Brands
Skybags packs its bags with CSK as cricket gets a stylish carry-on
Youth brand enters sports with co-branded luggage as CSK’s official partner.
MUMBAI: When cricket fever meets travel style, even luggage gets a team jersey. Skybags has stepped onto the sporting field by launching its official licensed Chennai Super Kings merchandise, becoming the team’s official luggage partner for the 2026 season. The move marks Skybags’ strategic entry into sports marketing, beginning with cricket, often described as nothing short of a national obsession in India. The partnership will see Skybags retail an exclusive range of co-branded luggage and backpacks inspired by CSK’s iconic visual identity, blending team pride with practical design for today’s always-on-the-move consumers.
The association also strengthens the sports-focused ambitions of VIP Industries Limited, Skybags’ parent company, as it looks to engage younger audiences through high-energy platforms and fan-led cultural moments. Skybags will be integrated into CSK’s fan engagement activities throughout the 2026 season, while the official merchandise will continue to be sold even after the cricket league concludes.
Pricing has been positioned to appeal to a wide fan base. The co-branded luggage range will start at Rs 4,590, while backpacks will be available from Rs 1,999, making team colours accessible beyond the stadium.
VIP Industries Limited managing director and CEO Atul Jain said the partnership reflects a natural alignment. Cricket, he noted, is deeply woven into India’s cultural fabric, and CSK’s reputation for consistency, excellence and talent development mirrors Skybags’ own brand values. He added that this collaboration is intended as the first of several meaningful sporting associations for Skybags.
From the franchise’s side, Chennai Super Kings managing director KS Viswanathan said the partnership adds a new dimension to fan engagement. By extending CSK branding into everyday travel products, the collaboration gives supporters another way to express their loyalty beyond match days.
The Skybags x CSK range will be available across more than 500 retail outlets nationwide, all major e-commerce platforms, and through the CSK website, CSK app and the Skybags online store. As India pushes towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse, Skybags is betting that fandom does not stop at the boundary rope and that even a suitcase can carry team spirit.
Brands
Mahesh Samat steps down from The Walt Disney Company after 9 years
Veteran executive closes four-decade career spanning Disney, J&J and Epic
MUMBAI: Mahesh Samat has stepped down from The Walt Disney Company, bringing the curtain down on a career that has spanned four decades across FMCG, healthcare, media and entertainment.
In a personal note marking the milestone, Samat said, “After 40 years, I’m calling it a day,” reflecting on a journey that saw him build brands, launch businesses and lead teams across multiple geographies.
Samat spent over nine years at Disney in senior leadership roles, most recently serving as global head of publishing and branded retail. Prior to that, he held positions including EVP, consumer, games and publishing for APAC, and managing director for India, playing a key role in expanding the company’s regional footprint.
Before rejoining Disney in 2016, he founded and led Epic Television Networks, where he helped shape a distinct content-led television brand in India.
His earlier career included leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, where he served as managing director for Southern Europe in vision care and vice-president for Asia-Pacific, underscoring his cross-sector experience.
An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Samat’s career has been marked by a mix of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial ventures across markets including India, Singapore, the UK and Europe.
Reflecting on his journey, Samat emphasised that beyond titles and milestones, it was the people and relationships that defined his career. As he signs off, his exit marks the close of a long and varied innings in India’s corporate and media landscape.
