Pulse Jam

Getting On Board

It's not exactly clear who built the first snowboard.  Some say the sport was born in 1929, when M.J. "Jack" Burchett constructed a board out of plywood and attached it to his feet with clothesline and horse reins.  While this has yet to verified, it is certain that in 1965 Sherman Poppen of Muskegon, Michigan, created the prototype for the original mass-produced board, tieing two skis together for his daughters on Christmas morning.  His wife named it the Snurfer, and it became a hit.

Soon a young rider named Jake Burton Carpenter began toying around with the Snurfuer design, and in 1977, after graduating from New York University, he founded what would later become the biggest snowboard company in the world.  Meanwhile in 1970, a surfing fan named Dimitrije Milovich started working on another design, inspired by his sledding down a hill on a cafeteria tray.  Winterstick, the company he formed in 1976 , is still around today.  The industry was on it's way.

The first national snowboard competition was held in 1982 at Suicide Six near Woodstock, Vermont, and five years later, during the 1987-88 season, the four events that made up the first snowboarding World Cup took place.  But it wasn't until 1998 that the ultimate outsider sport received the establishment's highest recognition:  inclusion in the Olympic Games at Nagano, Japan.

How Technologies Change The Fans Experience

Technology is changing how people experience sports at many arenas and stadiums.

Fans can vote via text message for their favorite player; self-serve automatic kiosks can upgrade tickets; and credit and debit card transactions can be done in the stands for food and beverages.  Tickets are electronically scanned to expedite entry into buildings, and digital signs are being used to target fans' specific interests.

Some venues are Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing fans to watch instant replays on hand-held devices. Wireless technology can also be used by staff to redirect personnel where they're needed.

With the advances in technology, the competition for that entertainment dollar is greater than ever

Nortel is working with a few NHL clubs, such as the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes, to give their venues a new technological infrastructure.  Additionally, they now have a footprint in two out of three NFL stadiums and half of the Major League Baseball stadiums.

Nortel also will be providing the network infrastructure for Vancouver's 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2012 Summer Games in London.

So what's Nortel have to do with me the fan?

Nortel's technology will allow fans to rent hand-held devices, not only to see replays but to do such things as co-ordinate cheers for players, play fantasy hockey or football, and track favorite players' points. They are working to ensure that the fan experience in even the worst seat in the stadium is better than being on the couch in front of a 60 inch flat screen.

F1 Races Towards Eco-Technology

There is widespread agreement that the fuel-guzzling sport must respond in a responsible way to the current environmental challenges.  The global sensitivity to the causes of climate change is continually increasing and Formula One is not exempt from this. 

This past weekend's Japanese Grand Prix began to address these issues with unique green-grooved tires.  Although largely symbolic, this ushers in next season's energy-regenerating hybrid devices, which store energy otherwise lost during braking and convert the energy into power.

This KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) technology is part of the FIA's (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) push to improve its environmental credentials and, ultimately, help increase awareness of fuel-efficient technology on public roads.

Formula One teams and drivers realize that the future of F1 is in green technology and they can help ensure it will be the future on our roads as well.

Own The Podium

Own The Podium, the plan designed to get Canada to the top of the medal standings at the Winter Games 16 months from now in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., is in the middle of a 5 year, $120 million plan to invest on Canada's winter athletes.

In addition to providing living accommodations, the funds increase the quality between athletes and their respective coaches and medical staff. 

Canada is taking sports technology  very seriously with the creation of Top Secret, the sports technology component of Own The Podium.  Sports technology is viewed as crucial to the success of the program by identifying the right equipment, wind tunnels, and other advances in their quest to catch Germany by 2010.

NBA seeking Sr Mgr. Bus Dev, Global Digital Media

We're trying to help our friends out at the NBA.  They have an open position in Digital Media.  Here are the details if anyone is interested or know someone who is.

Senior Manager , Business Development Global Digital Media

Position Description:   Develops digital content distribution and identifies and closes deals with digital distribution partners. Must be a seasoned digital deal-maker with a successful track record of developing, negotiating, implementing and managing deals with online video websites, peer to peer networks, wireless carriers and social networks.

Major Responsibilities:  Identify , negotiate, close and implement distribution deals to grow NBA's digital distribution business.

Does soccer training build basketball skills?

Probably more so than blocking and tackling. Billy Witz has the story in the New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/sports/basketball/18lakers.html?ref=sports:

[W]ith the league continuing to gain a more international flavor, fans do not have to know the difference between a free throw and a free kick to see soccer’s influence on basketball.

"When you grow up playing soccer, you obviously carry that over to other sports," said Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who lived in Italy from age 6 through 13. "I think it has helped me tremendously."

There's much more in the story, and it does make sense.

Mutli-Tasking Sports Fans

According to the results of a study by Solutions Research Group, American sports fans don't just watch. The study found that among viewers 12-34 in age, 72% were talking with someone via phone, e-mail, text messaging, or instant messaging during the final game of the NBA Finals, and 66% of the same age group were communicating while watching the NCAA championship game.

Those using the Internet or a mobile device during the game were connecting with 3.1 people on average. 70% connected with friends, co-workers, boy or girlfriends while 40% mentioned family members. Conversations centered around predictions about who would win, team performances, scores, specific players or big plays.

Among those 12-34 watching the NBA or NCAA, two-in-three were virtually connecting with a friend or family member via the Internet or a mobile device throughout the game. Those 35 and older were three times more likely to watch a final game on their own and without connecting via technology compared to those under 35.

Though multi-tasking while watching TV is typically associated with distraction and a lack of focus, the study concludes that connected viewing via the Internet or a mobile device fuels greater engagement not just with the event but also with advertising messages contained within that event. And connected viewing is now the norm among young audiences. While sports ratings overall have been in decline, says the report, sports TV events deliver engaged audiences given the rise of instant messaging and texting. 

For prospective marketers, this is insightful and significant.

Ecosystem

Last week I participated at the Sports Marketing VIP Summit in San Francisco.  The focus was on how Web 2.0 has changed the nature of the online experience for sports fans, media and sponsors.  Fans, and players, are now journalists, community members and consumers  and some have become powerful centers of influence.

We identified the community as an ecosystem.  We started with measurement and strategy.  The unique element with this ecosystem is the passion that fans bring and creating strategies for certain behaviour trends.

Strategy then transitions to content and engagement.  Optimizing sites where the users already are.  Sports fans are highly active online, and they're not just consuming content, they are creating it.  No surprise, but social networks result in high user engagement.  There was a bit of discussion on obtaining more info on athletes and the challenges in doing so.

To feed the content and engagement features and killer apps are required.  Content doesn't just sit on web pages anymore.  It moves and is controlled by the fan.  Multi-platform is paramount, reaching users through mobile, portals, SEO and social networks.  They are everywhere and multiple technologies and platforms are now required to reach the broad fan base.

Finally, we concluded with the execution of the above mentioned strategies and features through social networks.  Being a sports fan is a social experience, whether one is at home, at the stadium or online.  There is a certain sports DNA where unique team allegiances are based on experiences (ie. Phila. Eagles) and the style of the content should be consistent.  Video, of course, is very important.

In summary, this was a very good event with a broad mix of teams, leagues and sponsors.