iWorld
Pakistan decides against selling stake in telecom firm to Etisalat
MUMBAI: In what is being seen as a setback to privatisation initiatives in Pakistan, that country’s government has cancelled the $2.6bn sale of a controlling stake in state-owned Pakistan Telecommunications (PTC) to the United Arab Emirates-based Etisalat.
Media reports indicate that the UAE operator failed to make the agreed payment by the deadline given. Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission isued a statement that said, “In spite of the necessary facilitation within the transaction framework, Etisalat failed to make payment of the balance bid amount within the mutually agreed extended timeline of 28 October 2005”.
This announcement comes at a time when foreign telecom carrIers are looking to expand into South Asia. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Vodafone Group, the world’s biggest mobile-phone company, is buying 10 per cent stake in Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd (BTVL) for approximately Rs 67 billion ($1.5 billion).
Analysts weer quoted in reports saying that Etisalat had raised several issues soon after its successful bid, including a deferred payment structure, permission to list PTCL shares in the UAE market as well as in Karachi, and various tax exemptions.
Etisalat may have been pressing for the concessions because it paid a price that exceeded market expectations and was far higher than other bids
The Pakistan government is now said to be examining the possibility of whether the stake should be awarded to China Mobile which was the second highest bidder.
iWorld
Uber spotlights Rs 25 bike rides with music led IPL campaign
Uber uses 15 second music films with Divine and Roll Rida to push Rs 25 rides
MUMBAI: In a season where ads usually swing for sixes with celebrity spectacle, Uber has chosen to play a clever single sharp, fast, and straight to the point. Uber has rolled out a distinctly stripped-down IPL campaign, putting its product Uber Bike rides starting at Rs 25 for up to 3 km front and centre, rather than leaning on big-budget storytelling. The campaign features hip-hop artist Divine in Mumbai and Roll Rida in southern markets, using music as the primary vehicle for recall.
IPL advertising has long been dominated by high-production narratives packed with cricketers and film stars. Uber’s approach flips that playbook. Instead of elaborate storytelling, the brand opts for 15-second music-led films quick, rhythmic bursts designed to mirror the pace of urban mobility itself.
The message is deliberately simple, affordable, fast rides that cut through city traffic. No layered plots, no extended build-up just a functional promise delivered with cultural flair.
In the Mumbai-led film, Divine zips through traffic on an Uber Bike, turning the Rs 25 price point into a hook with his signature wordplay around “pachisi”. The campaign cleverly reframes affordability as a moment of delight, the kind that leaves commuters with a “32-teeth smile” after beating traffic at minimal cost.
Meanwhile, Roll Rida’s version leans into southern sensibilities, blending Telugu and Tamil influences with high-energy visuals. Set to the beat of tape drums, the film celebrates how low-cost rides can unlock a more connected and vibrant city experience. Together, the films reflect a conscious push towards regional authenticity, rather than a one-size-fits-all national narrative.
The campaign also signals Uber’s sharper focus on India’s growing bike taxi segment. While the company offers multi-modal services spanning cars, autos, metro integrations and intercity travel, this push zeroes in on two-wheelers as a key growth lever in dense urban markets.
By anchoring the campaign around a Rs 25 entry price for short distances, Uber is targeting everyday commuters, particularly younger users navigating congested cities where speed and cost matter more than comfort.
With IPL advertising clutter at its peak, even the most straightforward message risks getting lost. Uber’s answer is to embed the proposition within culture using music, regional nuance and repeat-friendly short formats to drive recall. The creative team has also layered subtle visual cues including multiple references to “25” within frames encouraging repeat viewing and reinforcing the core message without over-explaining it.
The campaign reflects a broader shift in advertising priorities. As attention spans shrink and media environments get noisier, brands are increasingly favouring clarity over complexity and speed over scale.
Uber’s IPL play may not shout the loudest, but it lands where it matters in the everyday commute. Because sometimes, in a marketplace full of grand narratives, a Rs 25 ride is story enough.
