New Venue | Game plan for South Africa
New Venue | Game plan for South Africa
Vice-president (commercial operations
Deccan Chargers
The biggest challenge this year has been the changing of plans at the last moment because of the change of venue. For instance, we had signed up deals with sponsors in India and had major plans for on-ground activation and initiatives to build a bigger fan base, but all those plans have been stalled now. This has wasted (a) lot of money as well.
Currently, we have seven sponsors but a lot of changes have occurred. We are even open to having sponsors in South Africa (SA).
Marketing manager, GMR Sports Pvt Ltd
Delhi Daredevils
I do not think there will be any revenue loss to franchisees this season. The IPL management has assured us that there will be no loss.
Things such as tickets/gate pass, branding and (execution of) pouring (beverage partner) rights will be handled by (the) IPL management in South Africa, along with central sponsorship. Once the matches are over, all teams will sit together to see what kind of revenues (have) come in. All franchisees will also benefit from the deal between IPL and Sony (MSM).
Spokesperson
Mumbai Indians
The biggest opportunity also brings in the biggest challenge. While the change in venue is definitely a challenge with creating a local fan base, we are taking it positively. We see it as an opportunity for the young players to play in international conditions.
Also, having players from six countries in the side, we are sure to enhance Mumbai Indians’ global appeal. Playing in SA will also help IPL grow into a bigger property.
Rakesh Singh
Joint president (marketing), India Cements Ltd
Chennai Super Kings
Currently, talks are on with various travel agencies and companies. We are looking at devising interesting travel packages in partnership with travel and tour organizers for families who can go to South Africa for a couple of matches and at the same time have an extended holiday.
The idea is to make it possible for the middle class (to go to South Africa) by designing affordable packages. There is a lot of excitement for IPL in SA. The shifting of IPL to another country may be a blessing in disguise.
Co-owner, Kings XI Punjab
There have been no changes in deals with (globally managed) companies such as PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd and Wrigley India Pvt. Ltd. But yes, there are some local companies whose on-ground activation plans have been impacted. For them, we have made changes in other deliverables. We have not given them any cash discounts but will compensate them (and) give them some other benefits such as more visibility during matches.
Chief marketing officer, Rajasthan Royals
The biggest challenge this year for IPL is to meet (the) expectation level of people. It was such a big success last year—now the challenge is to ensure that it’s a bigger success this time.
We are in the process of signing up with a marketing and public relations agency in South Africa. We are also holding talks with companies in SA for sponsorships besides the current eight sponsors that we signed in India earlier. We will announce some deals this week.
President, United Spirits Ltd, part of Vijay Mallaya’s UB Group
It is good to have the tournament somewhere instead of not having it at all. But yes, it would have been more exciting to have it in India. However, it’s a known fact that 90% of cricket viewing is on TV; I do not think that the television rating points, or TRPs, or the overall interest in the format is going to get impacted.
We do not see any loss of revenues as the BCCI has promised us (franchisees) that there will be no loss of business.
Compiled by Vijaya Rathore
vijaya.r@livemint.com
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