By Ben Nicholson
August 26 – As befitting their Forbes ranking of second spot in MLS clubs’ value, LA Galaxy has pushed on to add new partnerships to their business roster, and not just foreign imports to their playing roster.
Firstly, the fifth largest mobile phone manufacturer in North America Alcatel OneTouch has become the official smartphone and tablet partner of LA Galaxy and their home stadium, the StubHub Center.
The financials were not disclosed, but Alcatel OneTouch will have marketing and promotional rights to one LA Galaxy player.
The focus of the partnership is multi-faceted: on fan and community experiences and engagement, brand advertising, market promotions and social media and digital campaigns.
Alcatel OneTouch already partners with another MLS club, Toronto FC, and Steve Cistulli, the Senior Vice President & General Manager of North America for the company, sees the deal with LA Galaxy as a strategic investment: “By continuing our MLS investment, we’re not only able to tap into one of the youngest and most socially engaged audiences in North American professional sports, but are also able to work with the LA Galaxy to directly engage with our local community.”
Secondly, and continuing the digital trend, LA Galaxy has become the first team in the MLS to offer a free video platform. The video app, Galaxy DeskSite, provides free HD video content to fans and is available for download online.
The app aims to serve as a platform for social conversation about the team in addition to providing video and web content.
LA Galaxy President Chris Klein said: “Our partnership with DeskSite allows us to continue to enhance the fan experience by delivering exciting, high-definition content to our fans in a seamless and user-friendly way.”
Videos from the app are automatically downloaded so that they may be viewed without internet access. Furthermore, audiovisual alerts can be activated so that there is less delay between a video’s release and fans’ access to it.
Over 95 videos will be available from the app’s inception.
Thirdly, and going back to the end of May, LA Galaxy has found an official water performance partner in 04 Water. The partnership coincided with the performance drink company’s retail launch.
04 offers oxygen enriched products, which they will now be able to market at the StubHub Center and on LA Galaxy’s digital media. The focus of this partnership is community initiative and hydrating athletes from the youth to the senior set ups.
Dave Hardat, the managing partner of O4 Water, expressed his excitement for the partnership, stating, “[t]he Galaxy are defending MLS Cup champions, and we believe in equipping athletes with the tools they need to perform and win at the highest level.”
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