Brands
Coke hits refresh at Women’s World Cup halftime
MUMBAI: When cricket took a break, Coke turned up the beat. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai turned into more than just a sporting spectacle, it became a festival of fizz, folk and feel-good vibes. As players walked off for the mid-innings break, Coca-Cola’s halftime campaign made its sparkling return, transforming the pause into a celebration of rhythm, refreshment and real connection.
Taking centre stage, singer Aditya Gadhvi performed his Coke Studio Bharat chart-toppers Khalasi, the Cannes Lions-winning anthem of wanderlust, and Meetha Khaara, a love letter to Gujarat’s folk roots. The crowd swayed, phones lit up, and for a few minutes, the cricket stood still while music took the spotlight.
Coke Studio Bharat, Coca-Cola’s reimagined music platform, has become a cultural bridge, celebrating regional sounds and giving homegrown artists a global stage. Its authenticity and accessibility have made it one of India’s most-loved music movements.
“It’s not every day you get to perform at an event watched across the world,” said Gadhvi. “With Coke Studio Bharat, I’m bringing the sounds I grew up with to cricket fans everywhere, it’s amazing to see music unite people in such a lively way.”
Coca-Cola INSWA IMX lead Shantanu Gangane added, “Fans today want more than just sport; they want connection. Coke’s Halftime showcase turns a pause into a shared moment where sport, music and refreshment meet, a celebration that’s both distinctly Indian and universally relatable.”
For ICC’s chief commercial officer Anurag Dahiya, it’s about expanding what cricket means to fans. “The Halftime integration deepens engagement by blending sport and culture. It’s about making cricket inclusive, dynamic and memorable beyond the boundary.”
And just as the music echoed through the stands, fans at home joined in, with Blinkit’s “Coke at half price” offer ensuring the halftime spirit reached living rooms too.
From stadium to sofa, it wasn’t just a break in the game; it was a moment that united millions in the simple joy of music, sport and a cold Coke in hand.
Brands
Buffett bets on The New York Times, cuts Amazon stake
Berkshire invests $352 million in NYT, trims tech, and backs insurance, energy and consumer stocks.
OMAHA: Warren Buffett is famously a creature of habit, but his latest portfolio shake-up suggests even the world’s most patient investor knows when to change the channel. In a move that has sent the media world into a frenzy, Berkshire Hathaway has officially checked into The New York Times while largely checking out of Amazon.
Buffett’s firm snapped up roughly 5.1 million shares in The New York Times Company, a stake valued at a cool $352 million. The Buffett effect was immediate: shares in the publishing giant jumped more than 10 per cent as investors scrambled to follow the leader.
While Buffett offloaded his traditional local newspapers back in 2020, this isn’t a nostalgic trip to the printing press. The New York Times is now a digital powerhouse, fueled by a buffet of subscriptions covering everything from breaking news to Wordle and recipes. It seems the sage of Omaha still has an appetite for businesses with pricing power and a loyal following.
Berkshire slashed its holdings in Amazon by nearly 75 per cent during the final quarter of the year. Once a rare foray into the world of big tech for Buffett, the firm now holds a relatively modest 2.3 million shares. The pruning did not stop there, as other household names also saw a haircut. Apple was reduced to a 1.5 per cent position, while Bank of America was trimmed to 7.1 per cent, signalling a broader pullback from some of its large financial and technology bets.
So, where is the money going? It appears Buffett is heading back to basics, favoring sectors that can weather a storm. Berkshire boosted its positions in Chubb, doubling down on the steady world of insurance; Chevron, fueling up on energy; and Domino’s Pizza, a classic consumer bet that delivers even when the economy doesn’t.
By pivoting toward resilient industries and subscription-heavy media, Berkshire is returning to its roots: finding companies that people simply cannot live without, whether they are hungry for a slice of pepperoni or the morning headlines.
