Social media giant Facebook has landed a deal with the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup to offer exclusive content.
With this partnership, Facebook will get an opportunity to create original content for the tournament. Facebook has decided to partner with around 100 influencers to promote the sport and create a different tab for cricket on its app.
The app hopes that many brands use this opportunity across categories of products and services.
This partnership actually commenced two years ago when there was a significant response to the recent Olympic Games and Paralympics Games. India promoted most of the conversations of all the Facebook countries, the company is now preparing numerous marketing and user engagement creativities to bank on the trend.
Facebook will allow fans to create their own polls, quizzes, and leagues on the app to increase engagement with friends and followers.
“Largest number of global conversations around sports happen on Facebook in India. We connect with our friends, communities through our expressions and comments. Facebook and Instagram are the only platforms that let you connect directly and talk to the stakeholders of the sport be it Harsha Bhogle, Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag, or ICC and BCCI. One-third of Facebook users are following a team or a player, which means they are already connected,” Sandeep Bhushan, said Director and Head of Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook India.
It has also been reported that ICC will develop a capsule of the match every hour when it goes live. By keeping in mind that the user doesn’t miss any updates when he is not watching the match, this content is specially created by the ICC for Facebook. Experts like Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag will be featured in the post-match discussions provided in the app.
“Over 100 influencers and creators will talk to their audiences about the tournament and bring them together whether it is in the context of food or art. We are also launching a cricket tab on Facebook. There will be a lot of engaging activities around cricket for users such as polls and conversation sessions,” he added.
“ICC’s partnership with Facebook will help cricket fans engage even more deeply with the sport during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by giving them an opportunity to not just watch a range of digital content but also provide them with a new way of engaging with the sport and live the game through unique social opportunities, allowing them to share, and express themselves during the tournament,” said Anurag Dahiya (ICC Chief Commercial Officer).