IOC's Aditya Discusses Cricket's Olympic Role and AI's Influence on Fan Engagement
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Synopsis
At the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, IOC's Aditya Aditya spotlighted the crucial role of cricket in the Olympics and how AI can reshape the fan experience. He stressed the importance of storytelling and athlete narratives in building audience connections ahead of the Games.
Key Takeaways
- Cricket's inclusion in the Olympics could boost interest in other sports.
- India's vast audience presents major commercial opportunities.
- AI technology can personalize content for fans.
- Building athlete stories early is essential for engagement.
- Comprehensive storytelling is key to connecting with audiences.
Bengaluru, March 15 (NationPress) Aditya Aditya, Head of Media Business Strategy & Intelligence at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), emphasized the significance of integrating cricket into the Olympics and the transformative potential of AI in enhancing the spectator experience at the renowned event.
Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit focused on reimagining Olympic broadcast consumption for modern fans, Aditya discussed the crucial role of cricket's presence in the Games and its ability to foster greater enthusiasm for other sports.
“Cricket was a major focus for us. Our aim was clear: to ensure that cricket is part of the Olympics. We sought to connect with every fourth person globally residing in India and the subcontinent. Just picture cricket stars mingling with athletes in athletics and swimming or interacting with Neeraj Chopra. Those moments contribute significantly to storytelling,” he stated.
Elaborating on India’s role in the landscape of global sports media, he remarked, “India stands as a frontrunner in media consumption and digital advancements. With a staggering audience exceeding 1.4 billion, the potential is immense. We are enthusiastic about the commercial opportunities and how they can evolve into new avenues for our partners to engage.”
Regarding the influence of AI on enhancing fan engagement, Aditya shared insights on how technology could tailor content for viewers. “We could leverage AI to ensure that fans experience the commentary from a top commentator. In the Indian context, this could mean having a popular commentator or even a beloved Bollywood character voice-over,” he explained.
He further highlighted the necessity of crafting athlete narratives well ahead of the Olympics, stating, “We must initiate planning and promotion at least a year in advance to build stories about athletes. In the Indian context, if we had spotlighted Dipa Karmakar early on, it could have generated significant excitement prior to Rio 2016.”
Aditya underscored the need for a comprehensive storytelling strategy to connect audiences with athletes. “Our goal is to cultivate a local or Indian audience in any market. By familiarizing them with their athletes six months to a year ahead of time, we can break boundaries beyond sports. We want to explore films, TV shows, and digital creators to weave relevant narratives throughout the year.”
The second installment of the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, powered by Leaders, is currently taking place at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on March 14 and 15.
