When ICC got bowled and South bagged a wicket
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ICC WTC Final 2025 sees 75% ad volume drop despite record viewership: TAM adex
The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 reportedly saw a staggering 75 percent drop in ad volumes despite achieving record viewership numbers, according to TAM AdEx data. This counter-intuitive trend raises significant questions about the evolving nature of sports broadcasting monetisation.
Why you should care:
For advertisers, broadcasters, and media planners, this is a critical alert. Is this a one-off anomaly, or does it signal a deeper shift in how audiences consume sports and how brands engage with them? It prompts a re-evaluation of traditional ad models and the potential rise of alternative sponsorship or content integration strategies. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for optimising your sports marketing spend and maximising ROI.
Read here..
How marketers are mastering brand building and performance in South India
Marketers are increasingly honing their strategies to effectively build brands and drive performance in the diverse and vibrant South Indian market. The article highlights successful approaches and unique insights into connecting with audiences in this region.
Why you should care:
South India represents a significant and often distinct consumer base. For brands looking to expand their reach or deepen their presence, understanding the nuances of successful marketing in this region is paramount. This insights-driven piece offers valuable lessons on regional targeting, cultural sensitivity, and effective media deployment that can be applied to other diverse markets.
Read to find out more about..
Need for stronger regulation and accountability for the OOH industry
There's a growing call for more robust regulation and greater accountability within the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry. This push aims to address issues such as data transparency, ethical practices, and standardisation to ensure a more reliable and trustworthy ecosystem.
Why you should care:
For advertisers investing in OOH, clearer regulations mean better transparency on campaign performance and greater confidence in their ad spend. For OOH media owners, enhanced accountability can lead to a more professionalised industry, attracting more investment and fostering innovation. This development is vital for the long-term health and credibility of the OOH sector, ensuring fair practices and fostering a level playing field.
Read more..
More from this week:
Instagram gone, YouTube on? Pakistani celebs blocked again, but are serials still streaming in India? Here's what we found
MIB proposes local registration, conflict ban for TRP agencies
Kollywood Half-Yearly report: Content trumps star power in first half of 2025
Pirates of Bollywood have producers running for cover
New script unfolds in media world
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Until next time, keep those brilliant brains churning!
—Team ETBrandEquity
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Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma wanted to continue in Tests but were told to go: India legend fires a rocket at Agarkar, BCCI
Sourav Ganguly retired in October 2008. Four years later, in 2012, Rahul Dravid called time on a glorious 16-year-long career. VVS Laxman was the next to go after a few months, followed by Sachin Tendulkar in November 2013. Eleven months later, it was Virender Sehwag's turn. In a span of two years, four of the Fab Five of Indian cricket were gone. Just like that. That's how retirement in Indian cricket has traditionally been. The transition takes place gradually. One by one, the seniors, because of their dwindling forms and slowing reflexes, take a step back, allowing the youngsters to take over. They don't always leave at the same time. Rohit Sharma (L) and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket roughly within a week of each other in May earlier this year(File) However, three months later, this pattern broke when two of Indian cricket's biggest batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, announced their retirements from Test cricket, all within a five-day gap. Rohit was the first to pull the plug on his Test career, casually dropping an Instagram story to announce his departure from the India whites. Two days later, news broke that Kohli wrote to the BCCI that he wants to retire from Test cricket. And in the next 48 hours, he made it official through a post on Instagram. Kohli, Rohit. Also gone. Just like that. Also Read: Rohit Sharma asked Rishabh Pant 'retirement le lu?' after India won Champions Trophy; Virat Kohli said 'Abey yeh toh...' Over the next 15-20 days, multiple theories and reports came to light. Were they genuinely done or forced to retire? After all, Kohli returned to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi, and even told his Delhi coach that he wanted to score at least 4-5 centuries in England this time round. And Rohit, in a freewheeling chat with Michael Clarke, during the IPL break, had clearly mentioned that he was looking forward to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. But the fact that all of this resulted in their retirements didn't sit well with the fans, with many speculating behind-the-scenes roles that led to… rather pushed them to retire. Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli asked, 'How will you keep yourself motivated?'; 'Should have said we won't play ODIs, T20Is' Time may or may not answer this question, but legendary Indian cricketer Karsan Ghavri has. The former left-arm pacer for India, who opened the bowling with Kapil Dev in the 1970s, has added fuel to the fire, openly claiming that while Kohli, Rohit wanted to continue playing Tests for India, the BCCI's 'politics', along with the selection panel led by its chairman Ajit Agarkar, eventually made the decision to shove Ro-Ko out of Test cricket. "He [Kohli] should have definitely continued playing for India easily, probably for another couple of years. But something really forced him to retire. And unfortunately, when he retired, he was not even given a farewell by the BCCI. Such players, such a great player who has done such great service to BCCI, India cricket and Indian fans, should be given a grand and fabulous farewell," Ghavri, who played 39 Tests and 19 ODIs for India, said on the Vickey Lalwani Show. Karsan Ghavri goes on record Kohli went out as the fourth-highest run-getter for Tests in India, finishing with less than 10,000 runs in the format, a fact that is still tough to digest given his quality. During his 14-year-long career, Kohli became India's greatest Test captain, leading the team to 40 wins, including the first-ever series win in Australia during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There's no denying the fact that Kohli's Test form plummeted in the last five years, but it's hard to come to terms with the fact that he let go of the format he loves the most at the age of 36. Rohit's Test career never quite took off like Kohli's, but after being made to open in September 2019, he enjoyed a second wind in his batting. Ghavri, 74, went on record to state that the decision-makers did not want to see Kohli and Rohit take any further part in Test cricket, and despite Ro-Ko's resistance, they were asked to leave. "It's due to internal politics within the BCCI, which is hard to understand. And I think this is the reason he retired prematurely. Even Rohit Sharma retired prematurely. They were asked to go out. It's not like they wanted to leave. They wanted to continue. But the selectors and BCCI had different ideas. It was a matter of some kind of petty politics," added Ghavri.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Need desi social media platforms to secure digital sovereignty: PM
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'I do not remember talking to you': Azzi Fudd reveals she barely spoke to Paige Bueckers off the court when they first met and still felt instant connection
' I do not remember talking to you': Azzi Fudd reveals she barely spoke to Paige Bueckers off the court when they first met and still felt instant connection (Image Via Image) Azzi Fudd shared a very honest story about how her relationship with Paige Bueckers started. The 22-year-old UConn senior was featured on Instagram's Close Friends Only podcast on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers. Paige Bueckers is 23 years old and had recently signed with the Dallas Wings after she graduated from the University of Connecticut. The two made their relationship public earlier this summer during a WAG Talk red carpet interview. The duo revealed how, when, and where they first met. Azzi Fudd said the connection started almost right away, much earlier than most people think. Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers explain how they met at USA Basketball Camp Azzi Fudd told fans that she first met Paige Bueckers in high school at a USA Basketball camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 'On the court, we clicked. I do not remember talking to you off the court, but I remember the plane ride to Minnesota and really liking you,' Azzi Fudd said on the podcast. Paige Bueckers smiled and joked that they both 'have different stories' about that moment. Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd | Close Friends Only with Instagram Paige Bueckers added that she already felt strong chemistry with Azzi Fudd while they played together at the camp. Both players later committed to the University of Connecticut and became teammates for the UConn Huskies. They also won the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship together at UConn before Paige Bueckers entered the WNBA and was picked No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings. The couple said that it felt natural when they finally made their relationship public in June 2025. Also Read: 'Fake It For A Minute': Naomi Osaka Refuses To Acknowledge Victoria Mboko In Canadian Open Speech As Sam Querrey Calls Her Behavior Unacceptable Paige Bueckers shares what she loves most about Azzi Fudd off the court Paige Bueckers claimed during the same podcast episode that she sensed the chemistry with Azzi Fudd not just on the basketball court but also in daily living. 'Going to a nice restaurant and getting something good to eat. Chilling and watching a show, playing video games,' Paige Bueckers said when describing her ideal day off with Azzi Fudd. Azzi Fudd also shared kind words about her girlfriend, calling Paige Bueckers her 'favorite WNBA player' and saying she likes how Paige Bueckers always puts other people first. 'You are super giving,' Azzi Fudd added, as Paige Bueckers smiled during the interview. Fans on Instagram said the full episode showed how close and honest the couple are and praised them for opening up about their relationship in a simple and loving way. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
