Here’s how Hyundai Capital Skywalkers carried out un-tact communication with the fans.
Last month, the professional volleyball 2020-2021 V-League opened. It must have been a great news to the volleyball fans as the season opened a little later than usual due to COVID-19. This V-League men’s volleyball regular season will have 6 rounds with a total of 126 games. The next mid-March will be the post-season, and there will be a championship round from March 26th to April 4th. During the off season, as there had been a limit to communication with the fans due to COVID-19, many men’s volleyball teams had to seek out a new communication method. And among them, what Hyundai Capital Skywalkers did especially stood out. How did Hyundai Capital Skywalkers communicate with their fans in the un-tact era?
A Thrilling Game of Online Volleyball, V-League Online Summer Match
Last summer, Hyundai Capital, OK Savings Bank, and Korea Electric Power Corporation planned online matches to bring some heat to volleyball.
In August, Hyundai Capital Skywalkers met the fans via an online match. Manager Choi Tae-woong from Hyundai Capital, manager Seok Jin-wook from OK Savings Bank, and manager Jang Byeong-cheol from Korea Electric Power Corporation planned this surprise match for the volleyball fans. The three managers who went to the same elementary, middle, and high schools together thought of this to bring back the heat to volleyball as things had not been the same with COVID-19.
back the heat to volleyball as things had not been the same with COVID-19. The online summer match carried out for 3 days, with 3 games that were broadcast live through each team’s YouTube channel. Each team brought their best players and retired players for commentary, and their witty comments surely entertained the fans. On the first day the Hyundai Capital and OK Savings Bank match had over 1,000 people viewing real time while the full broadcasting video had over 10,000 views, much loved by the volleyball fans. Fans even carried out a real time chatting cheer. Managers notified the fans about how the players were doing via video interview, and there were also post-game interviews with the distinguished players just like the regular league.
Games were broadcast real time via YouTube live, and the fans cheer was also shown on the electronic display board.
This online match was planned for the development and popularity of the V-League. The press and fans both evaluated it to be a new way to enjoy professional volleyball in the post-COVID-19 era. Managers who planned the online match said that they would actively seek out any event that could help with development of volleyball in the future.
Surprise Meeting with the Players on the Top of Mt. Sobaeksan, an Online Fan Meeting
On the mountain training day, the players showed how they trained and also had a surprise fan meeting via YouTube.
Hyundai Capital already had an online meeting with the fans before the online match. In July, they held an online fan meeting on the top of Mt. Sobaeksan. This particular fan meeting was planned as the fans had wished to communicate with the players during the off season. Every year, during the off season, the team had always invited the fans to the Cheonan Castle of Skywalkers and had various events, but with social distancing this year many events were cancelled; hence the un-tact fan meeting.
The day they had the fan meeting was the mountain training day for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers. The players shared how they trained real time to the fans via YouTube LIVE. The fans said that they established a deeper trust for the team as they were able to see the players train without any editing. After making it to the top of the mountain, the players and fans asked and answered questions through the real time chat and had much fun communicating. The players promised the fans that they would do great in the upcoming KOVO CUP.
Watching the Players during Home Matches; Locker Room Online LIVE
On the opening game day, pre-match locker room scene was broadcast live via YouTube.
This season the V-League started with no spectators. Hyundai Capital Skywalkers carried out Locker Room Online LIVE, so that the fans could kick start the league together even if they couldn’t be at the stadium in person. Since the 16-17 season, there have been openings for home team locker rooms, which was the first for any professional volleyball team, as a service to the fans, but this time it was carried out online in consideration of social distancing. The opening game Locker Room Online LIVE took place for about 10 minutes, 70 minutes before the home match game, through the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers official YouTube channel. The players answered questions that were already submitted by the fans as well as questions on the real time live chat.
On the 3rd, when limited number of spectators were allowed in the stadium, an online live was also carried out before the home match. Many players said that they wanted to meet the fans in the stadium like they used to. The fans affectionately cheered them on the chat room, saying things like “you’re so cute,” “go team,” etc. The home match Locker Room Online LIVE will continue on. You will not miss the real time videos if you subscribe to Hyundai Capital Skywalkers official YouTube, so go ahead and set the alarm on.
▶ Hyundai Capital Skywalkers official YouTube subscription
For Skywalkers’ Victory, Hopeful Light
Hopeful Light is shone when there are nighttime home matches.
With the current level of social distancing, V-League allows limited number of people into the stadium. Hyundai Capital Skywalkers planned the ‘Hopeful Light’ event, which shoots bright light into the sky to cheer the people of Cheonan and the medical staff who are tired and distressed from COVID-19, and the fans who can’t be at the games, while also hoping for the day that we are rid of COVID-19. This light notifies people that a game is playing on the day of a nighttime home match. This was planned to encourage people to watch Hyundai Capital Skywalkers games offline as well as online.
‘Hopeful Light’ uses 36 led beam lights and shoots up to 1.5km above ground, for about 2~3 kms around the Yoo Gwan Soon Gymnasium. The 36 lights stand for the 36 games for the regular league. The team plans to carry out an un-tact photo and video competition event with the fans in relation to the Blue Light event.
There’s no doubt that the fans will have greater love for the team as Hyundai Capital Skywalkers continues to communicate with their fans despite the social distancing. This season, Hyundai Capital Skywalkers is seeking out changes in the team through rebuilding, such as trade. Skywalkers will do their best with every single game so that the fans and the team can share great joy at the very last game of the season. Please cheer on as they carry out their amazing endeavor until the last day of this season.
