MAM
adidas signs multi-year deal with Indian football team vice-captain Sandesh Jhingan
Mumbai: Sportswear giant, adidas has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Indian football team vice-captain Sandesh Jhingan.
As part of the association, Jhingan will work closely with adidas in engaging and inspiring the youth to take the game to the next level. A recipient of AIFF’s ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ in 2014, he was named ‘Men’s Player of the Year’ in 2020-2021 and was also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Awards in 2020 for his outstanding achievement in football.
Brand adidas, India, senior director Sunil Gupta said, “Sandesh is a role model for many young footballers and a perfect combination of passion and talent. With this partnership, we aim to inspire the youth and work towards a common goal of building football from the grassroots level in India. We are thrilled to have Sandesh join the adidas family”.
An ardent fan of Manchester United, Sandesh will now join the brand’s elite pool of athletes which includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Mo Salah, Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, Rohit Sharma, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Manpreet Singh, Simranjit Kaur, Nikhat Zareen, and Jeremy Lalrinnunga. The brand has also partnered with some of the leading football clubs in the world including Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, which define the brand’s commitment to football.
“My journey with football has been very enriching, and I aspire to make it a far bigger sport in India than it is today. I am thrilled to be a part of the adidas family, and I feel this association will take me closer to my dream of seeing India develop a greater passion for football and gain a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I feel adidas gets my passion and love for football like no other, given its long-standing relationship with the sport,” said Jhingan.
Brands
SPNI promotes Tavishi Budhiraja to vice president for HR and DEI
Longtime HR leader steps up to drive revenue teams and inclusion agenda
GURUGRAM: Sony Pictures Networks India has elevated Tavishi Budhiraja to vice president, HR business partner for revenue functions and diversity and inclusion, strengthening its people leadership across key business verticals.
In her expanded role, Budhiraja will oversee HR strategy for revenue-facing teams including ad sales across linear and digital, distribution and international business, while continuing to lead the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Budhiraja has been with the network for over 15 years, rising through the ranks from HR business partner for ad sales to assistant vice president, where she also took on the diversity and inclusion mandate. Her elevation reflects both continuity and a sharper focus on aligning people strategy with business growth.
Prior to joining SPNI, she worked with Reliance Communications as deputy manager, gaining early experience in human resources.
Announcing the move, Budhiraja said she looks forward to deepening impact and strengthening people strategies across teams, while continuing to grow within the organisation.
The promotion comes as media companies increasingly invest in talent and workplace culture to support evolving revenue models and digital expansion, making HR leadership a critical lever for long-term growth.
