A digital transformation in the sports industry is taking place and changing the way fans engage with their favorite teams. Now more than ever, sports fans are turning to their smartphones for the latest news and information and three sports tech companies have teamed up to make it easier for teams to activate and engage their fans.
Vozzi, DASH and FanSaves have all identified gaps in the market and their companies have been making an impact on the world of sports with their technologies.
“It was a no-brainer for us to come together to help each other and ultimately help the teams we work with to improve their digital strategies while increasing revenues and most importantly capturing the attention of fans,” said Shannon Ferguson, Co-Founder and CEO of FanSaves.
Added Vozzi Co-Founder, Ben Young, “We’re excited to integrate with like-minded partners that want to help teams drive significant revenues.”
When the trio realized they already had multiple customer overlaps, they decided to strategically partner up and grow their footprint together. One of the many teams they are working with is the Reading Royals in the ECHL who have earned a reputation as early adopters and leaders in innovation in minor professional sports.
Dakota Procyk is the Assistant General Manager and Director of Ticketing for the Royals and explained, “Each of these platforms offer something different and unique but all contribute to growing the bottom line. The goal is not only to get fans in the building but to give them something new and exciting.”
The trio all contribute to the fan engagement experience in different ways:
Vozzi is a mass SMS platform that allows teams to improve communication, generate revenue and collect data. Vozzi has integrated with multiple other platforms such as Dash, Fevo, epiphany and more. This Salt Lake City homegrown company, Vozzi, hit their two year mark in the sports industry this July. Building from the ground up, Vozzi’s hard work is starting to pay off.
Young emphasized that “Vozzi, FanSaves, and DASH have created a powerful partnership which creates the opportunity for teams to focus on increasing revenue through sales, sponsorships, and merchandise”.
“Both FanSaves and Vozzi are great partners not only for us, but also the teams they are partnered with, bringing fans and sponsors closer to the teams they love,” added DASH Founder, Jonathan Hufnagel.
DASH is an e-commerce and fan engagement platform that helps teams engage fans before, during and in-between games to sell tickets, experiences, merchandise, collectibles, and other inventory items through fun and compelling auctions, buy now offers, raffles and giveaways.
FanSaves is a digital platform, both an app and integratable website, that offers fans discounts and deals from sponsors of their favorite teams giving fans an easy and accessible way to support local businesses that support the teams they cheer for. Think of it as Instagram meets Groupon but for sports teams.
“Whether it’s an experience, a unique ticket package or a deal they just can’t refuse, each of these platforms help drive that message and give fans more value than in past seasons” said Procyk.Innovation in professional sports is not slowing down and teams have more opportunities available to them than ever before. As teams work to engage fans through technology in this post-Covid world, it is clear that this trio of sports tech companies are forging a new path and that for them, the future is not on the way but has already arrived.
Reading Royals season, flex memberships and group tickets are available for the 2021-22 season by visiting the Royals’ box office at Santander Arena or by calling 610-898-7825.
About the RoyalsThe Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, are entering their 20th season in the ECHL. They won their first Kelly Cup championship in 2013 and have clinched playoff berths in 10 of the previous 11 seasons. They are four-time division champions. The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA), founded in 1996, owns the Royals and oversees operations at Santander Arena.