Key Takeaways from 2020 NFL Draft - A Virtual Knockout
NFL Draft has evolved in the last decade from phone calls, and
single-day TV broadcast, to red carpet events and extravagant event in Las
Vegas. With the current global pandemic limiting in-person event opportunities,
the NFL Draft took to the virtual world.
COVID-19
has put everything on hold, including sports since March, but the viewers and
fans had a chance to be a part of one of the biggest sports events this April.
However, there were no red carpets, no stage, and no fan cheering, as
everything was virtual. The event was transformed into a three-day live event
with fan meetings, online interaction with celebrities, and multimedia.
How 2020 NFL Virtual Draft Was a Complete Success?
The real-time and in-person factor is on hold in the event industry this year, and
the NFL Draft took upon this
opportunity to hold one of the biggest draft events in the history of the NFL. The draft was broadcasted on three networks, namely, ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network,
and also took to mobile and digital platforms like Twitch and saw a
record-breaking viewership.
This
year almost 15.6 a million viewers watched the live broadcast of NFL Draft, which is up
37 percent as compared to last year's viewership. It is the "leagues
most-watched opening round ever." This year's record of 15.6M broke the
previous all high of 12.4 M in 2014, with only 11.4 million viewers last year,
i.e., 2019.
Biggest Success Features of NFL Virtual Draft 2020
The
question is, how can a virtual event be more successful than the previous
in-person events? Multiple factors played in for the record-breaking success of
this year's NFL Draft. The following are some of the key highlights to help you
ensure the same level of success in your future virtual events.
Exceptional Use of Technology
One
of the most important things that made the whole event successful is the use of
exceptional technology. Considering all the variables in digital, the entire
thing could have been an epic failure. Still, with the right technology and
thorough planning, everything ran smoothly without even a single glitch.
The
use of the right technology made it possible for the sponsors to run campaigns,
e.g., Bud Light, the league sponsor, was able to run promotional campaigns
during the broadcast. Similarly, the integration of technology made it possible
for viewers to donate for COVID-19. Bud Light launched its campaign called
"Boo the Commish," and for every hashtag, during the event, they
donated $1 to NFL' Draft-a-Thon' to
help frontline health workers.
The
NFL Draft 2020 is proof that the virtual platform should not be seen as
something problematic and tiresome. In this period of social distancing, you
don't have to put a hold on your events, especially in this digital age, with
endless possibilities. For your event to be a success, just like the 2020 NFL
Virtual Draft, get in touch with event
companies in Abu Dhabi and plan ahead of time, and use the best
technology available.
Integrating Human
Experiences in Virtual
Another the key takeaway from the event is that it was not just a long and tedious
broadcast, but it also integrated human experiences in the event. The event was
not a traditional TV broadcast with background stories, but it also showed the
viewers the personal lives of players and their families' reactions upon
selection. This was all too heart-warming and gave a personalized touch to the
event.
The
event planners were successful in creating a personalized feeling through
virtual by showing the viewers glimpses into the private lives of NFL legends.
This indicates that you can create a sense of real-time human experience in the
digital world. There are many technologies out there like VR and AR that can
help you set a mood for your event, so consult an event planner before your
event.
Highly Engaging
Even
though social distancing proves to be the biggest hurdle when it comes to
creating experiences and engagement, however, the 2020 NFL Draft was a success
when it came to creating an immersive experience for its viewers. Let's take a
look at some of the various digital platforms used by the NFL to make its event
a mighty success.
1. ABC Broadcast
ABC
Broadcast offered a different point of view to the viewers with a more "up
close and personal" content from player's private lives and homes. They
also engaged the viewers with one-on-one interviews with different players and
casual talks with their families.
2. Yahoo Sports
The
NFL 2020 Virtual Draft also took to mobile platforms like Yahoo Sports to give
their viewers with multiple viewing options across all platforms. Yahoo sports
offered a different experience to the fans as compared to the official TV
broadcast. The viewers could view the live analysis of the Draft by multiple
renowned celebrities and analysts.
3. Bleacher Report
This
was by far the most engaging mobile platform. Bleacher Report had a live
broadcast featuring analysts as well as chat capability. It provided a
wholesome and truly immersive experience, as fans could comment below the video.
4. Twitch
"Draft-A-Thon"
NFL
partnered this year with Twitch to host a live event "Draft-a-Thon"
to help raise funds for COVID-19 relief. The live stream included NFL
celebrities like Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders. It enabled people to donate and
chat with their favorite players. As Twitch targeted a younger audience, so the
NFL invited celebrities like Lil Wayne and Kevin Hart to talk about their
favorite teams. According to the NFL, the live stream had a whopping 7 million
viewers!
Future of Sports Events is Digital!
Meticulous
planning and incorporating innovative technologies, this year's NFL Draft was
successful in engaging fans that have been waiting for this event for too long.
With NFL and WNBA Drafts held online, the question is: could this be the future
of the sports event industry? It's still too soon to conclude but one thing is
for sure that the virtual platform offers a lot of opportunities for event
hosting and brand awareness.
Comments
Post a Comment