The new 2018/19 season sees the Chicago Bulls link up with Finnish company Rovio Entertainment’s flagship gaming franchise for a new ‘Angry Bird’s-Eye View Cam’.
The tie-up sees the camera angle sat atop both backboards at either end of the Bulls’ home court – The United Center – throughout the new NBA season to provide live footage for fans from ‘above the rim’.
Dunks, blocks, and everything in between:
New to our court this season, it’s the @AngryBirds Eye View Cam! pic.twitter.com/NT0zXDpkzr
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 19, 2018
Wendell Carter Jr. wanted absolutely none of that in his paint@AngryBirds Eye View cam from last game: pic.twitter.com/1LgAe8XX7d
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 22, 2018
The new fans-eye-view comes with Angry Birds branding alongside the new cameras as well as on LED screens on either side of each basket.
As well as the new camera, other VIP ‘Angry Bulls’ experiences will be provided for fans at Bulls home games through the season, while Rovio and the Bulls will both push the partnership via their social channels.
Bringing anger to the court! We've partnered up with @chicagobulls ! Check it out: https://t.co/8vTksJZqMG pic.twitter.com/QKOINNovhl
— Angry Birds (@AngryBirds) October 19, 2018
Let's do it! We've got courtside seats!@chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/4FViNzNApx
— Angry Birds (@AngryBirds) October 20, 2018
“Each season the Bulls look forward to providing our fans with new and exciting elements that enhance the game experience, whether it’s in the arena or on broadcast,” explains Bulls business strategy and analytics VP Matthew Kobe.
“Through our new partnership with Angry Birds, fans around the world will get to see never-before-seen views from a new ‘Angry Bird’s-Eye View’ camera placed above the backboard of each basket.”
Ville Heijari, chief marketing officer at Rovio Entertainment added: “As huge fans of basketball and fellow Finn Lauri Markkanen, we’re thrilled to team up with the Chicago Bulls this season. Uniting the Angry Birds brand with one of the NBA’s most legendary franchises demonstrates Rovio’s continuing commitment to strategically building the brand in the United States by growing our impressive lineup of partners and bringing one-of-a-kind experience to our fans.”
Comment:
A smart little partnership offering to enhance the fan experience.
We like the birds-eye view idea and the logo mash ups will work really well.
It’s just a shame that the Finnish brand/team link that provides some added synergy, Lauri Markkanen, is injured and out for the first third of the season.
Welcome to the Chicago fam @angrybirds!
Retweet for a chance to get a signed exclusive #AngryBirds X @ChicagoBulls hat pic.twitter.com/kAvCtZ1Jmb
— Lauri Markkanen (@MarkkanenLauri) October 19, 2018
Like most NBA teams, the Bulls other pre season initiatives included a hype video called ‘Together We Are Chicago’
as well as its ongoing digital ‘Run With Us’ series.
But our favourite Bulls work around this new season is obviously its ‘Mascot Camp’ slasher film.
As of yet there are no public plans for Bulls content to appear in any of Rovio’s digital properties or within its games.
Amongst the other prominent Angry Birds sports sponsorships is its tie up with Everton FC which began when the game became the team’s sleeve sponsor back in 2017 (see case study) and has continued with other activations such as creating three playable in-game club characters (see case study).
Links:
Chicago Bulls
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls
https://www.facebook.com/chicagobulls/
https://www.instagram.com/chicagobulls/
https://www.youtube.com/user/chicagobullsofficial
Angry Birds / Rovio
https://www.youtube.com/user/RovioMobile
https://www.facebook.com/angrybirds
https://www.instagram.com/angrybirdsofficial/
https://twitter.com/angrybirds
