Sania vs Sharapova

July 25, 2006

Sania Mirza, Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan have got tough competition from abroad not only in films or sports, but on the advertising turf as well, as Indian consumers are charmed by international celebs as brand ambassadors.

Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise and David Beckham have come on top in a recent survey of Indian consumers. favourite brand ambassadors. According to an online survey by AC Nielsen, Indians are quite enthusiastic about international celebrities endorsing products and rate them among their favourites.

Sharapova is a favourite among international female celebrities for endorsing casual wear and garnered 23% votes. For luxury designer watches Angelina Jolie came on top with 26% votes and for lingerie items Jennifer Lopez clinched the first spot with 33% votes.

Interestingly, the results of this survey could begin a new rivalry between Sharapova and Sania on the advertising turf as well, as the Hyderabadi girl also endorses a number of products, said an advertising professional.

Among the international male celebrities, Tiger Woods emerged as the winner for promoting designer watches with 30% of the people voting for him, AC Nielsen said. Tom Cruise (28%) for sunglasses and David Beckham (48%) for sportswear were other favourite celebrities.

The celebrity effect can do magic on any consumer segment, if he or she is adored enough, AC Nielsen said. Sharapova is a perfect example.she was voted the best celebrity to endorse not only sportswear (66%) but also casual wear (23%), beating big screen biggies like Jolie and Julia Roberts, it added.