By: Michael Angelo S. Murillo
ONE Championship’s push into the mobile platform took further root after it signed a memorandum of understanding with Singtel Group to deliver martial arts-related content and other digital assets to customers across Asia.
Singtel, along with its mobile associates Globe and Telkomsel, and ONE, through the newly forged partnership, will explore integrating the former’s mobile wallets and carrier billing services to power e-commerce functions in the just-launched ONE Championship app which offers live and recorded telecasts of martial arts matches and events.
The two groups said they will also consider jointly producing original content.
“We are excited to collaborate with ONE Championship to bring new entertainment offerings such as martial arts to our customers while raising the profile of the martial arts community here.” said Arthur Lang, CEO of International Group at Singtel, at the partnership launch on May 4 in Singapore.
He added, “Content, particularly premium sports content, delivered over our advanced network is one of the key pillars of our consumer strategy. This is why we will also be exploring ways to develop and deliver exclusive martial arts content to not just customers in Singapore and Australia but also our regional associates in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Sports content is a big winner with our consumers, with millennials comprising a large part of our customer base.”
For ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the Singtel deal is a “landmark” deal that should only enhance their brand’s standing as Asia’s largest sports media property and amplify their mission of championing martial arts in its truest form.
“We are pleased to enter into this MOU with communications giant, the Singtel Group, on a range of initiatives. ONE Championship is focused on bringing the unique action and adrenaline of our live ONE Championship events straight to our audience on all platforms, making sure that millions of martial arts fans around the world have access to our digital content. I am excited to work with Singtel in executing this vision, delivering the unique experience of Asian martial arts to the world,” Mr. Sityodtong said.
The MOU was announced alongside the launch of ONE Championship’s mobile app in Singtel’s flagship store where Singapore’s mixed martial arts champion Angela Lee made an appearance.
Ms. Lee is set to defend her ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship title against Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi on May 18.
Available on Android and iOS mobile platforms, the app aims to give fans of the sport access to ONE Championship live events, as well as their complete library of digital content for free. Content will be streamed in full HD and will also provide users with statistical information and a detailed background on ONE Championship superstars.