CHENNAI: With India’s Tech Mahindra announcing the Global Chess League (GCL) that has the official backing of world governing body FIDE, the chances of top Indian chess players signing up brand endorsement deals have brightened, players and talent managers feel.
Marketers also agree with the talent managers that top chess players are ideal brand ambassadors for insurers, mutual funds, financial technology companies and products that are targeted at children.
“GCL may be a catalyst for Indian chess players and corporates to sign up brand endorsement deals,” chess talent managers like Priyadarshan Banjan, Archil Katiyar and Manu Gurtu told IANS.
As a matter of fact, even the talent management in chess is a new phenomenon in India.
“A chess player can be equated with a mutual fund investment manager. A chess player needs a lot of concentration, skill and dedication. So do mutual fund investment managers. The playing style of a chess player should also match the fund’s philosophy,” Jayant Pai, Head-Marketing, PPFAS Mutual Fund told IANS.
