Atlanta Falcons Wins InfoWorld 100 Award
Story Highlights
Sitecore
and Digitaria announced that the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, has been named winner
of the 2007 InfoWorld 100 Project of the Year award. The Atlanta Falcons were
recognized for rebuilding their outdated Web site to provide fans with a
next-generation, socially immersive Web site. Since utilizing Sitecore’s Web
Content Management system (CMS) and Digitaria’s creative and interactive
marketing expertise, the Atlanta Falcons’ Web site sees record-breaking
traffic.
“Whether
ushering legacy systems into the agile era or revolutionizing how their
companies leverage technology to meaningful ends, this year’s winners are both
inspiration and proof that striking a new path in IT can reap deep
organizational rewards,” said InfoWorld Senior Editor Jason Snyder.
The
Falcons’ challenge was to implement a solution that provides the most advanced
Web site to give fans a compelling web experience, but also one that can keep
up with the demands of producing a professional sports portal: frequent
time-sensitive updates, flexibility of editorial control and a tremendous
amount of content managed by a relatively small staff. To overcome this, the
Falcons turned to Digitaria, a full-service digital marketing and technology
firm, and Sitecore, a provider of .NET Web Content Management (CMS) and portal
software. Together, Digitaria and Sitecore built an advanced and interactive
Web site, which deviates from traditional sports Web sites’ clutter with a
simplified navigation structure and striking imagery.
The
Atlanta Falcons chose Digitaria because of its proven experience in the sports
and entertainment markets and its ability to implement best-of-breed
technologies that are compatible with the Falcons’ preferred operating
environments. The Falcons worked with its Fan Advisory Group to collect input
directly from regular site visitors, and Digitaria ensured that all components
of the Web site design, technology, and content, directly reflected fan
feedback as well as the goals of the Falcons organization.
Sitecore’s
CMS provided the Atlanta Falcons with Web 2.0 functionality such as content
tagging, advanced multimedia delivery and integrated social networking
features. The project also included advanced management and distribution of
rich media assets. Additionally, with the shift to user-generated content on
Web sites, the Falcons now have the ability to tailor the Web site to those who
are used to customizing and creating their internet experience on a daily
basis.
“We are
honored to have been chosen for the InfoWorld 100 Award for our new, advanced
Web site,” said Dan Levak, director of New Media, Atlanta Falcons. “Thanks to
Sitecore and Digitaria, dozens within our organization can deliver visually
stunning content to fans, and empower millions of visitors to engage each other
in the shared fan experience.”
“Sitecore’s
high performance scalability and flexibility gave the Atlanta Falcons the
ultimate portal for their fans,” said Darren Guarnaccia, VP of Product
Marketing for Sitecore. “The Falcons’ fans now enjoy fast breaking stories,
behind the scenes footage and a compelling online experience with the team and
the greater community of enthusiasts. Sitecore’s functionality and rapid
deployment interface empowers the Falcons’ staff to move incredibly quickly
without holding back their design creativity.”
“We
congratulate the Falcons on this recognition. Their commitment to technology
sets them apart from others in the sports industry,” said Digitaria CEO, Daniel
Khabie. “We are proud to have worked with them to leverage leading technologies
to further their business goals, while delivering fans an innovative,
interactive and fun online experience.”