Warning shots fired at non-sponsor brands seeking to cash in on Manu Bhaker's Olympic success
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Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooter who won a bronze medal on Sunday at the Paris Olympics, has been flooded with congratulatory wishes by brands that have never sponsored her or are associated with her in any manner.
“Since yesterday, almost two dozen brands which are not associated with Manu, have released congratulatory ads on social media with her images and their brands. This is not allowed legally and we are serving legal notices to these brands… This is moment marketing free of cost,” said Neerav Tomar, MD of IOS Sports & Entertainment, which manages Bhaker.
The firms that latched on to Bhaker’s feat include Bajaj Foods, LIC, FIITJEE, Oakwood International School, Praneet Group, Radha TMT, Apricot Bioscience, Kineto, Xtrabrick Realtors and Parul Ayurved Hospital. Emails sent to some of these did not elicit a response while others could not be reached for comment.
So far, Bhaker only endorses sports gear and fitness fashion company Performax Activewear, though about half a dozen brands are in negotiations to sign her for endorsements or sponsorships.
The matter is widespread and a growing concern, executives said.
‘Rules Not Watertight’
“Brands who don’t sponsor our athletes cannot legally use their images in their ads on social media or anywhere; if they do, we will take stringent action,” said a spokesperson of Baseline
