Miami Dolphins enhance social media programs with Fan Appz
The Miami Dolphins and Fan Appz, which develops social media marketing applications, announced a new partnership today aimed at expanding the way the team communicates with its tech-savvy fans.
Fan Appz, of Santa Monica, Calif., helps sports and entertainment companies extend and engage their customers and fans through a variety of programs.
With the Dolphins, the company is rolling out opportunities to involve fans more with the team and its sponsors. For example, the company has developed an engaging Facebook page for Dolphins fans “Finatics” that encourages them to watch videos and participate in polls about the team and its rivals. Polls have included “Which Former Jets Player Did You Enjoy Booing the Most?” with choices that include Joe Namath, Wayne Chrebet and Brett Favre.
Monday’s question advances Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills by asking “Which Of These Games Is Your Favorite Dolphins’ Win Over The Bills?” with choices from 1970 to 2005.
The partnership is another example of how the Dolphins are keeping up with rapidly changing technology and fans’ divided interests. Dolphins owner Steve Ross purchased the company now known as FanVision to put handheld devices showing replays and different camera angles from games, statistics and other NFL games in the hands of fans at games across the NFL. Some 25,000 of the devices are used at Dolphins games.
“We have a passionate fan base that is engaged with us through social media so we are always looking to leverage the latest technology to give our Finatics the best experiences available and to provide our marketing partners a seamless way to be a part of it,” Dolphins Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Integrated Media Jim Rushton said in a statement. “Partnering with Fan Appz made perfect sense given their successful track record with the NFL and other sports leagues.”
Added Jon Siegal, Fan Appz founder and CEO: “Fan Appz is changing the way companies interact with fans online, and sports organizations like the NBA, the NFL and the Miami Dolphins are quickly recognizing the value of using social media to harness the collective passion of their fan base. When it comes to using technology, the Miami Dolphins are definitely leading the pack, and we’re proud to help them take full advantage of their social media presence to drive continued business success.”
CRAIG DAVIS In more than 33 years at the Sun Sentinel, Craig Davis has written about a wide variety of sports topics from baseball to yachting, fishing to triathlons, and also worked as a copy editor and page designer. Recently he reported on local sports, including running, swimming, cycling, equestrian and beach volleyball. He enjoys sports as a participant as well as a spectator, is active in the South Florida running scene plays in the curling club at Saveology Iceplex. This blog offers a glimpse at the business side of sports in the interest of enhancing enjoyment of the games and sporting options as a spectator as well as a participant.
