IPL- the money making machine

IPL :Billion Dollar Baby

If you thought cricket was big, wait for this. The IPL promises to be bigger than anything India has ever seen. We give the inside-out of this billion-dollar baby…

What is the Indian Premier League?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) launched the Indian Premier League (IPL) on September 14, 2007. Based on the lines of the English Premier League (EPL) and the National Basketball League (NBA), the IPL is said to be the brainchild of BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi. The idea was first floated in 1996 but was shot down as the board felt it would go against the zonal system of domestic cricket. The project moved into top gear when the Zee group launched a rival Indian Cricket League on similar lines in April 2007.

Who are the franchisees?

The franchisees will own the eight teams in the fray. They can run them in their own styles, bring their own sponsors and even name the team according to their choice. They will even be free to list their teams on the stock exchange.

How is it different from the football and hockey leagues in India?

The IPL, in a way, is not very different in its format vis-a-vis the PHL or the I-League in football. It is, however, totally different in its concept as the teams have been offered to franchisees (individuals or corporates) through a bidding process that culminated on Thursday. The BCCI has already signed up 80 international players who will also be put for auction soon.

When will the IPL matches be played and where?

Under lights, on a home and away basis, in the cities that have formed the teams. The league opens on April 18 and will see 59 matches spread over 44 days

What kind of money is involved in IPL?

The overall prize money will be US $5 million, with the winners taking home $2 million. The remaining will be up for grabs in different forms, like man of the match awards and cash prizes. By contrast, the winners of the 2007 ICC World Cup in the Caribbean took home $1 million; the Indian team that won the World Twenty20 got half of that. TV rights have already gone for over $1 billion. Franchisees have already committed close to US $723 million. Top players are expected to earn minimum 1-2 crores per season.

What is already in place for IPL?

With the league scheduled for April 2008, the IPL has so far sold the eight teams to corporate houses and signed leading players. Indian stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly will be called “icon players” and can play only for their respective cities. They will be the highest paid players and will not be auctioned. The bidding will take place next month.

Who owns the IPL TV rights?

Sony Entertainment, a division of Japan’s Sony Corp, and the Asia-based World Sports Group (WSG) won the broadcast rights for ten years, worth more than a whopping US $1 billion. TV rights are worth $918 million, with $100 million set aside for promotion.
Who will run the IPL?

BCCI has formed an IPL council that comprises former BCCI president IS Bindra, vice-presidents Rajiv Shukla, Chirayu Amin, Lalit Modi and Arun Jaitley, and former cricketers Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. While the BCCI officials are honorary members, Pataudi, Gavaskar and Shastri will be paid for their services. The IPL governing council will have a five-year term and will run, operate and manage the league independently of the BCCI.

King Khan with Bacha(kid) dhoni

SRK has done it again! We have seen King Khan putting on a curly wig and donning the avatar of Sachin Tendulkar in an ad for Pepsi few years back, during the World Cup. This time around the effervescent Khan has imitated the look of none other than India's Cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the latter on the other hand has donned Khan's OSO look, for a Videocon commercial!

For all you diehard fans of the dashing duo who can't wait to see the commercial, Fropki.com gives you an exclusive sneak peek!

The ad which for the very first time will feature SRK and Dhoni together, will present them in an ultra-new avatar . SRK sports an Indian Cricket jersey and Dhoni a glittering gold costume which SRK had worn in OSO! Their roles will be reversed! The theme flows with an interesting plot where both the stars play the role of Bhai - Bhai (brothers) in the ad.

Shah Rukh Dhoni Bhai Bhai...

We spoke to Mr. Jyoti Shekhar, VP Marketing, Videocon to know more about the ad and he revealed, "Videocon has created magic by bringing super stars like SRK and Dhoni together for the first time on a single platform to create a unique campaign. The core idea of the campaign is to celebrate the spirit of success – no matter the role life gives you, always play it big and emerge as a champion."

The selection of the brand ambassadors was solely based on the fact that they have tremendous influence on the youngsters which are the target audiences.

Our sources who were present at the sets when the ad was being shot are of the opinion that Shahrukh and Dhoni's chemistry was clearly visible and they enjoyed a lot by changing their real life roles. The boys had a great time together.

shahrukh and dhoni-interchange jobs---funny

King Khan (Shahrukh Khan) and the Swashbuckling Mahendra Singh Dhoni are coming together for the first time in a commercial for consumer durables giant Videocon. Videocon has presented both the popular youth icons new avatars.

With SRK turning out in Indian colours and Dhoni lighting up the set in a glittering gold costume, the roles of both the superstars were reversed. The theme flows with an interesting plot where both the stars play the role of Bhai-Bhai in the film.

Describing the strategy at Videocon Industries, Mr. Jyoti Shekhar, VP Marketing says, "Videocon has created magic by bringing both the super stars together on a single platform to create a unique campaign. The core idea of the campaign is to celebrate the spirit of success - no matter the role life gives you, always play it big and emerge as a champion."

Videocon has strategically managed both the brand ambassadors to ensure brand connect with the younger audience with the help of this new commercial. Apparently, Shahrukh and Dhoni's chemistry was very visible on the sets and they enjoyed a lot by changing their real life roles.

Conceptualized by Ogilvy and Mather (OandM), Videocon's brand communication partner the film is scheduled to air in the last week of November.