MAM
Cricketers ride World Cup bandwagon on TVCs
MUMBAI: With World Cup cricket 2003 just three days away, the advertising world is all geared up with its cricket-centric ads .
The latest commercial to join the bandwagon is the Reliance Infocomm mobility services ad featuring India’s opening batsman Virendra Sehwag . The ad created by Reliance-owned advertising agency, Mudra Communications will primarily focus on the service being offered and is expected to air during India’s first match in the tournament scheduled for 12 February 2003.
Reliance Infocomm is one of the associate sponsors of World Cup 2003 along with Hero Honda, FMCG major Hindustan Lever ( which will promote its brands Rin and Close-Up) and consumer durables major Samsung. The presenting sponsor for the tournament will be Pepsi.
Simultaneously, Frito-Lay India too has launched its new flavour, Saif-n-Kaif Hot & Sweet Chilly, Caribbean Style, named after the snack’s latest brand ambassadors- Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan and Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif. The contrasting personality traits of the two stars are seen as being core to the twin taste in the new flavour.
As brand ambassadors, Saif and Kaif will promote the brand and will be involved in the ICC World Cup promotions that Frito Lay will run in the month of February 2003, states a press release.
” Research with core target audience (13-18 boys and girls) indicates that Saif is relatable and brings with him an ease and a boy- next- door’s natural wit-‘n’-charm. He is seen as a guy who infuses fun in any situation,” says Frito-Lay India, Managing Director, Manu Anand. “On the other hand, Mohammad Kaif symbolizes the fiery spirit of young India. The Natwest win established him as a gritty cricketer to reckon with. Together Saif and Kaif represent the two contrasting values which are embodied in the flavour experience,” he adds.
Lay’s will continue using the S&K duo through various exciting innovations in promotions, packaging and new flavour launches.
The new flavour will be available across the country in packs priced at Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively and to mark the ICC Cricket World Cup, a new cricket bag is being launched at Rs 20.
Brands
Yaap Digital acquires 60.2 per cent stake in Gozoop in over Rs 150 crore deal
Strategic tie-up keeps Gozoop independent while building scaled ad ecosystem
MUMBAI: Yaap Digital Ltd has acquired a 60.20 per cent stake in Gozoop Online Pvt Ltd, marking a significant consolidation move in India’s independent advertising landscape.
The acquisition, executed through a share purchase cum shareholders’ agreement, forms the first tranche of a broader deal to acquire 100 per cent of Gozoop in phases. The initial stake was picked up for Rs 36.96 crore, giving Yaap majority control and making Gozoop its subsidiary.
Overall, the transaction is valued at over Rs 150 crore, with additional components including a Rs 7.66 crore share swap expected to close within 90 days. Payments related to excess net working capital are slated for completion by July 2026.
Despite the ownership change, Gozoop will continue to operate as an independent brand, retaining its leadership, identity and culture. The focus, both companies say, is on collaboration rather than consolidation.
Founded nearly two decades ago, Gozoop has built a reputation for its people-first approach and long-tenured leadership team, a rarity in an industry often shaped by global network buyouts. Yaap, on the other hand, brings scale and a tech-led marketing ecosystem spanning content, data and performance solutions.
Together, the companies aim to create an integrated network that blends creativity, media, data and technology, offering clients both agility and scale. The partnership also signals a broader ambition to position Indian agencies as global contenders rather than local participants.
With the deal underway in phases, the coming months will be key in shaping how this alliance translates into a unified yet flexible advertising powerhouse.
