Brands
Philips India teams up with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders as Official Grooming Partners for IPL 2024
Mumbai: Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology and innovation, proudly announces its partnership with two prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as their official grooming partner for the IPL 2024 season. This collaboration aims to harness the unparalleled popularity of cricket in India to spotlight Philips grooming products under the narrative “Groom like a Pro, Play Like a Pro,” aligning seamlessly with the brand’s ethos of excellence and performance.
As cricket aficionados enjoy the thrilling matches of IPL 2024, Philips India elevates the grooming routines of players and fans alike, urging them to present their best selves on and off the field. This partnership underscores Philips’ dedication to cricketers and individuals, enabling them to achieve a professional trim with our innovative grooming solutions.
In this collaboration, players from Sunrisers Hyderabad proudly display the Philips India logo on their headgear, amplifying brand visibility both on-ground and across digital and social media platforms throughout the tournament. Additionally, Philips India plans to curate personalized experiences in various cities, featuring contests and events where fans can win exclusive signed merchandise from their favorite players.
Through these initiatives, Philips India seeks to forge authentic connections between fans and their cherished teams, while reinforcing the brand’s superiority exemplified by the Philips Multigroomer. By inspiring a generation of cricket enthusiasts to groom like professionals, Philips aims to instill confidence that enhances performance, ultimately shaping a new standard of grooming excellence in the realm of cricket.
Philips Indian Subcontinent, business head – personal health Deepali Agarwal commented, “We are delighted to join forces with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders as their official grooming partner for the IPL 2024 season. Cricket and grooming share a common thread of precision, skill, and confidence, and we are excited to champion this synergy with our advanced grooming products. Through this association, we aim to inspire men across India to groom like professionals and unleash their full potential, mirroring the ethos of our brand.”
Expressing their enthusiasm about the collaboration, the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders shared their thoughts:
Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K Shanmugan stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Philips India on board as our official grooming sponsor for the upcoming T-20 season. As we deliver exceptional performances on the field, it is equally important for our players to maintain their grooming standards. With Philips’ expertise in grooming solutions, we are confident that our players will look their best and feel confident, contributing to their overall performance.”
Kolkata Knight Riders, CMO Ninda Dey added, “The association with Philips India comes at an opportune moment for Kolkata Knight Riders as we embark on another exciting journey this season of T20. Grooming plays a crucial role in the lives of our players, and partnering with Philips allows us to provide them with the best grooming tools and products. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks of excellence on and off the field.”
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
