Sydney digital creative agency SLIK has been appointed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, to develop a new global fan engagement platform.
SLIK was selected by the Las Vegas-based UFC following a competitive four-way pitch against U.S. digital agencies.
The agency, which was founded by Cooper LaPlanche and Kyle Bennett in 2012, currently counts Qantas, Suncorp, Nine and Afterpay as clients.
“Stepping into the Octagon and onto the international stage to work with UFC is a huge thrill," Bennett says.
"What’s even more satisfying is that as an independent Australian digital creative agency, with a team of 25, we took on larger competition in the US and won.”
UFC is a premium global sports brand, media content company and the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world.
SLIK will build a fan engagement platform titled 'UFC Staredown' where fans will go head to head against their favourite UFC fighters in a digital environment.
The platform will include cutting-edge facial recognition and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create a unique, personalised experience where the fan must stare down the fighter in a face to face psych out.
If the fan can match the fighter’s intensity, they will receive a high score and bragging rights.
Experienced creative Simon Jarosz, who worked on the pitch and travelled to Las Vegas to help secure the business, has also been appointed by the independent Redfern based agency as its first executive creative director.
“We've been focused on bolstering our creative team with world-class talent and leadership and Simon's background as a digital creative, plus his experience and understanding of how digital can deliver real results for our clients’ business needs, make him the perfect fit for SLIK," LaPlance says.
Jarosz is an award winning creative with more than 20 years’ experience working in advertising and design.
A former head of AWARD School, he joins SLIK after more than three years as national creative director at Mediacom.
He has also worked at JWT, M&C Saatchi, The Monkeys and was digital creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi.
“It's an exciting time for our industry as we continue to see digital being the larger investment for businesses and, more than ever, the need for creative to be more deeply involved in successful client partnerships," Jarosz says.
"I'm delighted to join a culture that's always had this philosophy as its core belief, and to be part of the continuing growth and success of this awesome agency.”
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