Abhi follows suit with Ash in endorsements

Not so long ago, brand image-makers could not think of a product match for Abhishek. When Maruti Versa took him on, they needed his megastar father to accompany. So as Abhishek drove his father around, made the final sale pitch.

Finally, post "Bunty Aur Babli" and "Sarkar", where he held his own opposite Amitabh himself, Abhishek became a solo brand. With his suave looks and personality, Abhishek can help boost the sales of any product he endorses. Also, with his hot n sexy image, he will improve the product's market value.

As the brand ambassador of the Ford Fiesta, brand Abhishek arrived. For Ford, Abhishek was the perfect match for their youth-targetted mid-size luxury car. Of-course, he is nowhere near the number of endorsement's under Amitabh's belt but seems like he has taken the first step in that direction.

As far as films are concerned, he delivered J.P. Dutta's "Umrao Jaan" with Aishwarya Rai, Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" with his father, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani and Preity Zinta and "Dhoom 2", the sequel to "Dhoom".

Abhishek has arrived as the hottest metro-sexual star whose suave and sophisticated look have bowled over his fans and they are asking for more.Remember him in Dostana of 2008.

But then in a foray to stretch more than he can, he followed suit with Ash, Abhi's wife. Auto giant Ford India terminated its much-touted brand endorsement deal with film star Abhishek Bachchan. The multinational car-maker has decided not to extend the December 2005 deal, which came up for renewal. Abhishek was the brand ambassodor for Ford Fiesta.

The main idea of the deal was to establish the Fiesta brand and after achieving that very much with Abhishek’s endorsement, they moved ahead. Asked if a hike in endorsement fee was the reason for this snap, McCormack said, “This was a mutually amicable call by both of us.” The company is believed to be of the view that the Fiesta brand has acquired enough equity to thrive without a brand ambassador.

Industry sources, however, said the auto major was not willing to pay a higher price to Abhishek, whose market value has gone up of late, following his successes at the box-office. Abhishek Bachchan! After having endorsed Motorola, American Express, Omega, Ford, BIG 92.7 FM and LG, turned to Aditya Birla Group's mobile service operator Idea Cellular.

Idea Cellular appointed Abhishek Bachchan as its new brand ambassador. The telecom company has signed a 3 year deal with the star explicitely at a huge price.

But yet again he lost on LG. Abhishek was dropped because he had asked for his wife Aishwarya Rai to be included in the contract. Official sources say that the actor, who was signed on to represent the company in 2006, has refused to renew his contract. Abhishek and Ash were trying hard to be the power couple in Bollywood. They get loads of offers for deals and endorsements.

So as of now, Abhishek Bachchan has already lost brands like LG and Ford. He has followed suit with Ash who lost brands like Nakshatra and Loreal Fairness Cream .