Brands
Brands share excitement behind partnership with season 6 of ‘Game of Thrones’
MUMBAI: Game of Thrones season 6 has managed to lure viewers and attract advertisers alike with a roster of big brands associating with it. Star World Premiere HD has roped in e-commerce giant Amazon as presenting sponsors, Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a driven by sponsor and London Dairy and Ola Micro are powered by sponsors. Additionally other brands that have come on board are Housing.com, Matrix and Motorola as partners and Essilor, Yamaha, Himalaya and Sunny Lite as associate sponsors. Expedia, Skore and P&G OralCare are some other sponsors that the channel has roped in.
It is safe to say that the demographic tuning into the on-screen adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s spectacular creation may just be close to the total population on the planet! Inspiring new hordes of fans of the fantasy genre each year, Game of Thrones is now a household name right across the globe, attracting critics, literary geniuses, lovers of edge-of-the seat thrills and just like that the commoner who enjoys a truly well-made and well-narrated show.
Here is what brands have to say:
London Dairy head of marketing Shweta Shrivastava said, “Season 6 has been filled with potpourri of emotions and the series stays true to its intriguing twists and turns. Of course, Jon Snow was not going to wake up in the first episode as the teasers indicated, but the short sequence on Sansa, Theon and Brienne brought some sense of relief to a series where audience heartbreak has been the only constant. However, the true form of Melis and retrumped all else in terms of shock value. A character that shows absolutely no self-doubt throughout the series is finally showing fine cracks. What I await to see is what Bran brings to this convoluted series of events. We are proud to partner with Star World Premiere HD in helping get this much awaited series to India and look forward to unravel the series even as our consumers unravel the sheer indulgence of London Dairy ice creams this summer.”
Expedia marketing head Manmeet Ahluwalia voiced, “Once in a while a show comes along that transports you to another world and makes you believe in the magic of television again. Game of Thrones is one such show. It strikes the perfect balance between brooding medieval angst and wonderful fantasy story telling. It sticks loyal to the books and doesn’t “dumb things down” for a wider audience. My favorite character across all seasons is Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen because of their strong personality. I loved the first season; it brilliantly established the universe of George R.R. Martin’s source material. The most memorable scene for me is when Jon Snow gifts Arya ‘Needle’- the sword with a teaching- ‘Stick them with a pointy end.’ I am eagerly waiting to see if Jon snow will be joining Daenerys Targaryen. Though, it’s quite predictable that Jon Snow will join the Khaleesi and prove the prophecy right.”
Skore Condoms marketing head Vishal Vyas added, “My favourite season on the show so far is Season 1 because the introduction of the all main characters was very interestingly done. Moreover, Ned Stark’s beheading was extremely unexpected and that invited a very different twist on the show. I am hooked to Season 6 since the story seems to now start unraveling and I would love to see Tyrion Lannister rule the seven kingdoms. He is also my favorite character on the show because he is funny and probably the smartest guy in the series.”
Procter & Gamble Oral Care assistant brand manager Abhijit Aswath shared, “I am an ardent Game of Thrones fan. I feel every season is packed with qualities that define great story telling – building some key characters, shifting the balance of power and rise and fall of power houses. Season 4 is probably my favorite season of the series since it is extremely action packed with 3 key characters – Jon Snow, Daenerys, Tyrion all pushed to the Wall; literally for Jon Snow and figuratively for Khaleesi & the little man, and how each of them use their best wits, skills and political acumen to come out strong. After Mahabharata, Game of Thrones probably is one such story which has all the complexity and drama you need in a grand tale -tussle of the truth/what’s right/wrong, magic and politics. After Season 5, the stage was set for the story to go to the next level and Season 6 lives up to this expectation so far. My fan theory is that next, Daenerys and the dragons will discover a land of wealth, wit and great science capable of defeating the Dead Men by giving them Moksha – a land called Industeros.”
Brands
Malaika Arora launches accessories brand Maejoy
The Bollywood star’s lifestyle brand, built with Myntra and Exceed Entertainment, promises aspirational fashion without the high price tag
MUMBAI: Malaika Arora is not the first Bollywood star to put her name on a brand, and she will not be the last. But Maejoy, the accessories label she has launched in partnership with Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL) and talent outfit Exceed Entertainment, at least has a sharper pitch than most. The brand drops with 250-plus styles spanning handbags and lab-grown diamond jewellery, two categories that sit squarely in the sweet spot between aspiration and affordability, and lands on Myntra’s platform from day one, putting it in front of millions of shoppers without breaking a sweat.
The handbag range covers the full gamut: crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, workwear classics, backpacks and clutches, rendered in synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestone and metallic finishes. The jewellery line runs to rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets in silver, gold and rose-gold tones, set in 925 sterling silver with IGI and GCI certified lab-grown diamonds. The brand’s guiding philosophy, “The Joy of Being Me,” stakes its claim on individuality and self-expression; its three brand pillars, Authentic, Empowering, Accessible, are the usual suspects, though the lab-grown diamond bet is savvier than it sounds. Lab-grown stones now sell at a fraction of the price of mined ones, and the category is growing fast in India as younger buyers wise up to the arbitrage.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business, or through my personal style, I’ve championed the idea that fashion should be empowering yet effortless. The brand aims to democratise global fashion trends while offering women something that extends the feeling of luxury every day, be it a lab-grown diamond or a perfectly crafted handbag,” said Malaika Arora, founder of Maejoy
MJIPL, the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra, is putting its design and brand-building muscle behind the venture. Suman Saha, chief experience officer and head of house of brands at MJIPL, was bullish on the tie-up.
“Maejoy brings together Malaika Arora’s distinctive style perspective with a strong proposition in the accessible yet elevated accessories space. We believe the brand’s fashion-forward designs and thoughtful positioning will connect strongly with discerning consumers.”
Suman Saha, chief experience officer, head of house of brands, MJIPL
Afsar Zaidi, chief executive of Exceed Entertainment, the talent management firm that helped broker the deal, has worked with MJIPL before and was characteristically direct about what makes Arora an unusually bankable partner.
“Building celebrity-led brands requires a delicate balance of authenticity and market viability. Malaika is a rare talent who commands equal respect as a fashion icon and a savvy businesswoman. We are proud to facilitate this partnership that brings together her creative clout and Myntra’s brand-building excellence,” said Zaidi
Celebrity fashion brands live or die on one question: does the star actually wear it, or is the cheque the only thing they signed? Arora, who has spent three decades as one of Bollywood’s most-watched style references, has at least built a plausible case. Maejoy is live now on www.myntra.com and the Myntra app. The real test, whether shoppers buy the handbag or just the hype, starts today.
