Brand Mary Kom Packs A Punch

BRAND MARY KOM PACKS A PUNCH The only Indian woman boxer to have won an Olympics bronze, life has never been the same for Mary Kom since she returned from the 2012 games. Fame had proved elusive till then, despite her winning world championships earlier. Today, endorsements, celebrity appearances and speaking assignments are as much a part of her life as the training, tournaments and her boxing academy. With her autobiography released in 2013 and a film chronicling her life coming soon, MSLGROUP analyses why Mary Kom is now a much-sought-after brand ambassador. MAGNIFICENT MARY 5-time world amateur boxing champion Only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the 6 world championships Only woman boxer from India to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics; she competed in the flyweight (51 kg) category and won bronze Arjuna Awardand Padma Shree recipient She runs her Own boxing academy for the lesser privileged WHY BRANDS LOVE HER Born to landless agricultural labourers in Manipur, Mary is one of the few icons from the North-East admired across India A school dropout with a rebellious streak, she defied convention every step of the way She had everything going against her: poverty, racism, gender bias. And she beat it all The quintessential underdog who has achieved success on her own terms, Mary's story is a dream that middle-class India loves to dream Even Bollywood is betting on the power of her story. Leading actress Priyanka Chopra is essaying her role in 'Mary Kom' Her autobiography, 'Unbreakable', inspired many, especially young women While there are no authenticated earnings figures available, a 'Forbes India' report in January 2013 said her earnings then stood at Rs 3.32 crore- which is unusual for athletes in India for sports other than cricket Dalmia BRAND ASSOCIATIONS* gsk EDG CO-DROINATION G Piramal Polycral HERBALIFE vodafone FAST RELIEF *Past and present IF I CAN, YOU CAN MARY KOM, IN HER OWN WORDS "I do not only rely on my technique or strength, but also on my mind.", "People used to say that boxing is for men and not for women and I thought I will show them some day. I promised myself and I proved myself." "I had no support, no opportunity, no sponsors backing me for most of my career. But I knew a medal would change everything." "I always remember I am also so small and Manipur is very small, but if I pray and if I do very hard work then I will win. "Don't give up as there is always a next time. Think that if Mary Kom, a mother of two, can do it, why can't you?" MSLGROUP Sources: Media reports, www.mcmarykom.com