MAM
Coca Cola, Ford back on ‘American Idol’
MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola and Cingular Wireless will return as sponsors of its reality based show American Idol.
On 18 and 19 January the debut episode of the fourth season attracted a record-breaking 65.6 million viewers. Ford has been a leading supporter of the show since the show debuted in the US in 2002. Ford vehicles will again be featured during the “Idol” action, as contestants will be seen driving and riding in a variety of the automaker’s cars, trucks and SUVs.
The show will serve as the key platform to integrate Ford’s next generation of all-new vehicles, all built for the road ahead, including the 2005 Focus, Mustang, Freestyle and Escape. Ford will also give the winner of the show the keys to the 2005 Ford Mustang.
A variety of branded elements and programmes will connect Coca-Cola and fans of the show, while helping to bring them closer to the shows experience. The contestants will interact and prepare in an updated version of the popular Red Room. A series of Coca-Cola behind-the-scenes interstitials will provide viewers an insider’s perspective on what contestants experience as they work to Make the Dream Real.
During commercial breaks, viewers will also see Coca-Cola ads from the new “Make It Real” campaign, which debuted during the show’s season premiere. Other activities designed to provide consumers with a completely integrated show experience are planned for a variety of retail outlets in the US where Coca-Cola is available.
Meanwhile Cingular will highlight the suite of LG phones including the new F9100 handset, the perfect text voting phone from LG Mobile Phones, and showcase interactive text messaging through a variety of fun and engaging marketing activities. Fans can use their wireless handsets to text message their vote for their favorite contestants each week, chat with contestants, play interactive games, download ringtones and graphics and participate in weekly trivia contests, as well as enter the American Idol sweepstakes.
New to the scene is Cingular’s Fan Club Appreciation. Details of this new programme will be shared later in the season, so stay tuned!
Brands
YFLO appoints Tania Nijhawan as president for 2026-27 term
Dentist-entrepreneur to lead women’s body amid rising focus on leadership
NEW DELHI: Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), the women’s arm of FICCI, has appointed Tania Nijhawan as its president for the 2026-27 tenure, effective April 2026, at a time when conversations around women’s leadership in India are gaining fresh momentum.
A cosmetic and paediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience, Nijhawan is the founder of Udana Wellness, a multi-speciality clinic in Vasant Vihar known for its focus on advanced treatments and patient-centric care. She also serves as director at Nijhawan Group and is an active investor in start-ups across health, wellness and hospitality, including Nuts For Us.
Her academic credentials include advanced training from global institutions such as New York University, the University of Southern California and University College London, shaping her multidisciplinary approach across dentistry and wellness.
YFLO has long positioned itself as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional growth, bringing together women across industries to drive dialogue and collaboration. Under Nijhawan’s leadership, the organisation is expected to sharpen its focus on cross-sector engagement and meaningful, future-facing conversations.
Speaking on her appointment, Tania Nijhawan said, “YFLO has always stood for meaningful engagement and forward-thinking dialogue. I look forward to building a platform that not only encourages exchange of ideas but also actively supports emerging voices and creates opportunities for collaboration across sectors.”
She added, “The Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, is not just a policy shift, it is a generational opportunity. It acknowledges the urgent need for women to have a stronger voice in shaping the nation’s future. True progress lies not just in representation, but in enabling women to lead with agency, confidence and impact.”
As president, Nijhawan will focus on curated programming, high-impact industry conversations and initiatives that bring together women across disciplines. Her theme for the year, “Lead With Your Light,” signals a push towards purpose-led leadership and greater confidence among emerging voices.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for YFLO, one that aims to align leadership, enterprise and policy at a time when women’s voices are increasingly central to India’s growth story.
