A City-wide Slam Dunk: Union Station’s Digital Columns Bring Real-Time Game Updates with First-In-Canada Technology
Toronto ON, 13 May 2016 —Tonight, game-changing technology will bring the excitement of the Raptors off of the courts and into the concourse at Toronto’s Union Station. During Game 6 every time the Raptors make a three-point shot, fans in the GO York Concourse will watch the six digital column wraps display a simultaneous and instantaneous score update triggered by the live event.
“The playoffs are an exciting time in the city and this technology represents a chance to engage fans in a new way,” says Shannon Hosford, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for MLSE, parent company of the Toronto Raptors. “We look forward to this innovative technology, and others like it, playing an important role in keeping sports fans up to date and involved in the game, no matter where they might be in the city.”
“This is a huge opportunity at Union Station given it is the busiest building in Canada and the hub of Toronto’s main sporting events,” says Adam Butterworth, President of Clear Channel Canada. “If the Raptors keep playing like they did in Game 5, we can really test the robustness of this system.” Clear Channel Canada will be the first media owner to offer real-time ad hoc content allowing brands to engage with the right audience at the right time in an impactful way.
Using live events to trigger real-time messaging on digital signage has always been one of The Holy Grails of DOOH. “We’ve had clients asking us about using dynamic data to activate their brands for a long time,” says Shawn O’Brien, the CEO and founder of Gridcast Media. “And what better way to launch such an exciting new technology than with this year’s Raptors playoff run.”
The project’s technical execution is a joint venture between Gridcast Media, Soho Media and Dot2Dot Communications. “This is just the start of what’s possible in the DOOH space,” says Caleb Benoit, Soho Media’s Director of Operations in North America. “Our technology can leverage many different data feeds—from sports to weather to finance and social.”
The core technology behind the campaign is developed by Soho, using its proprietary InGame.Ad platform, which identifies and tracks key points in data feeds, such as “Three-pointers made by the Raptors”. Then when a three-pointer is actually scored during the game, the software instantly triggers special content on a digital screen or billboard, interrupting the current advertising loop in real-time. The whole solution is run by Scala, a CMS platform that manages and schedules content on digital signs. “It shows the power and versatility of the Scala system,” says John Devonshire, Client Services Manager at Dot2Dot Communications. Union Station is excited to be working with exceptional partners to bring leading-edge and engaging experiences to Canada’s busiest building.
About Union
In 2009, Osmington (Union Station) Inc., a subsidiary of Osmington Inc., entered into an agreement with the City of Toronto to become the retail developer of Union Station pursuant to a 75-year head lease. With 71 million annual visitors, Union Station is Canada’s busiest transit hub. Through our curation of retail and culinary tenants, cultural programming and partnership activations, Union strives to be one of the world’s most engaging civic experiences. Learn more at www.torontounion.ca
About Clear Channel Canada
Clear Channel Canada connects brands with people. Our network, spanning Canada’s six largest markets, comprises the country’s most valuable Out-of-Home environments, such as Union Station, Pearson and Billy Bishop Airports, the iconic Dundas Square, and leading shopping centres. We help our clients deliver impactful, engaging messages to Canada’s most desirable, hard-to-reach audiences. Learn more at www.clearchannel.ca
About Gridcast
Gridcast is a full-service digital media and communications agency, specializing in the DOOH and premium retail space. Our services include digital display consulting, strategy, content development, procurement, installation, scheduling and monitoring. Gridcast’s unique design-build approach helps clients solve digital signage challenges from start-to-finish. Learn more at www.gridcast.ca
About Soho Media Solutions
Soho Media innovates at the intersection of advertising technology, content publishing and real-time data. Their products help brands connect with consumers. They have offices in North America and Europe. Learn more at www.sohomedia.solutions and www.ingame.ad
About Dot2Dot Communications
Dot2Dot Communications provides one-stop, concept-to-connection solutions for all digital signage and ad-based communications. They pioneered media management software over 30 years ago and are the Canadian Master Distributor for Scala Digital Signage Software. Learn more at www.dot2dotcommunications.com
Media Contact:
Charlene Lo VP Brand & Communications – Union
charlene@torontounion.ca
416 529 5223
