At the Rink: Anaheim Ducks Catch Attention of Fans Through The Flying V Experience, Reverse Retro Content

At the Rink: Anaheim Ducks Catch Attention of Fans Through The Flying V Experience, Reverse Retro Content Fans have recently returned to Honda Center on April 16 By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor

Friday, April 23, 2021 - 12:37 pm

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The National Hockey League was the last of the four major U.S. sports leagues to host a non-bubble regular season. As fans gradually make their return to the seats, how is that affecting in-venue productions and digital content? Similar to At the Ballpark, On the Gridiron, and On the Hardwood, At the Rink looks at the operations of NHL organizations to see how they are coping with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and adapting to a sense of normalcy.

After a full year of stoppages, Southern California is bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Disneyland will open its doors on April 30, the Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a hot start at 14-5, and the Anaheim Ducks have recently welcomed back fans on April 16. For the third of that trio, the franchise's production staff has combined their efforts on multiple fronts, including a nostalgic approach to their in-venue and social content as well as a second-screen show dubbed The Flying V Experience.

One of the things that we've added was a second screen experience through our social media channels, so we're able to engage with our fans, says Rich Cooley, director, production and entertainment, Anaheim Ducks. Even though we have [in-venue] fans, The Flying V will continue for the remaining three games.

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An Empty Nest: In-Venue Plan Includes Indoor Pregame Show, 80s Video Games on Videoboard Inside the control room at Honda Center.

The local fanbase of the Ducks have a lot of love for the team, but this season, the organization has had to carry on without them for most of the 2021 regular season schedule. With tons of space to work with inside of the Honda Center, the crew has gotten creative with the concourse and upper levels of the arena. For the team's regional sports network, Bally Sports SoCal, the linear pregame show is being hosted inside of the venue.

We've become an extension of the broadcast, so we're catering to what they need for interviews and making sure that their show is up and running, says Cooley. We usually have our pregame show outside where the fans can attend, but we decided to move it inside to the concourse.

Before the return of live fans, the videoboard show has entertained a small number of spectators in the building. Rather than leaving the LED displays with static imaging and ordinary prompts, the staff is having a lot of fun with a wide range of material. Some is contemporary while a majority is a throwback to 40 years ago.

We've basically been entertaining ourselves, he adds. Davin Maske, our entertainment manager, has been running a loop of old clips from 80s video games like Pac-Man and Asteroids.

A Place to Hang Out: The Flying V Experience Takes Over Second Screens at Home A shot of a camera at a Ducks game.

Along with their in-venue duties, the Ducks have been busy churning out another virtual endeavor for the previous 46 games. The Flying V Experience powered by COX, a second-screen experience that is being produced for all home and away contests, was the only connection that fans had to the team at Honda Center and is continuing to entertain those that can't make it through the turnstiles.

Accessible through a mobile device or laptop, supporters can chat with each other in real time, have the chance to meet notable alumni, earn points to win prizes, and listen to live DJ sets. Fans can join the platform 20 minutes before puck drop, and like most second-screens, this will continue to be a companion tool to the linear broadcast.

DJ JoJo has been terrific with running this thing all year long, says Cooley. He's located in an area where we have a little flexibility to have some fun. It's been one of those elements that has been different than we've ever done before.

The Disney Connection: Reverse Retro Jerseys Generate Nostalgic Content on Social During the franchise's early years, the then-Mighty Ducks were entrenched in the decade's fashion and aesthetic. More than 25 years later, the organization is hopping in their time machine and tapping into the vibes of the 1990s with their Reverse Retro jerseys. During games where they're donning this sweater, including its debut during Breakout Night against the Colorado Avalanche on March 16, digital content is being built for their social media channels. These posts include videos of legends like Paul Kariya and Teemu Sel nne in the uniform and fan-submitted pictures of when they were younger.

We've been pulling out some old highlights of players who have worn the jersey, says Cooley. For example,

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