PepsiCo India bags the title sponsorship for IPL

PepsiCo India, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the country, today announced its association with The Indian Premier League as the ‘Title Sponsor’ for the next five years starting 2013. PepsiCo’s winning bid was at Rs.396.8 crore for the 5 year period, making this the largest investment the company has made in the game of cricket.

Announcing the successful bid, Manu Anand, Chairman PepsiCo India Region said, “I am delighted that we have succeeded in rebranding the tournament as Pepsi-IPL, thus cementing a five year partnership between two brands which enjoy an iconic status not only in India but globally. With our continuing sponsorship of the ICC World Cup, we are the now biggest supporters of the game of cricket. We have reaffirmed our passion and commitment to cricket and this investment reiterates the importance of India business in the PepsiCo global system.”

“The partnership will add to the stature of both the brands; cricket is a religion in India and IPL is now its most revered temple where the faithful flock to. Given its historic association with the game, brand Pepsi will add new lustre to the tournament,” said Gautham Mukkavilli, CEO, Beverages, PepsiCo India Region.

PepsiCo has organically grown eight Rs.1000 crore plus brands in a short span of 20 years in India including Pepsi, 7UP, Mirinda, Slice, Lay’s, Kurkure, Mountain Dew and Aquafina. The company which has sustained double digit growth across its foods and beverage businesses has been consistently investing in India in brand building, capacity expansion and developing market infrastructure.

Deepika Warrier, Vice President - Beverage Marketing, PepsiCo India elaborating on the rationale for the bid said, “No scale association with cricket is possible in India without a sizeable IPL presence.  IPL - the biggest cricket event in the subcontinent has now become the new face of Indian cricket which combines the best of cricket with entertainment, regional club passion & international glamour.”

“Brand Pepsi is an iconic youth brand and one of the most recalled and trusted brands across categories in the country. Now with this association we hope to catapult brand Pepsi to an even higher orbit as the most universal, popular, trend setting youth brand. The title association of Pepsi IPL & other benefits will allow brand Pepsi and other PepsiCo brands to gain more than conventional sponsorship benefits and generate immense universality across the country”, Deepika added.

Talking about the next IPL campaign Deepika Warrier further added, “Pepsi has given some of the most recalled brand campaigns such as Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby, Nothing Official About it, Ye Dil Mange More and Change the Game. We are working on innovative and exciting campaigns around IPL and we will Change the Game once again.”