Brands
Bumrah steps into Skechers’ shoes, ready to bowl rivals over the boundary
MUMBAI: Just when batsmen thought facing Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t get any scarier, Skechers armed him with shoes—shoes that promise comfort, style, and apparently, even more lethal yorkers. Imagine facing India’s pace king in sneakers designed for maximum traction—sounds terrifyingly brilliant, doesn’t it?
On 17 March 2025, Skechers—the comfort technology company®—signed cricket superstar Bumrah, adding yet another big fish to its athletic pond. The Mumbai Indians stalwart now competes wearing Skechers cricket footwear and will feature prominently in marketing campaigns for the brand’s performance and lifestyle collections.
“I joined the Skechers family as they are known for blending comfort with cutting-edge innovation,” said Bumrah, who recently earned the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for the 2024 ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. “Their wide range of offerings make it a perfect fit for athletes who value performance without compromising on style, especially for bowlers like me. I’m proud to represent a brand that resonates with my approach to both cricket and life.” Clearly, comfort is crucial when sending batters packing back to the pavilion.
Skechers south Asia Pvt. Ltd. CEO Rahul Vira highlighted the synergy, saying, “Jasprit Bumrah’s relentless pursuit of excellence perfectly aligns with Skechers’ commitment to innovation and performance. Having him as part of the Skechers family adds to our stellar roster of ambassadors, including Yastika Bhatia and Ishan Kishan. The Skechers Team of athletes illustrate how the signature Comfort That Performs of Skechers Cricket footwear can help anyone’s game no matter what level you play. We’re excited to further elevate our journey in cricket and continue shaping the future of sports culture in India.” Translation: Bumrah plus Skechers equals trouble for batsmen everywhere.
Bumrah isn’t your average bowler; he’s cricket’s equivalent of lightning in trainers. After debuting in 2014, he bagged over 400 international wickets by 2024 and uniquely achieved number one ICC rankings across all formats simultaneously. Add his ‘Player of the Series’ award from India’s 2024 World Cup triumph, and you have a cricketer who’s not just good, but absurdly good.
The Skechers Cricket collection, which Bumrah now represents, includes the Cricket Elite shoe with 11 spikes for players craving maximum grip—perfect for those dramatic follow-throughs and flamboyant appeals. The Cricket Blade, featuring seven spikes, caters to players who require agility and decisive action—ideal for those quick single-run dashes or frantic dive-ins.
Bumrah joins other big hitters and global sports icons already wearing Skechers: footballer Harry Kane, NBA giant Joel Embiid, and even pickleball maestros like Tyson McGuffin.
Fancy bowling like Bumrah or just avoiding slipping embarrassingly during Sunday cricket? Skechers Cricket shoes are now available in select retail stores and online at skechers.in.
Brands
DeVANS sparks buzz with self-chilling beer can April Fools campaign
Godfather stunt racks up 7 million impressions, blending humour with hype
NEW DELHI: DeVANS Modern Breweries has stirred up the marketing pot with a playful yet high-impact campaign teasing a futuristic “self-chilling beer can” under its flagship Godfather label.
What began as a seemingly bold product innovation quickly turned into one of the most talked-about brand moments online, before being revealed as an April Fools’ Day prank. The reveal, however, did little to cool the buzz.
The campaign clocked over 7 million organic impressions across platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X, with users debating whether the concept was a genuine breakthrough or clever marketing theatre. Thousands of shares and comments turned the idea into a full-blown conversation, drawing in both consumers and industry insiders.
The hook was simple but effective. A self-chilling can positioned as an on-the-go convenience product tapped into the imagination of younger, urban audiences. Add the timing around April Fools’ Day, and the campaign struck the perfect balance between curiosity and scepticism, keeping audiences guessing.
Marketing experts have pointed to the campaign as a case study in leveraging cultural moments. By leaving just enough ambiguity, the brand invited audiences to participate rather than simply observe, turning passive viewers into active contributors to the narrative.
“Godfather has always been an iconic brand, but iconicity must evolve to stay meaningful,” said DeVANS Modern Breweries chairman and managing director Prem Dewan. “The ‘Self-Chilling Can’ was our way of showing up in a cultural moment with confidence and a sense of humour.”
Beyond the numbers, the campaign signals a broader repositioning for Godfather. Long seen as a legacy beer brand, it is now leaning into youth culture, digital-first storytelling and topical engagement to stay relevant in a crowded alcobev market.
In a space where attention is fleeting, DeVANS has shown that sometimes the coolest idea is the one that keeps people guessing.
