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Showdiff Worldwide ropes in Akram, Botham & Lamb
MUMBAI: After roping in actor Raveena Tandon and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle for Zydus Cadilla’s Sugar Free; Rediffusion DYR and Ravi Shastri’s joint venture Showdiff Worldwide has now announced that they will exclusively manage veteran international cricketers Wasim Akram, Ian Botham and Alan Lamb.
Showdiff Worldwide has tied up with a UK based company Honey Deal which possesses the worldwide rights for Akram, Botham and Lamb and will henceforth exclusively manage these cricketers in India. Showdiff Worldwide vice president Jaiveer Panwar says, “The Indian market and flavour beats any other market. As long as this deal is giving back something to the sports fraternity and the consumers it is good.”
Wasim Akram, Ian Botham & Alan Lamb
Akram, Botham and Lamb will soon be seen endorsing various brands. “Various commercial activities will be launched shortly with them,” said Panwar. However, he did not divulge any details of the ‘commercial activities’. “I am not in a position to talk about anything right now. As and when the client is ready to launch the campaigns, we will talk about it,” he added.
Speaking about the USP and brand value of these cricketers (who have long since retired) to the Indian market, Panwar said, “These seasoned cricketers have a great margin over others by what they can give back to the cricket fraternity in terms of coaching inputs. They are all very good speakers and can give the new generation of cricketers invaluable advice due to their long association with the game. This will be a way for them to give back something to the game that has given them name and fame.”
Showdiff Worldwide’s contract with the cricketers will (like most other contracts) last for a year. “As of now, they will be with us for a year as per the terms of the contract, but our endeavour always is to work on a long term basis. We will see how things are after a year,” said Panwar.
Seems somewhat odd that no Indian cricketer has been roped in by Showdiff Worldwide along with Akram, Lamb and Botham, because at the end of the day they will be endorsing brands in India. “As of now we have not roped in any Indian cricketer. But we are ready to work with anybody,” Panwar said. Well, until that happens, it remains to be seen how much the Indian consumer connects with Akram, Botham and Lamb.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
