Cricket is the game that gets fans jumping with joy and players swinging their bats with gusto. But these days, it’s not just the pitch where cricketers are making their mark. They are also hitting it out of the park in the world of advertising! Yep, you heard that right. Cricketers are now seen more in ads than on the pitch, and the trend of casting them in ads is spreading like a contagious cricket fever.
But it’s not just about the brand’s success. The quirky part is how cricketers have become experts at selling anything and everything under the sun. Whether it’s a sports drink, toothpaste, or a luxury watch, they can sell it all with ease and finesse. They know how to make a product look desirable and how to capture the attention of their fans and consumers.
In fact, cricketers have become so good at endorsing products that they can even make mundane things like insurance policies and kitchen appliances look cool and exciting! They have mastered the art of product placement and can seamlessly integrate a brand into their lifestyle and personality.
Why Brands are Betting on Cricketers for Endorsement
Well, well, well, it seems like the world of advertising has a new boss in town and it’s not Shahrukh Khan or Amir Khan. Nope, it’s our cricketing superstars who are now hogging the limelight and stealing the show. Bollywood actors look like they’ll have to stick to making movies and leave the ad campaigns to the cricketers. Who knew that hitting sixes and taking wickets could also make you a marketing genius
Brands are choosing cricketers for endorsement and brand ambassadorship for several reasons. Firstly, cricketers have a massive following and enjoy celebrity status in many countries around the world. This means that by associating with a cricketer, a brand can tap into this large audience and potentially gain new customers.
Secondly, cricketers are seen as role models and influencers, particularly to young people who may be more impressionable and susceptible to advertising. Brands can leverage this influence to build brand loyalty and increase sales.
Thirdly, cricketers are often seen as embodying certain values or qualities that brands want to be associated with. For example, a cricketer may be seen as disciplined, hardworking, and dedicated, and a brand may want to align itself with these qualities.
Why Brands Are Choosing Cricketers Over Actors
Move over actors, there’s a new player in town. Brands have realized that cricketers are the ultimate MVPs when it comes to ad campaigns. With their massive fan following and trendsetting appeal, cricketers have become the go-to choice for brands looking to make a statement.
It’s no secret that the world of advertising is constantly evolving, and brands are becoming increasingly smart about how they choose their endorsers. The traditional method of choosing actors for ad campaigns is slowly losing its appeal, and brands are now looking toward cricketers to take advantage of their massive popularity.
Cricketers have a unique appeal that actors cannot match. They are not just sports stars, but they are also seen as national heroes, role models, and influencers. They have a massive fan following, and people look up to them for inspiration and guidance. This is why brands are now choosing cricketers to endorse their products, as they know that this will help them connect with their target audience on a deeper level.
Another advantage of choosing cricketers over actors is that they are more relatable to the common man. While actors may live in a world of glitz and glamour, cricketers are seen as everyday people who have worked hard to achieve success. This makes them more approachable and easier to connect with, which is a big plus for brands.
Gone are the days of traditional celebrity endorsement. Brands are now smartening up and realizing that cricketers have a unique appeal that actors simply can’t match. After all, who needs a Bollywood superstar when you’ve got Virat Kohli hitting sixes and looking oh-so-stylish in his branded attire?
In a recent ad campaign released by Dream 11, they took a sarcastic swipe at the phenomenon of cricketers dominating the advertising space. The ad features the cast of the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots, including Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, poking fun at the fact that cricketers seem to be more visible in ads than on the actual cricket pitch.
The IPL-Brand Connection
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has undoubtedly played a significant role in the rise of cricketers as advertising icons. With its massive popularity and high viewership, the IPL has become a platform for cricketers to showcase their talent and gain a huge following. This popularity has translated into the advertising world, where brands have taken notice of the massive reach and influence of cricketers.
The Indian Premier League T20 tournament has become a prime advertising platform for brands looking to tap into the massive viewership and influence of cricket in India. With a surfeit of television commercials featuring cricketers promoting various brands such as Jio, NatureFresh, Goibibo, and Kansai Nerolac Paints, among others, it’s clear that brands are taking full advantage of the popularity of cricketers.
During the IPL, brands are not just limited to casting one or two cricketers for their ad campaigns. In fact, many brands have taken it a step further and cast entire cricket teams to promote their products. This trend has become increasingly popular in recent years as brands look to capitalize on the massive following of cricket teams and their players.
By casting entire teams, brands are able to tap into the collective power of the players and create a sense of unity and team spirit that resonates with audiences. This approach is particularly effective for brands looking to promote products that are associated with teamwork and collaboration.
For example,
TVS Eurogrip– Chennai Super King
JioCinema – Multi IPL teams
Dream11 – Mumbai Indians
Yatra – WPL, Delhi Capitals
Star Sports – Multi IPL Teams
With the IPL serving as a platform for brands to showcase their products to a massive audience, it’s no surprise that cricketers are in high demand for ad campaigns. And with the trend showing no signs of slowing down, we can expect to see even more cricketers dominating the advertising space in the future.
Brands that have successful campaigns with cricketers
1. MPL
2. CEAT Tyres
3. Taco Bell
4. Turtlemint
5. KNOBB
6. Havmor Ice Cream
7. RIGI
8. Gulf Ad
9. Infinity Learn
10. Blue Star Limited
How Cricketers are Scoring Big as Brand Ambassadors
Brands are not just stopping at casting cricketers in their ad campaigns but are also choosing them as the face of their brand, as brand ambassadors. This trend has become increasingly popular in recent times, as brands look to leverage the massive popularity and influence of cricketers to promote their products and services. Several popular cricketers have been chosen as brand ambassadors by various brands. For instance, Suryakumar Yadav is associated with UrbanGabru, Virat Kohli is a brand ambassador for the wearables smartwatch leader, Noise, Kuldeep Yadav is associated with Real11, and Dinesh Karthik has been roped in by Gizmore. These cricketers have become trusted faces for these brands, helping to increase brand awareness, sales, and credibility. By leveraging the popularity and influence of cricketers, these brands have been able to successfully connect with their target audience and establish a strong brand image in the market.
Well, with the current trend of cricketers taking over the advertising world and becoming brand ambassadors, it won’t be surprising if they start opting for an acting career. We might soon witness cricketers giving tough competition to actors on the big screen and winning prestigious awards like the Oscars. Who knows, maybe the next World Cup trophy will be presented to the winning team by a famous cricketer-turned-actor on the red carpet. It seems like cricketers are truly becoming the ultimate all-rounders, dominating not only on the field but also in the entertainment industry. Let’s just hope they don’t forget to practice their cricket skills in the midst of all the lights, cameras, and action.
Agency Masala’s view on it
Agency Masala’s perspective is that it is refreshing to see cricketers show different sides of themselves beyond their on-field persona and connect with audiences in a more relatable manner. However, as the saying goes, “Let the cobbler stick to his last”, so while it is good to see cricketers doing endorsements, fans still love to see them primarily as cricketers.
What is your opinion on cricketers doing advertisements instead of just focusing on their cricket career? Comment your opinion below.
