Goa film fest boosting our brand, says Kingfisher

PANAJI - International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held at Goa every year, has given respectability to ‘Brand Kingfisher’, a senior company official said Wednesday.

“We are market leaders in Goa. IFFI, in turn, adds respectability to ‘Brand Kingfisher’,” divisional vice president of UB (United Breweries) Group Govind Tiwari said.

Kingfisher has been associated with IFFI ever since the festival was shifted to Goa six years ago.

“We have been associated with the IFFI for the last six years and we are very happy with our partnership. We want to take it to the next level. It is a very decent branding,” Tiwari said.

Kingfisher is one of India’s largest selling beers, with a market share in excess of 30 percent.

As an associate sponsor for the IFFI, ‘Brand Kingfisher’ will not only showcase its spirits at numerous lounges at the venue in Panaji, but also have a special ‘Kingfisher Village’. It will also chip in with domestic air travel sponsorships.

“Domestically, we have tied up with Kingfisher Airlines. They will be flying in delegates from different parts of the country to Goa,” said Manoj Srivastava, chief executive officer of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), one of the hosts of the film festival.

The group provided nearly Rs.50 lakh in sponsorship, he added.

A popular tourist destination, Goa has over the years emerged as a high profile showcase destination for various lifestyle brands.

UB Group’s chairman Vijay Mallya also owns a bungalow - christened ‘Kingfisher Villa’ - in the beach village of Candolim, 20 km from here.

The 41st edition of IFFI will be held from Nov 22 to December 2.