MAM
LatAm, Asia lead global ad growth
MUMBAI: Global ad revenues rose just 1.9 per cent to $76.6 billion in the first quarter of 2013 as compared with the year-ago period, according to Nielsen‘s quarterly Global AdView Pulse report, as gains in Latin America and Asia were offset by a reduction in Europe and flat spending in North America.
Latin America showed particularly strong growth of 11.9 per cent in Q1, with increases reported in all countries across the region. In Asia, there was 5.8 per cent growth, led by China, Indonesia and the Philippines, all up by about 20 per cent. There were gains across all Asia markets except for Japan, which reported a 1.1 per cent decrease.
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Europe was down by 4.4 per cent, with Nielsen noting it is unlikely there will be any improvements in the short term. North American ad revenues were stable. In the Middle East and Africa, meanwhile, there was a 2.9 per cent improvement. Problems persist for the region though, with Egypt‘s ad revenues dropping 20 per cent in the past year.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
