Earlier this year, HMD Global announced its plans to launch its own HMD-branded mobile devices and made changes to its website, moving from Nokia to HMD. At MWC, the company confirmed the launch of the Barbie Flip phone and new repairable phones for the summer.
In line with the brand’s new strategy, HMD has partnered with the Rajasthan Royals, an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 team, to increase its brand visibility.
The partnership aims to enhance HMD’s brand visibility across the nation whilst celebrating, capturing great sporting moments using HMD’s soon to be unveiled aspirational technology, leveraging crickets’ biggest influencers along the way, said the company.
The company has confirmed that the Barbie flip phone is coming in May 2024, and other models, including the repairable phone, will launch in July. So we can expect these smartphones to be revealed in India as well, alongside the global debut.
Regarding the newly-formed partnership, Tathagat Jena, Head of Marketing & Online Biz, India at HMD, said,
Together with the Rajasthan Royals we will hit this brand association out of the park, it’s an affiliation of two brands that aim to be ahead of the curve – we both are passionate, bold, and always one step ahead.
Alok Chitre, Chief Business Officer, Rajasthan Royals, said,
As we embark on this exciting journey with HMD as our Official Smartphone Partner, we envision a partnership fueled by innovation and a shared commitment to transforming society through cricket. At the Royals, our mission is not only to excel on the field but also to pioneer change through innovation. HMD embodies this spirit with its cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking approach, and we are looking forward to leveraging our synergies driven by innovation on and off the pitch.