MAM
Havas PLAY launches TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024
Mumbai: In a bid to bring unique and fresh sports formats to India, Havas Play India, the activation arm of Havas Media Network, is launching the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta. Nearly 200 Picklers from across Delhi & NCR will participate in this open team-format tournament that blends fun, food, live music, and play for a unique experience that celebrates one of the fastest-growing sports in India and across the world.
The Pickleball Weekend Fiesta will commence on Sunday, 22 September 2024 at one of Delhi’s most premium venues – the Vasant Vihar Club, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. This event will feature an open team-format tournament with gender-neutral doubles, catering to both beginner and advanced players. Pickleball communities from across the country will be joining this day-long tournament, participating in competitions and activities curated by the Havas Play team in association with Aditya Oberoi, a sports marketing consultant and a seasoned Pickleball player, bringing insights from the game and ensuring a world-class experience.
TATA.ev joins as the title sponsor, aligning with the event’s focus on sustainability. The event is powered by Realme Mobile and supported by partners such as ICICI Direct (Associate Sponsor), Eldeco (Real Estate Partner), Storia (Hydration Partner), Stay Vista (Luxury & Hospitality Partner), Fans Play (Fan Engagement Partner), Fittestclub (Sports Accessory Partner), Hudle (Community and Ticketing Partner), Franklin (Ball Partner), Medulance (Medical Partner), Fan To Park (Sports Experience Partner), Radio City (Radio Partner), Republic TV (News Partner) and Vasant Vihar Club (Venue Partner).
Globally, nearly 80+ countries play Pickleball and in India, there are over 15,000 registered players, with 21 states that have registered Pickleball Associations across the country. The sport is hugely popular in cities including Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru and has a growing footprint in cities including Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Indore & Bhopal, with new ranking systems, leagues, tournaments & events proliferating across India.
Commenting on their association with the TATA.ev Pickleball Weekend Fiesta 2024, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. chief commercial officer Vivek Srivatsa, said, “For TATA.ev, the Pickleball Weekend Fiesta perfectly embodies the blend of community, sustainability, and technology—values that lie at the heart of our mission. As one of the fastest-growing sports globally, Pickleball is gaining remarkable traction in India, with over 10,000 active players and an impressive annual growth rate of more than 30%, both in participation and court development. The sport’s unique blend of accessibility, low environmental footprint, and emphasis on inclusivity deeply resonates with our commitment to a greener, more inclusive future. By supporting events like this, we not only foster healthy, active communities but also promote collaboration that drives meaningful progress for both society and the planet.”
“Havas Play is committed to creating content and experiences that are intertwined with consumer passions and activate in the spaces that matter most to people,” shared Havas Play global managing director Charlie Farrant. “The growing passion for Pickle Ball in India demonstrates the untapped potential for brands, and we are excited to partner with TATA.ev for this event that will both provide a forum for enthusiasts to connect with fellow sports lovers and demonstrate to brands the untapped potential in this area.”
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
