Brands
WPP and Universal Music partner for brands and bands
MUMBAI: This could be music to WPP’s clients’ ears. The creative transformation company and music-based entertainment powerhouse Universal Music group (UMG) announced on 12 December that they are planning to work in harmony with each other.
The duo has got into a strategic partnership that will provide clients’ brands with cutting-edge audience engagement strategies leveraging the power of music. The new alliance brings together UMG’s family of artists and labels, and its global data and insights team, with WPP’s creative scale and extensive client network, giving brands new opportunities to connect with audiences through music.
The collaborative partnership offers WPP clients’ new opportunities to connect with some of the world’s most popular artists and their music, and unique access to UMG’s iconic music catalogue to unlock additional areas of amplification through data-driven and technological innovation. In addition, WPP and UMG will work together to responsibly explore new ways that AI can better help brands and artists connect and create authentic cultural moments.
The announcement builds upon the history of successful collaboration between WPP and UMG for Brands (UMGB), as exemplified by their ongoing partnership with The Coca-Cola Co. Working together, WPP and UMG have collaborated on global initiatives such as the award-winning Coke Studio and Sprite Limelight music platforms. Through these programmes, a diverse array of established and emerging artists have amplified brand messaging, galvanising fan communities worldwide while expanding their audiences.
“Music is becoming an even more powerful cultural force, and technology is rewriting how we experience it,” said WPP chief technology officer Stephan Pretorius. “This partnership with UMG will allow us to leverage emerging technologies and data insights to create truly innovative music-driven campaigns for our clients, shaping the future of brand engagement.”
“This collaboration provides benefits to stakeholders of each company. On the one hand, combining innovative new technologies with UMG’s industry-leading data insights, we can create significant new commercial opportunities for our artists and songwriters,” added UMG chief digital officer & EVP Michael Nash. “In addition, working together with WPP, we will harness and amplify the unmatched power and reach of music for WPP’s clients and brands through new strategic initiatives and programmes.”
This initiative is part of WPP’s larger strategy to invest in data and technology-driven solutions and partnerships with the world’s leading companies to drive value for its clients. Hopefully, WPP’s clients have their headphones on and are listening.
Brands
Reebok partners with Jerai Fitness for gym equipment in India
Long-term deal to manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded fitness products from April 2026.
MUMBAI: Reebok is pumping up its presence in India and this time, it’s bringing serious muscle to the gym floor. Jerai Fitness Limited, an Indian manufacturer with over three decades of experience in fitness equipment, has announced a first-of-its-kind long-term partnership with Reebok. Under the agreement, Jerai Fitness will manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded gym equipment across India and neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The products will be available from 1 April 2026.
The collaboration combines Jerai Fitness’ fully automated, technology-driven manufacturing facility with Reebok’s global brand legacy to redefine the fitness equipment ecosystem in the region.
Jerai Fitness Limited chairman & managing director Rajesh Rai said the partnership leverages advanced manufacturing capabilities to deliver high-quality products tailored to market needs.
Authentic Brands Group EVP of Reebok Steve Robaire noted that India is a dynamic and fast-growing fitness market. “Jerai Fitness brings the manufacturing expertise and local insight needed to deliver high-quality, performance-driven equipment at scale,” he said.
The partnership will introduce a comprehensive commercial range covering cardio, free weights, and high-end home-use equipment under two distinct series. All products adhere to international standards, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ASTM certifications, and European safety standards EN ISO 20957-1:2013, EN 957-2:2003 and EN 957-4:2006.
Jerai Fitness’ manufacturing facility features fully automated production systems and dedicated storage infrastructure. As of 31 August 2025, it had an installed annual capacity of 21,000 units.
The Reebok-branded equipment will be available pan-India through Jerai Fitness showrooms and official websites jeraihomegym.com and jeraifitness.com.
In a market where fitness goals are rising faster than dumbbells, this partnership gives Reebok the local strength it needs while giving Jerai Fitness a powerful global brand to flex. For Indian fitness enthusiasts and gym owners, the workout just got a stylish upgrade.
