Nikita Deshpande Crashes The Pepsi Ipl With A 'Delicious' Ad Film

The challenge was to seize the opportunity and uncork the creative genius in you. Nikita Deshpande, a budding film-maker from Mumbai, has done just that and has emerged as the first winner of Crash the Pepsi IPL campaign. Her film titled ‘Served’ beat over 400 films that were submitted by consumers from all over the country to become the first winner in this unprecedented campaign. Nikita’s film went on air this weekend, as the official Pepsi television commercial during the match between Chennai Superkings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nikita was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 100,000/- and has won seats for herself and her friends in the esteemed Pepsi VIP box for the match in Chennai.

Crash the Pepsi IPL is a first-of-its-kind, bold campaign by Pepsi that challenges consumers to make a 30 second Pepsi television commercial to show their love for the brand. Winning entries stand the chance of having their ad-film telecast on national television and replacing the brand’s official ad on-air during Pepsi IPL 8, April 8 to May 24, 2015. The campaign has seen an enthusiastic response from audiences all over the country with over 500 entries being submitted. The campaign will last till the end of this season of Pepsi IPL and will see more consumers’ ad films Crashing the Pepsi IPL. The entries are being adjudged by an elite jury comprising today’s hottest movie star and Pepsi ambassador Ranbir Kapoor, distinguished film director and producer, Gautham Menon, and celebrated music composer Pritam. Bringing their marketing expertise to the judging table will be Ruchira Jaitly, Senior Director Marketing – Social Beverages, PepsiCo India and Anuja Chauhan, acclaimed author and advertising veteran.

Speaking on his association with Crash the Pepsi IPL, Ranbir Kapoor said, “Crash the Pepsi IPL is a first-of-its-kind campaign in India, and I am excited to team up with Pepsi in judging the entries for this creative challenge! Crash the Pepsi IPL will give people a chance to really uncork their creativity and leave a mark. It’s awesome that Pepsi has put consumers at the forefront of something as big as the Pepsi IPL – it’s a really bold move and I would expect nothing less from Pepsi!

Congratulating the winner, Ruchira Jaitly, Senior Director Marketing – Social Beverages, PepsiCo India said, “The ad film by Nikita Deshpande has hit the bull’s eye with the messaging. The film brilliantly portrays Pepsi as the perfect food accompaniment by weaving in a delectable trail of signature cuisines from the host cities of Pepsi IPL. The connection between cricket, food and fun-times with friends and Pepsi can’t be missed in the ad. We congratulate Nikita on being the first consumer to crash the Pepsi IPL. We look forward to many more such films over the next few weeks. Nikita is exactly the kind of talent we were looking for, as she displays a true reflection of Pepsi’s philosophy of seizing the moment now!”

On Crashing the Pepsi IPL, Nikita Deshpande said “I am delighted to be the first winner of Crash the Pepsi IPL, it’s like a dream come true for me. The ad film is very close to my heart and my team has worked very hard to bring forward the message in the film. Pepsi and IPL is a great combo that binds the nation together and I’m glad to receive an opportunity to witness IPL from the Pepsi VIP Box.”