Mobile giant Nokia is inviting developers  from all over the globe to participate in the Calling All Innovators contest, a competition that’s looking to take the industry by storm.  This is a strategy for developers to build applications around Nokia’s smartphones, and will be co-judged by Nokia’s carrier AT&T and the consumers via number of downloads both free and paid. Entries will be available at Nokia’s OVI Store.

Calling All Innovators has more than 17 categories. Participants have till 28th of January 2011 to submit their entries. There will be three winners in each category that will receive $150,000 each. Grand prize winners will be chosen from these category winners and will receive an additional $100,000.  Winning developers will also receive a marketing support from Nokia and AT&T worth $6 million in the North American Market. The applications must be built to suit the consumers that live in North America.

“The commitment from Nokia is a clear message that we are serious about the North American market,” said Purnima Kochikar, VP Forum Nokia. “Developers have the tools, the support from AT&T and the marketing power of Nokia to get visibility for their apps”, she added. “Additionally, developers can make their Qt-based app available in Ovi Store to Nokia customers globally reaching tens of millions of customers.”

Nokia’s always been avid about rallying support around the Ovi market, and this latest tactic comes at a time that’s ripe for the manufacturer.  Earlier this month, Nokia revealed its plans for a new smartphone line, and several executive shifts to take the company in a direction better suited for the smartphone battle grounds, where Apple and Google are taking over in a big way.

Teaming with AT&T on this contest also shows the service provider’s interest in the growing mobile app marketplace, especially as the two companies are likely working together for Nokia’s upcoming smartphone distribution.  With AT&T on the verge of losing its exclusivity deal with the iPhone, the wireless provider will need to do all it can for outreach, access and retention in the mobile space.