The Future of Fan Engagement: VRTL’s Virtual Experience Revolution
Let’s talk about Courtney Jeffries: a sports executive turned tech entrepreneur who’s making waves with her new startup, VRTL. You may ask yourself, “Who is she?” Well, she’s the kind of person who looked at the sports world and thought, “How can I make watching a bunch of millionaires kick a ball even more exciting?” And bless her for it!
After 20 years of working with some of the biggest names in sports, from the Oakland Raiders to the New York Rangers, Courtney got a little bored. You know, typical sports exec stuff: fan retention data, marketing strategies, *yawn*. But then she realized, “Wait a minute, most fans are not *in* the stadium, are they?” I mean, thank you, Captain Obvious! It’s astonishing how often companies overlook the millions of fans who can’t shove popcorn down their gullets while watching from home.
So, in 2022, amidst a flurry of ‘what ifs’ and early mornings fueled by caffeine, she launched VRTL. It’s not just another livestream service—it’s a one-stop-shop for engaging fans digitally! Think of it like a virtual amusement park for sports enthusiasts, minus the overpriced pretzels and sticky floors.
Courtney claims VRTL is a “versatile platform” that fuses livestream, video chat, and an array of fan engagement experiences. And let’s be honest, if you can sign a virtual autograph in a .gif format for a fan, you’re doing something right. Remember the last time a celebrity threw their pen at you? Exactly.
Now, you might be wondering, “Why not just use Zoom?” Well, darling, Zoom’s about as exciting as a wet sock at a family reunion. According to Jeffries, “Zoom is optimized for office work. It isn’t optimized for fans.” Well, there you have it, folks. We can’t have sports fans getting excited over the latest quarterly report now, can we?
Speaking of excitement, let’s talk results: VRTL claims that when organizations have hosted pilot events, they’ve seen a whopping 60% conversion rate to paying customers! That’s higher than my chances on a first date (and let’s face it, those are mostly abysmal).
Big Names, Bigger Experiences
Take the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, for example. They’ve stepped up their game by using VRTL for exclusive meet-and-greets between season ticket holders and former players. Imagine having a birthday party with players who are regaling you with war stories—and singing “Happy Birthday.” Who wouldn’t want that? It’s like a sports fan’s version of a Netflix special, just with more sweat and less existential dread.
And it doesn’t stop there. VRTL has snagged some serious heavyweights as clients, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Twins, and even ESPN. The Jaguars utilized the platform to build a fanbase in London because, apparently, Brits need American football just as much as we need 50 flavors of coffee.
Challenging the Old Guard
Jeffries acknowledges that introducing new ideas in a sport that’s been following the same playbook for decades is no small feat. But she’s got optimism—in fact, she’s practically bubbling over with it! Remember when Twitter first launched, and everyone thought it’d be a phase? Look at how that turned out! If it could overcome criticism resembling that of someone trying pineapple on pizza, so can VRTL.
In her charmingly cheeky style, Jeffries sums it up perfectly: “When I worked for the Raiders, I was there the day that Twitter launched. Everyone was like, ‘What the hell, no one’s going to communicate in 140 characters.’ Now, it’s unheard of for a team or league to launch without a social media manager.”
Conclusion: A Win for Fans and Teams Alike
So, what does this all mean? It means VRTL is leading the charge in remote fan engagement, ready to change how we interact with sports forever. If Courtney’s vision takes off, it might not be long before we’re all attending virtual meet-and-greets from the comfort of our own couches, perhaps clad in pajamas, remote in hand—because why not? Right now, it’s all about keeping our fans loyal and happy, and if you ask me, that sounds like a game worth playing.
Now, if only they could offer nachos through the screen…
VRTL founder Courtney Jeffries describes herself as a “recovering sports executive” who pivoted from a traditional career to entrepreneurial ambitions.
“That was my entire career before I threw it away to chase down my startup dreams,” Jeffries disclosed during her insightful conversation with TechCrunch.
After a stellar collegiate softball career at the University of Washington, Jeffries dedicated nearly two decades to marketing and sales roles for prominent franchises such as the Oakland Raiders and the New York Rangers. While overseeing fan retention initiatives at Madison Square Garden, she spotted a significant gap in the market.
“My whole job was to focus on extracting the lifetime value out of the fans, but quite obviously, there’s an over indexing of attention on fans in the building,” she explained. “The majority of fans are outside of an arena […] and there’s no platform, no way to scale in-person experiences that we know will trigger their loyalty.” This keen observation sparked her entrepreneurial journey.
In 2022, driven by her insights, Jeffries founded VRTL, an innovative enterprise platform catering to entertainment companies—ranging from sports franchises to music labels—aimed at enhancing virtual fan experiences.
“It’s a very versatile platform that combines livestream, video chat, and then our proprietary suite of fan engagement experiences to drive those loyalties,” she elaborated on the unique offerings of VRTL.
Unlike conventional video chat or livestream services, VRTL stands out by providing clients with invaluable data and exclusive fan engagement tools that enhance customer interaction.
One standout feature enables celebrities to virtually sign autographs for their fans—imagine a soccer star autographing a .gif from a memorable play, each personalized for individual fans. Additionally, the platform significantly reduces costs associated with organizing virtual meet and greets compared to traditional in-person events, which often involve venue rentals, security, and staffing challenges.
“Why can’t we just do this on a Zoom?” Jeffries questioned. “Sure, you can, but Zoom is optimized for office work. It isn’t optimized for fans.”
She proudly shared that organizations hosting pilot events on VRTL have seen an impressive 60% conversion rate to paying customers.
Among its clientele, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons leverage VRTL to facilitate meet-and-greet events for season ticket holders with former players, creating memorable experiences for devoted fans.
“They’ve created this monthly experience where fans celebrating their birthdays can engage with former players for about 25 minutes, sharing stories, and signing autographs,” Jeffries recounted. “Sometimes they even sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ an incredible moment for fans that they truly cherish.”
VRTL operates on an annual contract model with tiered pricing, allowing clients unlimited access to the platform and the flexibility to introduce sponsors to their events, expanding commercial opportunities.
Beyond the Falcons, VRTL boasts an impressive roster of clients, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Twins, ESPN, and Atlanta United FC. For the Jaguars, VRTL has been instrumental in building a dedicated fanbase in London, coinciding with the team’s recent games there.
As traditional entertainment and sports industries often rely on age-old practices, innovative concepts like remote fan engagement face hurdles in gaining traction. However, Jeffries remains undaunted and draws confidence from her past experiences.
“When I worked for the Raiders, I was there the day that Twitter launched. Everyone was like, ‘What the hell, no one’s going to communicate in 140 characters,’” she reflected. “It is now unheard of for a team or league to launch without a social media manager… within my career lifetime, this has happened.”
**Interview with Courtney Jeffries: Founder of VRTL**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Courtney. You’ve had a remarkable journey from sports executive to the founder of VRTL. Can you tell us what prompted you to make this shift?
**Courtney Jeffries:** Absolutely, and thanks for having me! After nearly twenty years in sports marketing and sales, I noticed a huge gap in fan engagement. While I worked with fantastic teams like the Oakland Raiders and New York Rangers, it became clear that most fans aren’t in the stadium. That realization sparked my desire to create a platform that truly connects with those fans outside the arena.
**Editor:** That’s fascinating! Can you elaborate on what VRTL actually offers and how it differentiates itself from other platforms like Zoom?
**Courtney Jeffries:** Sure! VRTL is designed specifically for fan engagement. While Zoom is great for meetings, it’s not tailored for the unique interaction that fans crave. My vision with VRTL was to combine livestreaming and video chats with interactive experiences. We even offer features like virtual autographs—imagine getting a personalized .gif with your favorite athlete’s autograph! It’s all about creating memorable experiences and data-driven engagement.
**Editor:** That’s quite innovative! I’ve heard that your platform has achieved impressive conversion rates during pilot events. Can you share some of the results?
**Courtney Jeffries:** Yes, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Organizations that have hosted events on VRTL saw about a 60% conversion rate to paying customers. That’s a significant jump compared to typical marketing metrics in the sports sector, which makes me very optimistic about the potential of our platform.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’re shaking up the industry! What has the reception been like from traditional sports teams and leagues?
**Courtney Jeffries:** It’s definitely a challenge! Introducing new technologies into a space that has relied on the same playbook for decades is no easy task. However, just like when Twitter first launched, there’s a growing recognition that digital engagement is the future. Teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have already embraced VRTL for unique fan experiences, proving that change can happen!
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned that fans can engage with former players and even attend virtual birthday parties with athletes. What’s next for VRTL in terms of expanding these experiences?
**Courtney Jeffries:** We’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance user experiences and make interactions even more personal. I want to ensure that fans feel connected and valued, regardless of their physical location. Whether it’s exclusive content, virtual meet-and-greets, or gamified experiences, we’re just getting started.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Courtney! It seems like VRTL is leading the charge in revolutionizing fan engagement. Any final thoughts for fans and sports enthusiasts?
**Courtney Jeffries:** Just that I’m incredibly excited about the future! We’re on a mission to create unforgettable experiences for fans, whether they’re in their pajamas at home or out at a sports bar. I genuinely believe we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible in sports engagement, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves.
**Editor:** Thank you, Courtney. We look forward to seeing where VRTL goes next!
T engaging fans in innovative ways is essential for the future. Many teams see the potential in VRTL, especially when they recognize how much it can enhance fan loyalty and provide them with unique experiences.
**Editor:** It’s great to hear that teams are beginning to see the value. Can you give us an example of how a team has successfully utilized VRTL?
**Courtney Jeffries:** Certainly! The Atlanta Falcons have been using VRTL for exclusive meet-and-greet events. They’ve created an unforgettable experience for season ticket holders, where fans can engage with former players, hear their stories, and even celebrate birthdays together—all virtually. It’s experiences like these that are both unique and meaningful for fans, enhancing their loyalty and connection to the team.
**Editor:** That sounds like a dream come true for fans! Looking to the future, what’s your vision for VRTL and the broader fan engagement landscape?
**Courtney Jeffries:** My vision is to make VRTL the go-to platform for virtual fan engagement across all sports and entertainment. As technology continues to evolve, so will the opportunities for fan interaction. I believe that this is just the beginning, and soon, we’ll see more immersive and engaging experiences that allow fans to feel connected no matter where they are. Ultimately, it’s all about creating those unforgettable moments that keep fans loyal and excited.
**Editor:** Exciting times ahead, indeed! Thank you so much for joining us today, Courtney. Your insights into the future of fan engagement are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see where VRTL goes from here!
**Courtney Jeffries:** Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure to share VRTL’s journey and vision with you.