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Tag: Rajesh V Menon

  • Alstone rejoins RCB as official cladding partner for T20 2025 season

    Alstone rejoins RCB as official cladding partner for T20 2025 season

    MUMBAI: Alstone, has renewed its partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the official cladding partner for T20 season 2025. Following a successful collaboration in 2023, this alliance underscores a shared commitment to high performance, innovation, and excellence—values that define both the brand and the team.

    With the tagline ‘Think Cladding, Think Alstone’ and the campaign ‘Super Batting, Super Cladding 2.0’, the partnership blends the thrill of top-tier cricket with cutting-edge architectural solutions.

    Alstone managing director Sumit Gupta said, “We are thrilled to partner with RCB once again for T20 season 2025. Our previous collaboration in 2023 brought us remarkable brand mileage, allowing us to connect with a passionate and engaged audience. Just as RCB consistently delivers outstanding performances on the field, Alstone remains committed to offering world-class, innovative façade solutions. This partnership will further strengthen our brand presence and align us with a team that shares our vision for excellence.”

    Beyond brand visibility, the collaboration aims to educate young creatives and consumers about Alstone’s innovative cladding solutions. A robust marketing strategy including digital campaigns, outdoor ads, print, radio, and social media will ensure a strong presence throughout the T20 season.

    Welcoming Alstone’s return, RCB COO Rajesh V Menon said, “We are delighted to have Alstone back as our official cladding partner for this season. Their innovative approach to exterior cladding solutions aligns perfectly with RCB’s dedication to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks.”

    With this renewed alliance, Alstone continues to build its legacy—both on stadium façades and in the hearts of cricket fans.

  • Furlenco gets a front-row seat with RCB, adds comfort to cricket chaos

    Furlenco gets a front-row seat with RCB, adds comfort to cricket chaos

    MUMBAI: The boundaries aren’t just being hit on the field this T20 season—they’re being broken in the bleachers too. In a move that might make your sofa jealous, Furlenco has parked itself smack in the middle of the cricketing carnival. Yes, they’ve gone full throttle as the official furniture partner for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 18 edition of the Indian T20 League 2025.

    After dipping its toes into the Women’s T20 League earlier this year, Furlenco has now cannonballed straight into the main pool. This time, it’s all about adding plush, posh, and pizzazz to the matchday madness. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a recliner while watching a nail-biting super over?

    As part of the tie-up, Furlenco has kitted out the hospitality stands at Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. Think less plastic chair, more posh parlour. Spectators can now soak in sixes and style in one sitting. Meanwhile, the RCB squad won’t be left lounging around either—Furlenco is sprucing up their team room (dubbed the RCB HQ) into a cosy, chic lair for strategy, stretching, or just sulking after a collapse.

    Not stopping at cushions and couches, Furlenco will also host a dedicated fan kiosk at the stadium—a one-stop shop for cricket lovers to engage in fun activities and get hands-on with the brand’s home hacks.

    Off the field, Furlenco flexed its thought-leader muscles by sponsoring the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit powered by Leaders. Held on 14-15 March 2025, the event saw the who’s who of the sports world chew over serious topics like business of sports, tech, and policy. Venue partner? The Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence.

    Furlenco CEO & founder Ajith Karimpana couldn’t hide his glee, “Furlenco is thrilled to be the Official Furniture Partner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the Indian T20 League 2025. This collaboration strengthens our association with the RCB team while enhancing the fan experience at the stadium. As the league approaches, we are excited to bring comfort, style, and engagement to cricket enthusiasts through our presence in the Hospitality Stands, players’ team room, and the fan engagement zone. Additionally, our support for the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit underscores our commitment to driving sports innovation and elevating the overall cricketing experience.”

    RCB COO Rajesh V Menon chimed in with matching enthusiasm, “We are thrilled to announce Furlenco as our Official Furniture Partner. Their expertise in creating functional and stylish spaces perfectly aligns with RCB’s commitment to providing world-class experiences for both our players and fans. With Furlenco’s presence in key areas of the stadium and their support for the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sport Summit, this partnership significantly enhances the overall fan engagement experience.”

    In a league where brands usually just slap on a logo, Furlenco has pulled out the rug (literally) to embed itself in every layer of the cricketing chaos. From beanbags to brainstorming, the brand is not just watching the match—it’s in it.

  • Ebixcash partners with Royal Challengers Bengaluru to boost brand visibility and fan engagement

    Ebixcash partners with Royal Challengers Bengaluru to boost brand visibility and fan engagement

    MUMBAI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) knows a thing or two about thrilling the crowds—be it nail-biting finishes or heart-breaking almost-wins. Now, they’ve got a partner who’s equally adept at cashing in on excitement: Ebixcash. Eraaya Lifespaces Ltd’s dynamic subsidiary Ebixcash just stepped onto the pitch as an official partner for RCB’s 2025 T20 cricket season, aiming to score big in India’s booming financial solutions space.

    Known for its formidable fan base and star-studded lineup, RCB continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Ebixcash couldn’t resist the allure, given cricket’s undisputed status as India’s unofficial religion. The partnership promises extensive brand visibility via stadium branding, digital promotions, and exclusive fan interactions—because nothing screams brand loyalty like cheering fans.

    Ebixcash Ltd-Payment Solutions CEO & MD, T C Guruprasad enthusiastically declared, “We are thrilled to partner with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a team that embodies excellence, passion, and resilience. This collaboration will allow Ebixcash to deepen its connection with cricket fans while reinforcing our brand’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.”

    The excitement was mutual, with RCB’s COO Rajesh V Menon, chiming in, “We are excited to partner with Ebixcash, a brand that represents excellence, innovation, and customer-centric solutions extending its bond with cricket fans while further enhancing our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences both on and off the field.”

    With cricket fever set to soar yet again, Ebixcash is strategically positioned to amplify its brand recognition, driving customer engagement and reinforcing its leadership in the financial solutions industry. 

  • Pexpo teams up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as official water bottle partners

    Pexpo teams up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as official water bottle partners

    Mumbai: Pexpo, a stainless steel water bottle & vacuum flask manufacturer, announced its collaboration with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the official Water Bottle Partner for the highly anticipated 17 edition of the T20 League, slated to kick off this March. This marks a significant milestone as Pexpo teams up with RCB for the first time, aiming to inspire millions of fans to prioritize better lifestyle choices while fostering a cleaner, healthier environment.

    Amidst the excitement of the T20 season, the partnership between Pexpo and RCB promises to elevate the league experience with a strong emphasis on better lifestyle choices and environmental sustainability. Throughout the T20 season, Pexpo will feature prominently among RCB sponsors, presenting co-branded products such as water bottles featuring images of RCB players, alongside a range of RCB merchandise and co-branded packaging.  

    In an innovative stride towards advocacy, Pexpo and RCB will embark on collaborative campaigns, leveraging diverse media platforms to engage with consumers and RCB fans across India. This association aims to encourage millions of fans to prioritize their lifestyle choices while fostering a cleaner, healthier environment.

    Pexpo CEO Vedant Padia shared his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as their official Water Bottle Partner for T20 Season 2024. Our commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative products that promote environmental sustainability, perfectly aligns with RCB’s ethos. Through this partnership, we aspire to inspire millions of fans nationwide to prioritize their lifestyle choices while also contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet.”

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru vice president & head Rajesh V Menon said, “We are delighted to partner with Pexpo this season. The philosophy of green is at the core of RCB, and the brand shares the same values of spreading awareness for a sustainable environment through better lifestyle choices.”

    https://youtube.com/shorts/PBitZS5tak4?si=g_0Alm-OcaMfjNlQ

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hs-iAbkeK29wIR2PPy62L4u9bFG97K9f/view?usp=sharing

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U35Qx3HbLFRrTiNeS3ZM-U8qQUCBPPwW/view?usp=sharing

     

  • WPL 2024 Auction: Good bowling side wins you competition, says skipper Smriti Mandhana

    WPL 2024 Auction: Good bowling side wins you competition, says skipper Smriti Mandhana

    Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) found the right balance with their well thought out acquisitions at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 Player Auction held in Mumbai on Saturday.

    RCB’s seven bids to fill the vacant spots and form a bold squad for the upcoming season were the result of extensive planning and strategy by the proficient backroom staff — which  includes head coach Luke Williams, assistant head coach and head of scouting Malolan Rangarajan — with some crucial tactical inputs from skipper Smriti Mandhana.

    Mandhana expressed her delight over auction picks and said the planning for the auction began after the first season only and they were keen to focus more on experienced bowlers who have bowled in Indian conditions.

    The team secured one of the country’s most experienced spinners and Khel Ratna awardee Ekta Bisht (₹60 lakh), who is first Indian woman to take a hat-trick in the T20 Internationals. They further added pace into their attack by picking England’s Kate Cross (₹30 lakh) and young Indian all-rounder Simran Bahadur (₹30 lakh).

    As part of RCB’s commitment to provide a platform for local young talents, they picked a promising domestic all-rounder Shubha Satheesh (₹10 lakh) from Bengaluru before adding 2016 Women’s Asia Cup-winner S Meghana (₹30 lakh) into the squad. Australian spin all-rounders Georgia Wareham (₹40 lakh) and Sophie Molineux (₹30 lakh) were the other two foreign acquisitions of the franchise to complete a strong 18-member squad.

    Talking about the auction and the selection of players, RCB, head & VP Rajesh V Menon said, “There are no shortcuts to building a team. You make the foundation brick by brick every season. We had lots of learnings from last year, and our main objective was to take those learnings into the auction, plug those gaps, and build a squad that would give us outstanding balance and flexibility to play in any conditions”

    RCB, known for its Play Bold philosophy, not only snatched players who are good with the ball, but also those who are skilful with the bat as well.

    “Bowling is definitely very important in T20s and a good bowling side wins you competition and this year we were looking to strengthen our spin unit and also look for overseas pacers who can complement Renuka [Singh] well. We have Kate Cross now and I think she will complement Renuka well in the power play with both swinging the other way. And with Molineux and Wareham, the bowling looks very experienced. Plus we have the likes of Shreyanka [Patil] and also [Sophie] Devine and [Ellyse] Perry,” said Mandhana.

    Further explaining RCB’s approach and strategy behind the auction, the assistant head coach and head of scouting, Malolan said: “One of the things RCB did really well is to have strong Indian domestic core in Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, Kanika Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, who form potentially your top five starters in the playing eleven, we have of a very good Indian core. Now, you add to that Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight, you have one half of the puzzle already sorted. We had a very focused approach to our auction as to how we can better this team with the options available out there. Our focus was to get a well-balanced bowling unit which can perform under any conditions we may encounter.”

  • 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.

  • Royal Challengers Bangalore launches digital-first campaign ‘Life is in the Mix’

    Royal Challengers Bangalore launches digital-first campaign ‘Life is in the Mix’

    Mumbai: In a major boost to its mission of becoming a global lifestyle brand, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the leading IPL franchise and a subsidiary of Diageo India, has launched Dash of RCB — a premium line of non-alcoholic cocktail and mocktail mixers.

    The introduction of Dash of RCB marks an innovative extension of RCB’s highly successful RCB Bar & Cafe venture. Launched with the digital-first campaign ‘Life is in the Mix’, this assortment of mixers celebrate life’s rich diversities while embodying the resilience of the #PlayBold spirit of RCB. The campaign underlines how Dash of RCB not only amplifies moments of joy and achievement, but also provides solace during times of when the life goes out of plan, giving that much-needed push to go the extra mile and encourages you to live in the moment, embrace & champion both situations in life with equal grace and panache.

    The campaign artfully captures a spectrum of emotions through a series of vibrant mood boards, showcasing people coming together with their loved ones in different settings like a vibrant party, colleagues sharing a moment after work, a relaxed afternoon and a cozy gathering of friends and family sharing heartwarming and joyful moments. No matter what the occasion and setting, Dash of RCB seamlessly blends into these moments, infusing them with distinct flavors and vitality, allowing their bold community to thrive.

    Speaking about the launch of Dash of RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore VP & head Rajesh V Menon said, “At the core of RCB’s brand-building lies its ability to identify opportunities and trends, stay ahead of the time, and introduce innovations. The launch of Dash of RCB, the first innovation product from the stable of the fast-moving consumer good options that the cricket brand intends to launch in a bid to transform itself into a global lifestyle brand perfectly resonates with RCB’s brand ethos and philosophy. Backed by extensive alco-bev experience and deep-rooted consumer insights from RCB Bar & Café, this launch will aim to further strengthen our presence in the F&B segment.”

    Available across the country in four classic flavours – Whisky Sour, Pink Paloma, Cranberry Cosmopolitan, and Green Apple, Dash of RCB aims to simplify the art of crafting bar-quality cocktails and mocktails in a hassle-free manner anytime and anywhere.

    Its array of flavours and easy to make exceptional tastes — with just a 3-step preparation: Ice, Spice and Dash, are the result of Diageo India’s extensive understanding of the industry and inputs of top-tier mixologists associated with the brand.

    As part of its ongoing brand development strategy, RCB has continually focused on introducing innovative offerings to enhance and diversify its brand presence in multiple segments and cater to a wider audience. This includes strategic collaborations such as the tie-up with Puma in the athleisure segment, innovative Hustle fitness app, and foray into the F&B segment through the widely acclaimed RCB Bar & Cafe.