When United’s players step onto the pitch to face Everton tonight they will find themselves playing in front of the world’s biggest advertising boards.
While fans and pundits alike will be focussed on the game as David Moyes welcomes his former team, Everton, to Old Trafford, the advertising world will be checking out the new pitch-side electronic boards – described by the club as as a ‘world first’.
The new system, which surrounds three sides of the pitch, is intended to make club messages clearer, both in the stadium and around the world on TV.
The pitch-side digital platform will also be used to connect the fans to the club digitally, not only linking to social media activities, but also communicating key information.
In a press statement, Sir Bobby Charlton said: “This development is consistent with United’s history of a pride in being the first in the world, and the best at what we do.
“While I am continually amazed at just how far around the world the coverage of our games goes, the work that is done by the club to communicate with fans both at home and abroad using the latest technology has to be good for everyone involved.”
The new system has been specially positioned at pitch-side so that the view of fans inside the stadium will be unaffected, despite the panels being the largest in Europe.
The club says its crystal-clear quality will further develop the club’s strategy of single sponsor visibility, giving a premium and clean look whilst avoiding the need for jumbotrons or multiple displays within Old Trafford.
