MAM
Fiat India appoints Aicar its marketing consultant
MUMBAI: Fiat India today announced the appointment of the Asian Institute of Communication and Research (Aicar) as its marketing advisor in India. Aicar, as part of the agreement, will be responsible to evolve marketing strategies with the company, design and execute market research, shape the brand genetics to enhance overall brand positioning to motivate existing sales force to push up sales.
With this appointment, Fiat India hopes to adopt a more holistic approach to the Indian car market by integrating its product strategies with market realities so as to meet diverse consumer needs effectively and become a strong player in the Indian passenger car market.
Commenting on the association, Fiat India managing director Paolo Castagna states, “Fiat in India has recognized that it is imperative to understand the complexity of the Indian car market and streamline our marketing processes accordingly in order to make Fiat the most preferred choice. Aicar is one of the best marketing institutes in the country producing some of the best marketing talent that the industry has today.
“With renewed commitment towards the Indian market, appointing Aicar as our marketing advisors is an important step towards comprehending the intricacies of the fast changing lifestyles of Indian consumers and adapting the insights to become a strong player in this market.”
Commenting on the association, Aicar business school chairman and managing trustee Walter Saldanha says,”We strongly believe that the integration of corporates with the educational world is a unique combination through which we will offer senior strategic planning minds and our students’ strength to help the company understand the market better and thereby plan more effectively.”
The agreement between Fiat and Aicar is for three years.
MAM
T20 WC 2026 ad volumes rise 4 per cent despite fewer brands: TAM report
Fewer brands, bigger bets: India matches and top players drive ad surge
MUMBAI: Advertising during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 may have become leaner in participation, but it certainly packed a stronger punch. A new analysis by TAM Media Research shows that ad volumes per match rose by 4 per cent compared to the 2024 edition, signalling sharper spending even as the advertiser base narrowed.
The numbers tell a tale of two trends. On one hand, the overall count of categories, advertisers and brands dropped steeply by 55 per cent, 63 per cent and nearly 68 per cent respectively versus the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. On the other, those who stayed in the game appeared to spend more aggressively, driving higher ad intensity across matches.
India’s pulling power remained unmistakable. Matches featuring the Indian team generated 66 per cent higher ad volumes than non-India games, underlining the country’s outsized influence on cricket’s commercial engine. The tournament final also saw an 18 per cent jump in advertising volumes compared to 2024, pointing to stronger monetisation at the business end of the competition.
The shift towards concentration was equally striking. The top five advertisers accounted for 39 per cent of total ad volumes, unchanged from the previous edition, but the names themselves saw a complete shake-up. OpenAI emerged as the leading advertiser with a 12 per cent share, followed by Coca-Cola India at 9 per cent and Mahindra & Mahindra at 8 per cent. Apollo Tyres and Reliance Consumer Products rounded off the top five.
A similar churn played out at the brand level, with no overlap in the top five brands between 2024 and 2026. At the same time, leading categories tightened their grip, with the top five accounting for 53 per cent of ad volumes, up from 42 per cent earlier. The cars category led the pack with a 15 per cent share, followed closely by e-commerce services at 14 per cent and aerated soft drinks at 11 per cent.
When it came to format, brevity ruled. Ads between 11 and 20 seconds dominated commercial breaks, making up over half of all spots, while shorter sub-10 second creatives followed as the next preferred choice.
The broader takeaway is clear. Even as fewer players entered the arena, those that did were willing to spend bigger and smarter. In a tournament where every over counts, advertisers seem to be playing a more focused, high-impact innings, betting on scale, timing and the enduring magnetism of cricket’s biggest stage.
