Fantapper Supercharges Celebrity and Sports Content with Interactive Apps

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Fantapper (www.fantapper.com), is a free download that brings everything fans want to know about their favorite celebrities directly to them on the websites they already visit. Fantapper, from Brand Affinity Technologies (www.brandaffinity.net), was developed based on fast-growing consumer interest in connecting with celebrities online. Fantapper brings interactive apps to online images and text of celebrities.  The apps give people always-on access to celebrity and athlete news, YouTube videos, Twitter and Facebook feeds and more.  Fantapper can be downloaded for free at: www.fantapper.com.

New Survey Demonstrates How Online Media and Tools Spur "Faneraction"

As part of the Fantapper launch, BAT today unveiled the findings of a new survey of 1,000 nationally representative adult Americans about the changing nature of celebrity/fan interaction. Findings include:

• 61% of Americans (ages 18-44) agree that they "feel more connected" to their favorite celebrities or athletes because of online communication tools and media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and celebrity websites.
• When asked who they would like to receive a direct online communication from (such as an email, Facebook message or Twitter response), the most popular answers were: My favorite celebrity (31%) and President Barack Obama (20%); less popular responses include the Dalai Lama (7%) and Lady Gaga (4%).
• 55% of Americans who use Facebook or Twitter have some sort of connection with or access to someone famous via online sources.
• Only 3% have communicated with an athlete or celebrity via snail mail in the past year.

"We've entered a new era of 'faneraction,' where online social media and tools have made the relationship between fans and celebrities closer than ever," said Ryan Steelberg, President and CEO of BAT. "Fantapper takes 'faneraction' one step further by bringing celebrity information and engagement opportunities to people wherever they are, with no searching required."

Additional survey results are available at http://www.fantapper.com/celebrity-research/

Leading Pro Athletes Launch Custom Fantapper Apps

Several stars are launching custom Fantapper apps that provide an even deeper level of information and engagement for their fans, both online and on mobile devices. Stars with custom Fantapper apps include Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks, Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers, and Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers. Over the coming weeks, these top athletes are participating in various promotions to drive Fantapper downloads, including Big Game tickets and memorabilia giveaways.

"Fantapper is a really exciting way for me to connect with my fans," said Drew Brees, Super-Bowl-winning quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. "I'm lucky to have so many loyal supporters, and have enjoyed engaging with them online: when we were considering names for our son, the Twitter community came through with great suggestions; fantasy coaches get my stats in real time; and recently, I added a video message to an anti-bullying campaign. Fantapper brings so many of these things together in one place, and being part of it is going to be great for all of us."

In addition to those with custom apps, other stars who have promoted Fantapper include Nick Cannon, Michael Ian Black, Khloe Kardashian, Nick Swisher, Audrina Patridge, Kimberly Cole, Terrell Owens, Mindy Kaling, Joel Stein, Baron Davis, and Kendra Wilkinson.

About Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc.  (BAT)

Founded in 2007, BAT (http://brandaffinity.net) unlocks the marketing power of celebrity through research, endorsements, and interactive experiences. BAT's research engine provides daily analysis of more than 45,000 celebrities and athletes. Advertisers use this analysis on BAT's Endorsement Platform to identify, license, and activate the most effective talent for their campaigns. Currently available endorsement talent includes more than 3,700 athletes and recording artists. BAT also leverages its research and technology engine to engage consumers directly through Fantapper (www.fantapper.com), which brings interactive apps to online images and text of celebrities across the web. Learn more about BAT in Fortune Magazine at www.fortune.com/bat. Connect with BAT and Fantapper on Facebook: at www.facebook.com/BrandAffinityTech and www.facebook.com/Fantapper and Twitter: @BATimpact.

SOURCE Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc.