PUMA India signs PV Sindhu as brand ambassador, targets India's badminton market

PUMA looks to further strengthen its sports-first presence, elevating badminton’s profile in the country, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

By  Storyboard18Jan 13, 2025 1:02 PM
PUMA India signs PV Sindhu as brand ambassador, targets India's badminton market

Sports brand PUMA India has expanded its sporting portfolio by partnering with Indian badminton icon and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in a multi-year collaboration. This marks PUMA’s official foray into badminton, making India a pioneer within the PUMA universe to access the racquet-sport. Through this association, PUMA looks to further strengthen its sports-first presence, elevating badminton’s profile in the country, and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Commenting on the partnership, PV Sindhu said, “I’m excited to join the PUMA family, a brand that shares my belief in the power of sport to inspire. This partnership with PUMA India isn’t just about being part of something bigger—it is an opportunity to connect with those who value pushing boundaries and embracing challenges. Badminton has always been a platform for growth and self-discovery for me, and through this collaboration, I hope to encourage others, especially women, to take risks, believe in themselves, and strive for more—both on and off the court."

Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, added, “PV Sindhu is a legend and a trailblazer, and we are proud & delighted to welcome her into our PUMA family. She is the most followed badminton athlete in the world. Her extraordinary legacy in Indian sports which includes a lot of historic firsts has not only placed India on the badminton map globally but has also inspired millions, pushed the boundaries, and paved the way for future generations of athletes. As we make our first-ever step into badminton, this association will further our goal to increase PUMA’s footprint in the rapidly growing sports landscape in the country, inspiring more youngsters to take up the racquet-sport.”

Ahead of the announcement, PUMA India launched a never-done-before activation wherein the sports brand made a serious move by changing its brand signage at several of its stores across the country for close to a week. The brand name ‘PUMA’ was changed to ‘PVMA’, as a massive gesture to celebrate the legendary Sindhu. This big move created ample buzz on the internet over the last few days.

As part of this partnership, PUMA will also launch a high-performance badminton range soon, featuring specialised footwear, apparel, and accessories. The upcoming collection is designed to redefine on-court performance while catering to the lifestyle aspirations of sports enthusiasts, drawing on the insight that community-driven activities—whether sports or otherwise—motivate people to show up looking their best.

PUMA’s association with Sindhu places her alongside an impressive roster of the brand’s elite athletes, featuring cricketing icons Harmanpreet Kaur, Mohammed Shami, Olympian Sarabjot Singh, Paralympian Avani Lekhara, boxing champ MC Mary Kom, to lifestyle icons like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ibrahim Ali Khan Pataudi and international legends such as Usain Bolt and Neymar Jr.

The partnership between PUMA and Sindhu will debut at the India Open 2025, providing the platform for a dynamic collaboration which will set the tone for the future of badminton in India.

First Published on Jan 13, 2025 12:17 PM

More from Storyboard18

Advertising

CCI raids: Cloned data from GroupM, Dentsu puts Big Tech under scanner

CCI raids: Cloned data from GroupM, Dentsu puts Big Tech under scanner

Brand Marketing

Global Ads Spotlight: How Verizon and Beyonce's Super Bowl ad broke the internet and the network

Global Ads Spotlight: How Verizon and Beyonce's Super Bowl ad broke the internet and the network

How it Works

Creative control or creative caution? What’s really driving content choices on Indian OTTs

Creative control or creative caution? What’s really driving content choices on Indian OTTs

How it Works

CCI raids could accelerate shift from “media muscle” to “strategic agility”, writes indie ad agency Famous Innovations founder

CCI raids could accelerate shift from “media muscle” to “strategic agility”, writes indie ad agency Famous Innovations founder

Advertising

Reliance Consumer Products unveils campaign for 'Independence' brand, tapping into deep-rooted culinary traditions

Reliance Consumer Products unveils campaign for 'Independence' brand, tapping into deep-rooted culinary traditions

How it Works

SEBI’s ID mandate for intermediary ads welcomed, but industry seeks stronger AI oversight

SEBI’s ID mandate for intermediary ads welcomed, but industry seeks stronger AI oversight

Brand Makers

Indie agency Talented's bold move and how ESOPs can be a game-changer for adland

Indie agency Talented's bold move and how ESOPs can be a game-changer for adland

How it Works

Sports AdEx up 7% in 2024 to reach Rs 7,989 cr: GroupM

Sports AdEx up 7% in 2024 to reach Rs 7,989 cr: GroupM