BlackBerry ties up with Mumbai Indians for chat service

Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry on Thursday announced exclusive partnership for its mobile messenger service with Mumbai Indians team for the forthcoming IPL season.

An exclusive BBM Channel -- Mumbai Indians -- will help the users engage with the team's millions of fans and followers across the globe, it said.

"As Indians, we live and breathe cricket, and BlackBerry is thrilled to be the official partner of Mumbai Indians.

“We are hopeful that via BBM Channel, Mumbai Indians fans across the globe will be able to engage, interact and stay updated," BlackBerry Asia Pacific's Senior Director for BBM marketing Krishnadeep Baruah said while announcing launch of channel.

BBM Channel will help BlackBerry monetise its mobile chat application. It will be similar to a web page on a social networking site and will be accessible to mobile users.

BlackBerry will charge brands or page owners to show them in top list of channels available in feature section.

The BBM Channels service allows people to connect with the broader BBM community beyond their BBM contact lists.

Political parties -- Bhartiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party too now are present on BBM channels but Baruah did not disclose if the company approached them to start these channels or they started on their own.

The channel feature was launched by BlackBerry in November 2013.

The smartphone maker has announced contests on Mumbai Indians BBM channel which will allow 11 lucky winners to watch the team practice from their dug out.

"There will also be contest give-aways such as autographed bats, tee's and match tickets. BBM channel will allow fans to follow MI updates closely during IPL, experience exclusive content and have access to team members channel posts on given days," Baruah said.

The BBM Channel will be available for all BlackBerry users, iOS and Android OS platforms.

Image: BlackBerry phones; Photograph: Reuters