BlackBerry has signed a 3 year partnership with their teams up in Toronto. They have teamed up with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to be their Official Mobile Computing Partner. They will get top billing in the Air Canada Centre along with developing ways for teams to connect with fans. They will also have a BBM Channel hosted by the teams for real time feeds.
Check out the full announcement below:
MAPLE LEAF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS UP WITH BLACKBERRY
TORONTO – June 25, 2013 – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
announced today that BlackBerry® will be the Official Mobile Computing
Partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and
Toronto Marlies (AHL). Through the marketing relationship, the iconic
BlackBerry brand will be featured prominently in and around Air Canada
Centre, and BlackBerry will collaborate with MLSE to develop a range of
new platforms that will enable teams to connect with fans by sharing
information and updates. With the future release of fan applications for
BlackBerry® 10 smartphones and the development of a channel on
BlackBerry® Messenger (a BBM™ Channel) hosted by Leafs and Raptors
personalities, fans will be able to enjoy real-time engagement
experiences and preferred access as they follow their teams throughout
the season.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with BlackBerry and this
announcement means exciting things are in store for BlackBerry customers
and Maple Leafs and Raptors fans everywhere,” said David Hopkinson,
senior vice-president, global partnerships and marketing for MLSE. “We
look forward to bringing unprecedented access and some amazing
experiences to our fans through this partnership over the next several
years.”
“BlackBerry and MLSE share some key values: passion, determination
and leadership,” said Andrew MacLeod, managing director for Canada at
BlackBerry. “Together with MLSE and fans across the country, we are
celebrating the spirit of ambition through excellence in Canadian
sports, and we are honoured to stand behind some of the nation’s
favourite sports teams that display the indomitable spirit the
BlackBerry brand represents.”
About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE)
MLSE, one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment companies,
owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the
Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf
Square and three digital channels – Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GOLTV
Canada and has a partnership with Live Nation – the biggest concert
promoter in the world. MLSE has also invested in five of Toronto’s
sports facilities – Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Marlies, BMO Field, home
of Toronto FC, Lamport Stadium, KIA Training Grounds at Downsview Park,
home of Toronto FC’s Academy and the First Team’s practice facility,
and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility
for the Maple Leafs and Marlies. MLSE operates and manages events at
Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field.
Media Contact:
Jamie Deans, MLSE, Communications
