MAM
ICC sponsor forum in Dubai takes up commercial issues
MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC), which held its third annual sponsor forum in Dubai, discussed issues relating to the World Twenty20 2010 to be staged in the West Indies from 30 April to 16 May and the Cricket World Cup 2011 in Asia.
On the first day, Ten Sports COO Peter hutton dwelt on achieving return on investment in emerging markets, stressing the point that sponsors need to get involved with broadcast deals in key development areas in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the US – rather than the current situation where there are minimal audiences paying premium pay per view pricing.
This was followed by a panel discussion on achieving return on investment from sports properties by Hutton, Sports Media MD Prem Bhatia and Mindspring commercial director Doug Thackrey.
On the second day, there was a discussion on the marketing and promotional activities for the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Commercial support for teams from emerging cricket markets such as Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Kenya and Afghanistan competing in major ICC events was also on the agenda.
ICC GM commercial Campbell Jamieson says, “International cricket is fortunate to have such dynamic and enthusiastic commercial partners and this forum is about cementing those strong relationships. The main outcome of this year’s forum was that with just one year to go until the first ball is bowled of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, all the partners must work together as they seek a reasonable return on their investment in our great sport.”
The annual gathering provided an opportunity for senior representatives of the ICC’s commercial partners to plan and discuss their involvement in ICC events. These included broadcast partner ESPN Star Sports; commercial partners Reliance Mobile, LG, Pepsi, Hero Honda, Emirates, Reebok and Yahoo!; official licensees Cricket Logistics, Licensing in Motion, Getty Images, Sportsbrand and IMG Sports Media.
The ICC plans to stage another such gathering of commercial partners after the completion of the World Twenty20 West Indies 2010, specifically in preparation for the Cricket World Cup 2011.
MAM
G-Shock launches GA-2100CM series with camouflage design
New sand and grey variants priced at Rs 10,995 each in India.
MUMBAI: Time just got a little more tactical and a lot more stylish. G-Shock has unveiled the GA-2100CM series, a fresh update to its popular GA-2100 line, bringing a camouflage twist to one of its most recognisable silhouettes. For the first time in the 2100 series, the watches feature G-Shock’s original camouflage pattern, subtly embedding the brand’s signature ‘G’ motif into the design. The move signals a shift towards more design-led storytelling, blending rugged functionality with fashion-forward detailing.
The new series introduces two colour variants sand (GA-2100CM-5A) and grey (GA-2100CM-8A) extending the model’s appeal across both streetwear and outdoor-inspired aesthetics. Built around the brand’s signature octagonal bezel and hybrid analogue-digital display, the watches retain a clean, modern look while adding layered visual depth.
Under the hood, the GA-2100CM continues to lean on performance. It features the Carbon Core Guard structure for durability, while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile suited for everyday wear. Functional elements include world time across 31 time zones, a 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, LED light and 200-metre water resistance.
In line with evolving material choices, select components use bio-based resin, pointing to a gradual shift towards more sustainable design without compromising on toughness.
Priced at Rs 10,995, the GA-2100CM series is available across Casio India stores and online platforms.
As watch brands continue to balance utility with identity, G-Shock’s latest drop makes its intent clear, durability may be the legacy, but design is the new frontier.
