After the Olympians from India’s contingent bagged medals several brands like P&G, Apollo group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Pan Bahar, Vicks, and others posted congratulatory posters on social media to wish the winners. These brands posted PV Sindhu and other athletes’ images next to their brand’s logo without taking the required permissions. This is clearly considered as an act of “opportunistic piggybacking”. Brands are usually seen doing so to up their marketing gimmick as it increases the share prices and elevates their sales. But it is unethical, even illegal for any brand to do so without getting a prior green signal from the concerned authorities.
Several aforementioned brands used PV Sindhu’s image along with their brand’s logo on their social media handles without getting in touch with the authorities which led the former to take legal actions against the latter. The brands had to take down their posts which seemed like an association of the Badminton bronze medal winner with the respective brand. The Olympics Charter also states some rules regarding endorsements which the brands must stick to. Or else, in an attempt to go viral, the brands will have to face legal consequences which would further lead to sabotaging their reputation leading to negative publicity. Taking permission from the athletes’ management team and abiding by Olympics set rules regarding endorsements and hiring the sportsperson as the brand ambassador will help the brands save their reputation. Just to bask in the limelight of the Olympics, brands must not commit such mistakes which would further tamper their position.