Custom emojis just the start for Twitter and ARIA Awards partnership

Twitter Australia has upped its emjoi game face ahead of this month’s 2017 ARIA Awards by introducing custom designed emojis fornominees in the Best International Artist category.

Finalists this year include Adele, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Metallica, Shawn Mendes, The Rolling Stones, The Weekend and, a familiar face to the category, one Harry Styles.

Open to votes from music fans globally, the international artist award has, since its inception in 2012, belonged to British boy band One Direction. Given the group’s hiatus, 2017 officially marks the end of 1D’s five-year winning streak.

Talking to TMN, Twitter Australia’s director of entertainment for the Asia-Pacific region, Jennie Sager, said there is not yet a clear front-runner.

“I can tell you right now, definitely get the votes in because it is a close race. So keep on voting for your favourite artist because nobody is a clear winner yet,” she says.

The new custom emojis for nominees are available now for Metallica (#ARIASMETALLICA), Shawn Mendes (#ARIASSHAWNMENDES), The Rolling Stones (#ARIASROLLINGSTONES), Ed Sheeran (#ARIASEDSHEERAN), Lorde (#ARIASLORDE) and Bruno Mars (#ARIASBRUNOMARS), with the remaining designs awaiting artist and label approval.

Sager also told TMNthat the ongoing partnership between Twitter and ARIAhas evolved year-on-year, with the social news platform again set to play a key role in amplifying the awards – and Australian music – to a global audience, including another live broadcastof the red carpet on Twitter.

“This is such an exciting time for us every year.

“Besides the red carpet live stream, we will have positioning backstage where Twitter will be generating exclusive questions and moments with the artists throughout the night.

“We’re also working with the labels locally on independent activations. There will be lots of exciting exclusive stuff coming out in the lead-up and on the day.”

Last year the ARIAs trended globally in markets like the Philippines, Brazil, Malaysia, North America and the UK.

The winners will be announced at the ARIA Awards on Tuesday, November 28 at The Star in Sydney.