MUMBAI: McDowell's No. 1, the beverage brand from the house of United Spirits, has launched a new television commercial for its soda extension.

The TVC features Farhan Akthar, who is the brand ambassador for McDowell's No. 1. He is the brand's first celebrity endorser in its 40 year existence. It also features Purab Kohli, Cyrus Sahukar, Zoa Morani and Meiyang Chang.

Titled 'Dosti ka No. 1 spirit', the commercial has been created by DDB Mudra, Bangalore.

Additionally, the brand is also organizing activations including multicity musicals with music composer duo Vishal and Shekhar.

DDB Mudra South executive creative director Vipul Thakkar said, "McDowell's No.1 soda is all about getting together and having fun. The brief we received from the brand was to highlight the fact that McDowell's spreads the spirit of friendship, which is the brand proposition. So we went about creating a campaign around these friends."

DDB Mudra president Ranji Cherian believes that the campaign will drive a greater level of interest among the younger consumers. He said, "With this campaign the brand hopes to capture the friendship space from which memorable moments are born."

United Spirits president and managing director Ashok Capoor said, "McDowell's No. 1 represents the social aspirations of today's youth. Spending time with friends is paramount for them. The McDowell's No.1 group of friends - our new brand ambassadors from Bollywood - echo these sentiments and situations that anyone can easily identify with. McDowell's No. 1 has set benchmarks for the alco bev industry - be it be the unmatched sales of 17 million cases this year, innovations in packaging, large unique events, activations and promotions. McDowell's No.1's association with Farhan, Purab, Zoa, Chang and Cyrus will set a similar benchmark for friends wanting to have a good time together. The new TVC is themed on the 'No.1 spirit of friendship' and showcases interesting friendship moments appropriately for McDowell's No. 1 given its stellar performance in the industry."

DDB Mudra, Bangalore also handles the creative duties for USL's Power Brands such as McDowell's No.1 Platinum, Bagpiper, McDowell's No.1 Celebration, McDowell's No.1 Cariba and Louis Vernant XO Brandy.