IBM and Cadillac are among the brands featured at this year's U.S. Open tennis championships.
Technology is playing a pivotal role for U.S. Open sponsors this year, from on-court branding to new app integrations. With first round action hitting the courts this morning, let’s take a look at what brands are doing.
IBM, on the heels of its five-year renewal with the USTA, is introducing two new additions to the digital fan experience: “Win Factors,” which will provide fans with an increased understanding of the elements affecting player performance, and “Have Your Say,” where users can register their own predictions for match outcomes.
We’ve partnered with @IBM to create all-new digital platforms for the 2022 US Open. @AndyRoddick & @AnisimovaAmanda share the new AI & Cloud powered features that enhance the fan experience on the US Open app and https://t.co/S0wOhBSzLM.
Learn more at https://t.co/ApFBkJ0nQL pic.twitter.com/bQUjmqenSM
Cadillac struck a deal to replace Mercedes-Benz as the official vehicle of the U.S. Open in large part to tout its plans to be fully electric powered by the end of this decade. Central to Cadillac’s EV effort is the Cadillac Pavilion, a 3,000-square-foot activation that houses the Electric Theater, an immersive LED experience.
.@Chase is finalizing activation plans around the @usopen 🎾☑️
Activations include:
☑️ Hospitality areas in the Chase Lounge
☑️ 5,000 mobile charging units
☑️ Complimentary viewing parties
☑️ Special Chase event pass
🔗 https://t.co/qfUDlAu7IT pic.twitter.com/rfCji6OHrA
Chase has its brand on 16 kiosks throughout the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center that will distribute 5,000 mobile charging units to all fans.
Moderna is using its one-year sponsorship deal with the USTA to tout the potential of mRNA to impact modern medicine. The biotech company is on-site in New York to leverage the new pact, and an endorsement from Billie Jean King herself.
Meanwhile, the USTA’s technology division is one of three now reporting to chief operating officer Andrea Hirsch, under a re-organization led by new CEO Lew Sherr. You can read more on Sherr’s impact in this week’s issue of SBJ.
Photo credits: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
SportTechie was at the U.S. Open to observe how ChargeFuze's first widespread debut at an on-site event was executed. The company, which provides portable mobile chargers for fans, reached a deal with Madison Square Garden and will begin their international expansion in Europe through its deal with ASM Global.
The next step in expansion for Sense Arena's virtual reality training is in the sport of tennis. SportTechie spoke with Sense Arena CEO and brand ambassador Martina Navratilova about the new features from its tennis software as well as their plans to market the product.
MILLIONS.co assists athletes with brand building through merchandising and e-commerce as well as video engagement tools for their fanbase like "Ask Me Anything" video responses and real-time watch parties.
Venturerock launched a $75 million fund that will look to invest in sports technology. SportTechie spoke with the fund's co-founder about their plan to guide startups to scaleups and how investing will be based on hitting KPIs and milestones.
SportTechie spoke with FitXR CEO Sam Cole about how the company has been able to grow despite the uncertainties in the connected fitness space post-pandemic.