With this week’s release of their new official team mobile application, the Atlanta Hawks have provided users with a custom emoji keyboard, a first in professional sports.
Fans can also use the app to upgrade seats and get traffic alerts in the vicinity of Philips Arena. Other special features include team highlights and stats, access to the club’s social media channels, and competitive chances to win prizes in the app’s “Hawks High Flyers” contest at every game.
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“Connecting with our fans is extremely important and our new app and keyboard will allow us to build an innovative bridge to reach tech-savvy Hawks supporters, giving them around-the-clock access to team-related information at their fingertips,” said Hawks CEO Steve Koonin in a press release. “The custom emoji keyboard will change the way our fans communicate, enhancing text conversations by enabling users to speak the language of the Hawks.”
The Hawks sent this letter to its fans:
Fans can download the custom keyboard, developed by Snaps, that has electronically-generated images of players’ logos and gear that include features of Harry the Hawk and other players. Along with the Hawks-themed emojis, fans have the ability to send animated GIF files through text messaging.
“A major way that my generation communicates and expresses itself is through emojis. This keyboard will add some fun, new options to my text game. I love it,” said Mike Scott, Hawks forward and emoji expert.
The Hawks-themed emojis aren’t the only fun thing about this app. Fan engagement is further enhanced with the “Hawks High Flyers” contest. Fans can compete at each game using the app to predict which players will lead the team in preset statistical categories. For fans that have the most accurate predictions, prizes will be awarded during the season. And just like the MLB Ballpark mobile app, fans can get locations and menus of food and beverage options inside Philips Arena, as well as traffic alerts and navigation assistance to the arena.