The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 began weeks ago, and the excitement surrounding this tournament has only risen with each passing day. Fans have embraced this prestigious battle, with patriotism, unity, passion and prayer. And as they say, cricket is not just another sport, but a religion in India. Plenty of brands and advertisers bleed blue too, and are banking upon the popularity of the sport to bring in maximum traction and attention to their products and services.
World Cup’s iconic cricket campaigns have been more than just advertisements; they reflect the emotions, hopes, and dreams of fans globally. Pepsi’s Change the Game, Hero Honda’s Dhak Dhak Go, India Go, Star Sports’ Mauka Mauka and #WontGiveItBack; some World Cup ads in India hit a 6 with their communication, transcend time and are evergreen in our minds. Their slogans, content and music continue to resonate with the audience and are fondly remembered. Here’s a short take on some of the most interesting ads from the World Cup season of 2023.
- Sprite India: Thand Rakh
Campaign Cools the World Cup Heat
Imagine this. It’s a nail-biting finish. Four runs required of two balls, with a wicket to spare. You are on the edge of your couch, biting your nails, wide-eyed, praying for a finish that decides the ultimate finale of the tournament. At such a moment, all you need to do is keep your calm, or as Indian moms would say ‘Thand Rakh.’
Sprite asks you to do the same. Take a long sip of the drink and tell your heart ‘Thand Rakh’. Their real time, shoppable OOH ad in Ahmedabad before the much intense India vs Pakistan match, was indeed a refreshing thought that caught the eye of the ad industry.
- Cadbury Dairy Milk: #SitTogether
Cadbury Dairy Milk’s brand purpose of generosity, and the rooted belief that the joy of cricket should be a shared experience, fused together and brought #SitTogether. The campaign invites people to extend a hand of camaraderie and togetherness, and transcend the power divides by embracing our shared love for cricket.
In a world where power dynamics often separate individuals, #SitTogether encourages the audience to take the cricket conversations beyond the boundaries of their workplace or home, and enjoy it with their staff in the stadium. Heartful, funny and hard-hitting, this ad sure broke all records this year.
- MakeMyTrip: An open invitation to Pakistani fans
A shattered TV screen, a poster that reads “Boys Playz Well,” a popular meme reference and three men sporting green jerseys. The visuals in MMT’s ad weren’t hard to miss. But it was the content which caught the eye first. Wordings such as ‘An open invitation to Pakistani fans, promo codes that are phrases previously used by Pakistani captions, and a reference to India’s hospitality under Aithi Devo Bhava.’’
The ad caused equal amounts of stir and controversy. While many loved the cheeky take by the brand, others have called it insensitive and tone-deaf.
The Indian Cricket team has picked up momentum with their consecutive victories in all the matches so far. As emotions ride high in the season, brands will look to cash on these sentiments, celebrating both the sport and its audience, and curating campaigns that will be remembered long after the last ball is bowled.
At 3 Dots Design, we love creativity as much as the game of cricket (if not more). Our expert team creates moments of magic for our brands all-year long, that make them a trusted name for their audience. To check out our work, or know more about us, visit 3dotsdesign.in/