Big Brands, Jets Sponsors Connect With Sports Fans Through the Ultimate Fan Facebook Application

Dec. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- The New York Jets and Arkadium, the largest provider of casual game solutions for some of the biggest brands in the world, today announced that four leading national brands and sponsors of the Jets - MetLife, Motorola, SNY and HotelPlanner.com - have integrated their brands in the Ultimate Fan Facebook application (http://www.facebook.com/ultimatefan).

Ultimate Fan, the first revenue generating Facebook application to be backed by a professional sports team, makes it possible for each sponsor to embrace unique branding opportunities that allow them to build their presence on Facebook while offering potential customers a new way to interact and engage with their brands. The application lets fans be fans by doing online what they would normally do at home and in stadiums – from rooting for their favorite teams and players, to predicting game scores or holding a virtual tailgate with fans from across the globe.

“MetLife, Motorola, SNY and HotelPlanner.com are all sponsors of our team that recognize the value of engaging a very targeted audience of sports enthusiasts through Facebook,” said Matt Higgins, Jets Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “Ultimate Fan presents a fantastic opportunity for companies to captivate potential customers while enhancing their brand recognition and identity among sports fans.”

“Ultimate Fan gives us an easy way to bolster our Facebook presence while reaching sports fans where they spend a significant portion of time,” said Richard Hong, vice president, Global Brand and Marketing Services at MetLife. “We’re excited to be extending our sponsorship of the New York Jets online in an entertaining and creative fashion.”

Here’s how MetLife, Motorola, SNY and HotelPlanner.com are integrating their brands in Ultimate Fan:

MetLife
• Fans have the chance to win a ride in the real MetLife Blimp through a New York Jets sponsored sweepstakes within Ultimate Fan.
• MetLife has branded the “Predictions” section of Ultimate Fan where participants can make game and score predictions for all upcoming games.
• MetLife has integrated with the “Pride” section of Ultimate Fan by adding images of the MetLife Blimp and PEANUTSTM characters that players can use to create the Ultimate tailgate.

Motorola
• Motorola is sponsoring the Fan’s Playoff in Ultimate Fan, which will present one
fan from the team with the most “Boost” by Week 17 to win two tickets to the SuperBowl in Dallas plus roundtrip airfare.  
• Motorola has integrated with the “Pride” section of Ultimate Fan by adding in a
free virtual Droid X that participants can use to create their own Ultimate tailgate.
• The Motorola-branded Droid phone also appears in Ultimate Fan when participants make game predictions or send a gift to a specific NFL player on their Facebook walls.

SNY
• SNY is sponsoring the “Player Lockers” section in Ultimate Fan where participants can rate, gift and comment on their favorite NFL players.
• SNY will integrate with the “Pride” section of Ultimate Fan by offering a free virtual branded TV that players can use to create the Ultimate tailgate.
• Ultimate Fan will be promoted on Jets Post Game Live and the highest rated tailgates will be shown on air on Sunday, Dec 26th after the Jets vs Bears game.

HotelPlanner.com
• HotelPlanner.com has integrated with the “Pride” section of Ultimate Fan by adding in a free tailgate background, snack basket and Party Bus that players can use to create the Ultimate tailgate.

About Ultimate Fan
Ultimate Fan (http://www.facebook.com/ultimatefan), spearheaded by the New York Jets and created in conjunction with game developer Arkadium (http://www.arkadium.com), is the first revenue generating Facebook application to be backed by a NFL team. Not a football simulator or a fantasy league game, at its core Ultimate Fan lets fans be fans by doing online what they would normally do at home and in stadiums. From rooting for their favorite team, to predicting game scores, to holding a virtual tailgate with fans all over the U.S., there is a component of the game for everyone, no matter what team people are cheering on.

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About Arkadium
Arkadium (www.arkadium.com) is the largest provider of game solutions for some of the biggest brands in the world. The company’s extensive library of popular games can be found on Facebook, iPhone, Android and premium websites by clients such as MSN, Hearst MagazinesDigital Media, ESPN, ABC, Lifetime, and Discovery. Family owned and operated, the company has grown organically since 2001 without funding, to more than 100 employees in offices in New York City and Ukraine. With over 6 million unique users a month playing Arkadium game titles, the company is pioneering the movement to bring the best of casual online games to social. Their hit game, Mahjongg Dimensions, is one of their most popular titles on Facebook, and newer titles include Ultimate Fan, launched in conjunction with the NY Jets, and Bingo Charms, launched with Publishers Clearing House.

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