MAM
Cricket after World Cup and IPL
MUMBAI: After the World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL), the value of the residual cricketing properties in the year could fall due to India‘s poor performance and an economic slowdown.
Media analysts had forecast the cricket television broadcasting economy to earn an advertising revenue of Rs 20 billion this year. While the World Cup fetched Rs 5 billion, the IPL took home Rs 10 billion.
“As the India-West Indies series was just after the two marquee events, there was a level of fatigue. The India-England series was a disappointment and could cast an influence on the other remaining properties in the year,” says a media analyst.
The upcoming events include the Champions League Twenty20, the India-Australia series and the India-England ODIs.
A media buyer says that one has to wait for the five ODI matches between India and England before valuing the other properties. “Only then we can say to what extent ad revenue will be affected. If India does well and the ratings are good, then things will be on track. If it doesn’t, then advertiser interest will fall.”
The other issue concerning sports broadcasters is the slowdown that seems to be hitting the economy. While the effect is hard to quantify, the buyer says that the good thing about the upcoming series is that they are taking place before and during the festive season.
Lodestar Universal CEO Shashi Sinha feels that cricket outside the World Cup and IPL will still manage at least Rs.5 billion. “Despite the performance of the Indian team, I still get inquiries from clients about cricket,” he says.
Multi Screen Media (MSM) president network sales, licensing and telephony Rohit Gupta doesn’t think that the slowdown will hurt cricket. “Revenues will depend more on how each series is hyped up, promoted and the kind of teams India is playing against. So far television has not been affected by the slowdown,” he says.
MAM
HUL appoints Pavan Bedi as CMO for Foods business
Veteran marketer with 22-plus years at Unilever takes charge of foods portfolio in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: HUL’s foods division just got a seasoned flavour boost because when it comes to seasoning success, Pavan Bedi knows exactly how to stir the pot. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has elevated long-time leader Pavan Bedi to chief marketing officer for its Foods business, the company confirmed on 23 February 2026. Bedi, who has spent over 22 years with the FMCG giant, shared the news himself on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I will be stepping into a new role as CMO Foods, HUL”.
Before this Mumbai-based appointment, Bedi served as global brand vice president for more than four years. His career is dotted with high-impact global roles: he was global brand director for Pond’s (based in Singapore), driving innovation across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, led the high-profile rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely as global brand director; and spent six years shaping Lifebuoy’s “Purpose agenda” and “Social Mission”, forging public-private partnerships with the United Nations and other platforms.
Now overseeing HUL’s sprawling foods lineup from staples to snacks and everything in between Bedi steps into one of the company’s most dynamic verticals at a time when consumer tastes are evolving fast. His track record blending global scale, brand transformation, and purpose-led marketing makes him a natural fit for steering strategic growth and creative campaigns in the category.
In his LinkedIn post, Bedi underscored his enduring commitment to Unilever’s vision, framing the move as another chapter in a career built on long-term impact rather than quick wins.
For an organisation that thrives on trusted, household names, Bedi’s elevation is less a surprise and more a reminder, the best recipes for growth often come from ingredients that have been simmering for over two decades. Whether it’s rebranding icons or building purpose at scale, he’s now tasked with making sure HUL’s foods business stays as appetising tomorrow as it is today.
