MAM
Ajit Sawant joins KnightsAD as MD
MUMBAI: Indian performance-based AD network & global affiliate partners KnightsAD Digital Media Associates has roped in Ajit Sawant as the co-founder and managing director. Sawant will be based out of Mumbai and his role will involve ensuring delivery of business prospects and meeting advertisers’ targets. In addition, he will look after the company’s financial aspects and management of publishers.
With nearly a decade’s experience in the value added services (VAS) industry, Ajit joins KnightsAD from Techzone – an Eros International company, where he was responsible for business development as well as employee and client relation management.
KnightsAD CEO Malik Gilani said, “Ajit’s insights will bring a new dimension to the way we view our consumers. With his level of business intellect and work ethics, we are sure KnightsAD will achieve greater heights.”
Sawant said, “My formative years in the VAS industry and in-depth study about this field, have helped me develop strong fundamentals in this space. Mobile advertisers are providing targeted and personalized ads to cater to different market segments.”
Prior to his role at Techzone, Sawant has worked with digital distribution and new media company, Shotformats Digital Productions.
KnightsAd recently announced its expansion into Sri Lanka and the middle eastern regions of the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. The company has partnered with the leading telecoms and content companies in the new regions. Their partners include Oreedoo in Kuwait and Qatar, DU in UAE and dialog in Sri Lanka.
MAM
Star Sports under fire for ‘cringe’ India–SA Super 8 promo
Broadcaster accused of arrogance and disrespect as fans slam Super 8 promotion
AHMEDABAD: Star Sports is facing a wave of criticism after its latest promotional campaign for the India–South Africa T20 World Cup Super 8 match triggered a fierce social media backlash, quickly dubbed “Cupcakegate”.
The advertisement, released this week, hinges on a cupcake metaphor that many viewers have condemned as patronising and disrespectful. In the clip, an Indian supporter mockingly offers a pink cupcake to a South African fan, a visual jibe widely interpreted as portraying the Proteas as a soft, easily beaten opponent.
The backlash has been swift across platforms such as X and Reddit, with fans and commentators accusing the broadcaster of tone-deaf bravado at a crucial stage of the tournament. The criticism is sharpened by the context: both India and South Africa arrive in the Super 8s unbeaten, undermining any suggestion of a one-sided contest.
Online, the cupcake symbol has been read as carrying multiple barbs. Some users argue it alludes to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s domestic nickname, while others see it as recycling the long-running “chokers” trope associated with South Africa in ICC tournaments. The casting choice has also drawn scrutiny, with viewers noting the physical disparity between the actors playing the two fans, which critics described as a cheap attempt to belittle the opposition.
Even Indian supporters have joined the pile-on. Many warned that such chest-thumping marketing risks “jinxing” the team, pointing to past tournaments where aggressive campaigns preceded unexpected defeats.
Star Sports is no stranger to rivalry-led advertising, having struck gold with its earlier “Mauka Mauka” series. But analysts say the cupcake campaign misreads a fanbase that has grown less tolerant of overtly mocking narratives and more attuned to sporting parity and respect.
India and South Africa meet on Sunday, 22 February, at the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium. With South Africa securing their Super 8 berth through a commanding win over the UAE, the fixture is widely billed as a heavyweight clash, not the walkover the ad appears to suggest.
