New Orleans Hornets Use KickApps To Bring Fan Participation To Web

KickApps and the New Orleans Hornets have launched
a news social network platform designed to allow Hornets fans to share their
passion by creating, sharing, and discovering fan-submitted photos, videos, and
blogs.

Using social media, the Hornets are capitalizing on an opportunity to increase
their connection with fans by extending the Hornets experience beyond the
basketball court. The new Website features its own social network with video
and photo sharing functionality, forums, and the ability for members to take
video and photos from the site to other social networks, blogs, and Websites
using Hornets-branded video and photo widgets.

“The New Orleans Hornets have some of the most dedicated and faithful fans in
the world, so creating an online destination that is social, interactive and
participatory is high on our priorities,” says Matt Rose, Web services manager
for the New Orleans Hornets. “Our new fan social network will enable us to
bring people together before and after games to let their love for the Hornets
and the game of basketball flourish regardless of where in the world they are.
Throughout this season and in the off-season, we’ll be able to keep our fans
engaged with each other and with their favorite players.”

To tip-off participation and activity on the site, the Hornets are holding a
competition for fans to name the social network. Fans simply join the network
and leave a comment with their proposed name and why they chose it. Additionally,
the team has uploaded behind-the-scenes videos of the Honeybee cheerleaders and
press conferences, with additional unique programming planned.

The New Orleans Hornets joins the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Phoenix
Mercury,
San Francisco
49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Rangers, and Arena Football League as sports
properties that have embraced the KickApps Platform.

“Online communities have proven to be a very powerful and expected medium for
sports teams connect with their fans,” says Alex Blum, KickApps CEO.
“Using social media will enable the New Orleans Hornets to grow and
reinforce the fan community, strengthen team and brand affinities, and create
new revenue opportunities through merchandising, sponsorships, and online
advertising. As one of the leading brands in professional basketball, the
Hornets have taken the opportunity to deliver an extremely engaging and viral
resource for both official and fan-created content.”