Pending poll umpire's decision delays closure of IPL ad deals
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the first 21 matches of the upcoming IPL between March 22 and April 7. It is waiting for the Election Commission to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, slated to be held in April and May, before scheduling the rest of the tournament. Industry insiders said companies looking at campaign-based advertising would want more visibility on the schedule.
IPL official broadcaster Disney Star and official streamer Viacom18 have managed to close a slew of sponsorship and spot-buy deals and are expected to sign more deals in the run-up to the IPL, which will kick off on March 22. «The IPL on-ground sponsorships were also closed very late, with some sponsorship slots remaining unsold even now,» said the official cited above. «Both Disney Star and Viacom 18 have to offer the first right of refusal to IPL's on-ground sponsors.»
Disney Star is believed to have inked ad deals with Asian Paints, Vimal Pan Masala, Dream11, My11Circle, Hindustan Unilever, HDFC, Reckitt Benckiser, Indigo Paints, and Nerolac Paints.
Viacom18 is understood to have closed deals with Dream11, My11Circle, HDFC, Google, Parle Products, Coca-Cola, Dalmia Cement, and Naukri.com. It is also looking to close deals with brands from categories like online stock trading, handsets, four-wheelers, and tyres.
Parle Products vice-president Mayank Shah said the biscuits and confectionery company has decided to advertise on JioCinema this year since digital advertising is cost
