Embracing its status as the preeminent bull riding organization in the world, the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) expands its portfolio of content distribution channels to consist of not only traditional means of delivery – network television, cable broadcasts and radio reports – but to also include mobile platforms, WAP sites, and mobile internet technology.
PBR has employed the services of iLoop Mobile, Inc. (iLoop), the leading technology and services company for mobile marketing, mobile advertising, and mobile content distribution to leverage the mobile channel by bringing compelling interactivity and content to its substantial fan base.
Now all the excitement of the toughest sport on dirt is available at fans’ fingertips.
PBR has over 300 sanctioned competitions in 5 countries internationally, and currently operates 4 domestic tours with a rapidly growing presence in international markets - Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. PBR competitions are broadcast by its cable partner, VERSUS, every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 PM EST, with additional events broadcast on FOX and NBC networks, as well as in 85 territories worldwide. By activating a mobile program dedicated to the PBR, now event results, statistics, video, biographies, even PBR games will be available instantly via fans’ mobile phones.
The first mobile initiative launched by PBR using iLoop Mobile’s mFinity™ mobile software platform is the PBR mobile internet site. It will be launched at the CTIA Wireless 2008 trade show in Las Vegas April 1-3, where PBR will be exhibiting with iLoop Mobile. The mobile site will feature:
Mobile Content such as images, music, video, games, and more
News, feature articles, and information
PBR standings and schedules
PBR superstar bull rider profiles
PBR merchandise
Photo and video gallery
Mobile blog
“Bull or No Bull” interactive quiz
Viral marketing components
RSS dynamic content
Consumer profile collection and more
In addition to this mobile technology platform, PBR and iLoop are exploring and developing ways to make PBR live events even more interactive for the attendees as well as the home-viewers. Real-time viewer “text to screen” promotions during TV broadcasts, and text message subscription and voting campaigns in-arena and at home are just a few of the many mobile marketing and content distribution options now available.
“PBR MoBull is an exciting project that will offer PBR fans information, content, and services while on the go,” said Sean Gleason, PBR’ s Chief Marketing Officer. “Mobile devices have become a primary source of information and entertainment for most Americans. The vast majority of PBR fans is connected and deserves PBR information and content when and where they want it.”
“After a lengthy search for the right partner to develop and execute our mobile vision, we selected iLoop Mobile for not only their industry leading technology, but also for the passion they have developed for the PBR brand,” Gleason continued. “They care as much about providing the right information, services, and content to our fans as we do and they have the tools to deliver.”
“iLoop Mobile is very excited to be starting a long term relationship with the fastest growing spectator sport in America,” said Matt Harris, CEO of iLoop Mobile. “Much like the model pioneered by NASCAR, PBR’s growth is due to savvy marketing and exciting presentation that fits well with all the opportunities presented by mobile marketing.”
With a strong history of innovation, PBR sees mobile as a way to reach avid fans and amplify their television broadcast distribution, and print and broadband presence. Mobile will also provide PBR with a promotional channel for its corporate and brand tour sponsors such as Ford, Wrangler, Copenhagen, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car who seek to reach this receptive new professional sports consumer base.
For more information about the PBR “MoBull” mobile internet site and features, please contact Denise M. Abbott at dabbott@pbrnow.com or 719 242 2800.
About Professional Bull Riders, Inc.
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, VERSUS and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 400 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over 1.5 million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants.. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., and has over 1,200 PBR bull riders who compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.
About iLoop Mobile and the mFinity™ Platform
iLoop Mobile’s award-winning mFinity™ technology platform uniquely allows companies to independently create and manage mobile campaigns worldwide through self-service Web-based software that makes launching mobile initiatives fast and easy. iLoop Mobile also offers managed services for brands, marketing agencies, content owners and other companies who prefer to leverage iLoop Mobile’s expertise in launching and managing mobile initiatives.
For SMS based services, iLoop Mobile provides quick solutions for SMS mobile marketing, subscriptions, content delivery and enterprise programs that are integrated with a carrier-grade messaging gateway. For mobile content distribution, iLoop Mobile offers software applications for creating mobile enabled Web sites and mobile Internet (WAP) sites featuring automated mobile ad serving. The Web site builder offers efficient macros making it easy to create Web pages enabled for mobile content delivery. The WAP site creator features a user friendly drag and drop “widget” interface that anyone can use, as well as advanced XHTML editing for custom site design. All mFinity applications are integrated with an enterprise grade content management system for total control of mobile content inventories.
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