Preity out,Deepika in

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ajooni

@ajooni

Rocker

Posted: 17 years ago

BSNL ad: Preity out, Deepika in

The squeaky, bubbly girl, who refused to tie the nuptial knot with an otherwise versatile boy, not having a BSNL landline connection at home, will soon be off your TV screens. For, in keeping with the changing times, the BSNL has decided to replace its brand ambassador.

So, who will be Preity Zinta?s replacement? Bingo! It is Deepika Padukone, whom the Americans have voted the hottest woman! Confirming this, BSNL deputy director-general (marketing), MSS Rao told HT from New Delhi: ?Our contract with Preity ends on August 18. We have now decided on having Deepika as our brand ambassador. Her term with us will be initially for one year and extendable by another year.?

Deepika got the BSNL management?s nod ahead of many other Bollywood stars given the fact that she was the Gen-X icon. ?The BSNL wants to identify itself with the youth and Deepika is the youth icon,? added Rao.

BSNL, country's largest telecom operator with 74 mn customers, has not renewed Zinta's contract that ended last week as it was eager to associate the brand with a younger face.

According to industry sources, Depika has been hired at a higher fee than Zinta.

The BSNL had considered all the top-notch Bollywood stars, barring those contracted by its competitors, before settling with Deepika as its brand ambassador. Among those not considered were Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Kareena Kapoor and R Madhavan.

Padukone has been signed on for a one year term. In an earlier conversation with Businessofcinema.com, Atul Kasbekar, whose celebrity management company - Bling! handles Padukone's endorsements, said, "Deepika is slated to endorse a big brand in the service sector. However, it is for the brand to make the official announcement. It can be touted as one of the biggest endorsements deals until now."

According to a PTI reports, BSNL is slated to pump in Rs 1 billion (Rs 100 crores) in advertising and marketing.

Edited by ankita31 - 17 years ago