Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions Create State of the Art Website for Optimal Access to Information About “The Battle of East and West”
LOS ANGELES (April 23) – An exclusive web-based event site www.pacmanhitman.com has been created as the official online destination for Pacquiao vs. Hatton “The Battle of the East and West” mega-event slated for May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View, allowing fans behind-the-scenes, all-access and up-to-date reports as the fighters prepare to enter the ring.
The micro-site was created by Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions, the event’s promoters, to attract fans using new media methods that complement traditional avenues normally used to promote a world championship boxing event. Through exclusive videos, news updates and photos, including up to the minute reports and breaking news features that will continue through fight week, the site allows fans to take an in-depth look at the fighters including their backgrounds, personalities and preparations for the most important fight of their respective careers. In addition, online media efforts are in place to further mobilize fans on other sites they visit by presenting highly-engaging expandable advertisements that double as a micro version of pacmanhitman.com. This aggressive online campaign is a first for these top promotional companies as they make a conscious effort to reach the online consumer.
“We are extremely excited to add this dimension to our promotional efforts,” said Todd duBoef, President of Top Rank Inc, who has been at the helm of the company for over 10 years. “We know this gives fans an extra opportunity to become emotionally vested in the outcome of next Saturday’s fight while being a part of this worldwide event.”
In addition to being the official online hub for Pacquiao vs. Hatton updates and news, pacmanhitman.com also features contest opportunities for visitors to the site. Anyone who logs on can enter to win a pair of gloves signed by both Pacquiao and Hatton. Further, there are different variations of the site specifically designed for veterans and active duty personnel who are being driven from a major site-wide promotion on Military.com. For veterans, there is a “Jet-a-Vet” promotion, where a veteran will win a trip for two to the fight, attend the weigh-in and be a part of the presentation of the national anthem in the ring on fight night (www.pacmanhitman.com/vet). For active military members, there is a Twitter campaign that engages this particular audience to win an additional pair of autographed gloves.
“This marketing effort is unlike anything we have done for a fight,” said Bruce Binkow, Chief Marketing Officer of Golden Boy Promotions. “Through collective efforts presented on this site, we hope to reach an additional audience and turn them into fight fans who will want to watch Pacquiao and Hatton on May 2nd. The internet is a powerful tool, and we are very encouraged by the traffic we see already. We hope this effort gets as many people excited about our event as possible.”
Pacquiao vs. Hatton – “The Battle of East and West,” a 12-round bout for Hatton’s IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight titles, is promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. The championship bout, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, will be produced and distributed by HBO-Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
HBO Sports’ all-access reality series “PACQUIAO/HATTON 24/7” will premiere episode #3 in HD on Saturday, April 25 at 9:35 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Episodes #1 & 2 are available on HBO ON DEMAND.