MAM
ICC scouts for official spirits partner for World Cup 2015
MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is inviting alcohol companies to submit proposals to become the official spirits partner of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand.
The successful applicant will receive marketing rights and benefits that will enable it to use valuable ICC intellectual property in association with its spirits brands. In addition to having the right to sell products through retail channels using the exclusive ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 event logo, the successful applicant will also supply product at all 14 venues of the event.
ICC GM commercial Campbell Jamieson said in a statement: “Responsible consumption of alcoholic spirits while watching sport has long been a part of the culture of Australia and New Zealand. The opportunity to become the official spirits partner of ICC is a valuable marketing and business opportunity for any spirits brand.”
The ICC is seeking companies with a proven track record in running national sponsorship marketing programs and supplying product at major sporting events, as well as sufficient human and financial resources to leverage the promotional opportunity.
“Proposals should clearly set out how the company will leverage the marketing rights granted to them to maximise association with ICC and enhance the status of this prestigious global sporting event,” Jamieson added.
Digital
Google rolls out $15B AI, education and connectivity plan for India
AI tools for 11 million students, new subsea cables, and a national skilling push.
NEW DELHI: Google is backing its words with action. In a major push to future-proof the world’s most populous nation, Google DeepMind has partnered with the Indian government on a large-scale AI initiative.
Announced by CEO Sundar Pichai at the India AI Impact Summit, the deal is less of a gentle nudge and more of a full-throttle sprint into the digital age. Part of Google’s $15 billion commitment to South Asia, the plan aims to weave artificial intelligence into the very fabric of Indian daily life, from the deep ocean floor to the back of the classroom.
The most heart-warming slice of this digital pie is the focus on the next generation. Google is partnering with 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, effectively dropping high-tech AI tools into the laps of roughly 11 million students.
The goal? To introduce generative AI assistance in schools, ensuring that the homework of the future is powered by more than just caffeine and late-night panic.
While the kids are busy with AI in the classroom, Google is busy under the sea. The newly minted India-America Connect Initiative involves laying down serious hardware, specifically, new subsea cable routes.
These digital arteries will link India to Singapore, South Africa and Australia. By adding four more strategic fiber-optic routes connecting the U.S. to the Southern Hemisphere, Google is essentially building a “data superhighway” to ensure India’s AI capabilities don’t get stuck in traffic.
Knowing how to use a tool is just as important as owning it. To bridge the gap, Google is launching its most ambitious skilling program yet: the Google AI Professional Certificate. This program is designed to help the workforce master AI without needing a PhD in robotics.
With full-stack connectivity and a massive investment on the table, India isn’t just joining the AI race; it’s looking to set the pace.
