April 2025 – Page 9 – storyboard18

Global Ads Spotlight: Gatorade turned city streets into sports playgrounds with bold ‘Turf Finder’ campaign

The campaign not only took home a Gold Lion at Cannes Lions this year but also introduced a future-forward way to think about urban space.

Gatorade’s innovative ‘Turf Finder’ campaign took over busy streets, and made space for play and winning big at Cannes Lions. Read and watch in our Global Ads Spotlight column.

Sun TV Network’s Kal Radio gets NCLT approval for Udaya FM amalgamation

The amalgamation was approved to create synergies between the FM radio broadcasting businesses of the two companies.

The NCLT order also addresses the transfer of assets and liabilities, ensuring that all properties, rights, and powers of Udaya FM Private Limited will be transferred to Sun TV Network’s Kal Radio Limited.

India’s sports industry hits Rs 16,633 crore in 2024, driven by sponsorship, endorsements: GroupM

Cricketer-led brand endorsement value surged to Rs 1,054 crore ($ 125 million)

Cricket, synonymous with India’s sporting identity, remained the undisputed leader, accounting for 85% of the overall sporting industry revenue.

Media agencies’ turmoil and hybrid in-housing surge | AAAI’s WhatsApp exit advisory could backfire | WPP drops DEI language, Ogilvy CEO champions DEI

Rather than a move away, experts foresee a recalibration of expectations, with clients seeking more transparency and agencies responding with stronger governance and accountability from media buying agencies, after the CCI probe into ad firms.

Storyboard18 brings you top five news updates from the world of advertising, marketing and business of brands.

Sports AdEx up 7% in 2024 to reach Rs 7,989 cr: GroupM

The growth signals a steady rise in investments across various sports properties, driven by increasing viewership, brand engagement, and the expanding digital ecosystem. (Image source: GroupM)

GroupM’s latest Sporting Nation report reveals that sports adex in India is on track to surpass $1 billion. While TV media spends on sports remained flat in 2024 due to fewer matches played by India compared to 2023, digital ad spends surged by 25%.

Movie theatres are never coming back, says Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos

Highlighting troubling industry data, Sarandos noted that the theatrical box office remains significantly diminished, down 40-50% from pre-Covid levels, with an additional 8% drop recorded this year alone. (Image: News18)

Netflix’s co-CEO cites weak box office numbers and booming live events as indicators of the permanent shift away from cinemas.

Bright Outdoor acquires exclusive OOH media rights for Navi Mumbai Metro 1

In addition to the Navi Mumbai Metro project, Bright Outdoor achieved a major milestone in 2024 by securing the Western Railways Advertising Tender.

The OOH agency has acquired advertising space spanning approximately 85,000 square feet, ensuring extensive brand visibility in one of India’s fastest-growing urban centers.

Kansai Nerolac Paints appoints Pravin D. Chaudhari as Managing Director

Kansai Nerolac Paints is set to strengthen its strategic direction and continue its growth trajectory in the Indian market.

Chaudhari has been appointed for a three-year term, subject to shareholder approval.

Havells India elevates Rahul Murgai to Executive Vice President

Rahul Murgai previously led Havells India as global senior vice president – international business division.

No relief for Ranveer Allahbadia as Supreme Court refuses to return his passport, extends protection from arrest

The court extended its interim protection for Allahbadia, shielding him from arrest over police cases filed against him in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur.