GURUGRAM — In a move to sharpen its brand presence across Asia, Apollo Tyres has appointed Neha Agarwalla as Divisional Head – Marketing Communications and Sponsorships (India + Asia). Announced on March 20, 2026, the appointment comes as the tyre major enters the high-stakes phase of its landmark partnership with the BCCI.
The Strategy: From Fintech to Rubber
Agarwalla joins Apollo Tyres following a successful seven-year tenure at Paytm, where she served as Associate Vice President (AVP). With over 17 years of experience at top media agencies like GroupM and Initiative, her expertise lies in scaling growth through high-impact partnerships—a skill set directly aligned with Apollo’s current sports marketing ambitions.
The “Team India” Mandate
One of Agarwalla’s most critical responsibilities will be managing Apollo Tyres’ status as the Lead Sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team.
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The Deal: Secured in late 2025 for approximately ₹579 crore, the partnership runs through March 2028.
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The Visibility: The Apollo Tyres logo now features prominently on the front of jerseys for both the men’s and women’s national teams across all formats.
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The Goal: As India prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup and a packed bilateral calendar, Agarwalla will lead brand activations and “go-to-market” initiatives designed to convert cricket’s massive reach into market share dominance.
Expanding the Footprint
Beyond cricket, her role covers the broader India and Asia regions, where Apollo is looking to strengthen its premium and safety credentials. The transition from a digital-first giant like Paytm to a manufacturing leader underscores the industry-wide shift toward data-driven, multi-platform marketing in the automotive sector.
