IBM Make The Team

Objective

IBM partnered with Wimbledon to educate tennis fans about the critical role of data capture in modern professional tennis. The campaign aimed to showcase the work of IBM's data capture team—over 50 trained tennis experts who record match data to generate 1,000+ graphics for broadcast partners annually. By making the role accessible and engaging, IBM humanized backend operations and reinforced its technological partnership with the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Solution

Make The Team was a dual-screen browser game with a unique mobile-as-controller mechanic. Players used a mobile device to control a desktop screen showing video footage of actual Wimbledon match points. The game challenged players to replicate the work of IBM's data capturers by logging match data in real time—recording forehand shots, backhands, aces, faults, lets, shot types, and ball placement. The game featured four levels; one was accessible to all visitors, while the remaining three unlocked after Facebook login. Scores were tracked on a leaderboard, with Centre Court tickets at Wimbledon 2016 offered as prizes.

Results

Not published.