When PUMA became PVMA: The rebranding stunt that had fans guessing¡ªfrom Virat Kohli to 'how do you even say PVMA?'
PUMA rebranded as PVMA, sparking online chatter and confusion until they revealed it was a tribute to their partnership with PV Sindhu. The clever campaign proved PUMA's knack for grabbing attention in style!
PUMA recently made waves by rebranding itself as PVMA, with even store names in certain locations reflecting the change. At first, this sparked widespread speculation online¡ªwas it an error by the company? The buzz continued until PUMA finally revealed the move was part of a collaboration with badminton icon and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu. Following the announcement, the internet shifted from confusion to admiration, applauding PUMA for its clever strategy that organically made it the centre of attention. The rebranding created a whirlwind of reactions, proving the power of creative marketing.
Check them out below:
Can someone help me understand why PUMA changed their name to PVMA? pic.twitter.com/jpXvJsUIL2
¡ª Naina (@Naina_2728) January 11, 2025
¡®PUMA¡¯ rebranding as ¡®PVMA¡¯ feels like the kind of people on Instagram who spell their name ¡®Aryan¡¯ as ¡®Xryxn¡¯ to look edgy/cool. pic.twitter.com/1Uq4NJigjl
¡ª K (@kamayanitweets) January 11, 2025
Spotted in India: The ¡®PVMA¡¯ takeover! From stores to billboards, the typo that¡¯s got everyone talking. Is it a marketing genius move or just a hilarious mistake? ? #PVMA #PUMA #ViralTypo #MarketingStunt #FunnyMistake pic.twitter.com/q3oG96Oa23
¡ª Pretty Yours ?? (@skyislimitt) January 12, 2025
its the start of 2025 and PUMA has officially changed their name to PVMA across India ? pic.twitter.com/XTlIXjOeEy
¡ª Richa? (@rich_athinks) January 11, 2025
Ordered expensive ass shoes from PUMA par agar unpe PUMA ki jagah PVMA likh ke aya toh flex kaise karunga?? pic.twitter.com/muyQUYco9S
¡ª Lok ??? (@wtffflok) January 12, 2025
Did someone hack PUMA¡¯s website and mess their logo or they officially changed it to PVMA? pic.twitter.com/g5vpNW0ZVl
¡ª Krupa Kotecha (@krupakotecha_) January 11, 2025
bhai ye kya kardiya? PVMA bola bhi nahi jaa raha hai...??? pic.twitter.com/vdFhkpwnzE
¡ª Prachi (@prachii_615) January 11, 2025
Typo as a teaser seems the latest creative hack in town.
¡ª Ashok Lalla (@ashoklalla) January 14, 2025
Get people sharing and talking, and then do a grand reveal explaining the typo.
Engagement scores may rise but will brand preference? I think not.
Next time I need a sneaker, I doubt I'll look for Puma, Pvma, whatever. pic.twitter.com/wWYXHiRn9v
pvma has a history of turning blunders into marketing master strokes and i was genuinely waiting for them to turn hyd store's blunder into marketing master stroke and they did not disappoint pic.twitter.com/izZeidoQOM
¡ª ? (@rizwanxy) January 11, 2025
Some reactions even speculated that the "V" in PVMA stood for Virat Kohli. But why Kohli, of all people? The meme below sums it up perfectly:
PUMA PVMA pic.twitter.com/fhgm5NNT5I
¡ª Yash (@imYash__18) January 11, 2025
Why the change from PUMA to PVMA?
PUMA has temporarily rebranded its signage to "PVMA" to celebrate its new multi-year partnership with badminton star PV Sindhu. The collaboration is set to officially kick off at the India Open 2025.
By teaming up with Sindhu, PUMA adds yet another high-profile name to its impressive list of ambassadors, which includes cricket sensations Harmanpreet Kaur and Mohammed Shami, Olympian Sarabjot Singh, Paralympian Avani Lekhara, and legendary boxer MC Mary Kom. Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan Pataudi, along with global icons Usain Bolt and Neymar Jr., also represent the brand.
Expressing her excitement, Sindhu described this partnership as a chance to inspire people who dare to challenge limits and pursue excellence. "Through this collaboration, I hope to inspire others, especially women, to take risks, believe in themselves, and strive for greatness both on and off the court," she said.
PU's decision to partner with Sindhu is a strategic move that aligns perfectly with the growing prominence of badminton and its youthful fan base.
According to the 2024 Google-Deloitte Think Sports report, badminton's popularity in India has been soaring, with a staggering 57 million fans.
Among them, 27.8 million belong to Gen Z, showcasing the sport's immense appeal to younger audiences. In urban India, badminton has risen to become the second-most played sport after cricket.
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Srishti B Dutta brings you everything from rags-to-riches tales and inspiring student success stories to those "No way, this can't be real!" moments. Whether it's intriguing, heartwarming, or just plain quirky, she's got it covered.
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