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Digital marketing Feature story

Personalized portrait videos, power play. Personalizing the future of digital marketing and audience connections

The game-changing trend for marketers in the realm of mass participation sporting events: personalized videos in portrait mode.

 

Nowadays, the race for consumer engagement is as competitive as any marathon. The consumer is no longer a passive observer but an active participant, craving for personalized experiences that resonate on a deeper level with his or her individual wants and expectations.

 

The finish line is just the beginning  

 

Gone are the days when crossing the finish line was the climax of a race. In the digital era, the journey and the shared stories matter just as much. In this context, personalized portrait videos have emerged as the ultimate engagement tool, capturing what’s meaningful in a format tailor-made for immediate social media sharing and consumption.  

 

What’s the deal with portrait mode?  

 

Social media platforms are designed with mobile users in mind, and their preference for portrait mode content in reels and stories reflects this. The reasoning is straightforward: usability and engagement.  

 

Most users hold their smartphones vertically, or in portrait orientation, nearly 94% of the time, according to several MOVR Mobile Overview Reports. Creating content that aligns with this natural grip allows for a seamless, one-handed user experience, which is critical for engagement.  

 

When it’s about sharing the rush of adrenaline and personal triumph on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, portrait videos are leading the way. When you combine the power of personalized videos with the friendliest format – portrait, you get cinematic history for each marathon or triathlon participant.    

 

Portrait mode content fills the entire screen of a smartphone, making the viewing experience more immersive. This full-screen real estate means viewers are less likely to be distracted by other elements on their screen and more likely to engage with the content. The format lends itself to a more personal and direct connection, as if the viewer is having a face-to-face interaction with the content creator.  

 

Moreover, vertical videos have higher completion rates, which is a key metric for social media platforms. They’re not only easier to watch but also to interact with, as users can easily like, comment, and share without altering their grip or orientation of the phone.

 

The design of social media algorithms also favours content that maximises user engagement, which includes time spent on the platform. Portrait mode videos cater to quick, engaging storytelling that’s ideal for the fast-paced nature of social media consumption. The platforms thus prioritise and promote this content format, encouraging creators to adopt it and users to consume it.

 

Engaging with motion and emotion

 

Engagement isn’t just about views; it’s about emotional resonance. Personalized portrait videos elevate mere participation into an emotive experience. Imagine witnessing your final sprint with your family and friends cheering on the side, all through a video that feels like your own movie trailer. That’s the power of personalization—transforming participants into protagonists of their own stories.

 

Shareability is king for brands storytelling

 

The true measure of content’s value in today’s digital marketing is its shareability. Portrait videos, personalized to reflect each participant’s experience, are not just content; they become organic marketing campaigns, with each share amplifying brand reach and influence.

 

Data-driven, insightful storytelling

 

Our personalized portrait videos are not just a shot in the dark, but a precision-driven strategy that could leverage any brand’s strategy in the digital realm. These videos are invaluable for crafting future marketing campaigns that hit closer to home and to the hearts of consumers.

 

The viral potential

 

When a participant shares their personalized video, they’re not just sharing a moment; they’re indirectly endorsing the event and the associated brands. This user-generated content has the potential to go viral, carrying the brand’s message far and wide, many times exceeding the initial reach expectations.

 

A sustainable trophy

 

In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, digital trophies like personalized portrait videos are an eco-friendly alternative to physical memorabilia. They’re everlasting, easily stored, and, most importantly, kind to our planet.

 

Lightning fast availability after the finish line

 

We are all living in the age of tech speed and instant gratification, and rapid availability is a commodity expected from brands. Personalized videos are sent to each participant in 3 minutes after they finish their race. The moment you complete your race, iRewind technology kicks into high gear, ensuring personal victory tales are ready for the world to see almost instantly. And this is vital to building the perfect recipe for instant shareability, skyrocketing engagement and sensational virality.

 

The future of digital marketing and consumer engagement is here, and it’s portrait, personal, and powerful.

 

The evolution of digital marketing demands innovation that keeps pace with consumer expectations. Personalized portrait videos are the heralds of this new era. Events powered by engagement solutions like iRewind and iRewind ONE are leading the way, offering experiences that transcend traditional boundaries and forge emotional connections.

 

As marketeers and brand communicators, it’s time to embrace the revolution of personalized portrait videos. This is not just a trend but a transformation in how we engage, market, and celebrate. It’s how we connect in a digital age that yearns for the human touch.

 

For visionary marketers at mass participation sporting events, the question isn’t why but how soon they can integrate this cutting-edge tool into their strategy. With iRewind’s innovation, the future of marketing is personal, and it’s looking right at us – one portrait video at a time.

 

Check some of our personalized portrait videos projects we did in collaboration with Generali for #GeneraliGeneveMarathon and #SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne. And a wonderfully received video that went viral to almost 10 mio users of one of the same Generali Geneve Marathon participants.

 

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Brand stories Feature story Mass participation

The journey from stills to stories. Enhancing mass sporting events with the synergy of personalized videos and photos

Mass participation and endurance multi-sport events are just a special breed, a unique phenomena in the world of sports and perfect visual occasions for photographers and videographers alike. 

 

Marathons, triathlons, and ultra runs are more than athletic competitions; they are dynamic collections of human endurancewillpower, and achievement, luring in various participants from all races and ethnicities and backgrounds.

Unlike elite sports competitions, mass participation events are more democratic in spirit. They welcome athletes of all levels – from seasoned pros to enthusiastic amateurs – each with their own goals, be it setting a personal best, raising money for a cause, or simply completing the course. This inclusivity is the heart and soul of these events, fostering a sense of community that transcends the physical exertion of the race.

 

These events are also stages for extraordinary personal narratives.

 

Each participant brings a story – of overcoming obstacles, pushing beyond limits, or honouring a loved one. The sight of thousands of individuals, each on their own quest yet moving together, creates a powerful, palpable energy that is both inspiring and memorable.

 

They are celebrations of the cities and landscapes they traverse.

 

A marathon winding through historic city streets or an ultra-run across breathtaking natural trails not only challenges the athletes but also showcases the beauty and character of the setting. The courses become characters in their own right, adding depth and dimension to the experience.

 

Photography: freezing time in a once in a lifetime frame

 

At mass participation events, photographers play a pivotal role, they are the silent narrators thousands of miles and smiles. Their keen eyes seek out the small, intimate moments that define the day: the nervous anticipation of runners at the start, the determination etched on faces as they battle fatigue, the elation of crossing the finish line.

But photographs freeze singular, powerful moments in time. They are traditionally known tokens at mass participation events. The still image of a runner pushing their limits, or a cyclist conquering a steep climb, resonates with a different kind of power. Photography, especially in sporting events, captures the raw, unfiltered essence of the moment and the split-second emotions.

 

Photos from these events serve multiple purposes.

 

For participants, a well-captured photo is a treasured keepsake, a tangible reminder of their accomplishment. It’s a personal badge of honour that they can share with friends, family, and their wider network, inspiring others with their achievement. For event organisers and sponsors, these photos are powerful marketing tools. They capture the scale, spirit, and success of the event, helping to promote future editions and attract new participants. In the digital age, photographs gain even greater significance. Shared across social media platforms, they become conversation starters, connecting people across geographies and experiences, united by the shared language of endurance and effort.

 

Photographers at these events also contribute to the historical record.

 

Years from now, these photos will serve as visual archives, telling the story of the event, the trends in sports, and the evolving nature of mass participation. They are not just capturing moments; they are preserving a slice of sporting history.

 

Personalized videos, a step further from photos: bringing motion to memories

 

While photographs capture the moment, personalized videos bring these moments to life. They stitch together the collective energy, the individual struggle, and the shared joy, transforming a singular event into a continuous, immersive story.

 

Personalized videos revolutionise how we remember events.

 

Unlike static images, videos capture the fluidity and emotion of the moment – the anticipation at the starting line, the determination mid-race, and the euphoria of crossing the finish line. iRewind, a pioneer in this field, offers personalized videos that do more than just document; they narrate the individual stories of participants.

 

The symbiosis of personalized videos and photography

 

The real magic happens when personalized videos and photos are used together. While the video provides a storyline to the event, the photos punctuate this narrative with powerful, emotive snapshots. They complement each other – the video offering context and continuity, and the photographs providing impactful depth and focus.

 

The blend of personalized videos and traditional photography creates a complete story, offering participants a richer, more immersive memory of their experience. This synergy is essential in today’s digital age, where every runner, cyclist, or triathlete not only seeks a physical challenge but also a tangible memory of their achievement, to relive, share and store as digital memories.

Cruise through the latest interview we did with MarathonFoto for our Spotlight series and see how this visual dynamic changes the world of marathons as we speak.

 

 

For brands, this mix is the golden ticket to meaningful engagement.

 

Photographs and personalized videos offer a richer, more engaging set of content format than static images alone. The synergy of photographs and personalized videos at mass participation events marks a new frontier in brand engagement. It’s a shift from mere participation to emotional connection, from being a face in the crowd to being the hero of one’s own story.

 

Enhancing participant engagement and satisfaction with a multimedia experience. iRewind: leading the charge in integrated event media

 

The combination of personalized videos and photography is a powerful tool for enhancing participant satisfaction. It offers a complete package, catering to the varied preferences of participants. While some may cherish a video that captures their entire race, others may prefer a single, powerful image that encapsulates their effort.

This multimedia approach significantly boosts social media engagement. Participants are more likely to share their experiences online when they have both videos and photos that effectively tell their story.

iRewind is at the forefront of this integration, offering seamless solutions that introduce personalized videos to traditional event photography.

The mix of personalized videos and photos at mass participation sporting events offers a more complete approach to capturing memories. It is a proof of the multifaceted nature of such events and caters to the diverse needs of participants.

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Brand stories Digital marketing Feature story Mass participation

Record speed of delivery: how technological achievement transforms brand connection, engagement and emotions

Thanks to the advancements in technology, mass participation sporting events such as marathons, trail races, triathlons, and cycling finish lines are now becoming the actual starting point for digital celebrations. And yesterday’s most exceptional product experiences are no longer exciting, they’re expected. Combine the both and you get the perfect premise for the ultimate, innovative digital engagement tool for brands and event organisers to deliver instant gratification to participants: personalized videos from iRewind and iRewind ONE. Providing hyper personalized victory videos within an astounding 2 minutes and 57 seconds of crossing the finish line is really the ultimate marketing solution.

 

The need for speed in a world of instant gratification

 

Nowadays, the consumer’s expectation for rapid content delivery is insatiable. Particularly in the high-stakes atmosphere of a mass participation sporting event, where the physical and emotional journey culminates in a single, electrifying moment at the end, the need for immediate reflection and celebration becomes paramount. This fleeting window of opportunity is where personalized videos step in to make digital marketing history and rewrite how participants and spectators alike remember the race. And brands as well, why not?

 

An emotional sprint: capturing euphoria and real hype in real-time

 

As runners glide past the finish line, their adrenaline and joy reach maximum levels. And personalized videos capture it all, in record speed.

They get the raw, unfiltered emotions of triumph that, if not seized quickly, can fade as fast as they surged. It’s a technological sprint matching the runners’ physical one.

On the other hand, emotional openness is the perfect occasion to impact the participant. When on achievement and dopamine highs, positive connections with brands and tailored messages are at their peak.  

 

Shareability of the victory: social media is the new finish line

 

Once a more individual or restrained experience, the finish line is now a shared one, with not only friends and family, but also with the extended online communities on social media. Personalized videos continue the performance with a conversation about a race well run. The rapid turnaround of personalized videos ensures that marathoners can share their running experience while the cheers are still ringing in their ears.

 

The golden hour for brands: making every second count. 

Time is not only money, but first of all connection and engagement 

 

For brands, the moments after the marathon are crucial. This is when the emotional connection between the brand and the participant is at its zenith. Through personalized videos, brands can become an integral part of multiple personal victory narratives. The quick delivery of personalized content not only capitalises on the participant’s heightened emotional state but also associates the brand with that peak moment of personal success. Personalized videos also go beyond just quick content delivery—it’s about creating a personalized experience that speaks directly to the runner. Each video is a reflection of the individual’s journey, tailored to their race, their effort, their story. This level of personalization builds a deep, emotive connection between the participant and the event, fostering loyalty and creating brand ambassadors out of every runner.

 

From runners to storytellers: the transformative impact of personalized videos

 

Mass participation sporting events are the perfect storytelling occasions. Participants are both runners and micro-influencers, organically expanding the overall event’s reach. The more shareable the content, the larger the audience and higher the impact. Personalized videos are the perfect way to share the experience, in the right format at the right moment, exactly after the finish line.

 

Personalized videos stand out in the sea of sameness

 

Personalized videos offer a competitive edge. With incredible speeds of delivery to all participants, they are the differentiator that positions marathons and brands alike as leaders in innovation. 

 

In the rush of life, the moments that matter most are often the ones that pass us by the quickest. Personalized videos freeze time and allow to relive the unrelievable.

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Digital marketing Feature story Mass participation Spotlight Stories

The video revolution is here. Discover how hyper personalization of video content is redefining and repurposing digital marketing landscapes.

A huge number of tools and strategies fight for the attention of marketers nowadays. Amidst the noise of options, video content emerged, not just as an additional medium, but a dynamic force transforming the marketing environments everywhere.

 

The video revolution is leading digital marketing strategies

 

We’re now halfway through the golden age of video consumption, a trend propelled by technological innovation and evolving viewer preferences. The ubiquity of smartphones and the proliferation of high-speed internet as well as spending more time at home during the past years, have converged to make video content not just accessible but a must-have, integral element of the daily digital experience. According to a report by HubSpot, over 54% of consumers expressed a desire to see more video content from businesses they support. Moreover, consumers today are not just viewers but participants in a visual journey that should reflect their preferences, aspirations, and lifestyles. A survey revealed 87% of marketers credited video with a direct, positive impact on sales, with 96% agreeing that videos augmented user understanding of their product or service. Marketers have also underscored the prodigious impact of video content, with 83% advocating for videos under 60 seconds. This evolution is not sporadic but aligns with the rise of platforms like TikTok, which have made engagement the cornerstone of effective video content.

 

Much of this shift towards video consumption was created by the platforms we binge weekly

 

Netflix, Disney, and HBO are not just titans in the entertainment industry; they are savvy navigators of the landscape of advertising and digital marketing, leveraging data and technology to redefine engagement, content dissemination, and brand visibility. These media giants are responding to a profound global shift – a digital renaissance marked by an insatiable consumer appetite for video content.

Netflix’s 208 million subscribers benefit from personalized marketing, using algorithms and viewer data to enhance content discoverability. Disney, after launching Disney+, gained 100 million subscribers in 16 months, emphasising engagement over mere visibility. Meanwhile, HBO Max utilises data to guide content creation and distribution. These changes represent a worldwide trend in video content. Brands orienting towards content that is authentic and carefully placed in the context of the consumers are thriving in their digital marketing strategies.

 

We are in an era where video content is king. It’s about engagement metrics, conversion rates, and viewer retention 

 

This video consumption trend transcends entertainment; it’s redefining advertising and digital marketing, making video content the symbol of effective, engaging, and results-driven marketing. Companies are now more than advertisers, they are content creators, strategists, and data analysts. Consumer insights transform video content from passive visual narratives to interactive, engaging, and conversion-oriented marketing tools.

Recent years’ surveys spotlight the meteoric rise of video content in the strategic arsenals of marketers. According to Wyzowl’s State of Video Marketing survey, a staggering 91% of businesses have integrated video as a cardinal component of their marketing strategies. This isn’t a superficial trend, but an evolution rooted in a consumer shift towards visual, immersive, and interactive content. The global digital video viewership is projected to burgeon to 3.5 billion, underscoring this universal and insatiable appetite we have for visual narratives.

Every second spent on video content is engagement, a connection that transcends digital interfaces, immersing viewers. And brands get that relatable, tangible, and engaging character. People are allocating 17 hours per week on an average to online videos, with a whopping 52% more likelihood to share video content than any other content type.

In this dynamic interaction of pixels and perspectives, iRewind ONE emerges as a quintessential digital marketing tool.

 

Personal performance as authentic narratives, engaging video artefacts that are easily shareable on mobile devices

 

It’s not just about viewing your marathon performance; it’s about experiencing, living, and relishing every frame, every move, every emotion. Emotion in motion can only be relayed through iRewind and iRewind ONE hyper personalized videos. 75% of viewers are engrossed in short-form video content on their mobile devices. This underscores the incredible shift towards content that is not only visually captivating but also concise, potent, and tailored to the fast-paced, mobile-first consumer lifestyle. The emphasis is not just on creation but on strategic, targeted, and personalized dissemination, a feature iRewind and iRewind ONE hyper personalized videos lead with dominance. A consumer trend tracker survey unveiled that 69% of U.S. consumers prioritise authenticity and relatability over polished, high-quality video or audio.

 

iRewind and iRewind ONE hyper-personalized videos stand for content that reflects, resonates, and sheds light on individual identities and stories

 

Today’s consumers crave authenticity, high quality and instant gratification. They seek content that’s concise, versatile, and instantly shareable across various platforms. Enter iRewind and iRewind ONE personalized videos. While they’re perfectly tailored to the individual, they retain the raw essence of athletic prowess. This unique mix touches each video with the genuine feeling consumers yearn for. By capturing real moments from real people, these videos serve as enduring memories that last throughout the years. And that’s the ripple effect brands can have over consumers while choosing personalized videos as their engagement mechanisms.

Just imagine the brand impact when this innovative approach reaches marathon participants directly. Instead of a generic ad campaign to address all audiences, with personalized videos, a brand can actually have 10,000 ads straight to each of the people in the audience. Thus harnessing the power heartfelt, meticulously crafted personalized video memories, brought to life by iRewind and iRewind ONE. It’s not just marketing; it’s an emotion-driven revolution.

Looking ahead, the visual revolution is set to gain momentum, with 70% of marketers who haven’t yet ventured into video planning to do so for the next months and years. iRewind and  iRewind ONE videos transform generic content into personalized narratives that speak, resonate, and convert. This is a digital video marketing tool through which brands are experienced and content is not viewed, but felt.

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Feature story Mass participation

Catalysts of participant-centric experiences. iRewind ONE’s revolutionary impact on mass participation sporting events

In a world where the dynamic pulse of sports runs at the same rhythm as its fervent followers, the essence of the sporting experience is shifting.

 

We’re in the golden era of participant-centric mass participation events 

Every cheer, gasp, and applause is not just heard but amplified. Every participant, from the elite runner to the passionate amateur, seeks not just a race but an immersive experience. Marathons and mass participation events alike are not just about the start and finish lines anymore. They are about every stride, every cheer, every drop of sweat, and every moment of triumph in between. A recent study by Nielsen Sports underscores the evolution of event engagement, showing a 45% increase in interest led by enhanced experience innovations.

Moreover, a study by PwC’s Sports Survey 2021 spotlights the transformative impact of technology on sports, revealing that 94% of leaders in the sector believe technology will significantly influence the future of sports. This opened up a vista of opportunities for platforms like iRewind to accentuate the emotional and experiential gravitas of sporting events, particularly marathons.

 

The emergence of video engagement is a transformative trend.

With the infusion of technology like AI, the lines between the moment and memory are seamlessly blending. iRewind stands at this intersection, transforming each sporting performance into a live experience with an enduring echo.

Another study conducted by Nielsen brings to the forefront the importance of personalization. It indicates that personalized content can enhance engagement by 28%.

 

Enter iRewind and iRewind ONE

Here, in this intricate dance of adrenaline and emotion, iRewind and iRewind ONE emerge as the game changers, redefining the marathon experience with personalized videos.

iRewind and iRewind ONE have the same core technology, but users access their power of personalized video magic in different ways. iRewind is the leader in personalized videos and the company creator of iRewind ONE, the SaaS self-service video product.

Personalized videos are not just about capturing videos; they are about encapsulating experiences, moments, and the indefinable essence that turns a race into a memory, a participant into a storyteller. Every runner has a story, and iRewind personalized videos are the narrators, echoing personal bests, enduring spirits, and the unyielding resilience.

iRewind and iRewind ONE personalized videos are narratives, not just memories but shareable, relivable performances of marathon experience. Every video is a mosaic of moments, curated and stitched with precision to offer a front-row seat to one’s journey. This is the innovation that turns participants into passionate advocates, amplifying the event’s allure and driving engagement.

 

iRewind and the transformative trends 

1. Hyper-Personalization: In a world awash with content, personalization emerges as the beacon of resonance. iRewind is not just a content creator but a personalized story-weaver, making each video a unique narrative.

2. Immersive Experiences: Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are not futuristic concepts anymore but present-day realities. These technologies immerse participants into experiences, a trend that iRewind mirrors by immersing viewers into their marathon journey, making each moment tangible, each emotion palpable.

3. Data-Driven Insights: Big Data and analytics are unearthing insights that were submerged. Each iRewind video is a data point, a source of insights not just about the participant but about the evolving dynamics of event engagement and content consumption.

4. Sustainability: As revealed by a study from Turnkey Intelligence, 83% of participants express more loyalty to brands that invest in eco-friendly practices. iRewind aligns with this by digitally capturing and sharing moments, reducing the ecological footprint often associated with physical memorabilia.

5. Real-Time Engagement: The world is moving at a pace where the present is as significant as the future. Real-time content and engagement are not just trends but necessities. iRewind encapsulates this by turning every moment of the marathon into immediate, shareable, and re-livable content.

 

Future of participant-centric marathons

As we stand at this juncture where technology and humanity intertwine, iRewind and iRewind ONE emerge not just as content creators but as experiential transformers. Technology and humanity are already running side by side. AI-infused, yet deeply personal, evoking a symphony of emotions that resonate long after the race is over. As we step into a new techage of sports, where participant-centric experiences are not just desired but expected, iRewind and iRewind ONE stand as the heralds of a revolution.

 

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Feature story Mass participation

Personalized videos are the golden standard for zero party data marketing. Unlocking Digital Dominance and Building Unparallel Consumer Trust.

In today’s techage, marketing is undergoing a paradigm shift. The days of generic, mass advertising are long gone. Modern consumers crave personalization while being more actively concerned with their privacy than ever before.

But there is a so-called third space solution that combines the both and drives forward digital marketing in the new era: personalized videos. Delivered with zero party mechanisms, personalized videos are the zenith of consumer-centric digital marketing. Let’s explore how this synergy is the gold standard for targeted marketing campaigns.

 

Zeroing in: the power of zero party data 

At its core, zero party data is data that a customer consciously and willingly shares with a brand. Unlike first, second or third party data, derived from user interactions, behaviours or vendors, zero party data emerges from a place of trust and explicit user consent. Its magnetism for digital marketers lies in a clear combination of two advantage points:

Zero party data is collected more directly and brands get the goldmine: the most specific, up-to-date and most valuable consumer insights. With these, brands can better understand target customers and can craft more valuable messaging and conduct granular analysis and optimization of campaigns.

 

iRewind: Personalized Videos are nowadays’ engagement epicentre and a zero party data magnet 

Nowadays, capturing consent is a creative and innovative endeavour. As digital landscapes become more crowded, capturing user attention is often like a mission impossible – fleeting and challenging. iRewind personalized videos are zero party data dynamos. With our prowess in creating riveting personalizer videos, iRewind videos emerge as the indispensable, must have solution.

Personalized videos amplify the engagement and thus attract zero party data actions from consumers because of:

 

The ultimate marketing fusion

This synergy of iRewind personalized videos and zero party data collection is a powerhouse with multiple facets and options for creative marketing:

iRewind already has a strong portfolio showing how zero party data is easily and creatively collected with personalized videos. Generali is one of the first brands to have entrusted part of their zero party data marketing strategy to personalized videos projects driven by iRewind.

 

iRewind Digital Alchemy for Generali Geneve Marathon: From Race Finishers to Brand Enthusiasts 

Generali, the largest global insurance and asset management providers is one of our long time partners. For #GeneveMarathon, Generali aimed to increase its brand loyalty and positive sentiment, as well as business performance. Generali Geneve Marathon sits alongside the world’s premier elite running races, with 17 editions and the well-known World Athletics prestigious Bronze Road Race Label.

iRewind crafted a bespoke lead generation tool that didn’t just engage race participants but transformed them into loyal brand advocates. Participants could download their personalised videos by first interacting with a custom landing page which collected with their consent the necessary data. At the end of this transparent process, participants got access to their personalized videos in 2 formats: “10 seconds of fame” – the short portrait finisher video and the classical landscape long-format video. The numbers say it all: 4500+ fresh leads and an engagement rate that soared 10 times beyond Generali’s original expectations.

Brands thriving in the digital realm aren’t those with vast budgets or ubiquitous presence; they are the ones that are driving the wave of transformation. Through zero party data and personalized videos, brands can build a narrative where consumers are protagonists, not just viewers. As we steer more and more into the core of the techage, this innovative blend of zero party data and personalized videos is the blueprint for marketing innovation.

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Feature story Spotlight

Spotlight on Success: Fotop and iRewind ONE are revolutionizing mass participation sporting events

Welcome to the first installment of #iRewindONESpotlight, a captivating series of video interviews highlighting our trusted partners and customers from around the globe. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and challenged in new and exciting ways. We’ll dive deep into these stories of collaboration, full of opportunities and exciting moments. Tune in, turn on, and let ‘Spotlight’ reveal the best in personalized video partnerships.

In this first episode, we spotlight Fotop, one of the world-leading platforms for event, tourism, and attraction photography. This blog post is a companion to an in-depth video interview with Andre Chaco, CEO of Fotop, as he discusses the company’s evolution and the game-changing impact of their collaboration with iRewind.

🎥 Watch the Full Interview:

 

About Fotop

Fotop, headquartered in Brazil, has a worldwide presence, operating in countries like Ecuador, Colombia, Italy, Portugal, Australia, and Ireland. Initially concentrating on sports events like marathons and triathlons, Fotop has broadened its reach to encompass various other markets. They have streamlined the process for photographers to upload and categorize their images, making it more accessible for event participants to find and purchase their photos.

 

The genesis of the Fotop and iRewind partnership

Fotop embarked on its collaboration with iRewind two years ago, as the platform brought professionalism and ease to the company’s operations. “Instead of upgrading our own platform or creating a new one, it was much easier to partner with iRewind,” says Andre Chaco, CEO Fotop. The alliance has enabled Fotop to concentrate on their core business while benefiting from the continuous upgrades and improvements to the “iRewind ONE” platform.

 

The Power of Video

Chaco highlights the crucial role videos play in the attendee experience. “Having the video now is fantastic”, he shares, recalling reactions from customers who were touched by watching videos of their marathon finishes. The profound emotional connection these videos inspire has resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback and repeat purchases, validating the importance of video in their service offering.

 

Prioritizing Data Over Verbal Reviews

Chaco underscores the value of customer behavior over verbal feedback. “If someone says they love the video but doesn’t purchase it for the subsequent event, I understand they didn’t like it that much,” he adds. The ultimate indicator of service excellence is the repetition of purchases.

 

Final thoughts

The collaboration between Fotop and iRewind has been reciprocally advantageous, elevating the customer experience and putting a spotlight on both companies in the marketplace. The resoundingly positive feedback and recurring purchases demonstrate the transformative power of video in capturing life’s significant moments. “We receive a lot of feedback, and the vast majority is really, really good, which also inspires us to continue producing videos for more and more events,” concludes Chaco.

Stay tuned for more interviews in the series in the upcoming months.

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AI Feature story

AI Empowers iRewind ONE’s Personalized Video Experience. First chapter: AI-Powered Real-time Focus Optimization.

We’re excited to start this insightful series exploring the AI features embedded within iRewind ONE. In today’s instalment, we delve deep into how AI not only enhances but empowers the personalized video experience.

In a techage dominated by ever-evolving technology, the AI expertise and effect stands unparalleled. Its ability to redefine boundaries and optimise user experiences is changing how industries operate. iRewind ONE is definitely a revolutionising phenomenon on its own with a seamless integration of AI technologies.

 

The AI surge and modern-days tech

Daily across all sectors, AI is proving its mettle by offering solutions that were once deemed futuristic. Whether it’s smart homes adapting to our lifestyles or chatbots providing instant customer support, nowadays the world is embracing AI for its accuracy, efficiency, foresight and promise of a more effective future.

 

iRewind ONE: capturing moments with precision 

iRewind ONE primary recording devices are smartphones using iRewind ONE smart APP. Even though it matches an extended array of phone cameras, the iRewind ONE ecosystem was built as a seamless infrastructure for capturing video content.

Recording tens of millions of memories at mass participation events with phones is no small feat. Marathons and other mass participation events are dynamic environments that ask for consistent focus. Imagine runners navigating varying terrains, weather conditions changing rapidly, and countless moments of action. Especially when using mobile phones as the primary recording device, myriad challenges arise, including fluctuations in lighting, unpredictable weather, or overcrowded scenes.

Mobile phones might lose focus on continuous operations with changing conditions such as light, crowded vs static, wind and many more, leading to hours of blurred memories. Since the mobile phones run basically unattended, nobody can notice and in worst case the whole marathon would be filmed defocused. But iRewind ONE has a secret. This trailblazing self-service SaaS-based video solution is designed to immortalise personal moments at large events with an impeccable execution of AI.

 

AI is the expertly addressed solution for iRewind ONE App usage 

To mitigate the focus loss issue, iRewind ONE uses AI, to analyse the footage in real time and re-trigger focus automatically in case of defocus. We call it AI-Powered Real-time Focus Optimization. The AI solution is running directly on the phone analysing the video footage in real time. Based on an opencv library providing the mechanics of a laplace filter, iRewind ONE and its AI system calculates a focus score. If the score is below an appropriate value for a specific scene we re-trigger the camera focus on the mobile phone. The AI system promptly re-triggers the camera focus, ensuring crisp, clear, and cherished memories. And voila, the magic is done!

 

Why AI is Indispensable for iRewind ONE

Real-time Analysis: AI eliminates lag, processing videos as they’re recorded, ensuring quality isn’t compromised. In this way, the focus remains where it should be, on the participants.

Enhanced User Experience: No one wants their once-in-a-lifetime moments to be a blurry, unshareable video. AI guarantees the clarity of each memory. From the starting line to the finish, AI in iRewind ONE ensures all triumphs are relieved.

Operational Efficiency: With AI, manual interventions reduce dramatically, making the filming process smoother and hassle-free.

Scalability: As iRewind ONE expands, AI’s adaptability ensures it can handle more significant events and larger crowds without a dip in performance.

Optimization and automatization: only relevant footage is uploaded and stored. iRewind ONE AI is automatically editing videos with embedded time synchronisation. Moreover, the technology includes OCR (optical character recognition) and motion recognition to improve runners identification and video edits, as well as image analysis for participant recognition and segmentation of the video data.

 

AI in iRewind ONE: The Road Ahead

AI isn’t just another tech trend; it’s the backbone of modern innovation. The fusion of iRewind ONE and AI doesn’t just end with focus management. As AI continues to grow, its potential applications within iRewind ONE are limitless. For platforms like iRewind ONE, aiming to provide exceptional experiences, AI is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

As we march into a future where technology moulds our experiences, it’s clear that the AI solutions, tools and systems will set the gold standard for digital video marketing.

As we wrap up this first exploration, we want to invite you to follow up on this discovery journey for yet another piece on how AI is blended intro iRewind ONE. Stay tuned, we’ll soon venture further into another layer of the transformative impact of AI.

Categories
Brand stories Mass participation Trail running

Sierre-Zinal 2023: Conquering Alpine Majesty one personalised video at a time

One of our longest collaborations (since 2017) continued this past weekend with yet another fruitful activation. Sierre Zinal 2023 has reached its 50th edition and no less than 6000 participants from 69 countries ran with excitement and perseverance on the famous 31 km mountain trails.

 

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Sierre-Zinal trail run stands as a beacon for trail runners worldwide. Celebrated as one of the most iconic mountain races, this event marries the thrill of athletic pursuit with the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature. Spanning through rugged terrain, the Sierre-Zinal race weaves a story of endurance, determination, and boundless alpine beauty.

 

The Sierre-Zinal trail run is not merely a race; it’s a living testament to the sport’s history. Originating in 1974, it has grown to become a revered event, attracting both elite athletes and passionate enthusiasts. The race’s legacy is etched into its very course, which follows the paths that local shepherds once tread. This rich history infuses the event with a deep sense of tradition and a connection to the land.

 

Sierre Zinal is part of Golden Trail Series, one of the most prestigious series of trail runs in the world. The competition begins in the picturesque village of Sierre and culminates in the equally charming locale of Zinal. What unfolds in between is a journey that traverses varying landscapes—lush meadows, rocky paths, and formidable ascents. As participants ascend to altitudes over 2,000 metres, the course showcases the Swiss Alps’ breathtaking diversity, immersing runners in an evolving tableau of natural splendour.

 

 

What makes the Sierre-Zinal trail run both alluring and formidable is its elevation gain. With a cumulative ascent of over 2,000 metres, runners are confronted with a course that demands physical strength, mental fortitude, and a strategic approach. The trail’s elevation profile encompasses both heart-pounding climbs and exhilarating descents, creating a rhythm that mirrors the undulating contours of the Alps themselves. One of the most celebrated segments of the Sierre-Zinal trail run is the “Five 4000ers Passage.” This stretch offers runners a visual feast as they catch glimpses of towering peaks such as the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn, and Dent Blanche. These monumental sentinels of the Alps become both markers of progress and symbols of the human spirit’s yearning to conquer the heights.

 

While the Sierre-Zinal trail run tests individual limits, it is also a celebration of community. The event attracts a diverse spectrum of participants, from elite runners aiming for podium glory to trail enthusiasts seeking to embrace the challenge.

 

This tapestry of runners, scenery and experiences that mirror life’s challenges and triumphs, it was all captured by iRewind. 11 cameras were installed on the course in 5 of the most spectacular and vibrant locations (start in Sierre, Ponchette, Chandolin, Hotel Weisshorn, finish line in Zinal), ranging from 500m altitude (Sierre) to the highest point of 2337 m (H Weishorn). We recorded the race non-stop from the first start, at 4:45 AM to the expected end time of 5 PM, covering more than 12h of non-stop filming. Personalized videos were delivered for all the adult and junior categories running the race (“touristes”, “elite”, “veterans” and “juniors”).

 

An additional layer of the event implementation was a co-created, first-of-its-kind activation developed with the race organisers and partners. Each participant received a special bottle, which has embedded a NFC chip, uniquely linked to the participant’s personalized video. Thus the participant could access his or her personalized video just with a simple scan of the NFC chip.

Categories
Feature story Mass participation Trail running

Personalized Videos: The New Face of Sustainable Technologies

In an age where digitalization continues to expand its reach, personalized video technologies are emerging not just as a revolutionary form of tailored content, but also as a paradigm of sustainable innovation. Personalized video technologies represent a fascinating convergence of customization and sustainability.

As the digital landscape becomes more saturated, and the clarion call for sustainable practices grows louder, solutions that address both user engagement and environmental impact are not just welcome but essential.

The iRewind and iRewind ONE personalized videos, crafted to cater to individual tastes, preferences, and behaviours, are carving a unique niche.

At iRewind and iRewind ONE we work with a CO2 neutral mindset. Our personalized videos have a ripple effect and multiple benefits under the sustainability and durability lenses.

 

Digital Distribution 

 

By providing digital content such as personalized race or event videos, there is no need for physical goods to be produced or distributed. This minimises the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transporting physical mementos or promotional material.

 

Energy Efficiency

 

Video technologies have been evolving to be more energy-efficient over time. Efficient algorithms can process and deliver personalized videos with less computational power, which means less electricity is used.

 

Waste Reduction 

 

Traditional methods of capturing race moments often involve a lot of waste, from disposable cameras to printed photos. A technology like iRewind, hypothetically, could reduce this waste by creating and sharing digital media.

 

Longevity and Reuse 

 

Digital content has a potentially infinite lifespan and can be reused or repurposed easily, without any additional environmental cost. Brands can utilise this to engage with their audience more sustainable, over a longer period.

 

Educational Opportunities

 

Brands can leverage our technology to educate viewers about sustainability initiatives. A pre-roll or post-roll message inserted in the videos can effectively promote eco-friendly practices among the race participants and viewers.

The beauty of personalized video technology is that it’s still evolving. As we are riding the wave of tech innovation, we are still keeping an eye on the planet’s well-being, and proving to be the vanguard of this new era.