Thursday 12th August 2010 - Published by Lara Page - Account Manager
SPORTING WAY TO KEEP FANS HAPPY
SPORTS stadiums are using award-winning Bluetooth technology to ensure their fans are first in line for fantastic offers.
Managers have taken a tip from police forces UK-wide, who are using this style of communication as an effective form of crowd control; by tapping into a system masterminded by Cornish company Astracasting.
The Astracast system is made up of two components; hardware in the form of Bluetooth transmitters along with a full management software suite. Its software sends savable multi media messages via Bluetooth to people’s phones, which can alert them to great deals, special announcements or, in the case of racing circuits, the bookies’ odds and the time of the next race.
Astracasting managing director Rob McCutcheon said: “The system has already been used successfully at many grounds and is set to expand this year with a new national project about to get underway involving the football league clubs.
“This is a green management information system, with no litter, waste, unused flyers or transmission costs. Messages stay with the individual mobile phone user and the “viral” effect means these can be forwarded to family and friends.”
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless system, supported by mobile devices, which is used for transmitting proximity messages.
It works by setting up Bluetooth broadcasting equipment at a particular location or upon a person and sending information – text, images, audio or video – to Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones within range of that broadcasting server. The technology has become much more successful recently as people leave their Bluetooth capabilities turned on to use their hands-free kits, along with the craze of “toothing” amongst the under 24 age group.
Stadium marketing through bluetooth - a pr2go story
