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The much admired Masters of the show, Remo D’Souza, Geeta Kapoor and Terence Lewis are here in Delhi today to announce the names of the ADBHUT 18 who have secured their places in ‘REMO KE RANGEELEY’, ‘GEETA KI GANG’ and ‘TERENCE KI TOLI’.

Said Ashish Golwalkar, Non Fiction Head of Zee TV on the occasion,”This is a momentous occasion for us. After weeks of rigor, contemplation and deliberation we have finally chosen our ‘Adbhut 18’ contestants. The contestants were handpicked totally on the basis of their skill, innovative presentation, versatility and ‘never give up’ attitude towards dance. These contestants not only use their creativity but also mould themselves beautifully into the style of each Master. The desire to perform and excel is so strong in these contestants that it has only helped us to raise the bar of the show in terms of its competitiveness. Zee as a channel takes immense pride in the fact that Dance has boomed in popularity in India because of a show like Dance India Dance. I urge the viewers who have still not tuned into the show, to definitely watch out for the Gala opening episode of DID on 14th and 15th Jan, I promise you, it will take your breath away for sure.”

The selection procedure was an arduous task. After auditioning participants from 22 cities, 100 contestants were called to Mumbai for the Mega auditions. In the mega audition, the hundred contestants had to learn 3 styles of choreography i.e. Hip Hop style of Master Remo, Bollywood style of Master Geeta and Contemporary style of Master Terence, all in one single day. Out of the hundred, the 36 contestants who were successful in emulating all the three styles of the Masters with élan were selected for the next round, which was the solo choreography round. In the solo choreography, the contestants who showed maximum promise were selected in the TOP 18 and were certified as Adbhut Athara.

This moment is also significant as DID announces its tie-up with sportswear giant Reebok. Over the years, Dance India Dance has become a cult property and trend setter in the genre. Continuing with the tradition of exploring differentiated marketing on DID; this season the channel has ventured into an unexplored territory, the Revenue Sharing and Licensing Deal with Reebok.

Said Akash Chawla, Head-Marketing, National Channels, ZEEL regarding the Licensing and Merchandising with Reebok, “The DID brand stands for great quality of dancing and extreme rigor. DID has always been a progressive brand which has been an aspiration to many. Taking this forward, this season we have ventured into a licensing contract with Reebok. This is a first at Zee TV that a costume rang will be unveiled. As a part of this arrangement, Reebok has designed a customized range of DID dance gear and will retail it in nearly 100 outlets across the country. This will help us to extend our brands into new product categories to drive strategic growth for the company and will also help increase the popularity of the brand.”

Said Sajid Shamim, Brand Director, Reebok, “At Reebok, we have always focused our efforts on creating products that bring elements of life, sport and style together. Through this association with ‘Dance India Dance’, we are celebrating fitness through the medium of dance which at its core is fun and enjoyable. We believe that the Dance India Dance collection, has taken its inspiration from the various forms of dance. Comprising of graphic t-shirts in vibrant and bright colours, this collection celebrates the spirit of dance.”

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On STAR CJ alive, Diwali begins on 9th September with a line-up of the best products and never-seen-before offers for STAR CJ alive viewers. From home appliances to kitchen appliances! From LCD and LED TVs to laptops and mobiles and cameras! Fashion, jewellery, home linen, kitchen ware, food – all these and more will be vying for the viewer’s attention! Choose from an extensive range of options from Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Videocon, Nokia, Reebok, Puma, Tanishq, Sia, Welhome and so on.

STAR CJ alive gives you the opportunity to be the first to begin your Diwali shopping without having to wait for other offers. Shop from STAR CJ alive this Diwali and become the ‘Diwali Ka Shopping Star’ with an astounding value of gifts to be won! Rs. 10 crore worth of gifts will be up for grabs as part of this shopping extravaganza.

Speaking on the festive promotion, Paritosh Joshi, CEO, STAR CJ alive, said, “Diwali is a very big and important festival for all Indians. So, we decided to flag off the preparations required to celebrate this great festival, early, through ‘Diwali Ka Shopping Star’. What’s more, our patrons, get so much more in addition to shopping for their festive requirements thereby making it a memorable Diwali for the entire family.”

Take a look at what STAR CJ alive has on offer this Diwali and you will never turn back. The channel will totally transform the lifestyle of the biggest STAR CJ alive shopper of the month by awarding him/ her the Grand Prize – a living room makeover! The 2nd biggest shopper stands to win a 4 nights and 5 days holiday package to the exotic and enticing Thailand! Stand to become the proud owner of 20 grams of gold if you are the 3rd biggest shopper of the month. There’s a lot in store and over 15,000 consumer stand to win something or the other on STAR CJ alive as the channel will announce NOT one BUT two sets of winners over this 53 day shopping party!

Recognized for its pioneering efforts in the home-shopping space, STAR CJ alive recently introduced the QR code facility making it easier for its patrons to interact with the channel. For now, scan the QR code featured during different shows, through your smart phone and get instant discount vouchers and much more!!! All one needs to do is download the QR Code scanner on their smart phones. Taking home-shopping to another level of ease and speed, STAR CJ alive has initiated this concept of marketing, for the first time in Indian Television.

If the thought of over spending is bothering you, fret not. What’s a little extra expenditure during festivals? After all they come only once a year. STAR CJ alive eases your woes with the great facility of shopping through HDFC 3-months EMI as the EMI facility will enable the patron to make the payment in 3 monthly installments through the HDFC credit card at 0% interest, while he / she will receive the product immediately after the first EMI.

For STAR CJ alive – India’s premium 24-hour home shopping channel, it’s all about transformation and making a difference to your lifestyle. Be the first one to begin – and complete – your Diwali shopping without having to face the hassles of conventional shopping. To catch all these and more, tune in to experience ‘Diwali Ka Shopping Star’ this Diwali only on STAR CJ alive or log on to www.starcj.com !

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RealFlex features 76 independent “sensors” on the bottom of the shoe strategically positioned to adapt to all training surfaces. These “sensors” work together throughout an athlete’s stride, promoting natural movement and flexibility, while protecting them from the elements associated with barefoot running. The result is a shoe that delivers all the benefits of barefoot running with the protection of a traditional athletic shoe.

“With RealFlex, we set out to create a shoe that promotes true natural movement, but also provided athletes with the protection and versatility they need,” said Sajid Shamim, Brand Director – Reebok. “The benefits of natural movement – improved flexibility, balance and body awareness – are well documented for runners, but our challenge was to provide these benefits in a shoe that allows athletes to do more than simply run.”

With its minimalist construction on the upper, RealFlex delivers a “sock like” feel to the athlete. When combined with the 76 “sensors” on the bottom of the shoe, RealFlex promotes and enhances natural movement in a way that allows the athlete to move the way nature intended.

“Barefoot or natural running makes a lot of sense from a biomechanics standpoint because all the shock absorption happens in your muscles, not your joints,” said Reebok’s Head of Advanced Innovation, Bill McInnis. “The problem is that natural running works best in the natural world, not on man-made surfaces. In creating RealFlex technology, we took everything that works with natural running and made it work in today’s world. Simply put, RealFlex is natural movement perfected.”

McInnis added that RealFlex is another example of Reebok’s focus on creating technologies whose benefits are immediately apparent to the user when they put the product on. “At Reebok, we’re committed to developing ‘technologies you can feel.’ We want the athlete to feel the technology and experience something unique. Whether it’s ZigTech, EasyTone or RealFlex, we have products that leave no doubt about the benefit.”

RealFlex is available for men and women in distinct colorways. For men, it is offered in Carbon/Blazing Orange, Gravel/Acidic Green, Buff Blue/Athletic Navy/White, White/Tingrey/Black, Steel/Excellent Red,
For women, RealFlex is offered in Gravel/Overtly Pink and Blue Blink/White. For Kids, Real Flex is offered in Black/Gravel/Acidic Green and Steel/Excellent Red Mesh. RealFlex is available at select Reebok outlets for Rs.4999 onwards for men and women and for Rs 3999 onwards for kids.

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Through this application, you can create your Avatar and start a daily fitness regime for both the VIRTUAL and the REAL you. Your virtual avatar does a set of 14 different exercises which helps the user follow a strict toning and calorie burning regimen. This is showcased through videos of your avatar exercising. By following these exercises you are keeping your ‘VIRTUAL’ avatar and the ‘REAL’ you toned and in shape. The fixed workout schedule followed by the Avatar is advised by a Reebok certified fitness instructor and is targeted at helping a user burn upto 200 calories in a 20-30 minutes workout. If a person repeats the workout twice he or she can even burn upto 400 calories in a day!

Commenting on this new consumer engagement tool, Sajid Shamim, Brand Director, Reebok India said, “As a brand we are high on consumer engagement and constantly focus on new ways to reach out to our target group. We are also very keen on leveraging the digital platform to have one on one conversation with our consumers and hence the inception of Reebok EasyTone – ‘Tone Your Avatar’. This application will encourage users to embrace fitness in a fun way & personalized manner, in the comfort of their homes, with their own Avatar as their partner!”

The unique thing about this application is that it links your real fitness level with the fitness level of your virtual Avatar. For example, if you’re being lazy one day and don’t wish to exercise, not only will you be putting on the bulge, but so will your Avatar. If your virtual avatar does not get her daily dose of exercise, she will start putting on weight and become more fat and surely you wouldn’t want to return to an unhealthy avatar of yours. Reebok EasyTone through this Avatar application will for the first time create connect between ‘REAL’ and ‘VIRTUAL’ life such that the “Real” self gets impacted in a positive manner that goes beyond sheer entertainment. The brand hopes that users will tremendously enjoy watching their Avatar get fit or fat depending on the regularity of their own workout. The whole concept is aimed at encouraging a user to exercise regularly with her Avatar and become toned.

Reebok has created this application in line with concept of Reebok EasyTone – Better Body with Every Move. The Reebok EasyTone footwear helps tone key leg & butt muscles by using advanced balance pods built into the shoe. The Easytone apparel uses Reebok’s proprietary ResisTone™ bands to create resistance with every move. These bands create resistance which is designed to help tone and strengthen upper body muscles and encourage better posture and body alignment. Doing the workout with your Avatar in Reebok EasyTone footwear and apparel will also enhance the effectiveness of your workout.

So go ahead and create your very own exercise partner. Stay toned, stay in shape in the comfort of your home, in front of your own personal computer with Reebok EasyTone. Log onto www.facebook.com/officialreebokindia and click on Reetone tab. Start toning now!

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Addressing the press conference, Ness Wadia, Co – Promoter, Kings XI Punjab, said, “I am extremely delighted with the team composition that has Coach Michael Bevan and Captain Adam Gilchrist at the helm and a host of experienced and talented cricketer. We are also extremely happy about the domestic players who form the part of the squad. These young and energetic boys come from our catchment area and beyond. All of them have the potential of being mettle winners in their own right. All in all our team has the right mix of experience, youth and talent & the exhibited potential to go the distance this year.”

Further commenting on the partners association for IPL 4, he said, “Kings XI Punjab is delighted to renew its association with our long standing partners. Emirates, again is our Title Partner and the other partners who we continue our relationship are ACC as Official Team Partner, Gulf as Performance & Protection Partner, Wrigley as Official Chewing Gum, USL as Official games for Challenge Partner and Reebok as Official Apparel Partner. We mutually remain committed to our objectives and promise to take this association to new heights.

We are also thrilled to have a number of new partners with us this season – Pearl Group as Official Team Partner, Carlsberg as Exceptional Team Partner, Q Cinemas as Official Multiplex Partner, Coca Cola as the Official Beverage Partner and Flying Machine as the Official Team Partner. All of them bring forth their esteemed values and commitment & together we forge a new and lasting bond. We take this opportunity to thank all our partners for trusting us and we assure them of our utmost efforts to fulfill our common objectives.”

Col. Arvinder Singh, COO, Kings XI Punjab, further added while sharing marketing plans, “KXIP values its enduring relationship with the fans and this year too our aim is to keep our fans and supporters at the core so that they take pride in being associated with us. We received a stupendous response last year on our initiatives like Homecoming, an opportunity to meet and greet players in their hometowns in catchment area & Flying Catch last year. Hence we will be organizing them again this season in association with our partners i.e. with Carlsberg and Emirates respectively.

In addition special initiative to support the team through Paint the town Red and a contest Rocky Ranjit ki Khoj a search for the voices for our Mascots has been arranged. We have also revamped our website – www.kxip.in by adding several new features like live chats, contests, updates about KXIP cricketers. Our aim with all these initiatives is to involve cricket lovers through these interactive means and engage with them during the matches and on off days.”

The team is currently being trained under the coach Michael Bevan who stated, “We have put together a strong team this season with some of the best cricketers in the world. At the helm we have the experienced captain Adam Gilchrist who would infuse right fervor and guide the team to play some great cricket in the upcoming season. I can just say that my boys are enthused to put the right foot forward and play some great cricket.”

“Kings XI Punjab has a new look but we will endeavor to play as one team where each player complements the other. The squad has great talent and with new renewed energy & teamwork we are determined to aim for a successful season. As always we cherish the unrelenting support and love of all our fans and assure them of our best efforts on the field” added Adam Gilchrist, Captain Kings XI Punjab.

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To amplify performance, Reebok launches a revolutionary style of bats having the Zigtech technology and design embedded in the bat. This reduces the weight of the bat, making it light weight and easy to handle. The new Zigtech bats also have thicker edges, extra rubber, and extra curved blade with a flattened back and a swelling at the sweet spot. Compared to a conventional bat, the all new Reebok Zigtech bat is sure to power up athletes on the field who will shower boundaries with panache.

Along with this, Reebok has outfitted all the cricketers with the all new “Zig-Sonic” equipped with the ZigTech technology which reduces wear and tear in key leg muscles by up to 20% allowing the athletes to train harder and longer. The New Zig Sonic which is high on style and technology has been introduced as the official trainer for ICC World Cup 2011. This official trainer will also be made available in Reebok stores and www.shop4reebok.com for fans to buy as they cheer for India.

The all new range of cricket shoes for “on- field” use has been designed and engineered after in-depth research of the varied playing patterns and foot movements. For the first time, a global product has been developed and customized keeping in mind an Indian athlete’s requirements. During the development phase, the top players Like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan consistently gave their feedback which was incorporated in the final product. Arguably the best cricket shoe available, this shoe is powered by the DMX technology in the bottom and Play Dry technology in the upper. These features combined with the futuristic materials used create the perfect fit for cricket athletes.

Speaking on the occasion, Reebok India Managing Director Prem said: “2011 is a special year with the ICC Cricket World Cup being held in India. Our passion for cricket is exemplified through our partnership with ICC and our rock solid relationships with our top cricketers .Our extensive R & D has ensured that we provide our athletes with the most futuristic arsenal of equipment and the best technologies to REENERGISE & REECHARGE them before the World Cup. This world cup will witness the launch of some of the most revolutionary products ever designed like the Zigtech bats and Zig trainers which will change the game for ever. We look forward to our athletes bringing home the World Cup as they outperform on the field with Zig“

Added Sajid Shamim, Director Sales and Marketing, Reebok,” Reebok is rooted in the ideology of sport and we have supported the game of cricket since the inception of Reebok in India. Reebok continues to power up top athletes and emerging talent throughout the world and equip them with the best to help them outperform both on and off the field. Our line of products for the World Cup – Zigtech bats, Zigtech Training Footwear, Customized Cricket footwear is innovative and performance driven. We are also fuelling the passion in our fans through exclusive fan gear and merchandize. The coming days will see the launch of an all new Zigtech TVC featuring MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh as part of Reebok’s World Cup Marketing Campaign “

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Primesite created buzz for 21 days in Delhi and Mumbai respectively. The main objective of the campaign was to use the uniqueness of the iconic ‘geometric zig zag shape’ of the outsole to reinforce the benefit of ZIGTECH technology. The creative reads, ‘Reezig – The energy drink for your feet’. The campaign focused on communicating the benefits of ‘Reezig’ shoes crafted with ZigTech technology signifying its importance of reducing the wear and tear of the leg muscles by up to 20 percent.

Since it is a global campaign, Primesite created a larger than life projection of the shoe, attracting maximum attention of passers-by and breaking clutter in the market. To do so, a shoe of 16 X8 feet was created which was placed in 3 strategic locations in Delhi. Primesite exclusively emphasised this campaign through billboards, pole kiosks, translites, runner boards and bus shelters. Apart from these, mall elevators and drop downs were also branded inside malls.

Commenting on the campaign, Mandeep Malhotra, President, Mudra Max OOH, said, “Our amassed experience over years has effected in this pulsating idea. ‘Bringing the product to life’ was the objective and we were successful in
doing so, thus allowing the end consumers to actually sense & feel the brand closely inturn translating traffic into stores”.

Sajid Shamim, Director Marketing – Reebok said, “The larger then life shoes bought Zigtech’s unique zig zag shape to life and created unprecedented noise and talk in the market. At Reebok we believe in being clutter breakers and Primesite has helped us achieve exactly that.”

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Among his activities in India, Howard will train with India’s Senior Men’s National Basketball Team; conduct coaching and player clinics for Mahindra NBA Challenge participants, the NBA’s first community league in India; launch NBA Jam, an interactive fan basketball event; and attend the launch of the first two NBA shops opening within adidas stores in Bangalore and Delhi.

“The game of basketball has been so good to me and I am excited to go to India on behalf of the NBA,” said Howard. “Basketball is a global game and I love that the NBA is bringing the fun and excitement to fans around the world and introducing young athletes to the sport.”

“Dwight is extremely talented and charismatic and his presence at the Mahindra NBA Challenge and all the events will provide great inspiration to young basketball players in India,” said NBA President of International Heidi Ueberroth. “Bringing top players like Dwight to communities in India is an important part of the NBA’s overall efforts to teach the game of basketball and increase participation in the country.”

The Mahindra NBA Challenge, the league’s first-ever community-based basketball league in India, launched in Mumbai, Bangalore and Ludhiana this summer and attracted thousands of participants including top players from each city. On Aug. 11, Howard will make an appearance at the league in Bangalore where he will meet the participants and conduct basketball clinics for both the players and coaches.

Howard will train with India’s Senior Men’s National Basketball Team at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Aug. 10 and 11 to help them prepare for the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) 16th Asian Games which takes place in China this November.

He will then travel to Delhi on Aug. 13 and 14 to launch the second consecutive NBA Jam, the league’s traveling fan event in India that features interactive basketball activities. Howard will meet with fans and teach fundamental basketball skills to youth.

Howard will be on hand to launch the first-ever NBA shops to open within adidas stores in India. He will interact with fans and help introduce them to the most comprehensive assortment of NBA apparel and footwear in the country. The shops will open on Brigade Road in Bangalore on Aug. 10 and in the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon on Aug. 14.

“As a Global Partner of the NBA, we are extremely excited to support initiatives that promote the growth of basketball in India and the opportunity to meet NBA All-Star Dwight Howard will inspire the next generation of basketball players,” said adidas India Director of Marketing and Sales Tushar Goculdas. “We are thrilled that Dwight will appear at the new NBA shops within adidas stores to help generate awareness for the large assortment of NBA merchandise available to fans.”

Howard was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and he led his team to The Finals at the end of the 2008-09 season. He has won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award two seasons in a row and was a member of the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He earned the nickname “Superman” for his performance during the Sprite Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star 2008.

NBA games and programming are available in India on ESPN and Star Sports. In December 2009, the NBA launched www.NBA.com/india, the league’s first localized website in India. The league has marketing partnerships in India with adidas, Coca-Cola, EA SPORTS, HP, Mahindra, Nike, Reebok and Spalding. NBA merchandise is sold in 120 adidas stores throughout the country.

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Some team sponsors who had started work on team merchandise and posters had to rework the sales pitch. In fact, the decision to go purple was conveyed to sponsors a month ago. This change will ultimately lead to higher merchandise sale as most fans will want to sport the new colours of their team.

However, the SRK’s team KKR is always popular among the IPL’s team, despite of making its exit soon from the tournament. The team has lot of sponsors like – Nokia, Coca Cola, Triple X – energy drink, Reebok and Wrigley – chewing gum maker.

Let’s see if the change in colour ring changes in KKRs performance in the tournament this year.

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However, the deal is not anywhere around, Nokia’s lead sponsorship deal – at close to Rs 50 crore for a 3-year, with Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders, and neither close to Aircel deal – Rs 45 crore per year for 3 years, with MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. Both the deals took place in 2008.

The Videocon deal came two months after Idea Cellular broke the contract – Rs 10-12 crore per year, with the team as Idea was dissatisfied with the association and was not getting the branding impact it had opted for, as stated by media. The Videocon official confirmed the development and said, “We are signing up with Mumbai Indians for 3 years, for about Rs 12 crore a year.”

The lead sponsor gets display on front of players’ jerseys, besides opportunities for on-field and on ground activation. As reported by media, on this, an official directly involved with IPL sponsorships said, “It’s a good deal from Videocon’s perspective because two additional teams will be added next year and the number of matches will also be higher. So valuations may increase next year.”

Mumbai Indians’, last year, other sponsors included – beverage and snacks maker PepsiCo, MasterCard, Adidas, Pernod Richard and Wrigley – chewing company which had signed up as sponsor for all 8 teams. However, the team management has not yet announced a final list of sponsors for IPL season 3.

Meanwhile, Knight Riders has changed its jersey colour from black-and-gold to purple to shore up merchandise sales. The team sponsors for IPL season 3 includes – Nokia, Coca-Cola’s lemon drink Sprite, Triple X – energy drink, Reebok and Lux Cozy.