Brands
Alpenliebe unwraps India’s first liquid choco-filled lollipop
MUMBAI: Alpenliebe has dropped a game-changer for sweet tooths everywhere: India’s first-ever lollipop with a gooey choco core. Say hello to Alpenliebe Eclairs Pop, a caramel-coated candy surprise that oozes rich chocolate at the heart of every lick.
Known for its classic Eclairs with that irresistible molten centre, the brand has now taken things up a stick-literally. At just Rs 5 a pop, the Eclairs Pop delivers indulgence in a pocket-sized, on-the-go avatar. Whether you’re a slow licker or a single-bite rebel, this new launch promises a sugar rush with style.
Aimed at teens and young adults who want their cravings satisfied fast and flavorful, the Eclairs Pop is Alpenliebe’s way of turning an ordinary snack into a cheeky, liquid choco-packed moment of bliss.
“With Alpenliebe Eclairs Pop, our aim was to extend a much-loved experience into a new, convenient format. We know how deeply loved the Eclairs’ choco center is – and this product carries that indulgence forward in every way. Teens and young adults are seeking richer, more immersive treats even in everyday formats—and Eclairs Pop is just that. Not a twist, but a natural evolution of what they already enjoy,” said Perfetti Van Melle India director marketing Gunjan Khetan.
Brands
Kingfisher signs three-year IPL partnership
Packaged water brand signs on as ‘good times partner’ for 2026–28 cycle
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water is betting big on cricket’s biggest stage, sealing a three-year partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to sharpen fan engagement at the TATA Indian Premier League.
The brand, owned by United Breweries, will serve as the official “good times partner” for the men’s IPL from 2026 to 2028, extending a relationship that began with the Women’s Premier League. The move signals a broader push to embed itself deeper into live sport, with a focus on immersive, consumer-led experiences rather than conventional sponsorship visibility.
At the heart of the tie-up is a suite of fan-first activations spanning broadcast, stadiums and digital channels. These include the “Kingfisher Bird Cam”, offering a branded spider-cam perspective during live matches, and the “Good Times Zone”, an in-stadium entertainment hub during play-offs aimed at amplifying match-day buzz. The brand will also back IPL fan parks, elevate public screening experiences and run digital contests tied to key moments through the season.
Vikram Bahl, chief marketing officer, United Breweries, said cricket in India “is more than a sport, it is a shared cultural moment”, adding that the IPL brings that energy alive at scale. “For Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water, being present at the heart of these moments, in partnership with the BCCI, is a natural extension of what we stand for. Through this association, we aim to enrich how fans experience the game… making every match more immersive, social and memorable,” Bahl said.
Devajit Saikia, honorary secretary, BCCI, said the IPL “has always been at the forefront of redefining sports entertainment and fan engagement”. He added that the collaboration would fuse cricket fandom with “innovative fan experiences that extend beyond the stadium”, helping create memorable moments for audiences nationwide.
For United Breweries, part of the HEINEKEN group, the play is clear: move from passive branding to active participation in the fan journey—on screens, in stands and across social spaces. With millions tuning in and turning up each season, the IPL remains the country’s most potent marketing theatre. The question now is whether “good times” can translate into lasting brand recall in a market where visibility is easy, but engagement is hard-won.
