Uber India’s “Hyderabaddie” campaign featuring Australian cricket star Travis Head has everyone talking, for many reasons. RCB recently filed a lawsuit against Uber for the same advertisement. Here’s what happened!
So what was the ad about?
The Hyderabaddie Chronicles
Uber Moto found its perfect ambassador in Travis Head, who’s embraced his playful “anti-hero” persona as the “Hyderabaddie.” In his first major Indian brand collaboration, Head brings his laid-back Aussie charm to a campaign that cleverly plays on cricket rivalries.
And the concept? Head and his gang of “Baddies” pull cheeky pranks on rival IPL teams before making swift getaways on Uber Moto bikes. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s perfectly targeted at India’s young, two-wheeler loving audience.
Head himself seems thrilled with the partnership: “Uber being as big as it is in Australia and in India… the way they pitched that rival-friendship dynamic and the love-hate relationship is good fun.”
When Marketing Gets Legally Sticky with RCB
But not everyone’s laughing. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has taken Uber to court over one particular ad that shows Head defacing a stadium sign to read “Royally Challenged Bengaluru” before escaping on an Uber Moto when security spots him.
RCB claims this crosses the line from humor into trademark disparagement. “You’ve distorted our trademark in a way that mocks us,” their legal team argued, while Uber’s defense counters that RCB “underestimates the public’s ability to appreciate humor.”
The Delhi High Court judge has noted that “there does seem to be something that warrants a change,” so we’re watching this space!
Marketing Takeaways
This campaign brilliantly demonstrates:
- Celebrity partnerships done right – Head’s “pretty laidback, jovial guy who likes to have fun” persona perfectly aligns with the campaign’s tone
- Cultural relevance – Leveraging cricket rivalries taps into deep emotional connections
- Product integration – The getaway vehicle concept naturally showcases Uber Moto’s speed and convenience
- Risk factor – Pushing creative boundaries can generate massive attention, but watch that legal line!
Whether you think it’s marketing genius or a step too far, one thing’s certain—everyone’s talking about Uber Moto. And in marketing, sometimes that’s the whole game.
So what do you think? Clever campaign or crossing the line? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
