opens at 11 am on 18 March, while general sales begin at 11 am on 19 March.

    – For the remaining three matches, early access will be available later in the season, again giving Navi UPI users a 24-hour priority window.

    A dedicated banner on the Navi app will provide direct access to these exclusive tickets. Fans can book by downloading the Navi app, selecting the RCB ticket booking option, choosing their preferred match and ticket category, and completing payment via Navi UPI.

    RCB chief operating officer Rajesh Menon said, “We are excited to collaborate with Navi as our official UPI partner. This aligns perfectly with our vision to enhance fan engagement through seamless and innovative experiences.” 

  • Dunkin’ business head Chitrank Goel calls it quits at Jubilant FoodWorks

    Dunkin’ business head Chitrank Goel calls it quits at Jubilant FoodWorks

    MUMBAI: In a surprise move, Jubilant FoodWorks has announced that Chitrank Goel, its  executive vice president and business head for Dunkin’, has tendered his resignation.

    The donut boss, who joined the company in September 2021, will hang up his apron on 15 April after a tenure of three years and seven months. Jubilant’s board will be look for his replacement “in due course,” according to the regulatory filing with the Bombay stock exchange.

    Goel’s departure comes at a critical juncture for the company as it continues expanding its portfolio beyond the flagship Domino’s Pizza brand. The executive was tasked with not only steering the Dunkin’ ship but also “incubating new brands.”

    Before joining the Jubilant family, Goel spent a whopping 14 years with consumer goods giant Unilever, where he cut his teeth across various markets. His last role there saw him heading the ice cream business unit in Poland and Baltics. 

    Industry insiders speculate that Goel’s extensive international experience and proven track record in scaling businesses might have attracted a juicier offer elsewhere. The resignation letter, dated 11 March, mentions he’s leaving “to take up an external opportunity” – corporate-speak for “found a better gig.”

    During his Unilever days, Goel boasted impressive achievements, including boosting growth rates from 7 per cent to 16 per cent in the out-of-home channel and unlocking “disproportionate growth” in quick commerce.