HSBC launches innovative new online fan engagement tool for all British & Irish Lions Fans

Mar 20 • International • 3283 Views • Comments Off on HSBC launches innovative new online fan engagement tool for all British & Irish Lions Fans

– HSBC and British & Irish Lions create a digital Lions shirt

– Join HSBC’s legendary Lions journey

HSBC and The British & Irish Lions have launched a digital Lions shirt designed to be a central online destination for all rugby fans ahead of the start of this summer’s Tour to Australia.

For the first time ever, the famous red jersey has been turned into an online content sharing platform housing hundreds of existing Lions related photos and videos, as well thousands of spare pixels for fans to upload their own photos and messages into the empty spaces.

Sitting within the official British & Irish Lions team website (lionsrugby.com) and in recognition of the unique nature of The Lions, this digital jersey can be viewed and shared online by all rugby fans no matter which home nation they support.

Using a special deep zoom technology, the digital shirt is the first of its kind for the famous touring side that is celebrating its 125^th year in 2013. All Lions fans are encouraged to get involved and become part of history by uploading a photo and message of support on this inaugural digital Lions shirt which will be shared with The Lions squad to illustrate the depth of support they have from fans around the world.

The mosaic can be explored HERE

Created by Shoothill, the software development and data visualisation specialists, in partnership with HSBC this is the first time that fans have been able to upload their messages of support directly to the iconic jersey.

Once the squad is announced on 30^th April, the digital shirt will made available to all squad members to take down with them to Australia on the Tour as a permanent reminder of the support for the squad from fans back home.

Charlie McEwan, Director of Sales and Marketing for British Lions Limited commented: “It’s fitting that as we celebrate 125 years of The British & Irish Lions we have been able to create a virtual version of the iconic jersey that allows all fans to be a part of the shirt. We’re urging as many fans as possible to sign up and register their messages of support and play their role in the success of the Tour off and hopefully on the field.”

Andrea de Vincentiis, Head of Rugby Sponsorship HSBC Holdings plc. added: ““Rewarding fans with exclusive never- seen-before imagery and videos as well as providing an opportunity to lend their support has been a priority for HSBC since we renewed our partnership with The British & Irish Lions. We are urging everyone to join the journey and upload their messages of support for the team.”

Find out more by watching a promotional video, showing fans how to get involved with the digital shirt featuring HSBC ambassador Gavin Hastings (HERE) and get busy uploading your Lions photos – past and present – as well as messages of support for the Team

About HSBC

HSBC has a long-standing investment in rugby around the world from the pinnacle of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia to the thousands of children who are introduced to rugby for the first time through HSBC’s numerous community rugby programmes around the world.
Over the coming years, HSBC is dedicated to the international growth of the game from grassroots to the top flight, helping rugby to achieve its true potential of bringing together different people from different cultures through a shared love of the game.

HSBC & The British & Irish Lions:

HSBC was the Principal Partner to The British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009 and is the first Principal Partner to renew their association for two consecutive Tours.

The sponsorship will allow HSBC to continue building long-lasting relationships with its key stakeholders and also allow HSBC to further engage and motivate its employees. The 2013 Tour to Australia will enable HSBC to further build on the association that started four years ago and provide unique opportunities to customers and staff around the world.

Through the use of ambassadors Jason Robinson, Jonathan Davies, Gavin Hastings, Brian O’Driscoll and George Gregan all those who come into contact with HSBC’s sponsorship of The British & Irish Lions will be given unique knowledge and insight from these legendary Rugby names.

An historic match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong to start the tour allows for even more Rugby fans to get the chance to witness the pinnacle of Northern Hemisphere Rugby in an area of the World where rugby is growing in popularity.