Arun Kumar Rao takes charge as President – Commercial Partnerships at ISRL
Arun Kumar Rao has previously worked with HAVAS PLAY, Disney India, The Times of India Group, among others
by
Published: May 13, 2026 3:46 PM | 2 min read
Follow Us
- Arun Kumar Rao has been appointed as President of Commercial Partnerships for the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), bringing over 25 years of experience in sports, media, and marketing.
- In his new role, Rao will focus on driving ISRL's commercial growth strategy, developing long-term partnerships, and enhancing the league's image among brands targeting India's motorsports and youth audience.
- Rao's career includes notable positions at organizations such as HAVAS PLAY, Disney India, and Odisha FC, with expertise in sports marketing, sponsorships, and commercial planning.
- ISRL, supported by Bollywood actor Salman Khan, has experienced growth in audience engagement and brand participation, positioning itself as a key platform for connecting with younger demographics in the automotive and lifestyle sectors.
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) has named Arun Kumar Rao as its President of Commercial Partnerships.
Rao brings more than 25 years of experience across sports, media, entertainment, advertising and integrated marketing. He has strong expertise in sponsorships, commercial partnerships, revenue generation and brand-led intellectual properties.
In his new position, Rao will be responsible for driving ISRL’s commercial growth strategy. His focus will be on developing long-term partnerships, creating new business opportunities and strengthening the league’s image as a leading platform for brands targeting India’s growing motorsports and youth audience.
During his career, Rao has worked with several well-known organisations including HAVAS PLAY, Disney India, The Times of India Group, Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, DSPORTS, Dish TV India, 9XM Media, FTV India, TBWA India and Percept Communication. He is known for his work in sports marketing, sponsorships, branded content, experiential campaigns, OTT monetisation and commercial planning.
Speaking about his appointment, Arun Kumar Rao said that ISRL combines competitive racing, entertainment, lifestyle culture and the automotive industry on one platform. He added that the league has already shown strong growth and has huge potential for the future. Rao said he looks forward to building a strong commercial structure that creates value for partners while helping motorsports become a mainstream youth entertainment category in India.
Veer Patel, Managing Director and Co-Founder of ISRL, said Arun Rao’s experience in commercial leadership and strategic partnerships will help the league during its next stage of growth. He added that Rao’s industry knowledge and strong network will support the expansion of ISRL’s commercial ecosystem and long-term business plans.
ISRL is supported by Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who is associated with the league as both brand ambassador and investor. Over the past two seasons, the league has seen growth in stadium audiences, television viewership, digital engagement and brand participation. It has also emerged as an exciting platform for automotive, lifestyle, mobility and consumer brands to connect with younger audiences.
Read more news about People Movement, Internet Advertising, Marketing, Digital Media, PR and Corporate Communication
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube & Google News