Pepsi considers IPL withdrawal

[Mariyam]

http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/Pepsi-considers-IPL-withdrawal-fearing-negative-impact-on-brand-image/26855

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 spot-fixing controversy has added another worry for the BCCI as brand sponsors PepsiCo are considering pulling out of the tournament. This comes just three days after Sahara pulled its team Pune Warriors India out of the IPL. This is the first year of PepsiCo’s overall five-year contract with the IPL. Top officials from both parties will decide on the matter once IPL 2013 gets over, as reported by The Indian Express. PepsiCo became title sponsors after bidding Rs 396.8 crores. They beat out competition from Airtel, who offered Rs 316 crores. But their first season associated with the Twenty20 league has seen many controversies come down on the tournament. The IPL 2013 spot-fixing controversy was followed by withdrawal by the Pune franchise. Sources said that PepsiCo is concerned that all these controversies would affect its brand image especially being the title sponsors. “The reputation of the IPL is taking a hit and at the same time it represents a huge cost for us for five years. The earlier sponsor, DLF, paid Rs 200 crores, while we are paying nearly Rs 400 crores for five years," said a top PepsiCo official on condition of anonymity....

A shady real estate developer like DLF was the ideal sponsor for the IPL. Pepsi should pull out ASAP before more damage can be done. Quo vadis, IPL?

[Sachin=GOD]

great news!!!

[FischerTal]

B-> they dont want brand involved in this mess. they probably saw how intensely the crowd Srini Mama

[velu]

great news!!!

:finger:

[asterix]

Good news indeed...

[Sachin=GOD]

A shady real estate developer like DLF was the ideal sponsor for the IPL. Pepsi should pull out ASAP before more damage can be done. Quo vadis, IPL?

ad mortem.

[bulbul]

Realiance will sponsor. Cricket is the only commercial succesful sports in India , sponsorship will never dry up.

[ganeshran]

Realiance will sponsor. Cricket is the only commercial succesful sports in India , sponsorship will never dry up.

:fear: ambani here too

[bulbul]

:fear: ambani here too

Earlier Seeni , now Ambani. Our Mallya is only good for calendar

[Sidhoni]

Yes Bank will become title sponsor next year(If there is a next year) :giggle:

[G_B_]

Pepsi wont pull out, that had record sales from what read in the newspapers. Kids are chugging down Pepsi more than ever.

[G_B_]

I mean look at the finals yesterday 70,000 in total (with 61,000 paying). No corporate entity is going to be stupid to refuse such numbers. Its not as if Pepsi themselves are clean. They probably have many of fertilizer issues in their drinks.

[Pagalpanti]

Most of us wished the finale was scrapped after all the drama building up to it, but look at the response to the final. 60k+ turned up in a neutral venue despite all these fixing allegations. Pepsi would be a fool to quit sponsoring IPL.

[Sundar88]

Pepsi is way too big a name to be tarnished by something like the IPL, even in India.

[G_B_]

I think Pepsi is making the right noises. It will show that its concerned and expect the BCCI to clean up its house. But if push comes to shove it wont terminate the deal.

[Executioner]

Pepsi is way too big a name to be tarnished by something like the IPL' date=' even in India.[/quote'] lol-wut? Average people are more interest in coca-cola. Here in BD, you will find coke almost everywhere, well except for KFC

[Sundar88]

lol-wut? Average people are more interest in coca-cola. Here in BD, you will find coke almost everywhere, well except for KFC

So what if Coke is more popular? One being more popular than the other doesn't make the other an unknown. Both are household names all over the world like Mercedes Benz and BMW. If DLF was still the sponsor their brand name may have taken a hit but I don't think it would affect Pepsi.

[G_B_]

lol-wut? Average people are more interest in coca-cola. Here in BD, you will find coke almost everywhere, well except for KFC

pepsi actually sells most of its volume through outlets like KFC/Pizza Hut etc who have deals with Yum foods. As things stand in india thumbs up actually sells more than coke or pepsi on its own.

[saneindian]

All the Pepsi launches via the IPL have turned out be duds. 'Pepsi Atom' the josh cola is a rather fuss cola (one of the biggest product launches at Pepsi in recent times), Mountain Dew, Slice and other product sales haven't exactly picked up the they they were expected to. Last year they stayed away from IPL as they were trying to promote football through Ranbir Kapoor "Play the Game", that too was a complete dud. Their intention behind IPL title sponsorship was to bridge the gap on Coca Cola's leadership in the carbonated soft drinks market during the peak summer months which seems to have failed big time so far. No wonder they are trying to find an alibi to somehow come out of this IPL sponsorship.

[superstar]

Pepsi already mentioned they have not contacted BCCI. Frankly sponsors do not care whether there is fixing or no fixing as long as they keep getting a return value. Stadiums are full, Trp ratings are good, no major peoples movement against BCCI (other than the media jokers). Probably they will seek to reduce some money ..