MAM
Star India restructures ad sales functions
MUMBAI: Star in its endeavour to grow its advertising revenues has decided to refurbish its ad sales functioning. The network has decided to create specific ‘client service teams’ to build and promote their brands across its entire portfolio of channels.
The current practice follows multiple channel sales teams for a marketing campaign for every channel thereby one client having numerous touch points in the network. The new set-up will follow the network sales route, enabling Star’s top 55 clients to deal with one single client servicing team making it simpler and effective for clients.
Interestingly, Zee’s EVP network sales (and former Star hand) Joy Chakraborthy recently changed Zee’s ad sales strategum with dedicated teams tasked with interfacing with major media buyers like Group M and Madison.
The Star teams will look at sponsorship, product placement, branded programming, in addition to selling ad spots across the network.
Star India COO Sameer Nair said, ”With the C&S homes in India growing at an unprecedented rate to reach 61 million now, it is important for us to work even more closely with our clients to reach this expanded audience base. By taking a more strategic approach, I believe we will be able to create new growth opportunities for both our clients and ourselves.”
Star will also publish its rate card on the Internet from 1 July at www.star.co.in to make it more accessible to clients. Discounts will be offered to clients with volume buys and established spend patterns.
Adds Star India EVP Ad sales Kevin Vaz, “We are excited about the new initiatives which we believe will make Star one of the easiest and most effective companies to deal with in India.”
Under Vaz, Juhi Ravindranath will be handling the top 55 clients for the entire network. Ravindranath was earlier handling Star Plus.
For the remaining clients, Shailesh Bijlani, who was heading Star Movies and Star World, will handle Hindi cluster while Shanti Rao who was heading Star Utsav, will head the English cluster.
K Sriram who heads Vijay TV’s sales will continue to be the national head for all clients.
MAM
Crocs and Lego launch new collaborative collection in India
Iconic brands bring playful creativity to footwear with first drop on 13 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Crocs and Lego have clicked together once again and this time, the bricks are heading straight for Indian feet. The global footwear brand Crocs has announced the India launch of its latest Crocs x Lego Group collection, following the excitement of their multi-year global partnership unveiled earlier this year. The collaboration celebrates creativity, play, and individuality, merging Crocs’ signature comfort with Lego’s iconic building-block spirit.
The collection will roll out in two phases. A digital-exclusive pre-launch begins on 13 April 2026 on crocs.in, featuring four styles: the Lego Masterbrand Creativity Clog, Lego Midnight Garden Creativity Clog, Lego Creativity Clog, and Kids’ Lego Creativity Clog. Each pair purchased during this phase will include an exclusive Lego minifigure as a collectible bonus.
From May 2026, the full collection will be available across select Crocs stores, VegNonVeg, and Foot Locker outlets nationwide.
The designs playfully blend Crocs’ classic clog silhouette with Lego brick-inspired details, complete with custom Jibbitz charms on the upper and sole. The collection encourages wearers to treat their footwear as a canvas for personal expression, without any set instructions just an open invitation to build, explore, and have fun.
Crocs chief marketing officer Carly Gomez said, “The Lego Group’s boundless imagination makes them the perfect match to Crocs’ wonderfully unordinary spirit. We are both brands that pride ourselves on being built different, celebrating self-expression and fuelling creativity.”
LEGO Group, head of licensing & extended line design & partnerships Satwik Saraswati added, “Our common mission to enable self-expression and wear it with pride only marks the beginning of a journey with endless possibilities.”
The campaign will extend beyond the product launch through creator-led seeding, elevated visual merchandising, and exclusive on-ground previews, supported by a deeper partnership with the Lego India team.
In a market that loves both comfort and fun, Crocs and Lego have built something special, a collection that lets every step feel like playtime. Get ready to click your heels (or rather, your clogs) because this collaboration is set to be a blockbuster hit with Indian fans.
