Marketing masterstrokes: How Pepsi’s ‘Nothing Official About It’ upended the 1996 Cricket World Cup

The campaign was a runaway success, cementing Pepsi’s status as a cultural force in India.

In 1996, after losing the official sponsorship of the Cricket World Cup to Coca-Cola, Pepsi launched the bold “Nothing Official About It” campaign, redefining ambush marketing. The ad’s irreverent messaging and strategic timing turned a setback into a cultural and commercial triumph.

With ‘Anytime is Pepsi Time’ campaign, we’re defining refreshment for summer season: PepsiCo

In 1996, Pepsi’s provocative campaign, “Nothing Official About It,” took direct aim at Coca-Cola, the official sponsor of that year’s Cricket World Cup.

Once a battleground for fierce marketing rivalries, the soft drink industry saw Pepsi and Coca-Cola wage high-stakes Cola Wars, particularly through cricket. With new players like Reliance-owned Campa Cola entering the fray, the question remains – are the Cola Wars poised for a comeback?

The Indie Ad Revolution: ‘Item numbers’ to ‘pretainers’, what’s happening with indie ad shops?

Clients, creativity, talent and compensation – independent ad firms’ founders unpack what makes indies tick in today’s hyper-fragmented ad landscape and what gives independent agencies an edge over the big networks?