Havas Media Bags media Duties for World Kabaddi League

The account is estimated to be over Rs 30 crore.

The World Kabaddi League (WKL) has awarded its integrated media duties to Havas Media Group after inviting a multi-agency pitch. The announcement comes on the heels of the group retaining the MTS business. The account is estimated to be upwards of Rs 30 crore.

WKL is an initiative to uplift the level of Kabaddi by professionalising the sport. It aims to give a chance to experienced players as well as upcoming talent from various countries to come on one platform and play to win.

Raman Raheja, CEO, World Kabaddi League, says, "We are a young and dynamic organization looking to take Kabaddi to new heights on a global platform. Havas Media understood this. They have scale, the thought leadership, experience, were transparent and displayed tremendous passion. We know they are the people to partner with to achieve our goals."

Anita Nayyar, CEO, Havas Media Group, India and South Asia, says, "We are honoured that WKL has chosen us as their partners to further their business objectives. It has been a good year at Havas Media with strong integrated media new business wins. Our digital-at-the-core approach has paid off big dividends and impressed clients."

Mohit Joshi, managing director, Havas Media India, says, "WKL is a great brand with a huge potential. This win is another feather in our cap proving that Havas Media is the 'go to' agency for integrated media. We will provide meaningful solutions to achieve WKL's goals and look forward to a long business relationship."

Havas Media recently won the integrated media mandate of MTS India, Yepme.com and the digital mandates for Businessworld magazine and XOLO mobile. WKL, being broadcast on Sony Six, has a format that is close to the one followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL). It started on August 9 and will end by mid-December.

There are eight privately owned teams: Khalsa Warriors, London (owned by Akshay Kumar, Gurdeep Singh, Peeush Mahajan), California Eagles (Surjit Singh Tut), Vancouver Lions (Gurjit Singh Purewal), Punjab Thunders, Vancouver (Daljit Thind, Rajat Bedi, Monty Sikka), Yo Yo Tiger, Toronto (Yo Yo Honey Singh), United Singhs, Birmingham (Talwinder Hayer, Sonakshi Sinha), Royal Kings USA, Sacramento, California (Sarb Thiara) and Lahore Lions, Lahore (Government of Punjab, Pakistan).

The tournament follows the double round robin format with 94 matches (90 league games and four playoffs) and has 144 international players on its roster. Each team plays the rest thrice before the top four qualify. The final will be played in Mohali on December 14.