MAM
Vodafone ends sponsorship of Australian cricket team
MUMBAI: Telecom major Vodafone has backed out of its sponsorship of Australian Test team, thereby bringing to an end its 11-year-old partnership with Cricket Australia.
The next summer‘s Test series against South Africa and Sri Lanka will be the last of Vodafone‘s sponsorship of Australian cricket team.
CA executive GM commercial Mike McKenna said the high-profile partnership was one of the most successful and long-running in Australian elite sport. But like all sports‘ sponsorships, there comes a time when the sponsor achieves its partnership objectives and moves on with new strategic priorities.
“We understand that Test cricket has helped Orange, 3 and Vodafone become Australian household names and we look forward to continuing to work with Vodafone next summer in what will be the final season of our successful relationship,” he added.
McKenna noted that the Vodafone partnership, which had progressively profiled the Orange, 3 and Vodafone brands, had always had particular meaning for Australian cricket after the Orange brand of that time leapt in to fill the breach when Test cricket sponsor, Ansett, crashed on the eve of the 2001 Test season, leaving cricket without a Test partner just weeks before the start of that summer.
“Our partner, via these brands, has helped us promote Test cricket and the sport is better for their long-term support,” he said.
CA will, meanwhile, go to market for a new home-market Australian Test cricket team sponsor from 2013-14 with an Ashes summer as the launching pad for the new relationship. CA adds that it believes the Australian team playing Test cricket at home is possibly the most valuable sports‘ sponsorship asset in Australia.
“Our research shows the Australian public loves Test cricket, regards cricket as the sound of summer and that interest in cricket goes through the roof when the traditional enemy, England, tours this country,” McKenna said.
Brands
Mana Projects names Ranbir Kapoor brand ambassador amid rebranding
Bengaluru developer unveils new identity focused on design and nature.
MUMBAI: When real estate meets reel star power, the foundation for a new brand story is often laid brick by brick. Mana Projects, the Bengaluru based real estate developer, has appointed actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity aimed at aligning the company with the evolving expectations of modern urban homebuyers.
The announcement marks a new phase for the developer, which has spent over two decades building residential communities in Bengaluru, particularly along emerging growth corridors such as Sarjapur Road.
The updated brand identity reflects the company’s emphasis on design led living and environmentally conscious development. According to the developer, the new positioning focuses on creating residential spaces where architecture, nature, engineering and lifestyle planning work together to shape meaningful living experiences.
Mana Projects chairman and managing director D. Kishore Reddy said the rebranding represents a natural progression as the company adapts to the expectations of a new generation of homeowners.
“This rebranding represents the natural evolution of Mana Projects as we align ourselves with the aspirations of a new generation of homeowners, particularly millennials who form the backbone of Bengaluru’s dynamic homebuyer community,” Reddy said.
He added that today’s buyers increasingly look beyond basic housing to spaces that combine design, sustainability and a strong sense of community.
“At Mana, our philosophy centres on creating homes where space is purposeful, design is intelligent, nature is respected and engineering ensures long term sustainability. Our association with Ranbir Kapoor reflects this new chapter as we continue to build communities that enable people to truly live brilliantly,” he said.
Kapoor, who has been associated with several lifestyle and consumer brands, said the partnership resonated with his own understanding of what makes a home meaningful.
“A home is one of the most meaningful investments people make in their lives, and it should reflect comfort, warmth and a sense of belonging,” Kapoor said.
“What impressed me about Mana Projects is the brilliance of their thought, the way design, nature and functionality come together to enhance everyday living. I’m delighted to be associated with Mana Projects as they continue to create homes that inspire modern urban families to truly live brilliantly.”
The collaboration will be introduced through a large scale integrated campaign spanning digital platforms, outdoor media and experiential activations, making it one of the developer’s most prominent branding initiatives in recent years.
Founded in Bengaluru, Mana Projects has built a portfolio of residential developments that emphasise thoughtful architecture, amenity rich neighbourhoods and environmentally sensitive planning. The company’s projects often integrate open spaces, green landscapes and energy efficient engineering to support sustainable urban living.
With Bengaluru continuing to attract young professionals and technology workers, the developer believes the city’s housing market is increasingly being shaped by buyers seeking well planned communities that balance functionality with quality of life.
Looking ahead, Mana Projects plans to expand its presence across the city by developing future ready residential projects designed to accommodate emerging lifestyle trends such as hybrid work culture, community driven living and multigenerational households.
By combining a refreshed brand identity with a high profile ambassador, the company hopes to strengthen its position in Bengaluru’s competitive real estate market while appealing to a new generation of homeowners seeking homes that blend design, nature and modern living.
