Sky Sports has launched a unique out-of-home (OOH) campaign in London to celebrate the arrival of its brand-new dedicated tennis channel, Sky Sports Tennis.
The campaign, designed by the in-house agency Sky Creative, utilizes 3D installations to capture the attention of the public and convey the excitement of live tennis.
“We wanted to put something impactful out there for the public to enjoy for real,” Rob Welch, creative director at Sky Creative, said.
A 3D billboard structure located at Vinegar Yard features a giant tennis ball stuck to an equally huge metal fence, reminiscent of a childhood memory familiar to many tennis enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, Pump Station in Westfield London showcases a 2D cut-out of a tennis ball tube, complete with a 3D ball and lid.
Designed for interactivity, the installation invites viewers to engage with the 3D elements, solidifying the association between tennis balls and the sport.
The campaign is celebrating the official launch of Sky Sports Tennis on February 11, which offers fans unrivaled access to the sport and promises over 4,000 matches from 80+ tournaments annually, including full US Open coverage.
“We're proud to be the undisputed home of live sport for fans in the UK and Ireland, and this new channel will add value for our customers, enabling them to enjoy even more of the sports they love,” Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht said in a press release.
As part of the campaign, a video was posted on YouTube showing sports commentators and analysts, including Jamie Carragher, Nasser Hussain, and Naomi Schiff, being pranked as they are suddenly bombarded by tennis balls.
“The channel is innovative, bold, and fresh, and I think we’ve served up a campaign that delivers on those attributes,” Dave Stratton, Sky Sports director of marketing, stated.
Sky Sports Tennis is available to Sky Sports subscribers with Complete, Action and Arena packages.
Viewers can enjoy multiple live court streams simultaneously through the Sky Sports mobile app, TV app, red button, and NOW Bonus Streams.
Expert analysis by former top players Tim Henman and Laura Robson, alongside presentation by Gigi Salmon and commentary by Jonathan Overend, further enhance the viewing experience.