When it comes to visibility, cricket has always proved to be a sound investment for brands whether they are looking to establish themselves or meet their marketing goals.

As India tour Bangladesh in December the promise of a full-strength Indian team along with the return of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, as well as a history of fiery contests between India and Bangladesh, has got brands excited to be part of the action.

MRF, Apple, Citroen, Karnataka Bank, ITC, Ibis are among advertisers for the series, said a press statement on Tuesday from ITW Universe, which holds media syndication rights for the series.

Whether it is showcasing a new product launch like Citroen, the French car manufacturer who would be advertising during the series (its latest offering Citroen e-C3 set to hit Indian shores in early 2023) or a big movie release like ‘Avatar 2: The Way of Water’ trying to drive audience interest, cricket offers myriad options.

“There is no doubt that cricket is king in India, despite the ongoing football World Cup. Bilateral series don’t have exorbitant rates like the IPL, which makes it a better option for brands, and we have already signed up as many as 15 brands with the ad spots nearly completely sold out,” Bhairav Shanth, Co-Founder of ITW Universe, said in a statement.

He added: “The main draw of the series is the fact that all the big guns are back, and India tours Bangladesh after seven years. Additionally, most of the matches are being played during the weekend giving advertisers primetime real estate for a fraction of the cost. Brands are aware of this which is why they see the value in being a part of the series.”

The most exciting prospect for brands is the innovation on offer as this series will see a slew of virtual 3D ads for the first time, adding to the overall viewer experience and engagement, a factor that no doubt attracted the promoters of ‘Avatar- The Way of Water’, the highly anticipated James Cameron sequel to the successful ‘Avatar’ movie, the press release explained.

India’s tour of Bangladesh starts on December 4 with three ODIs, followed by two Tests. The series will be broadcast across six channels in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on the Sony Sports Network as well as on DD Sports, apart from being available for streaming on SONY LIV.