AD Agencies
G-SHOCK India unveils ‘Rise Above the Shocks’ with Shubman Gill
Mumbai: G-SHOCK, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches unveils an exciting new chapter in the iconic history through the premiere of an inspiring campaign ‘Rise Above the Shocks’ with its newly appointed brand ambassador, Shubman Gill. With an illustrious 40-year legacy, G-SHOCK transcends beyond being just a watch brand; it is an iconic symbol deeply embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience. The brand unveiled a series of new films, bringing together G-SHOCK’s unyielding dedication of crafting tough and trend-setting timepieces and Shubman Gill’s inspiring persona, encompassing both physical resilience and mental fortitude.
The campaign unveiling was spearheaded by Casio India MD Hideki Imai, along with Casio India head of sales & marketing division Eklavya Neogi, and G-SHOCK’s brand ambassador, Shubman Gill.
The 2100 series represents a new-age renaissance in G-SHOCK, laying the bedrock foundation for G-SHOCK’s empowering 40 years of evolution in the world of timepieces. The series stands out with its contemporary design, featuring an octagonal bezel with slimmer construction and utilizing lighter materials like carbon core guard, which makes the watch extremely high in aesthetics yet heavy in durability. This design caters to the preferences of a younger, fashion-conscious audience. These features make the 2100 series an attractive choice for individuals who value both ruggedness and style.
GA-2100-1A1, the watch worn by Shubman Gill in the campaign is the all-black embodiment of the 2100 series and is extremely popular among both new buyers and G-SHOCK aficionados alike.
The idea of “Rise Above the Shocks” revolves around celebrating the indomitable spirit of individuals who overcome challenges and adversities with determination, much like the iconic G-SHOCK watches that withstand shocks and extreme conditions. The creative idea blends the spirit of cricket, stories of resilience, and digital engagement with Shubman Gill at the forefront to connect with every watch and streetwear enthusiast and establish G-SHOCK as an emblem of tenacity, style, and triumph.
Talking about the momentous occasion, Casio India MD Hideki Imai said, “We mark a pivotal moment in the journey of G-SHOCK in India, inspired by the core values of Absolute Toughness and the spirit of ‘never giving up’. Our ‘Rise Above the Shocks’ campaign with Shubman Gill taps into the Indian ethos of perseverance and resilience, aligning seamlessly with G-SHOCK’s reputation for toughness and durability. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary globally, this strong synergy also commemorates the brand’s unwavering pursuit of precision, imaginative design, and stylish aesthetics in the watchmaking realm. We couldn’t be happier to spearhead this campaign with the reigning Youth Icon from the cricketing world, Shubman Gill, who embodies the same unyielding character emblematic of our timepieces. Collectively, our mission is to galvanize the next wave of resilience and grit amongst the GenZ and millennial audiences in India by being a talisman for their ability to persist through life’s trials and emerge stronger and brighter, just like the G-SHOCK brand.”
G-SHOCK brand ambassador Shubman Gill expressed his thoughts on this partnership. He said, “I am excited to be a part of the G-SHOCK family. They have made a mark among the Gen Z and Millennials for their trendy yet durable designs. As a cricketer, I acknowledge the value of a good partnership. A durable partnership can change the course of the game. I believe G-SHOCK watches prove to be reliable in the ‘partnership’ of timekeeping, along with their innovative designs. It is this shared belief that makes me happy about this collaboration.”
“Shubman is called ‘The Prince of Indian Cricket’, for a reason. He has overcome challenges, won battles, and shattered perceptions to earn this title. In a similar vein, the G SHOCK watch has gained its reputation as one of the toughest watches for good reason. Its toughness is a result of rigorous testing and an exceptional ability to endure any shock. We thoroughly enjoyed working on this campaign. It’s a celebration of Shubman’s and G SHOCK’s shared ability to rise above any shock, presented in a visually captivating way.”- Wieden + Kennedy India national creative director Kapil Batra.
The event was graced by the presence of experts in horology, watch enthusiasts and brand loyalists. The event included a special product showcase area highlighting G-SHOCK’s exclusive 40th-anniversary collections, the Masterpiece series, and other highly coveted product lines. As attendees marveled at the brand’s impressive four decades of innovation, influencers seized the opportunity to capture their memories next to the life-sized GA-2100-1A1 installation, symbolising innovation, authenticity, and a significant cultural revolution.
AD Agencies
Publicis Brazil’s creative chief Mauro Ramalho lands the jury chair at Abby Awards 2026
Mauro Ramalho brings 25 years of global advertising firepower to the new creative commerce, use of data and B2B category at Goafest
GOA: The Abby Awards 2026, powered by The One Club and The One Show, has appointed Mauro Ramalho, chief creative officer of Publicis Brazil, as jury chair for its newly launched creative commerce, use of data and B2B category. The announcement, made on 18 March, signals the awards’ intent to bring serious international muscle to a category that sits squarely at the intersection of creativity and commercial performance.
Ramalho is not a name that needs much introduction in global advertising circles. Over 25 years spanning three countries, he has worked at some of the industry’s most creatively restless addresses. At AKQA in San Francisco, he worked across McDonald’s, Nike, Fox, Target, Kraft Foods and GAP, and helped lead “The Lost Ring” for McDonald’s, one of the first alternate reality campaigns and among the most awarded projects of its era. He later moved to Organic in Toronto, bridging the Detroit and Toronto offices on Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler, before spending over a decade building CUBOCC into one of Brazil’s most iconic and innovative independent agencies, which subsequently joined the IPG network.
A stint at FCB followed, where Ramalho led integrated work bridging online and offline, before he joined R/GA São Paulo as vice-president and executive creative director, stitching together the São Paulo office with New York, London, Portland and California on global clients including Verizon, Google, Meta, Samsung, American Express and Heineken. He now heads Publicis Brazil as its chief creative officer.
His trophy cabinet includes Clios, Effies, TikTok awards and MMA Smarties, and he has served on juries at the Andys, TikTok and the Lisbon Awards.
The Abby Awards 2026 is scheduled to take place at Goafest 2026 on 20, 21 and 22 May in Goa.
For Indian advertising, landing a jury chair of Ramalho’s calibre for a category built around data-driven creativity and commerce is a statement of ambition. Goafest just raised its own bar.
