Miami, Fla., April 6, 2014 – SMT/IDS (SportsMEDIA Technology
/ Information and Display Systems), the official statistics and content
provider of the 2015 Miami Open, continues to build on its 30-year partnership
with the tournament with the debut of the Miami Open Social Media Wall, a
17-by-7-foot LED display wall that displayed real-time commentary, posts and
pictures from fans, players and celebrities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The tournament concluded April 5 at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Miami,
Florida.
The Social Media Wall showcased Miami Open social
conversations from fans around the world, offering exclusive insights such as
player Q&As, contests, and sneak peeks of special events and promotions,
such as the Tori Praver Fashion Show, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament
and Taste of the Open. Fans joined the conversation by using the tournament’s
official hashtag, #miamiopen. SMT/IDS aggregated, monitored and reviewed posts
for informative, relevant and exciting content.
SMT/IDS is a leading technology provider for tennis’
greatest tournaments, implementing groundbreaking statistical integration,
broadcast graphics and on-site video boards for stadiums and networks
worldwide.
In addition to the Miami Open Social Media Wall, SMT/IDS
provided the core technology for the tournament, including:
Content for the Closed Circuit TV system
Match Information System
Video stats
Matches In Progress
Interview video
Superwall (stationed in the food court; featured live video
feeds and scoring information, beach volleyball matches and fashion show
footage)
Fast Serve Cage (measures fans serve speeds in the Fan Zone
area)
West Side Display (the site for fashion shows and beach
volley matches; displayed the same content as the Superwall)
On-court LED color scoreboards
On-court Serve Speed displays
“As the Miami Open grows, we continue to look for new and
engaging experiences for our fans both on site and around the world, and the
new Social Media Wall and Fast Serve Cage are part of that evolution,” said
Adam Barrett, Miami Open Tournament Director. “Technology such as timing and
scoring, scheduling and statistics systems, and video walls, allow fans,
whether on-site or at home, to become active participants in the Miami Open
experience.”
This year, SMT/IDS
marks 30 years since introducing the first electronic scoreboard in tennis, one
of the first major technological advances in the sport. The system, developed
by SMT/IDS, was first used on Feb. 4, 1985, at the then-named Lipton
International Players Championships at Laver’s International Tennis Resort in Delray
Beach, 50 miles north of Miami. The Lipton eventually became the Miami Open and
relocated to Miami in 1987.
“It’s been an honor
to support the Miami Open these past 30 years,” said Rallis Pappas,
president of SMT/IDS. “We’ve continued to automate and innovate as the
tournament has expanded, introducing wireless technology such as stats systems,
scannable chair ump scorecards, kiosks, and towers as a way to increase
excitement and interest for tennis fans around the world.”
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú:
The 2015 Miami Open will be played March 23-April 5 at the
Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and
operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events
on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and
features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament
is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because
of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and
restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For
ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About SMT/IDS:
SMT and SMT/IDS are the leading innovators in real-time data
delivery and graphics solutions for the sports and entertainment industries,
providing clients with scoring, statistics, virtual insertion and messaging for
broadcasts and live events. SMT/IDS’ solutions have been used at the world’s
most prestigious live events, including the Super Bowl and NBC Sunday Night
Football, all major pro golf and tennis events, the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA
Tournament, ESPN X Games, NBA on TNT, NASCAR events and NHL games. SMT/IDS’
clients include major broadcasters as well as regional and specialty networks,
organizing bodies, event operators, sponsors and teams. For more information,
visit smt.com.