|
August 17, 2016 | Volume 14, Issue 13
Share:
MINNESOTA TWINS ENHANCE FAN EXPERIENCE WITH VIRTUAL REALITY GIVEAWAY
Twins take fans behind the scenes with their players through Virtual Reality giveaway program.
By: Sam Thornton
Click the image above to check out the Minnesota Twins' website!
Dear Faithful Readers,
Looking around the world of sports today, new and innovative technologies are being implemented in every facet. Whether the need be for marketing, business development, fan engagement, etc., more often than not there is a technology that will be able to help. One big technological craze today is Virtual Reality (VR). VR is growing and is continuously being sought out by many organizations.
This week we wanted to share a story on the 2017 National Sports Forum’s Budweiser Gala Host, Minnesota Twins, and the work they have done with VR. Fans are essential to any organization and the Twins looked to better engage them and enhance their experience during the games. The VR giveaway was a first of its kind for the Twins, however, this might not be the last we hear of it.
Enjoy the read!
Cheers,
Alby Abalos
Marketing and Communications Manager
PROGRAM TITLE
Minnesota Twins: "Virtual Reality Giveaway"
OBJECTIVES
A major goal the Minnesota Twins had with their Virtual Reality giveaway was to enhance fan experience at Target Field. The Twins wanted to bring fans closer to the game than they’ve ever been before, and the Virtual Reality giveaway provided a unique opportunity for fans to experience that. As part of the Virtual Reality giveaway, fans were given access to exclusive content that takes them behind the scenes with Twins players, and also received a unique souvenir to remind them of their experience.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Virtual reality (VR) is becoming more common because goggles are inexpensive and the videos are easily available through smartphones. Virtual reality allows the viewer to have a 360-degree view of the image or video, thus allowing them to feel that they are experiencing that moment as if they were actually there. The full 360-degree video moves with the viewer, so if the viewer turns their head to the right the video will turn to the right with them. While the videos are available to everyone, virtual reality is better experienced when looking through VR goggles. The goggles make the sensation of being there become a reality by blocking out the viewers entire vision besides the video.
Facebook did a demonstration for the Twins players at Spring Training, which provided unprecedented access to players. Chris Iles worked with the Twins' partners at MLB Advanced Media to deliver that same kind of content within the team’s proprietary mobile app. The Twins then collaborated with their partners at FOX Sports North to create the actual virtual reality content. SuperSphereVR, a production company with extensive experience in producing Virtual Reality content, worked in conjunction with the Twins and MLB Advanced Media on the project. SuperSphereVR, the Twins, and MLB Advanced Media all collaborated to plan the Virtual Reality video shoot. The footage was shot, SuperSphereVR edited it, and the content was delivered to Twins fans during their July 29th game against the White Sox. The first 5,000 fans to enter Target Field received goggles that turn fans’ phones into their own virtual reality viewer.
Click the image above to view the Minnesota Twins website!
PARTNERSHIP
The Twins partnered with Major League Baseball Advanced Media to offer exclusive content to fans during their visit to Target Field. MLB Advanced Media developed a media player that works within the MLB.com Ballpark App. The Twins also worked with their partners at FOX Sports to identify SuperSphereVR as a company who could create a great experience for the fans. SuperSphereVR has the ability to capture and edit high quality virtual reality content. In addition to the content being released to the fans, the Twins' partners at T-Mobile showed off their newest technologies and included virtual reality demonstrations to fans at the game.
 RESULTS
The Virtual Reality Giveaway was a success for the Twins organization. Many fans indicated they were very impressed with the giveaway and content. It was also many fans’ first time viewing virtual reality content, and they were amazed by what they saw. Overall, it was successful in helping the Twins add to the in-ballpark experience for that game and it helped drive traffic to MLB.com’s Ballpark app.
LOOKING AHEAD
Virtual Reality is continuously growing in popularity, and with the Twins' newest giveaway, this opens the door for teams across all sports to offer similar experiences to their fans. Many teams have used technology to promote and brand themselves, but VR unlocks a whole new section of marketing. Not only does VR allow fans to feel as if they can interact with the game, but it gives teams the necessary tools to use virtual reality as a branding technique.
CONTACT
Recent Features
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Brooklyn Nets Hold Internal Olympic Games
Brooklyn Nets seek to increase renewals with an Olympic-style competition.
|
|
Durham Bulls Capitalize on Pokémon Go Craze With Opportunity to "Catch Them All"
Durham Bulls Athletic Park hosts Pokémon Go gamers for an opportunity to catch Pokémon on the field.
|
|
San Diego Padres Promote Season Ticket Renewal With Swing For Your Seats Event
The San Diego Padres create unique experience that would encourage members to renew season tickets.
|
|
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SPORTS FORUM
|
THE NSF SALUTES
OUR PARTNER
|
|
The National Sports Forum is the largest annual cross-gathering of the top team sports marketing, sales, promotions, and event entertainment executives from throughout the broad spectrum of teams and leagues in North America. The 2017 NSF Conference and Trade Show will be held on February 12 - 14, 2017 in Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN. Visit www.sports-forum.com. |
 |
|
|
Ticket Galaxy joins the NSF as an Official Sponsor for the second time in 2017. Ticket Galaxy is the sports and entertainment industry’s leading source for tickets on the secondary market, providing consumers with hard-to-get, sold-out, and discount tickets to live entertainment events in the United States and abroad.
|
|
