Euroleague Introduces Second-screen App
HEED, the event platform-based joint venture between WME | IMG, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and analytics provider AGT International, has announced its first official venture into sports at Euroleague Basketball’s 2016 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four in Berlin, Germany, 13th – 15th May.
Heed will deploy sensors throughout the competition – across the venue, live and remote audiences, referees and coaches – to collect and analyse data that generates automated content for event participants on site and fans at home through TV broadcasting, social media, and other digital distribution channels.
Sensor-generated data will measure and analyse behaviour of coaches at the Final Four games to determine the influence of their behavior on the game. Similarly, fan behavior and engagement will be analysed to determine whether it affects a team’s win percentage.
Fans at home will gain access to data from their favourite teams, making for a more in venue-like experience. Alternatively, for fans in the venue, they will see on screen the support of virtual fans through mobile device sensors that measure audio levels and heartrate and assign a fan support score that correlates to, and changes with, the flow of the game. Future plans include deploying sensors on the athletes, as well.
In November 2015, IMG and Euroleague Basketball announced a 10-year deal marked by the formation of a joint venture to revamp the league’s competitions.
Danna Rabin, COO of AGT International said: “Since inception we have been focused on systematically layering AGT’s IoT technology across WME | IMG’s incredible event portfolio to create a greater level of engagement among all event participants – from talent to brands to live audiences, and even fans at home.
“Following February’s official fashion launch at NYFW: The Shows, we turned our focus to bringing that same level of enhanced engagement to the Euroleague.”
Ioris Francini, IMG’s president of media, commented: “Our commitment to the Euroleague is to elevate their overall competition structure while growing global exposure for Europe’s highest level of basketball. HEED presents an incredible opportunity to utilize the latest in IoT technology to create a more dynamic live experience for all participants.”
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“Euroleague Basketball has always put fans at the center and has paid special attention to innovative ways to reach out to the young fans,” said Jordi Bertomeu, president & CEO of Euroleague Basketball, “HEED will allow fans to experience the Final Four from a different perspective, right in the thick of the action on the basketball court.”
Announced in October 2015, HEED’s offerings include a consumer-facing ‘Social IoT’ platform based on AGT’s world-class big data and deep web social analytics.
