The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced a collaboration with Israel-based artificial intelligence video company WSC Sports.
The partnership will aim to deliver AI-powered video content from across all major FIVB men’s and women’s events, having been trialled over the past six months at a series of competitions, including the Volleyball Nations League and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification events.
The technology will allow the FIVB to automatically create, customise and distribute video highlights from events to different geographical locations around the world, with AI used to identify the most relevant teams and clips for each individual market.
During the six-month trial period, the FIVB doubled its video audience on social media thanks to a strategy that delivered tailored content from the World Cup, Volleyball Nations League, Club World Championships, Challengers Cup and Olympic qualifications.
A report from global communications agency Burson Cohn & Wolfe last week revealed that the FIVB had attracted greater growth across its social platforms than any other international sports federation, partly driven by its targeted video content.
The FIVB has said that as well as distributing new content from events, it will work with WSC on analysing over 10 years’ worth of archived videos to continue to promote the sport and its member federations’ efforts to drive digital engagement within the sport.
FIVB secretary general Fernando Lima said: “The FIVB’s cooperation with WSC Sports reinforces the global impact of our events on digital and proves our commitment to showcasing the best of volleyball to our fans, thanks to innovative digital solutions. This partnership empowers the FIVB to deliver an unprecedented experience directly to fans wherever they are.”
Last year, WSC revealed that it had raised $23m in Series C funding, with major sports investment vehicles such as OG Tech Partners and HBSE Ventures contributing to the company’s growth.
It has previously announced similar partnerships with Japanese football’s top flight, the J.League, the LNB, the top division of Brazilian basketball, and the United Soccer League. WSC also worked with Amazon Prime last year on its Premier League coverage in the UK over the Christmas period, helping the internet broadcaster to deliver near-instant video highlights of games to users.