MUMBAI: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketing extravaganza draws closer, multiple brands have come on board to associate with the tournament and various team franchisees.
Magicbricks.com has come on board as an associate sponsor for the eight season of IPL. This is one of the big spot associations in the recent past for Magicbricks.com.
Magicbricks.com head of marketing Manisha Rana said, “IPL is one of the biggest sports festival and is every advertiser’s delight. The association is an endeavour to reach out to maximum end users across the country using association with IPL this season. The association with IPL is a part of the company’s strategy to connect with our existing as well as prospective target audience on a nationwide juncture. IPL provides a non-stop 45 day connect with the audiences and it allows to build connect with the masses at a continuous pace. We are looking at this platform to maximize visibility and build brand preference. Our new campaign leverages this platform in two strategic ways – the story of our protagonist’s is centered on the viewing of the matches. Secondly, we are launching a campaign with a 15 second ad format only to maximize media presence. Teasers to our campaign are already out and the main campaign goes live in IPL.”
That’s not all. Sansui has joined hands for the second consecutive year as the official sponsor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Sansui’s logo will appear on the back of KKR jerseys.
Like KKR, the company claims that it is persistent in providing top notch entertainment and quality performance to its customers by delivering state-of-the-art Japanese technology products.
Sansui’s product line-up includes LED TVs having cutting edge technologies like Curved, 4K (UHD), Smart, UltraLuminous and Connect. Through its association with KKR for the second year in row, Sansui aims to bring the excitement of IPL to millions of viewers via its premium series of televisions.
The range promises stadium like experience at home through its 4K Ultra High Definition picture quality and crystal clear sound. Through this association, Sansui plans to further reinforce customer satisfaction and position itself as a youth centric brand.
Sansui COO Amitabh Tiwari said, “I am delighted to announce our partnership with the champion team of IPL 2014 – Kolkata Knight Riders, for the second consecutive year. Team KKR is a trendsetter and the pioneer of the most iconic sports leagues in the world. Thus, we find great potential in associating with them. Besides, sports is the only genre other than news, which inspite of being time bound has an intense viewership. Our partnership with KKR provides us an ideal platform to not only engage with our discerning customers but also bring the best to our viewers with our premium product range. We wish the team good luck for their journey in IPL 8 and hope that they continue their winning streak.”
Additionally, Gionee has come on-board as the team’s principal sponsor till 2017. The Gionee logo will be seen on KKR team’s shirt as well as at the stadiums on advertising signage.
It may be recalled that since the inception of IPL in 2008, Nokia has been one of the principal sponsors of Khan’s team. However this year, the brand, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2014, decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with KKR.
Gionee India country CEO and MD Arvind.R.Vohra said, “We are super excited to back the defending champions and one of the most popular IPL team, KKR. KKR represents the true spirit of Gionee with its challenger attitude and we are certain our association will witness greater heights.”
Kolkata Night Riders CEO Venky Mysore added, “It’s great for KKR to be able partner with an aggressive and restless brand like Gionee. Their growth has been phenomenal and we are confident that through this partnership, brand Gionee will continue to reach new heights.”
Meanwhile, ICT giant Huawei India has extend its partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore for three IPL seasons.
The Huawei logo will feature on the front of the RCB jersey as a principal sponsor.
Huawei, first associated with RCB in IPL 2014, will also have substantial branding exposure at RCB’s home ground – the Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with in-stadium promotional rights. In addition to this, Huawei and RCB will also launch a series of joint marketing initiatives to engage with their respective consumers and fans across India.
Huawei India CEO Cai Liqun said, “We are extremely excited to strengthen this relationship with Royal Challengers Bangalore. As a long-term commitment towards the game and the team we have entered into an association for three years starting 2015. The game of cricket in India cuts across demographic barriers and connects masses. With this association, we aim to create a strong resonance for the brand Huawei as it paves its way to become brand of masses.”
Huawei India president of consumer business group Allen Wang added, “We warmly welcome this association with Royal Challengers Bangalore and are very enthusiastic about the forthcoming edition of the IPL. We have also recently launched our new e-brand Honor, which is “For the Brave”, for the ones who dare to dream and follow their passion to achieve something, much like the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We wish the Royal Challengers Bangalore all the very best for this year’s IPL.”
Royal Challengers Bangalore vice president, commercial, operations and Cricket Academy Russell Adams said, “We are pleased about our renewed partnership with Huawei for the next 3 years and we thank them for the support and the faith shown in us. We look towards a long and fruitful association with Huawei.”
The Royal Challengers will be playing their inaugural match on 11 April, 2015 against Kolkata Knight Rider in Kolkata. This will be the fourth match of the tournament.
