Voice messaging and social media mobile apps in emerging markets firm Kirusa has launched #CelebConnect and #SportsConnect, with Etisalat Nigeria to help connect Etisalat Nigeria customers with their favorite celebs and also receive exclusive sports voice bytes on their mobile phones and stay abreast with the latest news from the soccer world.

Available on both smartphones and feature phones, Celeb Connect bridges celebrities and fans, adding voice to their interactions. By providing multiple modes of interactions, Celeb Connect augments the quality of conversations between celebrities and their fans.

From Celeb-to-fans and fans-to-Celeb, Celeb Connect provides a seamless flow of messages, and creation of micro blogs. Using the unique voice micro blogging feature of Celeb Connect, celebrities voice their emotions, allowing their fans to hear them, a better option than just reading their text messages on a blog or media outlet. These messages, called Vobolos, are delivered instantly to subscribing fans, creating a “Voice Twitter” like experience. Participating stars include Peter Okoye, Holy Mallam, Sasha P and many more.

Through Sports Connect, subscribers can receive daily updates such as team news, pre and post-match analysis, and quotes of team managers as well as players. With updates about clubs like Manchester United, Barcelona FC, Arsenal, and Chelsea, as well as national teams such as the Ghanaian Black Stars and Nigerian Super Eagles, available on Sports Connect, subscribers can receive their soccer bulletins in English and French languages.

Commenting on the launch, Head of Digital Media at Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, added, “We are excited to partner with Kirusa for Celeb and Sports Connect services. These popular services attract customers’ attention and connect them to their favorite stars. While Celeb Connect establishes a more personal bond between celebs and fans, Sports Connect offers exclusive soccer news from popular soccer clubs and coaches in a new way, using voice updates and analysis.”

Taranjit Singh Batra, Vice President-Sales, Kirusa, added, “While voice chatting with a celebrity used to be a dream earlier, we are making it a reality for Etisalat Nigeria subscribers with Celeb Connect. With Sports Connect, soccer fans will stay updated on all the football action, from Spanish League to Premier League, and all other soccer tournaments around the world, right from their mobile phones.”