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Why Consumer Electronics Brands Invest in Cricket Sponsorships

  • Writer: Megh Gupte
    Megh Gupte
  • Mar 11
  • 2 min read


In India, cricket is more than just a sport—it’s a marketing goldmine. With over 462 million IPL viewers in 2023 and cricket accounting for 85% of India’s sports sponsorship market, brands use the sport to:

✅ Gain massive brand visibility through IPL sponsorships. ✅ Connect with India’s cricket-loving audience. ✅ Drive sales for smartphones, audio devices, and smart TVs.

Consumer electronics brands like Vivo, OnePlus, Samsung, and boAt have built successful marketing strategies around cricket sponsorships, influencer collaborations, and digital activations.

Here’s how these brands are leveraging cricket to grow their dominance in India.


An IPL cricket stadium with Vivo, OnePlus, and boAt branding, showcasing how consumer electronics brands use sponsorships to reach Indian audiences

📢 How Cricket Sponsorships Help Consumer Electronics Brands in India

📺 1. IPL Title Sponsorships Drive Mass Awareness

  • IPL title sponsorships provide massive exposure across TV, digital, and stadium branding.

  • Example: Vivo’s ₹2,199 crore IPL title sponsorship (2018-2022) boosted its recall value, making it one of India’s top smartphone brands.

🏏 2. Team Sponsorships & Player Endorsements Strengthen Brand Trust

  • Partnering with IPL teams creates deep fan engagement and long-term brand recall.

  • Example: OnePlus’ sponsorship of IPL teams helped it become India’s #1 premium smartphone brand.

📱 3. Digital Cricket Campaigns Increase Engagement & Sales

  • Brands use social media, influencer marketing, and OTT ads to engage cricket fans online.

  • Example: boAt’s IPL sponsorships led to record-breaking sales of wireless earbuds and smartwatches.

📊 Case Study 1: How Vivo’s IPL Sponsorship Helped It Dominate the Smartphone Market

📌 Brand: Vivo 📌 Strategy: ✅ Invested ₹2,199 crore in IPL title sponsorship (2018-2022). ✅ Partnered with Virat Kohli & IPL teams for exclusive brand campaigns. ✅ Integrated TV, OTT, and social media branding for maximum reach.

📌 Results: ✔️ Vivo became the most searched smartphone brand during IPL seasons. ✔️ 35% increase in smartphone sales during IPL campaigns. ✔️ Higher brand recall than Samsung & OnePlus among IPL viewers.

📊 Case Study 2: How boAt Used IPL Sponsorships to Become India’s #1 Wearables Brand

📌 Brand: boAt 📌 Strategy: ✅ Sponsored IPL teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore & Mumbai Indians. ✅ Used Instagram Reels & YouTube influencer content to promote wearables. ✅ Created limited-edition IPL-themed audio products to boost sales.

📌 Results: ✔️ boAt became India’s #1 wearables brand, beating Apple & Samsung. ✔️ 50% spike in online sales during IPL sponsorship campaigns. ✔️ Higher engagement on IPL-related content compared to traditional ads.

📢 How Consumer Electronics Brands Can Maximize Cricket Sponsorships

🔹 Invest in Team Sponsorships for Deeper Engagement

  • Example: OnePlus’ team sponsorships helped it connect directly with IPL fans through player collaborations.

🔹 Use Digital-First Cricket Campaigns for Sales Growth

  • Example: boAt’s IPL campaigns used social media influencers to boost online sales.

🔹 Leverage Athlete Endorsements for Trust & Credibility

  • Example: Vivo’s partnership with Virat Kohli strengthened its premium smartphone positioning.

🚀 How UNPAUZED Can Help


At UNPAUZED, we help brands: ✔️ Identify high-impact cricket sponsorships for maximum brand visibility. ✔️ Develop digital-first sports marketing campaigns for tech brands. ✔️ Leverage athlete partnerships to drive product credibility & engagement.

Want to dominate cricket sponsorships like Vivo & boAt? Let’s build your winning strategy—talk to us today.

 
 
 

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