CrowdOptic Announces World's First Focus-Based Services for Mobile Phones at Live Events; Appoints Former 49er Chief Operating Officer

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CrowdOptic, a maker of crowd-powered mobile solutions for the enterprise, today announced it has invented new mobile technology which tracks where fans in the crowd are aiming their mobile phones and can be used by event organizers to enhance the live event experience for attendees, as well as to "hyper-target" advertising, broadcasting and security at live events.

The company simultaneously announced the appointment of Jim Kovach, former San Francisco 49er All-SEC Linebacker, as its Chief Operating Officer.  In addition to his former professional football career, Kovach is also a medical doctor and further earned his J.D. from Stanford University.  "Jim is a key addition who will lead our company's efforts to revolutionize the live sports mobile experience with our technology," said CrowdOptic Chief Executive Officer Jon Fisher.

CrowdOptic coined the term "Focus-Based" Services to describe its breakthrough mobile technology  which represents the next major leap forward after the predecessor, Location-Based Services, failed to make a mark on consumers and fans. "Location may matter on the football field, but when it comes to mobility in a live sporting environment, what matters is understanding the crowd's focus: what brought them here to the event in the first place, their interests, and yes, who they're rooting for.  This is what fans really share in common," said Kovach.   Powered by its analytics platform, CrowdOptic tracks crowd focus by collecting real-time data on where individuals are pointing their mobile phones.  This technology allows sponsors, advertisers and event organizers to monitor shifts in crowd attention and use this information either to silently improve operations behind the scenes, or to roll out hyper-targeted Focus-Based Services.  With Focus-Based Services, fans sitting elbow-to-elbow in a stadium might at the same moment receive completely different ads, broadcasts and offers on their mobile phones.

In October 2011, CrowdOptic received Frost and Sullivan's 2011 Annual New Product Innovation Award for breakthrough live-event technology that monitors crowds and displays information in real time on fans' smartphones. CrowdOptic debuted in sports entertainment at the Bank of the West Classic in July 2011 and is currently being deployed in a variety of sports and entertainment venues. 

About CrowdOptic

CrowdOptic is a hyper-targeted enterprise mobile analytics, advertising and communication platform for live events. A next evolution of location-based services, our technology allows the enterprise to monitor the crowd's focus in real time. CrowdOptic technology can sense which attractions and athletes crowds are watching and photographing with their mobile phones, enabling a whole new generation of "Focus-Based" Services that supplies unprecedented data on fans' engagement, as well as time and location. Venues, advertisers and sponsors can respond in real-time to shifts in crowd momentum, enhance in-venue security and deliver hyper-targeted mobile media.  CrowdOptic is a privately-held, venture-backed company based in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.crowdoptic.com.

SOURCE CrowdOptic