Beverages major Coca-Cola India has dropped bollywood actor Salman Khan as brand ambassador for its soft drink ‘Thums Up’ after four years of association. The company is reportedly in talks with actor Ranveer Singh to replace him.
The contract with Salman Khan had expired last month and the company has chosen not to renew it, PTI said quoting people in the industry who are familiar with the matter.
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The company’s decision to not to renew the contract with the actor is more to do with the image of Coca-Cola, which is seen as a young brand. “That explains why Coca-Cola is talking to a much younger star like Ranveer Singh,” people quoted by PTI said.
Salman Khan has been among the top celebrity endorsers reportedly charging Rs.5 crore per year per brand. He was also the costliest ambassador for Coca-Cola.
Coca Cola India had roped in Khan as its brand ambassador for the second time to endorse its Thums Up brand in October 2012 replacing another Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. He had earlier endorsed the brand in early 2000s. At that time, Coca-Cola India had also signed an agreement with Being Human—The Salman Khan Foundation—to jointly promote, conceive and execute charitable and social activities.
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