Userplane, the social software provider for online communities and one of the largest global social media ad networks, announced that its social networking apps are powering both official and fan-driven social media sites for some of the nation’s biggest professional sports teams.Â
Sites dedicated to sports team and its fans such as www.49ersfaithful.net and www.weareredsoxnation.com, use Userplane Webchat with Minichat and  Webmessenger, enabling fans to connect, complain or pontificate about their favorite teams without leaving the comfort of home.
The Washington Redskins site is the team’s official web home, largely dedicated to content.  By embedding Userplane’s Minichat application within articles at the site, users can see and participate in live chat among readers as they view those articles. “Enabling the Redskins’ fiercely loyal fan base to interact with one another has proved to be a true enhancement for our online community. Live chats are encouraged around up-to-date topics and news about the Redskins, which helps engage our members further,†said Shripal Shah, Vice President of Marketing Strategy for the Washington Redskins.
By contrast, a fan site dedicated to Boston’s MLB team is part of a larger social networking community called WeAre.us, and offers chat rooms using Userplane Webchat and instant messaging powered by Userplane Webmessenger.  A popular website for San Francisco football fans www.49ersfaithful.net, powered by KickApps, offers Webchat during live games.
Originally posted on September 28, 2008 @ 7:23 pm