News Headline
CMCG launches SportzPR, specialised sports communications consultancy
MUMBAI: Specialisation is the order of the day. Keeping this in mind the Mumbai-headquartered communications management firm CMCG India has launched SportzPR, Indias first specialised communications consultancy focusing exclusively on the Business of Sports. The new venture was flagged off on 19 September in the presence of former Indian cricketer Abbas Ali Baig in New Delhi.
SportzPR will help clients get more value from their investments in sports, celebrities and events. And it could not have had a better promoter. CMCG India has been working closely with Indias biggest sports broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports, for the past five years.
Says the dynamic young CMCG India managing director Samir Kale: “Sports is one of the biggest industries worldwide and attracts billions of dollars of investment. While the corporate spending on sports has witnessed tremendous growth in India the past few years, India still has miles to go in terms of building a sports culture. Thats the big opportunity for SportzPR, to help unleash the full potential of sports through enhanced public understanding and perception.”
SportzPR will offer a wide range of services to corporates, athletes and sports organizations including the development of sports strategies, execution of the strategies to maximize returns, counseling on sports marketing promotions, media relations, media training, event strategy, management and co-ordination.
“Sports occupy maximum space in the daily newspapers, yet it remains the most under-utilised communications opportunities. SportzPR will help companies identify a dynamic range of high profile, yet highly cost effective sports association and branding opportunities to help build and maintain strong corporate and product awareness,” he adds.
SportzPR will also help companies develop and execute a strong internal sports strategy with a focus on building healthy active individuals. “An effective internal Sports strategy is essential to build a healthy and competitive environment at todays stressful workplace,” says Kale.
Many sports organisations in the country have been grappling with various issues relating to increasing the participation of individuals and corporates in the game. He said, “As a start, a sound communications strategy and media relations plan will go a long way in helping various sports organizations achieve their objectives. SportzPR will offer professional support to help realize the un-tapped potential of various sports in the country.”
Kale, who has counselled with several multi-national corporations and large Indian companies on a range of diverse communication management issues, said that SportzPR is building a team of experienced professionals with a thorough understanding of sports environment in India.
Started in 1994, CMCG India is one of leading communication management consultancies in India with offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta. Some of CMCG Indias clients include ESPN STAR Sports, Pepsi, CNN, Lazard, Cartoon Network and HBO among others.
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.
