From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Today, @MLB – the league’s official Twitter account — will be closed to new followers so that its existing 2.8 million followers can take part in a BlackBerry-sponsored trivia contest.
Participants have the chance to win a range of prizes, including 2013 World Series tickets, BlackBerry Z10 devices, tickets to the game of the winner’s choice, MLB.TV Premium annual subscriptions, and $100 MLB.com shop gift cards.
Check out @MLB’s Tweets as they prepare for the contest:
Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. You’ll want to be following us tomorrow from 12-4 PM ET. We’ll make it worth your while. #mlBBtakeover
— MLB (@MLB) May 9, 2013
MLB spokesman Matthew Gould “It’s about rewarding our followers with unique opportunities to engage with our brand, our partner and win great prizes,”.
#mlBBtkakeover hashtag will be used to publicize the event, which MLB plans to formally announce this morning. While this is the second Twitter contest of its kind that the league has run, it’s the first with a sponsor on board. In addition to the BlackBerry Z10 giveaways and the BlackBerry-themed hashtag, @MLB will feature a branded BlackBerry background when the account goes temporarily private.
MLB has been a strong supporter of BlackBerry in the past through its MLB At Bat app, and late last year e-mailed MLB.com users messages teasing BlackBerry 10 devices.