IPL extends 'the call' on mobile

Titled 'Cricket Ka Bulaava', the app created by WATConsult aims to reach out to the maximum number of people through the digital platform and ensure a two-way interaction.

One of the richest sporting properties in the world, the Indian Premiere League is back with its latest edition. And, this time around, the official broadcasters of Pepsi IPL, Sony Max and Sony Six, have come up with a whole new offering via a mobile app.

Titled 'Cricket Ka Bulaava', the app was created by WATConsult with the objective of reaching out to the maximum number of people in the country via a digital platform and ensuring a two-way interaction with them.

The app, MSM believes, has some interesting hooks for users to stay connected at all given points of time. To start with, it offers an auto reminder service that sends people a push notification, email, Facebook and Twitter pings.

With this feature, users can get reminders of their favourite team's matches and also ensure that they do not miss out on viewing all the action, live on television. The app also has an extensive 'Downloads' section which allows the users to download Pepsi IPL schedules, ringtones, wallpapers and photos of all the action from Pepsi IPL.

Another major highlight of this app is the Trivia section which offers some unique statistics of the marquee players from all the teams. The content is shareable on Facebook and Twitter and is expected to catch on and go viral in the coming days of IPL. Besides these features, there is all the information via team lists and tournament schedules providing the users a complete know-how of the Pepsi Indian Premiere League. The app is available on Android and iOS platforms and is present on the web for desktop users as well.

Commenting on the launch of the app, Vaishali Sharma, VP, marketing and communication, Sony Max, says, "The digital medium is a very important platform for us to engage with our viewers and create buzz for Pepsi IPL. This mobile app has been conceived keeping in mind what every cricket fan values. We are confident that it will be a hit and will further generate excitement for the tournament."

Rajiv Dingra, CEO, WATConsult, says, "We are delighted to have been a part of building this mobile app for Sony Max and Sony Six. For us it's been more fun than work. Being a true IPL and cricket fan we made sure that the app would have everything an IPL fan would look forward to."

Besides the app, IPL has also partnered Twitter to bring real time experiences to fans. Some of the initiatives are Twitter IPL Calendar, #IPLMagic, IPL Pulse and others. After their partnership in 2013, IPL and Twitter are set to unveil a new gold standard of live, interactive, conversational experiences for cricket fans globally, with a partnership that will be seamlessly integrated on-air, on-ground and online.

Meanwhile, the organisers have also launched the second edition of IPL Fantasy League, the 'Digital IPL' that debuted last year. The Fantasy League had a major contribution in IPL's online success.