Alcatel OneTouch, a TCL Communication brand, has joined fellow Chinese smartphone maker ZTE in raising brand awareness through sports sponsorships in the U.S after its announcement of a multi-year partnership deal with five-time MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy and the team’s home stadium, the StubHub Center.

The company becomes the official smartphone and tablet partner of the team and the multiple-use stadium.

The partnership will focus on pre-game fan experiences, in-game fan engagement, social media, digital ad campaigns, in-game brand advertising, and in-market promotions, the company said without disclosing financial details. 

Starting with the recent August 23 LA Galaxy game against the New York City FC, fans attending LA Galaxy home matches will get the chance to use the company’s products and the chance to win prize packages through in-game and social-media promotions. 

In addition, beginning in 2016, Alcatel OneTouch will get promotional and experience rights to one LA Galaxy player. Details will be announced in 2016. The TCL brand will also participate in LA Galaxy's community engagement programs, which will include activities in Los Angeles and Orange counties. 

The partnership is the second MLS club partnership announced by the mobile-device maker. In June, the company announced it would be the official smartphone partner of Canada’s Toronto FC.

The partnerships enable Alcatel OneTouch “to tap into one of the youngest and most socially engaged audiences in North American professional sports,” said Steve Cistulli, SVP and GM of Senior Vice for Alcatel OneTouch’s North American operations. 

ZTE also sponsors sports teams. ZTE was the official smartphone sponsor for the Houston Rockets for the 2013-14 NBA season, marking ZTE’s first corporate partnership in the world. In 2014, ZTE expanded its NBA partnerships by becoming the official smartphone sponsor of the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors and extending the Rocket’s partnership for another year. 

Taken from Twice