Brands
Usain Bolt trades track for turf in Puma-backed Mumbai football spectacular
MUMBAI: Usain Bolt swapped his sprinting spikes for football boots last night, tearing across a floodlit pitch at Mukesh Mills in a raucous 5v5 exhibition match that fused Indian football with glamour. The world’s fastest man, whose passion for the beautiful game rivals his decorated athletics career, brought his trademark swagger to Mumbai in an event curated by Puma India to celebrate the country’s footballing culture.
The Jamaican legend took turns playing for both sides, thrilling fans with bursts of pace that proved his love for football extends far beyond trackside banter. Players from Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC joined celebrities in an evening that blurred the lines between sport and spectacle.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, Puma brand ambassador, conducted the toss—won by Bengaluru FC—before remaining pitch-side to cheer both teams through the match.
“Football has been one of my first loves after track and field, and playing in Mumbai alongside athletes, celebrities and fans was electric,” said Bolt, a Puma brand ambassador. “The passion, the noise, the atmosphere—this is the kind of high that stays with you long after the final whistle.”
The match showcased some of India’s finest footballing talent. Sunil Chhetri delivered sharp passes whilst Gurpreet Singh Sandhu produced heroic saves. Mumbai City FC stars and Puma ambassadors Suresh Wangjam, Akash Mishra and Phurba Lachenpa displayed their skill alongside celebrity names including Dino Morea and Aparshakti Khurana, who brought star power to the pitch.
“Usain Bolt’s visit to India is about celebrating the joy of sport and creating experiences that fans will remember forever,” said Puma India managing director Karthik Balagopalan,. “With this unique football match, Puma brought together icons from sport and entertainment on one stage, with our partner clubs Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC making it even more special. As a sports-first brand, Puma India has always pushed boundaries to create unforgettable moments for fans, and this match was our way of celebrating football fandom in the country.”
The event underscored Puma India’s strategy of blending athletic performance with popular culture, creating memories as fast and unforgettable as the legend who headlined them.
Brands
EcoMedia Solutions launches EcoMeter to track carbon impact in media
New tool aims to bring real data and accountability to ads and events
GURUGRAM: EcoMedia Solutions has rolled out EcoMeter, a new solution designed to bring sharper carbon accountability to advertising, media, marketing and events.
Built on its proprietary EMS platform, EcoMeter aims to help brands and agencies measure the environmental impact of campaigns and on-ground activations using real-world data rather than broad estimates.
The move comes as sustainability gains traction across boardrooms, even as measurement within the advertising ecosystem remains patchy and often reliant on spend-based assumptions. EcoMeter attempts to change that by using localised emission factors and activity-based inputs, offering a more grounded view of carbon output.
“Today, most carbon calculations in our industry are derived from spends or broad averages. That does not reflect what is actually happening on the ground,” said EcoMedia Solutions founder & CEO Rumjhum Gupta. She added that the tool factors in variables such as location, execution and materials to deliver a more accurate picture.
The platform allows users to compare media choices based on environmental impact, plan lower-carbon campaigns and generate data-backed ESG and BRSR reports. It spans formats including OOH, DOOH, print, digital and live events, bringing sustainability into the same decision-making framework as cost and performance.
EcoMedia Solutions says the larger goal is to move the industry beyond surface-level sustainability claims towards measurable action. As scrutiny from consumers, investors and regulators intensifies, tools like EcoMeter could play a key role in helping brands back intent with credible data.
With this launch, the company is betting that the next big metric in advertising will not just be reach or ROI, but impact that can be counted in carbon.
