MAM
ESS’ ‘Samsung Superskills’ looks to improve format
MUMBAI: The Chappell Ganguly controversy notwithstanding cricket remains to be a medium through which brands can capture the imagination of Indians.
Consumer electronics maker Samsung which is one of the companies that has taken advantage of this for a long time has announced that its initiative Samsung Superskills will return to Star Sports.
The 13 episode show will air on Star Sports every Tuesday at 8:30 pm. The show which will be in the form of a tournament will answer questions like Who’s the world’s most accurate bowler? Which batsman hits the ball the furthest? Who’s the best fielder? Who’s the fastest runner between the wickets? and Who places the ball most precisely?
This year number of teams have been from 6 to 5 and from 4 players per team to 3. As compared to last year, the episodes have been cut in a match format i.e. Episode one sees India v/s South Africa, episode 2 again has one team playing the other. This was done to make the format interesting from the viewer’s perspective and have a winner at the end of every episode.
India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and
West Indies battle to be the Champion at Samsung Superskills winning not the just the title but also an International holiday by Qatar Airlines.
The tournament will see Younis Khan, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Rahul David, Mohd. Kaif, Ricardo Powell, Salman Butt and others facing each other head-to-head in team and individual competition. The co-sponsors of the programme are ICI and Oriental Bank of Commerce. The official health drink is Boost and the official airline is Qatar Airways. Luminous, Hutch, Jaypee Hotels, Hindustan Times and BDM have all associated themselves with the event.
Samsung India MD Ravinder Zutshi said, “Samsung has always been at the forefront of innovation. The unique and innovative format of this programme as well as its rich content are the compelling reasons for our association with it. We are confident that Samsung Superskills will be able to build on its last year’ success and will generate a huge interest amongst the growing number of cricket lovers in the country.”
ESPN Software India VP ad sales and business development Sanjay Kailash said, “We provide wholesome sports entertainment viewers by showcasing various live and non-live programming on our two channels. Samsung Super Skills will add to our existing bouquet of interesting and innovative non-live programmes. With some of the biggest cricket stars participating in the contest, the programme is well poised to make interesting and engaging television-viewing for millions of ESPN Star Sports viewers who catch the excitement each week primetime”
Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer who is one of the persons behind the creation of this concept said, “Every skill is as challenging and interesting as the other one which will test the skills of some of the best players in every sphere of a cricket. It was not easy planning and conceptualising something as innovative and unique as Samsung Superskills”.
Brands
Aptronix unveils ‘Big & Beyond’ campaign, opens largest store in Hyderabad
Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita front push as retailer expands premium Apple experience
HYDERABAD: Aptronix has rolled out its most ambitious brand push yet with the launch of the ‘Big & Beyond Aptronix’ campaign, alongside the opening of its largest retail store in India.
The campaign features actors Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala as brand faces, signalling a sharper focus on aspirational, experience-led retail as the company scales its presence in the premium Apple ecosystem.
At the centre of the rollout is a new 8,000 sq. ft. flagship outlet at Sarath City Capital Mall, now the largest Aptronix store in the country and among the biggest Apple Premium Reseller formats in India. The space is designed to offer immersive product discovery, personalised guidance and integrated service support, positioning the store as more than just a point of sale.
The campaign itself leans into themes of scale, ambition and accessibility, aiming to connect with a younger, increasingly design-conscious generation of Apple users. By pairing celebrity appeal with in-store experience, Aptronix is looking to deepen emotional engagement while reinforcing its premium positioning.
A key pillar remains its ‘Limitless Aptronix Exchange’ programme, which offers customers simplified upgrade paths, transparent pricing and wider access to Apple devices. The initiative has been central to driving adoption by making high-end technology more approachable for a broader audience.
Premium Lifestyle and Fashion founder & owner Sutinder Singh said the new store reflects a long-held belief that Indian consumers should have access to the best Apple retail experience without compromise. He added that the campaign’s celebrity faces mirror the brand’s core values of elegance, ambition and confidence.
Aptronix CEO Meghna Singh said the ‘Big & Beyond’ theme reflects how the company operates, with a focus on building a best-in-class retail experience. She noted that the Hyderabad launch and the campaign together signal Aptronix’s intent to set new benchmarks in the category.
With this dual push of scale and storytelling, Aptronix is not just expanding its footprint but also redefining how premium tech retail is experienced in India.
