InfoWorld 100 Award
Sitecore customer the Atlanta Falcons, one of the premier National Football League teams, 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 The Atlanta Falcons were recognized for rebuilding their outdated Web site to provide fans with a next-generation, socially immersive Web site.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 Sitecore partner Digitaria’s creative and interactive marketing expertise, the Atlanta Falcons’ Web site sees record-breaking traffic. Now, Falcons fans experience the industry’s best Web site navigation, multimedia technologies and social networking capabilities, which leave them coming back for more.
“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, the leading provider of .NET Web Content Management (CMS) and portal software. Together, Digitaria and Sitecore built the most 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 Falcon’s 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.