Vodafone launches live screens connecting Irish fans to the team in chicago

Vodafone 4G powering images from Chicago to streets of Dublin and venues around Ireland

Vodafone, Ireland’s leading communications provider and official sponsor of the Ireland Rugby team, has revealed innovative plans to bring Irish fans closer to the team than ever before during the upcoming trip to Chicago to face the All Blacks.

In a marketing first powered by the Vodafone 4G network, Vodafone will share live images taken by the team photographer and players themselves from inside the Ireland camp on a digital billboard in Dublin City Centre. The images will offer an unpresented access into life on tour with the Ireland team, documenting the key moments of their journey from landing in Chicago to training to match day.

The images will also be shared on screens in venues across Ireland giving the social fan a unique perspective on match day. 

The live screens activation is just one element of the wider #TeamOfUs campaign which includes TV, OoH, digital, retail, PR and, in November, an RTÉ One documentary.

Fans in Aviva stadium, and surrounding areas on match day will also have access to world class network services, along with enhanced voice and data services thanks to infrastructure improvements made by Vodafone.

Vodafone has also revealed details of an hour long documentary. “Irish Rugby: What We Did Last Summer” chronicling the Ireland rugby team’s historic summer tour to South Africa will air on RTÉ One on Thursday, 10^th November.  The fly on the wall documentary will bring fans closer to the team by providing unprecedented access to the Irish set up, including footage filmed by the Irish players themselves along with exclusive interviews with players, management and players families.

Commenting on the campaign, Anne Mulcahy, Head of Brand & Communications Vodafone Ireland said; “Vodafone is all about connecting people and our ambition is to help Ireland’s sports fans get closer to the team and build the most interconnected fan base on the planet through the #TeamOfUs platform. 

“All of our activations are about taking Irish sports fans beyond the 80 minutes on the rugby pitch and into the dressing room, training ground and every day moments with the team. Through innovations like the live images from Chicago powered by Vodafone 4G network, we want to show the people behind the players and give Irish sports fans a unique view of the players, backroom staff and wider support system that makes them the team they are today.”

ENDS

For Further Information:

Clodagh O’Hagan, Vodafone Ireland 087 9084055

Joanne O’Sullivan, PSG Sponsorship  086 1566985

Notes to editors

• Vodafone will be sharing live images from Chicago to a 6m x 6m digital billboard on Cuffe St. Dublin City Centre utilising the power of the Vodafone 4G network.
  
• The images will also be shared on DAMOC (Digital At the Moment of Choice) screens behind bar counters in venues and pubs across Ireland. The activity marks the first time a non-alcohol sponsor will utilise this platform to engage with fans while in the pub. 
• “Irish Rugby: What We Did Last Summer” will air on RTÉ One on Thursday, 10^th November at 10.15pm and will be repeated RTÉ 2 on Saturday, 19th November at 3.30pm
• Updates and short videos will air in advance of the show on www.rugby.vodafone.ie
  
• Vodafone’s rugby platform #TeamOfUs was created by Target McConnell’s, PSG Sponsorship lead the PR and sponsorship activation and media buying is handled by MEC Global.