Brands
AB steps up to the crease for Sneaker LAB’s clean sweep in India
MUMBAI: When a brand believes in keeping your sneakers spotless and the planet spotless too, who better to lead the charge in India than cricket’s cleanest hitter AB de Villiers? Sneaker LAB, the South Africa-born brand making waves with its biotechnology-powered, eco-friendly sneaker care, has found the perfect partner in cricketing legend AB de Villiers. The campaign marks the brand’s official India debut and brings together two things the country can’t get enough of: cricket and sneakers.
Tapping into India’s rapidly growing sneaker culture, the campaign showcases Sneaker LAB’s hero product, a probacterial formula that uses good bacteria to break down dirt and odour, long after you’ve wiped. It’s sneaker cleaning at its most sustainable and science-led.
Sharing his thoughts on the association Sneaker LAB brand partner and South African cricketer AB de Villiers said, “When Sneaker LAB approached me, I instantly connected with their fresh approach and purpose-led vision. They are doing something different by combining science, sustainability, and style in a way that truly stands out. I am proud to represent a brand that is not just innovative but also committed to doing good in a country that I am deeply connected to.”
Speaking about the campaign Sneaker LAB founder Jo Farah shares, “This campaign captures the essence of what we stand for at Sneaker LAB, a belief that innovation and sustainability can come together in everyday life. Launching the campaign in India is a meaningful step for us and having AB de Villiers lead this journey makes it even more special. His story, his values, and his connection with Indian fans bring depth to our message, and we are proud to start this new chapter with him.”
As part of its launch, Sneaker LAB is rolling out a three-month ‘Golden Wipe’ campaign. Starting 16 May, five lucky fans who find a golden sneaker wipe inside select boxes will win a chance to meet AB de Villiers in person, a move that blends cricket fever with sneaker obsession in true collector-worthy fashion.
With AB de Villiers on board and a swipe of science-backed style, Sneaker LAB’s India innings looks all set to bowl over conscious consumers one wipe at a time.
Brands
Godrej clarifies ‘GI’ identifier after logo similarity debate
Says GI is not a logo, will not replace Godrej signature across products.
MUMBAI: In a branding storm where shapes did the talking, Godrej is now spelling things out. Godrej Industries Group (GIG) has issued a clarification on its newly introduced ‘GI’ identifier, addressing questions around its purpose and design following a wave of online criticism. At the centre of the debate were two concerns: whether the new mark replaces the long-standing Godrej logo, and whether its geometric design mirrors other corporate identities.
The company has drawn a clear line. The Godrej signature logo, it said, remains unchanged and continues to be the sole logo across all consumer-facing products and services. The ‘GI’ mark, by contrast, is not a logo but a corporate group identifier intended for use alongside the Godrej signature or company name, and aimed at stakeholders such as investors, media and talent rather than consumers.
The need for such a distinction stems from the 2024 restructuring of the broader Godrej Group into two separate business entities. With both continuing to operate under the same Godrej name and signature, the identifier is positioned as a way to differentiate the Godrej Industries Group at a corporate level.
The rollout, however, triggered a broader conversation on design originality. Critics pointed to similarities between the GI mark’s geometric composition and logos used by companies globally, raising questions about distinctiveness.
Responding to this, GIG said its intellectual property and legal review found that such overlaps are common in minimalist, geometry-led design systems. Basic forms such as circles and rectangles appear across dozens of brand identities worldwide, the company noted.
It added that the identifier emerged from an extensive design process and was chosen for its simplicity, allowing it to sit alongside the Godrej signature without competing visually. While acknowledging that elemental shapes may appear less distinctive in isolation, the group emphasised that the mark is part of a broader identity system that includes a custom typeface, sonic branding and other proprietary elements.
Following legal and ethical assessments, the company said it found no impediment to using the identifier, reiterating that the GI mark is a corporate tool not a consumer-facing symbol.
In short, the logo isn’t changing but the conversation around it certainly has.
