MAM
Manish Sharma steps down as Panasonic chairman
MUMBAI: After 17 years of electrifying leadership, Manish Sharma is pulling the plug on his Panasonic journey. The long-time industry stalwart has stepped down as chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia, marking the end of an era for the brand’s India operations.
Sharma, who began his Panasonic innings in 2008, rose through the ranks with trademark precision, from managing director to president & CEO of Panasonic India, and eventually chairman in 2021. Over nearly two decades, he steered the company’s expansion across B2C, B2B and B2G segments, driving strategy, innovation and growth in India and beyond.
Under his watch, Panasonic strengthened its foothold across consumer electronics, electrical construction materials, and smart home solutions. Known for his steady hand and future-focused mindset, Sharma helped transform the brand into a more agile, digital-ready enterprise.
Before joining Panasonic, he built his expertise at Samsung, Haier and LG Electronics, where he honed his technical and leadership acumen, from R&D and operations to marketing and product development. His career trajectory reads like a blueprint for India’s consumer electronics evolution over the past three decades.
Sharma’s departure marks the close of a significant chapter for Panasonic’s India operations, where he played a key role in driving growth and innovation.
As he steps away from the boardroom, Sharma leaves behind a legacy defined by innovation, resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, qualities that have kept Panasonic’s light shining bright in India’s dynamic market.
MAM
Star Sports under fire for ‘cringe’ India vs South Africa Super 8 promo
Broadcaster accused of arrogance and disrespect as fans slam Super 8 promotion
AHMEDABAD: Star Sports is facing a wave of criticism after its latest promotional campaign for the India–South Africa T20 World Cup Super 8 match triggered a fierce social media backlash, quickly dubbed “Cupcakegate”.
The advertisement, released this week, hinges on a cupcake metaphor that many viewers have condemned as patronising and disrespectful. In the clip, an Indian supporter mockingly offers a pink cupcake to a South African fan, a visual jibe widely interpreted as portraying the Proteas as a soft, easily beaten opponent.
The backlash has been swift across platforms such as X and Reddit, with fans and commentators accusing the broadcaster of tone-deaf bravado at a crucial stage of the tournament. The criticism is sharpened by the context: both India and South Africa arrive in the Super 8s unbeaten, undermining any suggestion of a one-sided contest.
Online, the cupcake symbol has been read as carrying multiple barbs. Some users argue it alludes to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s domestic nickname, while others see it as recycling the long-running “chokers” trope associated with South Africa in ICC tournaments. The casting choice has also drawn scrutiny, with viewers noting the physical disparity between the actors playing the two fans, which critics described as a cheap attempt to belittle the opposition.
Even Indian supporters have joined the pile-on. Many warned that such chest-thumping marketing risks “jinxing” the team, pointing to past tournaments where aggressive campaigns preceded unexpected defeats.
Star Sports is no stranger to rivalry-led advertising, having struck gold with its earlier “Mauka Mauka” series. But analysts say the cupcake campaign misreads a fanbase that has grown less tolerant of overtly mocking narratives and more attuned to sporting parity and respect.
India and South Africa meet on Sunday, 22 February, at the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium. With South Africa securing their Super 8 berth through a commanding win over the UAE, the fixture is widely billed as a heavyweight clash, not the walkover the ad appears to suggest.
