MAM
ITW bags ad rights from Sony, India series sponsor & partners’ announcement shortly
MUMBAI: ITW Consulting, an India-based sports management company, has acquired some exclusive rights from Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited — the sole media rights holder of the Sri Lanka Cricket Series 2017. The deal involves title rights, on-ground and in-stadia advertising rights for all the cricket matches played during the above two series.
With these rights, ITW Consulting covered five ODIs and one test match under Sri Lanka v/s Zimbabwe series and also India’s tour Sri Lanka for three test matches, five ODIs and one T20 under Sri Lanka v/s India Series from 23 July till 6 September 2017, respectively.
Virat Kohli-led Indian team is scheduled to reach Sri Lankan capital Colombo on 19 July. They are likely to play a warm-up match on 21 & 22 July. The first test will be played at Pallekele between 26 & 30 July. The action will then shift to Galle for the second test, which is scheduled to be played between 4 & 8 August. SSC, Colombo will host the third test from 12 August. The tour continues with an ODI series between 24 August & 3 September, where the two teams will play a five-match series, followed by a T20I on 6 September.
Commenting on the deal, ITW Consulting director M S Muralidharan (a Global Sports Commerce affiliate) said, “We are one of the new generation companies and are delighted to partner with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) for these two series. With nearly 15 matches scheduled over the series, we are sure that we will be able to build strong and strategic brand associations that will be fruitful for both, the brands and cricket fans.” “At ITW, we are bringing in innovative technologies in cricket and other sports to ensure fans are engaged throughout the match with a crowd facing interactive display system”, he added.
Commenting on the deal, ITW Consulting co-founder Bhairav Shanth said, “This series has received an overwhelming response from the market. Brands see this as an excellent alternate medium with rationale pricing, delivering perfect ROI. Categories such as telecom network, automobiles, sports gear along with handset have locked in their participation. Most of our key slots have been closed a month before the start of the series. We will shortly be making the title sponsor announcement for the India series along with the central on-ground partners of the series.”
Commenting on the association, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) president, distribution and sports business Rajesh Kaul said, “Viewers are looking forward to the series as this is the Indian cricket team’s first full tour (Tests, ODIs and a T20) of Sri Lanka in three years. In addition to this, advertisers are also aware of the visibility that is ensured through the duration of the tournament, giving brands a wider reach.”
The 45-day long cricket extravaganza will reach a wide Indian, Sri Lankan and global audience cheering for the powerhouses and superstars of the likes of Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga as well as their Indian counterparts like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Ravi Ashwin amongst others. The series will be telecast by the official live broadcasting partner, Sony Pictures Networks India on Sony SIX and TEN 3 channels and will be livestreamed on SonyLIV. Scheduled to reach prime time audiences in India and Sri Lanka, the match preview, pitch report and toss will commence 30 minutes prior, followed by the match at 10:00 AM IST for Tests, 2:30 PM IST for ODI’s and 7:00 PM IST for T20.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
