Brands
Casio India onboards ace cricketer Shubman Gill as brand ambassador for iconic watch brand G-SHOCK
Mumbai: G-SHOCK India, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches, proudly unveils the association with acclaimed cricketer Shubman Gill as its brand ambassador. This monumental collaboration brings together G-SHOCK’s 40 years of relentless dedication to crafting tough and trend-setting timepieces and Gill’s embodiment of the ‘spirit of toughness,’ encompassing both physical resilience and mental fortitude.
G-SHOCK’s legacy spans four decades, during which it has set an unassailable standard for durability and innovation in the watchmaking realm. This remarkable journey represents a commitment to excellence, providing watches that endure the harshest conditions while bringing forth impeccable precision, innovative design and fashionable appeal for the ever-evolving youth audiences.
Gill, the youngest shining star in the cricketing world, has captured the imagination of millions with his unwavering commitment, exceptional talent, and grit on and off the field. Known for his remarkable performances, Gill embodies the very spirit that G-SHOCK has embodied since its inception: resilience, tenacity, and the pursuit of excellence. His relentless pursuit of sporting triumphs echoes the brand’s philosophy of ‘Absolute Toughness’ and uncompromising evolution to achieve.
“We are delighted to welcome Shubman Gill to the global G-SHOCK family. His inspiring persona and unwavering determination resonate strongly with G-SHOCK’s values, making him the perfect embodiment of our ‘spirit of toughness.’ Together, we aim to empower the youth, encourage them to embrace challenges, and foster an unyielding spirit of never giving up.” said Casio India managing director Hideki Imai.
The collaboration with Gill lays a firm foundation to deepen G-SHOCK’s connection with the Gen Z & millennial audience in India. Globally positioned as a lifestyle-centric watch brand, G-SHOCK is profoundly intertwined with youth subcultures, embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience. Gill’s unwavering spirit on the pitch, where he faces formidable challenges with unified composure, finds a remarkable parallel in the unbreakable resilience of G-SHOCK. Just as the watch stands strong against the test of time, Gill’s prowess stands unshaken against the fiercest bowlers. With each swing of his bat, the partnership resonates-a fusion of a firm personality and a timepiece symbolic of toughness and evolution. This collaboration transcends horizons, celebrating Gill’s unrelenting dedication in sync with G-SHOCK’s robust and enduring legacy.
The unveiling of this partnership features Gill, donning two iconic G-SHOCK all-black models – GA-2100-1A1DR and DW-5600BB-1DR. These two masterpieces hold a special place in G-SHOCK’s illustrious design evolution over four decades, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and style.
With Gill as its driving force, G-SHOCK India is geared up to embark on an exciting new chapter, deepening its connection with the Gen Z and millennials constant pursuit of innovation, style, and unmatched durability.
Talking about the association, Gill said, “It is an honour to be associated with G-SHOCK, a brand that has set the benchmark for durability and innovation in the world of timekeeping. For a cricketer, time is of utmost value. A well-timed shot can win the game for the team. The focus and resilience that I strive to maintain while at play, resonate with the vision of G-SHOCK, as they cater to the dynamic style range of an ever-flourishing youth consumer base. I hope that this exciting inning with G-SHOCK turns into an unbeatable knock of innovation and excellence, with consumers at the winning end.”
With Gill’s passion for toughness and G-SHOCK’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, this collaboration promises to be an exciting journey of empowerment and inspiration.
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
