MakeMyTrip to sponsor Hyderabad IPL team

Will also launch marketing campaign targeted at travelers, IPL fans in April 2013

Online portal MakeMyTrip  will sponsor Indian Premier League's newest cricket team, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The cricket team is promoted by Chennai based Sun Group, owners of low cost airline SpiceJet.

Deep Kalra, CEO & Founder, MakeMyTrip.com said, “We are delighted to partner with Sunrisers Hyderabad and reach out to millions of IPL fans through this association. The IPL beautifully demonstrates the synergies of the twin passions of Cricket and Travel, with fans following their teams to match-venues across different parts of the country."

The portal will also launch a marketing campaign targeted at travelers and IPL fans in April 2013, company announced today.

MakeMyTrip is listed on NASADQ and runs online airline and hotel reservation and tour business in India and South East Asia.

Till about a year ago over 90% of company  revenue come from India, and bulk of it came from  airline ticketing,.But with margins in airline business under pressure the portal is promoting leisure travel and holiday business in a large way.

To commemorate this association the portal will  also launch a new campaign featuring an extension of the current brand promise. It  will showcase the Sunrisers association through a television commercial  featuring the team’s players—Dale Steyn, Cameron White and Ishant Sharma.

"This will be aired to coincide with the launch of the IPL 2013 season. It  will simultaneously launch promotions through its website, retail stores and social media properties. MakeMyTrip customers and Sunrisers’ Fans can look forward to a Meet & Greet with the players as part of the activation," the company added.