Sony Ericsson has expanded its existing relationship with surf-inspired brand Billabong to create an Xperia active Billabong Edition smartphone. The original version of the scratch-resistant handset was announced in June 2011. It’s dustproof and water resistant to the IP67 rating.
Scott Wallace, Billabong’s International VP of Strategic Partnerships & New Media, said “The partnership is an expansion of our long term relationship with Sony and an extension of an Asia Pacific alliance developed with Sony Ericsson in 2011. Our customers are very tech savvy and their top interests include music, photography, social media and, of course, action sports. Each of these interests can be captured or experienced through the Xperia active and we are working on some exciting apps and accessories that should add to the user’s experience. The first to benefit will be the athletes at our major international events who will be testing the Xperia active device in conditions as diverse as the snowfields in Austria, surfing the big waves of Tahiti and even skateboarding in Singapore.”
Sony Ericsson and Billabong have also created exclusive multimedia content for the Xperia active Billabong Edition and a surfing game for the Xperia PLAY.