MAM
ESPN Star Sports rebrands across Asia
MUMBAI: As the sports season heats up with a buffet of events, pan Asian broadcaster ESPN Star Sports rebrands and launches its new on-air presentation across its networks.
The new branding and channel presentation looks to leverage on the two channels‘ brand equities to further strengthen their connection with current audiences and attract new demographics, as fans gear up to catch the exciting action from major sporting events such as the ICC Champions Trophy, Airtel Champions League Twenty20, Formula One Grand Prix and the Barclays Premier League this September. This extensive exercise includes rebranding Star Sports, developed with an aim to keep the brand fresh and relevant to young and diverse demographics; and launching the new presentation for both ESPN and Star Sports, conceptualised and developed to portray the dynamism of sports as communicated by these two strong and unique brands in their own signature style. The new presentation incorporates bold colour palates, vibrant motifs and features on-air talents from each network underscoring the brand personalities of each channel. In addition, all five editions of SportsCenter across Asia gets a fresh new look as the sports news programme begins its broadcast with a fresh and dynamic graphic presentation package. The new look reflects the premium appeal and international image of SportsCenter as it continues to bring the best sports news and editorial presentation from across the world to millions of viewers in Asia. ESS MD Manu Sawhney says, “With so many exciting sports properties currently being broadcast on our channels, the new branding for Star Sports and the refreshed on-air presentations for each channel brand aim to enthuse and exhilarate sports fans and continue our strong and enduring association with them. Sports is a visual spectacle and our on-air packages aims to enhance this experience by speaking in the same dynamic and energetic language of sports, while articulating the channels‘ brand promise to viewers across all age-groups and demographics. “SportsCenter has a long and strong tradition of delivering the best international sports to viewers across the region and it is just as important to present sports news in new and engaging manner to reinforce its unique position. We are confident that sports fans will enjoy this new enhanced presentation of their favourite sports programme.” ESPN and Star Sports new on-air presentation will be broadcast across its networks covering 24 countries. It includes on-air graphic elements such as, brand idents, presenter idents, logo stings, bumpers, end pages, lower thirds, menu boards, backgrounds, monthly highlights and billboards. Star Sports looks to build on its profile as the channel that celebrates sports, highlighting the lifestyle and interactive aspect of spectatorship with a strong visual language that conveys enthusiasm and engagement. The new Circle symbol captures this spirit of action and entertainment involving fans to become a part of this exciting community. The new on-air presentation of ESPN reinforces its status as the ‘Home of Sports‘ highlighted by the “Scoreboard” motif that communicates the informative and newsy characteristics of the sports channel. The sports news channel Sportscenter will be televised with a virtual set that is designed to enhance the viewing experience for sports fans and its new presentation features new graphics package aimed at delivering sports news, results, and scores in a dynamic manner.
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
