ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks today released a new official team mobile application, providing users with the first custom emoji keyboard in professional sports, as well as special access to seat upgrades and traffic alerts around Philips Arena. Users of the new app will also be able to view team highlights and stats, follow the club’s social media channels and compete for chances to win prizes via the app’s “Hawks High Flyers” contest for each Hawks game.
“Connecting with our fans is extremely important and our new app and keyboard will allow us to build an innovative bridge to reach tech-savvy Hawks supporters, giving them around-the-clock access to team-related information at their fingertips,” said Hawks CEO Steve Koonin. “The custom emoji keyboard will change the way our fans communicate, enhancing text conversations by enabling users to speak the language of the Hawks.”
The downloadable custom keyboard, developed by Snaps, includes Hawks-themed emojis ranging from electronically-generated images of player logos and gear, to distinguishing features of players and Harry the Hawk. In addition to the exclusive Hawks emojis, the keyboard gives users the ability to send animated GIF files to friends through text messages. Snaps, the creator of a unique content management system for messaging, is the first end-to-end platform for brand marketing across messaging applications and devices.
“A major way that my generation communicates and expresses itself is through emojis. This keyboard will add some fun, new options to my text game. I love it,” said Mike Scott, Hawks forward and emoji expert.
The “Hawks High Flyers” contest is a game-by-game competition through the app requiring fans to predict which players will lead the team in specific statistical categories. Throughout the season, prizes will be awarded to fans who accurately predict team leaders. Other prominent app features include: an interactive amenities map, giving fans locations and descriptions of food and beverage options in Philips Arena; and traffic alerts, providing information and navigation assistance to fans traveling to the arena.
The official team app is compatible with the new Apple Watch, as well as other Apple and Android mobile devices, and is available for download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.