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US Open ramps up mobile game with in-app real-time data

The United States Tennis Association is gearing up for its US Open tournament through mobile, leveraging a variety of tactics such as analytics, application updates, real-time data and social media integration to hype the games and significantly engross fans. 

Consumers will have all access to a substantial amount of  US Open content through its mobile app with up-to-the-minute stat updates, analysis, player information, social sentiment, match details and complete social media immersion. These analytics and technology features will entice the ultimate tennis, as well as turn a fair-weather fan into a full-fledged follower. 

"Our objective is to help the USTA transform and enhance the fan experience, whenever and wherever they want to experience the US Open," said John Kent, sponsorship technology manager at IBM. "Access to tournament data, stats and insights from mobile devices is more important each year. For example, 55 percent of all US Open page views came from a mobile device 2014.

"In addition to mobile apps, for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, USOpen.org is available in a mobile-friendly format for all web-enabled mobile devices tablets and smartphones," he said. "The data and insights that IBM captures on the courts at the US Open are distributed around the grounds and around the world in seconds."

Playing with technology

The association is able to track record-breaking happenings, player achievements which it will share throughout social media. The app is equipping all fans, especially beginners, with the ability to understand match dynamics and predict outcomes of the games through player analysis and ball positioning. 

Users can now seamlessly share this information and their thoughts through Facebook and other social networks through integration within the app. The app has also been upgraded to feature a more optimized interface, in which users can engage with easily.


The technological upgrades ensure for a more involved audience for the sport event, and allow it to attract a larger and more engaged group of viewers. Fans no longer have to be located at home to engross themselves in the event, and can now bring it with them wherever they go. 

Sports and mobile
American Express is also scored brand engagement at the U.S. Open by sponsoring a section of the tennis tournament?s application to feature top stories across social media and hosting daily debates on Twitter with fans and experts. (see more). 

Similarly, National Basketball Association franchises? deal with daily fantasy sports application FanDuel points to basketball?s ability to attract younger, mobile-savvy fans who are increasingly drawn to fantasy sports (see more). 

"This real-time access to information helps the USTA achieve its goal of showcasing the game of tennis to audiences around the world," Mr. Kent said. "The USTA draws more than 700,000 fans to New York during the tournaments, and millions of viewers on television and online.

"Engaging with fans via social channels allows a stronger connection with the US Open, drawing them into the US Open channels," he said. "Giving fans access to deeper data, insights and letting them share those insights drives fan and media engagement with the US Open."

Final take
Brielle Jaekel is editorial assistant at Mobile Marketer