Brands
Gulf launches unstoppable army campaign: Excuses CSK players and fans take centre stage
Mumbai: Gulf Oil Lubricants India, a leading player in the Indian lubricant industry, is thrilled to announce its innovative campaign for this T20 season, titled “Gulf Unstoppable Army”. In a groundbreaking move, Gulf Oil has decided not to feature Chennai Super Kings (CSK) players in its advertisements this season. Instead, the brand has launched an announcer film on digital platforms to highlight this novel approach, empowering CSK’s passionate fan base to create the advertisements, thereby giving the players more time to train and aim for their sixth title.
The campaign’s launch was made by a revealing behind-the-scenes film, offering a glimpse into this innovative approach. Picture a bustling set, filled with anticipation. As CSK’s beloved players, led by MS Dhoni, step onto the scene, there is a palpable energy. Yet, Ravi Chawla, MD & CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, unveils a different agenda – one centred around giving the players the space they need to excel. “This season, Gulf is giving you the gift of time,” he declares, stressing the importance of their undivided attention on the game.
CSK CEO Kashi Viswanath underscores the significance of this decision, providing the players with an opportunity to refine their skills. The film concludes with a call to action for fans, inviting them to join the #GulfUnstoppableArmy by creating their own Gulf ads, highlighting the brand’s commitment to both the team and its loyal supporters.
Gulf Oil Lubricants India MD & CEO Ravi Chawla commented, “This year, we are taking a fresh approach by celebrating the true spirit of cricket and its passionate fans. The Gulf Unstoppable Army campaign is a tribute to the unwavering support and passion of the CSK fan base. We believe that by giving our beloved CSK players the gift of time, we are not only supporting their quest for another title but also engaging the fans in an unprecedented way, making them an integral part of our journey.”
Dentsu Creative West group executive creative director Ajeet Shukla adds, “The T20 season is that challenging phase of advertising where you’ll have to & must do something disruptive and good to get noticed. That’s what our attempt has been this time with the idea of not using CSK players for Gulf Ads. Instead giving back the time to practice and hopefully emerge as Champions for the 6th time. Now you must be wondering who’ll be making ads for us. Fans will. Something super interesting is coming soon.”
The Gulf Unstoppable Army campaign is a unique initiative that fosters a deeper connection between the brand, the fans, and the team. Leveraging digital platforms for the campaign’s launch and subsequent fan-generated content, Gulf aims to create a cohesive and engaging narrative that celebrates the spirit of cricket and its supporters. While primarily digital, the campaign will also extend its reach to TV and outdoors, ensuring widespread visibility and engagement.
The brand campaign film will be featured across digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
