FFA Going Digital with Optus

[kevrenor]

Optus gets behind football as FFA’s Official Digital Partner Thursday, 30 June 2011

Football Federation Australia and Optus have today unveiled a new digital partnership that will change the way football fans interact with the game and their favourite teams.

Optus will create, operate, manage, market and commercialise FFA’s websites, mobile websites and mobile phone applications under its appointment as FFA’s Official Digital Partner following a competitive tender.

These digital channels will connect fans to the Qantas Socceroos, Hyundai A-League and the 10 Hyundai A-League clubs, Westfield Matildas and the rest of the international and domestic teams and competitions conducted by FFA.

Under the new digital agreement, the new Hyundai A-League websites will be content-rich with video, match highlights, unique club content, latest news, in depth statistics and analysis, fan forums and other engaging and interactive features for fans.

The mobile websites will make the game accessible for fans on the move, while newly developed mobile applications will bring a new dimension to the match-day experience.

In tandem with the new digital partnership, Optus has today renewed its sponsorship as the FFA’s Official Telecommunications Partner for a further two years.

Since the beginning of its partnership with football in 2008, Optus has built a strong connection at all levels of the game. Rather than focus solely on the elite level, Optus has supported grassroots football through Optus Small Sided Football and the recently launched Optus Small-Sided Football Awards.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley said the appointment of Optus as the FFA’s Official Digital Partner was a breakthrough moment for football in Australia.

“These interconnected FFA websites, driven by Optus, will become the main portal for all Australian football fans,” Mr Buckley said.

“Optus will provide us with new, powerful digital tools to interact with the 1.7 million-strong football community, market our fabulous game and expand our audiences.

“This partnership is another part of the exciting growth story for Australian football. Since signing up as official telecommunications partner in 2008, Optus has done a fantastic job in helping us grow engagement and participation in the game. I’m delighted to have Optus as a committed partner in the next stage of our journey, as we broaden our reach beyond traditional media channels,” Mr Buckley said.

Optus Digital Media Director, Austin R. Bryan said, “Optus is committed to delivering football content across a wide range of platforms.

“We know football fans have a huge appetite for compelling digital content. This was demonstrated during the 2010 FIFA World Cup when Australians watched more than 400,000 live streams, despite matches being played in the middle of the night.

“As the official digital partner of FFA, Optus will deliver a one-stop digital shop for all things football. We will leverage our digital and mobile capabilities to bring more comprehensive and timely content to Australian football fans across a range of devices,” Mr Bryan said.

Highlights of the Optus-FFA Official Digital Partnership

• Redesigned websites for all National Teams and National Competitions
• Website functionality for mobile phones
• Mobile applications
• Unique and exclusive behind-the-scenes content
• In-depth statistical analysis and interactive features for fans
• Launch of new platform to be synchronised with the launch of the Hyundai A-League Season 7, this October 2011.

 

[adz]

Oh nice! This area has always been a massive letdown, for me anyway. AFL, NRL, Cricket... all have great sites with tons of info, and we have sweet FA. I hope they improve on the stats available. I want all sorts of crap like passes complete, fouls, tackles, offsides, whatever else gets recorded, down to the level of each player, not just some stupid overview with a handful of stats for each team.

Wonder what their timeline is on this? And their budget... I am betting there are a lot of zeroes involved!

 

[midfielder]

According to an article on were Harry is going on TWG site Optus has just paid or will provide I guess 10 million dollars for stuff...

ADZ ... need some help in understanding what this is all about ... can you expand on the bit copied below... but does sound exciting ... even if I am not totally sure why... but a highlight package on my phone..

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1062897/Buckley-a-fan-of-Kewell-lure

The A-League received a boost on Thursday with Buckley announcing a deal believed to be worth around $10 million with Optus, who will create, manage and market the FFA's websites and mobile phone applications.

The digital channels will connect fans with the Socceroos and all teams which fall under the banner of Australian football, with A-League club websites fully stocked with video, highlight packages and unique content.

 

[midfielder]

taken out as it is a repeat of Kev's above

 

[midfielder]

I wonder if this is in some way setting up football to be available on Fetch TV in the next media deal... I think I can recall Fetch signing Optus and two other non Telstra phone networks into a broadcast deal...

 

[adz]

$10 million and finishing in October... wow. I wonder what the $10 mil covers.

"fan forums and other engaging and interactive features for fans"

Does that mean they are going to be competing with established fan forums that have been running since day 1?


Other than that... looking forward to getting more stuff!

 

[midfielder]

Just on my previous posts about Fetch TV...

Fetch TV wants to be a major player in its own right and its huge competition to Fox ... if you google fetch TV all sorts of things come up..tis not only a phone company

This is their home page link .. http://www.fetchtv.com.au/

This is their football link ... http://www.fetchtv.com.au/TV/sportsTV

The cost of Fetch TV is charged by the IP provider... those currently connected with more to follow according to Fetch ... but already signed

iinet
westnet
internode

Optus has signed but not connected and there is a reference Adam internet

Just talking aloud ... I wonder if Fetch will replace Fox in our next media deal.... and if the developing relationship between Football & Optus .. now helps both as Fetch gives Optus a broadcast platform and many say a better platform that Telstra has with Fox...

Anyway a huge connection with little facts .... other than Fetch are keen to set up an online TV broadcaster company or sorry big and profitable one... ALP rolling out internet.... Optus wants a broadcast platform or some say it does... or is it all BS ..

 

[elevated position]

If it is a new mode then Im all for the breaking of the Foxtel/Telstra domination. However if no foxtel who has the cash to set up the broadcasting of games. And can I become a commentator.

 

[Muppet]

Interesting. $10 million over two years. How much of this is passed on to the A League clubs or does the FFA keep the lot? Does this mean that there will be increased advertising as a result of the deal.

 

[adz]

Interesting. $10 million over two years. How much of this is passed on to the A League clubs or does the FFA keep the lot? Does this mean that there will be increased advertising as a result of the deal.

Surely this is the other way around... I don't see Droptus shelling out a cool $10 mil so they can "create, operate, manage, market and commercialise FFA’s websites, mobile websites and mobile phone applications"?

 

[midfielder]

If it is a new mode then Im all for the breaking of the Foxtel/Telstra domination. However if no foxtel who has the cash to set up the broadcasting of games. And can I become a commentator.

The guy that set up Fetch has money ... like in relative terms more than Kerry Packer...

My limited understanding is its online TV ... sold tho IP provider and can be shown across a number of platforms i.e. phone, computer ... connect computer to a screen etc... add the roll out of the NBN ...

Just wish I totally knew how it works ... if you go to their site and find the iinet link they have the pricing there...

The maths are not that hard... IP providers and Phone companies say have Fetch have on board... lets make a figure up .. say 2.5 million users ... say each user pays $ 10.00 dollars per months and so the maths follow... the current asking rate is I think $ 15.00 per month say Football comes in and it up to $ 20.00 ... still well below Fox and is on demand in that you just log in and click a link ... no need to record or see when it is on...

 

[MrCelery]

Anything that gives media-starved fans more coverage of football is brilliant. Who needs the AFL\NRL biased print and free-to-air media if football has a good alternative for reaching fans?

I just hope it lives up to the hype.

 

[midfielder]

Any idea when Optus take over the web sites or have they already ... annoying think I found on our current web site (and it could have been mentioned before) but there is no search box ... well none that I could find anyway..

 

[adz]

Next month I think, and even then I wouldn't think it would happen until closer to the end of the month. Could be wrong though, no "inside info" or anything like that, just a guesstimate based on what has been said in other places.

 

[dibo]

iPhone apps out for the A-League and Socceroos, Android apps are apparently on their way.

 

[midfielder]

New club site ... a big improvement on the old one... however than would not been too hard ...

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/centralcoastmariners/

 

[adz]

New club site ... a big improvement on the old one... however than would not been too hard ...

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/centralcoastmariners/

Nice find... cheers!

 

[adz]

This is kinda hidden away...

The good news has come thick and fast for Australian football fans over the past few months and the result is a very positive mood for the game on the eve of the 2011-12 Hyundai A-League season.

The homecoming of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton has made this season the most anticipated since the inauguration of the new competition in 2005.

Crucially, the Qantas Socceroos have opened the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign with two wins and are well placed to qualify for the next phase.

Elsewhere on our busy international calendar Australian teams continue to be fine representatives of our game and our nation.

The youngest-ever Westfield Matildas team captured the imagination of the sports community with a run into the knock-out rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany.

Now the Qantas Olyroos are fighting for a coveted place at the 2012 London Olympics through a very tough Asian qualification group.

These events have made headlines and sparked debate. That’s what being a football fan is all about; living and breathing the game, riding the highs and lows, getting the latest on your favourite teams and players.

That’s why the news about Australian football’s new digital channels is important for all fans.

In June, FFA and Optus announced a new digital partnership. As a fan, you might wonder what this development means for you?

Firstly, we aim to make the network of FFA digital channels the no.1 portal for Australian football fans.

If you need news, unique video and informed opinions, the network of websites, mobile sites and mobile apps are a must for you.

If you want to share your views with the football community, this will be the forum in which to do it.

Our new digital network powered by Optus covers our national teams, the Hyundai A-League and the 10 clubs and will connect fans to the game and ensure you get all the compelling football news, features and video before anyone else.

When the Qantas Socceroos head coach Holger Osieck picks his squad and names his starting 11, you will see it first in the FFA network.

If there are injuries during camp you will hear about them first and there will be exclusive interviews, columns and behind-the-scenes footage.

All this will be enhanced with a deeper and richer level of information and statistics and integrated through social media channels using the expertise of our partner Optus.

It all starts with the new Hyundai A-League season. We’ve made some significant changes for this season. The later start under the October to April window will enable us to launch the Hyundai A-League in clean air and make the biggest impact possible.

Already club memberships are up 20 per cent on last year and ticket sales to the early marquee and derby fixtures are selling fast.

We have recently announced the Community Rounds where games will be taken to new regions including Launceston, Morwell, Bathurst and Dunedin to broaden football’s visibility and engagement.

This year the mid week matches will concentrate on the holiday period and we have festive fixtures on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Australia Day.

There will be a marathon of five games back-to-back on Wednesday January 4 and regular broadcast times to help maximise appeal to our television audiences.

Through this regular column I will keep you in touch with developments in the game. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the upcoming Hyundai A-League and Qantas Socceroos games.

Football Federation Australia
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Buckley

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/Buckley-opinion-display/Heres-how-youll-get-the-big-news-first/41419

 

[kevrenor]

Finding new FFA site a bit slow to load on PC and hard to use on phone, and menus even worse, but 'early doors'.

Annoyingly all links you may have bookmarked, or in my case used on web sites, are now broken due to new site URL! Bugger!!!

 

[kevrenor]

SYDNEY

5 October 2011

Football Federation Australia in conjunction with partners Optus today launched the brand new clutch of Hyundai A-League and national teams websites and mobile phone apps.

Following the incredibly successful launch of the Hyundai A-League season seven in Sydney yesterday where hundreds of members of the football family, including Hyundai A-League, Qantas Socceroos and Westfield Matildas stars created a human We Are Football slogan on the pitch of the Sydney Football Stadium the next step in the Hyundai A-League’s evolution begins with the launch of Football Federation Australia’s new digital platform.

In an effort to connect with fans more than ever before in the digital world the new sites include:

- - increased video content with more football news, match highlights and post-match interviews with captains and coaches

- - a greater depth and breadth of statistics for teams, tournaments and players

- - more comprehensive editorial content including exclusive columns from names you’ll know from our ever growing football family, including Ben Buckley, Qantas Socceroos coach Holger Osieck, Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni and former stars of the game like Craig Johnston and Ned Zelic and fans of the game

- - unique, behind-the-scenes insights into our national teams and clubs

- - enhanced integration with Social Media

- - innovative, state-of-the art technology

- - Fantasy, Tipping, and more

“Our new digital network powered by Optus covers our national teams, the Hyundai A-League and the 10 clubs and will connect fans to the game and ensure you get all the compelling football news, features and video before anyone else,” wrote FFA CEO Ben Buckley in his first of many columns for the new site.

“When the Qantas Socceroos head coach Holger Osieck picks his squad and names his starting 11, you will see it first in the FFA network.

“If there are injuries during camp you will hear about them first and there will be exclusive interviews, columns and behind-the-scenes footage.

“All this will be enhanced with a deeper and richer level of information and statistics and integrated through social media channels using the expertise of our partner Optus.”

While there’ll be some growing pains in the early stages, Football Federation Australia is also looking at feedback on ways to improve the site and is looking forward to evolving the new platform and digitally connecting with the entire football fan base for the benefit of football overall in Australia.

The new digital platform will be complemented by a stronger Social Media presence - so join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter @aleague or have your say in Goalmouth footballaustralia.com.au/goal-mouth.

The new A-league and Socceroos iPhone apps are now available through the App Store. Android apps will be available, in the Android Market and Optus App Store from October 7, 2011. Revamped websites include footballaustralia.com.au, a-league.com.au, footballaustralia.com.au/socceroos, and all 10 official Hyundai A-League club websites.

Finally, in a welcome return to our screens, Fox Sports FC will return to the air tonight with a brand new format ahead of the biggest and most anticipated Hyundai A-League season on record.

New host Andrew Maher will join arguably Australia’s best football export Mark “Bozza” Bosnich and distinguished FOX SPORTS commentator Andy Harper to provide fans with an in-depth look at all the issues and stories affecting the game from around the globe each week. In addition, FOX SPORTS News presenter Melanie McLaughlin will deliver a new weekly segment on the show to share all the headlines in the week of football.

WE ARE FOOTBALL!

ENDS