Brands
Wybor signs cricketer Axar Patel as brand ambassador to boost market reach
Mumbai: Wybor, a rising Indian consumer electronics brand under the MEPL Group, has appointed cricket sensation Axar Patel as its brand ambassador, marking a major stride in its efforts to expand brand recognition in the competitive Indian market. Since its establishment in 2017, Wybor has grown rapidly, initially as an online marketplace, and later by building a robust dealer and distributor network to ensure extensive availability across the nation.
Known for cutting-edge technology and high-quality products, Wybor’s range spans from Google QLED TVs to inverter split air conditioners, semi-automatic washing machines, air coolers, and smart watches, catering to the diverse needs of Indian households. The MEPL Group, which has a 45-year legacy in the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) sector, backs Wybor’s ‘Make in India’ commitment to high standards and technological innovation. The company also emphasises an inclusive workforce, with over 50 per cent of its employees being women.
Patel, known for his outstanding skills and dedication in cricket, aligns perfectly with Wybor’s brand ethos. “I’m honoured to partner with Wybor, a brand that not only delivers innovative products but also shares my passion for excellence and pushing boundaries. I look forward to being part of Wybor’s journey as it continues to grow as a top Indian brand,” said Patel.
Malhotra Electronics Pvt Ltd, director, Gagan Preet Singh Malhotra expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Axar Patel, whose dedication, versatility, and hardworking spirit reflect the values we uphold at Wybor. As an all-rounder and a proud Indian, he embodies the same excellence we bring to our products. With a 45-year manufacturing legacy from the MEPL Group, Wybor continues to grow as a trusted, premium Indian brand,”
Sportcell, head of talent, Puneet Solanki added, “We at Sportcell are proud to have played a pivotal role in aligning Wybor with Axar Patel. Axar’s exceptional talent, discipline, and unwavering determination mirror the values that Wybor stands for. This partnership marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration, and we are excited to witness how it will elevate both the brand and the athlete.”
Brands
Godrej clarifies ‘GI’ identifier after logo similarity debate
Says GI is not a logo, will not replace Godrej signature across products.
MUMBAI: In a branding storm where shapes did the talking, Godrej is now spelling things out. Godrej Industries Group (GIG) has issued a clarification on its newly introduced ‘GI’ identifier, addressing questions around its purpose and design following a wave of online criticism. At the centre of the debate were two concerns: whether the new mark replaces the long-standing Godrej logo, and whether its geometric design mirrors other corporate identities.
The company has drawn a clear line. The Godrej signature logo, it said, remains unchanged and continues to be the sole logo across all consumer-facing products and services. The ‘GI’ mark, by contrast, is not a logo but a corporate group identifier intended for use alongside the Godrej signature or company name, and aimed at stakeholders such as investors, media and talent rather than consumers.
The need for such a distinction stems from the 2024 restructuring of the broader Godrej Group into two separate business entities. With both continuing to operate under the same Godrej name and signature, the identifier is positioned as a way to differentiate the Godrej Industries Group at a corporate level.
The rollout, however, triggered a broader conversation on design originality. Critics pointed to similarities between the GI mark’s geometric composition and logos used by companies globally, raising questions about distinctiveness.
Responding to this, GIG said its intellectual property and legal review found that such overlaps are common in minimalist, geometry-led design systems. Basic forms such as circles and rectangles appear across dozens of brand identities worldwide, the company noted.
It added that the identifier emerged from an extensive design process and was chosen for its simplicity, allowing it to sit alongside the Godrej signature without competing visually. While acknowledging that elemental shapes may appear less distinctive in isolation, the group emphasised that the mark is part of a broader identity system that includes a custom typeface, sonic branding and other proprietary elements.
Following legal and ethical assessments, the company said it found no impediment to using the identifier, reiterating that the GI mark is a corporate tool not a consumer-facing symbol.
In short, the logo isn’t changing but the conversation around it certainly has.
