BSNL set to sign up film star for Rs 2 cr endorsement deal

Reinforcing the theory that films stars sell, rather than cricketers in circa 2005, yet another addition is being made to the booming celebrity endorsement market in India. The country’s largest telecom utility, state-owned BSNL, is roping in a major film star to help it sell nearly 40 million phones connections. The firm hopes to clinch a deal, which sources say is worth up to Rs 2 crore, with either Preity Zinta or Rani Mukherji. In fact, the appointment has been expected for some time now. At a recent conference of top managers, BSNL chairman A K Sinha is believed to have dropped Rani Mukherji’s name for the brand ambassadorship. Sources said BSNL’s decision to rope in a brand ambassador was part of a multifarious marketing strategy for popularizing its broadband, mobile and landline services. The Indian celebrity endorsement market is estimated at around Rs 200 crore.

Several suitors for Air Sahara

Shara chief Subroto Roy choose a Durga Puja pandal to publicity acknowledge that for his embattled Sahara Airlines, the way ahead lay in forging strategic alliances.

Roy indicated that Sahara Airlines had been receiving many offers, so far it had desired from joining hands with others. But given the clutter in the domestic market and the increasing supply were now right to join forces. “There is currently a mismatch between demand and supply in the domestic market. Today, there are about 80-90 extra aircraft. We are losing crores every day in foreign exchange. There has to be a proper calculation of demand and supply,” he said.

Dalmiya run out, Pawar is new bcci president

Agriculture minister and Maharashtra Cricket Association chief Sharad Pawar was on Tuesday elected as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at a high-voltage AGM of the cash-rich sports body. He pipped incumbent and Jagmohan Dalmiya-backed Ranbir Singh Mahendra by a 20-11 margin.

At a press conference on Tuesday, newly-elected board president promised that his style of working will be very different from the centralised power structure the previous administrators had employed.

Aat Tak enters US market

Aaj Tak and Headlines Today have announced foray in the US market, following a tieup with Echo star Dish Network, a satellite service provider for South Asian programming. With his tieup, Aaj Tak and Headlines Today are expected to reach out to over 100000 households in the US.