NEWS FROM VODAFONE

Everyone’s an umpire with the Vodafone Viewers Verdict

-Vodafone celebrates 10 years of partnership with Cricket Australia -

Sydney, 25 November, 2011: Vodafone was today joined by some of Australian cricket’s longest-standing stars and newest young guns to launch the Vodafone Viewers Verdict and celebrate a decade sponsoring Cricket Australia and Test cricket.

Vodafone showcased today a new feature of the Cricket Live Australia app, Vodafone Viewers Verdict, which aims to take fan interaction with Australian Test Cricket to new heights. In collaboration with Channel 9 and Cricket Australia, Vodafone Viewers Verdict will give cricket fans across the nation the power to interact instantly with Channel 9’s broadcast of the 2011-2012 Vodafone Test Series via their 3G smartphone or tablet.

In a world first for cricket, Vodafone Viewers Verdict will enable fans to have their say on sporting issues and controversies as they  happen, with the Vodafone Viewers Verdicts displayed live nationally during the Channel 9 broadcast of the 2011-2012 Vodafone Test Series and other international games.

John Casey, Director of Marketing at Vodafone, said: “To mark our 10th anniversary of sponsorship of Cricket Australia and Australian Test Cricket, we’re proud to bring fans the next evolution of our Cricket Live Australia App- the Vodafone Viewers Verdict. We’re excited to be changing the way Australians watch cricket.”

 General Manager of Cricket Market Services for Cricket Australia, Mike McKenna said: “This innovation from Vodafone is the latest in a number of exciting developments that VHA has introduced to cricket over the 10 years of our partnership.  Cricket fans have had the benefit of world-leading products such as live streaming of matches to their mobile phones and now the Cricket Live Australia app with Vodafone Viewers Verdict is set to take fan engagement to another level.”

The longstanding Cricket Live Australia App will be available to download from 1 December, 2011, and will feature a range of exclusive content including Mobile Cricket TV, live scores/fixtures, ball by ball commentary, highlight, news as it happens, and Vodafone Viewers Verdict. For the very first time, Cricket Live Australia App will also be available for tablets. App prices start at $1.99 for a Day Pass, and $9.49 for a Season Pass, which includes a full summer of live cricket action streamed direct to mobile, tablet or PC.

The Cricket Live Australia app is compatible with 3G smartphone and tablet devices. For further information about Vodafone Viewers Verdict and Cricket Live Australia app, please visit www.vodafone.com.au/cricketapp.

The 2011-2012 Vodafone Test Series between Australia, India and New Zealand starts on the 1st December at the Gabba with a two-test series against New Zealand and then Australia take on India from 26th December at the MCG in a four-test Series. 

Mike McKenna concluded: “The Vodafone Test Series summer starts in earnest next week, with plenty of interest in who our new selection panel will choose to take on trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand, in Brisbane and then India, due here in a matter of weeks to try to win their first ever Test series down under.

 “As we saw in South Africa earlier this week, Test cricket, cricket in its purest form, is a sensational format and the six Vodafone Tests this summer are going to be fascinating for fans around Australia as well as throughout New Zealand and India as Michael Clarke and his team seek to climb back up the Test ratings ladder against two tough opponents”.

Vodafone Test Series fixture:

01-05 December 2011 - 1st Test

Australia v New Zealand

Gabba 11:00AM AEDT

09-13 December 2011 - 2nd Test

Australia v New Zealand

Bellerive Oval 10:30AM AEDT     

  

26-30 December 2011 - 1st Test

Australia v India

MCG 10:30AM AEDT        

03-07 January 2012 - 2nd Test

Australia v India

SCG 10:30AM AEDT        

13-17 January 2012 - 3rd Test

Australia v India

WACA 1:30PM AEDT        

24-28 January 2012 - 4th Test

Australia v India

Adelaide Oval 11:00AM AEDT 

- Ends -

Notes to editor:

Compatible iPhone/iPad software iOS 4.0 or Android handset & tablet software 1.6 and above required. For Apple devices: Event Pass ($2.99AUD per event) or Android devices: Day Pass ($1.99AUD per day) applicable for the duration of each Test, ODI, T20 & Big Bash matches; and Season Pass (available on both Apple and Android) ($9.49AUD) applicable until 15/03/2012, includes Test, ODI, T20 & Big Bash. Data usage for streaming is free for Vodafone and 3 customers. Data charges apply for all other carriers. Standard data charges apply to download the application. Any external links and app features that require an Internet connection will incur data charges for all customers. Data used over WiFi will be charged as per your ISP rates. Check your plan for rates. All other content and functionality within the app will incur data charges for all customers.  Content and content prices are subject to change. The quality of some services may vary according to factors such as device capabilities, location and network usage. Some content not available on all handsets. Vodafone may suspend the service at its sole discretion.

For more information, contact Frank PR:

Stuart Terry – 02 8202 0555 / 0404 411 155 / stuartterry@frankpr.com.au

Mike Maurice – 02 8202 0555 / 0406 977 193 / mikemaurice@frankpr.com.au

Kyra Washington- PR Executive, Vodafone – 0421 582 621 / kyra.washington@vodafone.com.au

Phillip Pope, Public Affairs, Cricket Australia 0433 075 030 phillip.pope@cricket.com.au

About Vodafone Hutchison Australia
Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) operates the Vodafone, 3, and Crazy Johns brands. Formed in June 2009 following a merger between Vodafone Australia and Hutchison 3G Australia, VHA provides mobile services to over 7.2 million customers in Australia. www.three.com.au & www.vodafone.com.au