When Gujarat Titans set out on its journey within the Indian Premier League in early 2022 after early hiccups, its administration group coined a mission assertion that was refreshingly totally different from these of company entities: ‘To be the most entertaining and engaging franchise in IPL.’
On the sphere, Hardik Pandya’s platoon is hoping to grow to be solely the third group to win back-to-back titles; off the sphere, the administration group is getting ready itself for its actual debut. The group performed amid crowd restrictions final yr because of the re-emergence of COVID-19, however this yr, there are not any such restrictions. On March 31, the group will for the primary time play an IPL recreation in entrance of its residence crowd. “The cricket team may have had a dream debut, but in real terms, this is going to be our first season. We want the fans to say that if you want to enjoy cricket and have a seamless experience at a stadium, come to Gujarat and watch the Gujarat Titans home games,” says (retd. Col.) Arvinder Singh, the chief working officer of Gujarat Titans. “And even if you are not able to watch a game live, across digital media — especially through Titans FAM (the official app) — you can interact with us in the team in real time.”
Arvinder oversaw operations on the Kings XI Punjab throughout its tumultuous early years and afterward on the Gujarat Lions for its two years within the IPL. But when he joined the Titans forward of least season, he knew that his problem was going to be larger.
When the IPL began, in 2008, social media, particularly in India, was missed as Twitter was in its nascent stage and Instagram and different ever-evolving engagement instruments for Gen Z have been but to be born. On the opposite hand, in 2022, when the Titans got here into existence, their main problem was to attempt — with the assistance of social media — to carve out their very own identification in a league the place eight distinguished golf equipment had established themselves as well-known manufacturers.
Out-of-the-box pondering
That’s why the Titans realised that they needed to be partaking. While most franchises limit themselves to responding to fan posts on social media and permitting followers to work together with gamers, the Titans went a step additional by working a contest for followers to be a part of the group bubble.
“Last year, we could not engage as much as we wanted to. Still, we ran a contest – ‘Fan in the bubble’ – last year itself. We had two winners. One of them was a girl from Pune, we made her go through a three-day quarantine after travelling to Mumbai. She spent a day in the team room, with the team, and watched the game with us from the bubble,” says Arvinder.
“And similarly, another winner from Kolkata was made to go through the same. And he joined us when we played the Qualifier at the Eden Gardens.”
The Titans needed to suppose out of the field to create their very own fan base.
Fan following: Fans of Gujarat Titans on the Wankhede Stadium get pleasure from a contest throughout IPL 2022. The membership’s high precedence is to succeed in out to Gujaratis, then Indians, after which the Gujarati diaspora abroad.
| Photo Credit: Sportzpics/IPL
After all, by becoming a member of the IPL in its fifteenth season, it needed to compete for house with franchises who had already developed a loyal fan-base. “We are always conscious that our top priority is Gujaratis, then Indians and then the global audience, including the Gujarati diaspora overseas. At the same time, we are also conscious that other fans are bound to be attracted to us due to the brand of cricket we play. There’s a whole set of audience that’s waiting to be attracted with the Titans fam,” Arvinder says.
According to Arvinder, the primary season noticed the Titans reaching their aims.
Mumbai featured of their high 5 fan-base cities – in addition to the 4 main cities in Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot). Of course, on-field outcomes helped. “Being champion has helped us tremendously. That’s where it has kicked up forward a couple of years.”
The first huge step in its endeavour has been the launch of Titans FAM, the official Gujarat Titans app. It goals to function a one-stop store for fan engagements and for any buy associated to the franchise, together with tickets and merchandise. “We shall respond in real-time through the App and the fans don’t have to wait and hope for a response on other social media platforms,” he says.
“Even for content – especially long-form content that we are going to present in a unique way this time around – the app is the main destination. Social media handles will be utilised for releasing its teasers.”
“Gujarat is our prime focus. We are very proud of having this iconic stadium (the Narendra Modi Stadium) as our home, and we have every intention to show that this will be the best venue for the fans to come and experience the manner in which the Titans will conduct these games. We are very conscious of our on-ground engagement in Ahmedabad and all over the State of Gujarat,” he says.
If Arvinder’s group walks the discuss and if Hardik’s Hurricanes proceed to wreak havoc, the Titans will have the ability to translate their mission assertion into actuality ahead of anticipated.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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