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World Cup: Merchandise flood, come the New Year
MUMBAI: The World Cup cricket mania is not restricted to channels and advertising partners. Several retail companies such as Pantaloon Retail India, Archies and Nirvana Music will also be conducting on-ground promotions in sync with their core competencies.
All the above-mentioned companies have signed deals with Lowe Lintas’ Initiative Media (IM) who had procured the licensing and merchandising rights from the ICC in October 2002.
IM president Ashish Bhasin added: “IM’s division, Advent, had taken the rights for the Indian sub-continent. Advent is one amongst the global network of international commercial partners, bringing a truly global marketing reach and presence to the event. We have already sold 95 per cent of the properties to clients such as Pantaloon (retail), Britannia (biscuits), Archies (novelties) and Nirvana (music).”
Pantaloon Retail India (PRI), the manufacturer-retailer with departmental stores and supermarkets, is all set to launch a major World Cup cricket related blitz in early January 2003.
PRI, the readymades major, had brought the exclusive merchandising rights in India for apparel and accessories using the logo and mascot of the world cup cricket tournament. PRI entered into an arrangement with IM. Media reports indicated that share-brokers LKP finance had valued the PRI-IM deal at US$ 6 million.
Commenting on the forthcoming launch plans, PRI CEO and managing director Kishore Biyani elaborates: ” A new line called ‘Passionwear’ will be launched in specific metro cities from January 2003. This line will showcase the World Cup cricket merchandising; replica T-shirts, message T-shirts, caps and other accessories incorporating the logo, characters and cricketers.”
Archies (which is slated to launch novelty items based on the World Cup) general manager (West) Shirish Gor adds: “Our products will be in the stores by mid-January 2003. We are confident that we shall be able to get an enthusiastic response from consumers.”
Nirvana Music has also firmed up plans to target a volume of 5,00,000 cassettes of the official World Cup cricket album containing several songs. Nimbus Communications had launched its music division Nirvana Music in August 2002. Nirvana Music has been positioned as a boutique label and will concentrate primarily on creating non-conformist and non-traditional sounds in the non film category. It had acquired the merchandising rights from IM.
IM’s Bhasin claims: “The merchandising proposition offers a good option for brands and companies to develop marketing initiatives in sync with their core competencies. There is a perfect synergy as the apparels and accessories company can conduct major allied activities to coincide with the World Cup.”
PRI’s Biyani is also pretty upbeat: “Pantaloon has taken a conscious decision to associate our products with films and cricket. Therefore, it makes business sense to bid for the merchandising rights of the World Cup cricket. We are also negotiating with channels for barter deals wherein we offer attractive prizes in exchange for co-branding!”
It seems as if consumers and viewers are going to be bombarded with a heavy dose of cricket in the next quarter!
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
