Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 08 | Page 18

NEWS Digital innovation helps to reach new Tour De France audience A maury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), the organiser of the Tour de France, has partnered with Dimension Data since 2015 to help engage a new generation of young fans. Aged between 18 and 35, they now make up 73% of the Tour de France’s 6.5 million-strong social media audience. As the official technology partner of the Tour de France, Dimension Data has consistently innovated to transform the viewing experience of the world’s biggest cycling event through the use of technology and innovative videos and data storytelling and this year will be no different. Through this innovative partnership, A.S.O. has already seen impressive results across all its digital platforms. Visits to the website have increased by 15% year-on-year and Tour de France online video views have risen from six million in 2014 to 71 million in 2017. This reflects the growing trend of younger audiences favouring digital content over traditional broadcast, providing a more immersive experience of the iconic race. Scott Gibson, Executive for Digital Business Solutions for Dimension Data, added: “The Tour de France is a complex event. It is not based in a stadium, so the logistical challenges involved are significant. That’s what makes achieving this outcome for the ASO so challenging, but also exciting. Our mobile data centre and predictive analytics platform, combined with an incredibly passionate team, is really the driving force behind the innovation that we bring to the Tour every year. Often in the middle of nowhere, dealing with adverse weather conditions, we are proud to be able to produce instant and accurate real-time analytics and content that helps fans to better understand, follow and enjoy the race.” ////////////////// UPS makes largest-ever investment in France with advanced tech hub U PS officially opened a new 30,000-square-metre advanced technology package sorting and delivery hub outside Paris in Corbeil-Essonnes/Évry. the global trade arena. We are especially grateful for the business-minded support from the government partners who share our growth-oriented view of France’s role in international trade.” The new Paris Hub facility, which employs nearly 1,000 people, facilitates cross-border trade and enhances package delivery service in the Île-de-France area. The building is equipped with advanced technology, automated sorting equipment and has the potential to sort up to 37,000 packages per hour, which is more than twice the capacity of the two facilities in Chilly- Mazarin and Savigny that it replaces. “This US$100 million advanced technology facility spans four football fields and is the single biggest investment UPS has ever made in France,” said Nando Cesarone, President of UPS International. “With modernisation and growth initiatives like this new Paris Hub, UPS is helping businesses in Europe – small and large – connect with customers faster and with greater efficiency. Placed at a strategic point in Europe, the building is as modern as it is efficient. UPS’s enhancements to its 18 INTELLIGENTCIO The new US$100 million facility is a part of the company’s multi-year, US$2 billion European investment plan, which aims to modernise and expand the UPS network across the continent. European network combined with leading technology help us plug France into Better connecting France to UPS’s enhanced European network offers customers in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Indian Sub- continent, Middle East and Africa attractive access to European markets. www.intelligentcio.com