Introduction
The realm of cricket is more than just a display of athletic finesse and competitive spirit, it’s a culture that binds nations together. At the convergence of this cricketing culture and the commercial world, a unique brand of creativity blossoms, especially visible through advertising campaigns that resonate with millions of enthusiasts. The blend of humor, nostalgia, and riveting storytelling within these campaigns transcends boundaries, establishing a profound connection between brands and the audience, all under the grand umbrella of cricket.
The following narrative will take you on a journey through the 10 Best Cricket Creative Ad, clarifying the ingenuity and inventive strategies employed by brands to capture the essence of cricket. These campaigns not only ignite the cricketing spirit among the masses but also epitomize the art of creative advertising. From witty narratives to heartwarming stories, each campaign is a testament to the unyielding bond between cricket and creativity, rendering a lasting impact on the audience’s psyche. So, let’s tread down the memory lane of cricket advertising, cherishing the blend of emotions and creativity that each campaign unfolds.
Pepsi: “Change The Game” Campaign (CWC 2011):
The “Change The Game” campaign by Pepsi during the Cricket World Cup 2011 was a vibrant reflection of the unorthodox spirit of modern cricket. Celebrating the young and audacious face of cricket, this cricket creative ads featured cricket icons like MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, and Kevin Pietersen. Through a series of five TVCs, the campaign illustrated how these cricketers adopted a ‘Youngistaani’ approach to showcase their unique playing styles, blending traditional cricketing elegance with a bold, contemporary ethos. By associating with the thrill and dynamism of cricket, Pepsi not only celebrated the sport’s evolving narrative but also resonated with the youthful fervor and aspirations of its audience.
Nike: “Make Every Yard Count” (CWC 2015):
The “Make Every Yard Count” campaign by Nike was launched during the Cricket World Cup 2015, encapsulating the essence of cricket in India. Nike utilized over 1,440 images of young cricketers from across India, collected through an online campaign. This initiative celebrated the youth’s cricketing spirit, allowing them to be the heroes of a Nike commercial. The campaign urged cricket enthusiasts to contribute their playing moments, which were then compiled into a dynamic commercial illustrating the cricket fervor across the nation. By harnessing digital crowdsourcing, Nike managed to create a powerful narrative that highlighted the ubiquitous passion for cricket in India, making every yard count.
Star Sports: “Mouka Mouka” (CWC 2015):
The “Mouka Mouka” campaign by Star Sports for the Cricket World Cup 2015 turned into a cultural phenomenon in India. Initially created to hype the India-Pakistan match, the campaign’s success led to a series of ads for India’s subsequent matches. The catchy phrase “Mouka Mouka” resonated widely, becoming a rallying cry among cricket fans. The campaign showcased the excitement and rivalry in cricket, especially between India and Pakistan, through a humorous narrative. It became one of the most viewed ad campaigns of that World Cup, evidencing the effective blend of humor, national pride, and cricket rivalry, making a significant impact on the public and social media.
Oppomobile India: “Jeet Pe Apna Haq Hai” (CWC 2019):
The Oppomobile India’s “Jeet Pe Apna Haq Hai” campaign was a distinctive venture during the Cricket World Cup 2019, aiming to rally support for Team India. Launched with a heart-thumping song, it resonated with the excitement of fans and renowned cricketers like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. The song, composed by the Meet Bros, encapsulated the essence of cricket as a unifying force in India. Through this campaign, Oppo not only showcased its brand but also the fervent spirit of cricket enthusiasts in India, blending music with cricket fervor to create a riveting narrative around the World Cup.
Britannia: “Britannia Khao, World Cup Jao” (CWC 2019):
The “Britannia Khao, World Cup Jao” campaign was revived by Britannia Industries in 2019 to celebrate its centenary year, initially debuting in 1999. The campaign was launched ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, blending the love for cricket and food in India. It offered consumers a chance to win match tickets by buying Britannia products. The campaign was well-received, igniting nostalgia among the audience and effectively promoting the brand. It underscored Britannia’s long-standing association with cricket, providing a platform for fans to engage with the sport while enjoying their favorite Britannia products, thereby fortifying brand affinity and consumer interaction.
Nike: “Yards- Just do it” (CWC 2011):
Nike’s “Yards- Just do it” campaign for the Cricket World Cup 2011 encapsulated the essence of street cricket in India, highlighting that every street is a potential stadium. The campaign was aptly named “Yards,” reflecting the 22 yards of a cricket pitch, and sought to blur the lines between professional and street cricket, emphasizing that legends could emerge from both arenas. The central commercial showcased a blend of young and professional cricketers, exuding the raw passion and love for the game that transcends all boundaries. This campaign resonated with the youth, showcasing Nike’s ethos of inclusivity and the sheer potential awaiting discovery in every corner.
Puma: “#SockThem” (CWC 2019):
Puma launched a campaign named “#SockThem” during the Cricket World Cup 2019, which was inspired by the Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli’s aggressive playing style. The campaign featured an anthem sung by Indian rapper Divine, celebrating the spirit of the Indian cricket fans and aiming to intimidate opponents through the energetic ode. The core theme of the campaign was derived from a gesture made by Kohli during a match against Australia, where, in response to Australian cricketer Pat Cummins’ comment that Kohli wouldn’t score a century in Australia, Kohli scored a century in the first match and gestured that he lets his bat do the talking. The campaign emphasized defeating the opponent and enjoying a friendly banter afterward.
This campaign was one of the innovative marketing strategies around the 2019 Cricket World Cup, capitalizing on the popularity and aggressive playing style of Virat Kohli to resonate with the cricket fans and add to the competitive spirit of the tournament.
Dairy Milk: “Sit Together Campaign
Cadbury Dairy Milk launched the #SitTogether campaign for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, embodying the brand’s spirit of generosity and the shared joy of cricket. The campaign encourages camaraderie, urging people to enjoy match days together irrespective of their roles or backgrounds. Through partnerships with ICC and Star Sports, a digital platform was created enabling individuals to watch matches at the stadium with their staff, aiming to lessen the implicit power distance in India. The campaign, amplified via various media touchpoints, seeks to foster a sense of togetherness and shared happiness during the Cricket World Cup.
HSBC India Campaign (2023 Cricket World Cup):
The HSBC India campaign for the 2023 Cricket World Cup is not publicly available. However, there’s a campaign by HSBC India featuring cricketer Virat Kohli, titled ‘My Account Starts Today,’ emphasizing the theme of “Opening up a world of opportunity.” It aims to support the aspirations of India going global, showcasing a unique portrayal of Kohli. This campaign might be associated with HSBC’s broader marketing efforts around cricket, though it’s not directly linked to the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
ICC Mascot Campaign (2023 Cricket World Cup):
The International Cricket Council (ICC) initiated a unique campaign for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, inviting cricket enthusiasts globally to partake in naming the newly unveiled charismatic duo brand mascots for the event. This initiative marked the beginning of a series of ICC World Events, starting with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 held in India. As the anticipation for the World Cup soared, the ICC introduced this mascot duo, aiming to elevate the tournament’s atmosphere.
The mascots, named ‘Blaze’ and ‘Tonk’, were poised to take center stage as they were not only set to grace the stadiums but also fan parks, thereby enhancing the tournament’s atmosphere. They were unveiled at an event in Gurugram on August 19, which was attended by ICC Under-19 Women’s and Men’s winning captains Shafali Verma and Yash Dhull. The names ‘Blaze’ and ‘Tonk’ were unanimously chosen for these mascots, and they were planned to be present in World Cup matches across all venues, engaging and interacting with fans, thus adding to the excitement of this prestigious cricket event.
This campaign symbolizes a significant engagement initiative, bringing fans closer to the game and building a buzz ahead of the World Cup, which is a notable feature of ICC’s efforts to enhance fan interaction and experience during the tournament.
