SEAT Global Magazine - Exclusive Interviews of Global Sport Executive Issue 02 February 2017 | Page 28

Case Study

WI-FI DATA HOLDS BIG SURPRISES FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL MARKETERS

In every industry, there is a belief system – conventional wisdom that underlies the way people behave and processes are structured. Partially based in fact, but fueled by intuition and common sense, this shared belief system often determines the path of an industry. Once in a while data becomes available that challenges that belief system. Many choose to cling to an industry’s belief system, but those who embrace new information can achieve the next level of success.

Data captured by Wi-Fi systems deployed in public venues offers such an opportunity. It provides a more inclusive sample of event attendees[1]. Wi-Fi data offers new insights that will reshape the way teams operate venues, market to fans, and ultimately profit from events.

The infographic below offers a few high-level statistics gleaned from a Wi-Fi network deployed at a large Collegiate Stadium during the 2016 football season.

THE DATA

Organized into three sections, data is presented from left to right quantifying frequency of fan attendance, volume of visits, and student behavior:

Analysis by Pat Coyle, Ampthink