AFTER being partners in programs and activities in China, the National Basketball Association and Vivo have brought their successful linkup to the Philippines via a comprehensive multiyear marketing partnership.
In official and festive ceremonies held at Sofitel’s Harbour Tent on Dec. 6, officials of the NBA and Vivo, along with NBA legend and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning, unveiled their latest partnership this time in the country.
Through the partnership, the groups said, they will tap on each other for a wide variety of programs, including having Vivo as the presenting partner of the NBA Playoffs Bracket Challenge, a fantasy basketball game that allows participants to submit their NBA Playoffs predictions, as well as an official partner of Jr. NBA Philippines and NBA 3X Philippines.
NBA and Vivo officials said the Philippine partnership is something they truly welcome, seeing it as providing further value to their respective brands.
“Through this milestone collaboration, Vivo and NBA Philippines will bridge sports and technology through events, activities and programs that will revolutionize how basketball fans and mobile users experience the sport,” said Hazel Bascon, Vivo’s Vice-President for Channel Sales, at the partnership unveiling.
“As one of the fastest-growing makers of smart phones globally, Vivo remains steadfast in its pursuit to producing products that complement the ever-changing lifestyle and needs of the customers. Vivo is also committed in championing the sports industry. For the past two years Vivo has been teaming up with some of the top names in the sports scene through its global campaigns and partnerships,” added Ms. Bascon as she underscored their thrust as a company.
For NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson, to have Vivo come on board is something they very excited about as it further adds dimension to their push in the country.
“They have been partners with us in China for three years now and I would say Vivo is the ideal partner for us to deliver new ways for fans in the Philippines to experience the NBA right at their fingertips,” said Mr. Singson.
“With innovation at the forefront of Vivo’s products and services, we look forward to integrating Vivo into our local events and global platforms through content creation and activations that will engage the modern Filipino fan,” he added.
The NBA and Vivo began their partnership in 2016 when the latter became the official smart phone partner of NBA China. They have since conducted a series of exciting interactive activities to fans around the NBA China Games as part of its efforts to grow the brand in partnership with sports leagues and organizations.
In the future, Vivo said it will continue to explore its potential in sports, allowing consumers to better experience the excitement of sport through Vivo’s technology and products. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
