MAM
Dream11 educates players on how to use the app
New Delhi: Last month, the fantasy platform Dream11 made headlines for bagging the IPL title sponsorship for 2020 at a whopping Rs 222 crore. It outshined Unacademy, Tata, Byju's and piped the Chinese smartphone maker VIVO, who was the title sponsor until the last year, to grab the top spot. For the last two years, Dream11 was making its presence felt by being the associate sponsor to several IPL teams.
The tournament is just a week away and the title sponsor has already begun its marketing activities. It has released videos on the social media platform to educate fans on how to play, select teams, score points, and other important details about Dream 11. The videos are created with cricketers such as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishab Pant, and Hardik Pandey.
In one of the content pieces, the protagonists explain, how to create your Dream11 team by selecting any of the impending matches from the ongoing cricket series. The user can do so by using his/her sports knowledge and skills in selecting key players within a budget of 100 credits. Afterward, join any Dream11 free or cash contest to win cash and the ultimate bragging rights to show off your improvement in the Free/Skill contests on Dream11!
The third step asks users to follow the match and track their fantasy scorecard. The scorecard is updated every 2 minutes. Once the match is concluded, the fantasy team’s final ranking and winning amount will be visible on the leaderboard.
The videos are a part of the brand's ongoing content marketing strategy where it aims to educate the audiences about the brand, what is fantasy cricket, how it is played to the consumers. The brand is doing it with the help of simple, easy, and entertaining content around cricket. Dream11 has released relatable videos in past also on subjects such as Understanding Fantasy Cricket, How to Play, How to refer your friends, How to add cash, how to verify your account, How to join a cash contest and others.
Dream11, cofounded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, leads the fantasy sports category in India and is funded by the likes of Kalaari Capital, Think Investments, Multiples Equity, and China’s Tencent Holdings. The duo has had a long journey of ups and downs before making Dream11 a unicorn company. It can be safely said that Dream11 is the leading gaming company in the country. The fantasy gaming app has diversified and is offering multiple sports to the people. However, cricket by far has the highest number of takers on the app. The company has also diversified with multiple offerings such as Fancode, DreamX and Dream Sports Foundation.
The brand, in past, hired MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador and launched several campaigns with him. One of the most popular campaigns of Dream11 was 'Yeh Game Hai Mahaan'. The film was well-received by the audiences.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
