Cisco Sports and Entertainment Digital Fandom. Are You Ready?

Over the past decade, technology has taken monumental strides forward – and every person, every company, every corporation has felt the impact of this digital disruption. The sports and entertainment world is no exception. While some may see this as a threat, we view it as an opportunity for you to pull ahead of the pack.

At Cisco, we’ve prepared ourselves to help you address the opportunity head-on. To better understand exactly what your fans expect in terms of a digital, in-stadium experience, Cisco recently conducted an in-depth fan research study of more than 1,700 sports fans from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and the U.K. The study aimed to gauge the value of and fan response levels to new and emerging digital concepts in the sports arena.

The results of the study were conclusive. We can confidently say that we know what sports fans want – a more connected, convenient, and customized in-stadium experience with rich event –day content and services. In today’s world, virtually every person who steps foot in a sports venue brings a mobile device with them and expects to be able to use it to complement and enhance their experience. But reality thus far has not lived up to expectations – nearly half of all fans surveyed reported being dissatisfied their basic Wi-Fi experience.

This gap between expectation and reality provides an immense opportunity for sports venues and properties. Fans have not been shy about what they want and what they value. Reliable connectivity is no longer enough. Fans today want their smartphones to do 2-3 times more inside the stadium than they did three years ago. They demand to use their smart phones for additional services and conveniences – in parking, in concessions, in merchandise, in ticketing. And it doesn’t stop there. There is an insatiable desire for more and more relevant content, and more and more interactivity and digital engagement. The possibilities are endless…but so are the opportunities.

New digital experiences enable you and your partners to engage more meaningfully with your fans. Relevant services, branding and promotions can be segmented, targeted and personalized in ways never possible before. New insights into fan behaviors enable you to deepen your relationships and grow your business.

So the question remains – which side of the digital divide do you want to be on? Earlier this year, former Cisco CEO John Chambers famously predicted that forty percent of businesses will not exist in a meaningful way in 10 years. With more than 350 customers in over 40 different countries, Cisco’s Sports & Entertainment Solutions Group is positioned to help bring your organization through this period of disruption and to the forefront of innovation – ushering in a new age of digital sports fans.

Your fans are ready. We’re ready. Are you?

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