New Delhi: Dentsu International on Monday announced the launch of its sports marketing unit in India.
Born out of the Dentsu Group, one of the world’s largest marketing communications companies, the new unit will function under DSAsia in India. It will operate with 200+ people across the globe in the US, UK, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. Headquartered from Japan, it will serve as the rights holders from the world of sports including federations, leagues, events, teams, publishers, and venues, said the agency in a statement.
Former cricketer Anand Yalvigi was named as the director of this new vertical for India. In his new role, Yalvigi will report to Dentsu International, Media Brands, COO, Haresh Nayak.
Armed with nearly two decades of experience in Sports marketing, Yalvigi is a former Ranji player, who also played for Mumbai and Karnataka. He has successfully launched and worked with multiple sports management companies including Ignite Sports, Havas Sports, Network Sports and Nimbus. He was also instrumental in setting up the Kochi IPL team and has been persistently involved in the designing of unique sports concepts for various brands with an affinity toward cricket - his core domain.
Talking about his new role, Yalvigi said, “Our expertise shall lie in providing a unique sports marketing solution for a brand that breaks the clutter. I am sure it will be an exciting second innings for me to work with such a large group like dentsu. With the vast network of clients and our multifold services in-house at dentsu, the plan is to create unique sports concepts for various brands. Our vast range of services shall include Sports Consultancy, In-stadia Advertising, Brand Activations, Talent management, Leadership program, Corporate Sports Events, Sports Education, CSR and Team Sponsorships.”
Commenting on Anand’s appointment, COO Dentsu International, Media Brands, Haresh Nayak said, “The launch of Dentsu India/Dentsu Sports Asia unit will harness the power of sports via its commercial and creative capabilities to bring meaningful marketing solutions and experiences for brands. I am thrilled that Anand has joined us; he has an impressive track record. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to steer our business to greater heights.”
The launch is supported by Tokyo-based Dentsu Sports International (DSI), and Dentsu Sports Asia (DSAsia), Singapore. For the record, DSI and DSAsia are global agencies that harness the power of sports to impact human behaviour through meaningful marketing solutions and experiences. DSI leverages deep insights and its network of seasoned, team members to establish powerful connections between sports properties and brands.
