As the official gaming partner of the French Football Federation, Xbox inaugurates its second year of partnership with the launch of the XBOX FC program, aimed at amateur footballers and their infrastructures.
Xbox, official gaming partner of the French Football Federation, inaugurates its second year of partnership with the launch of the XBOX FC program for amateur soccer. Accompanied by its ambassadors Sakina Karchaoui and Pierre-Alexis Bizot (aka Domingo), Xbox France offers amateur clubs the chance to renovate their infrastructures: changing rooms, clubhouses, etc.
David Lessert, Partnership Activations Director (Hopscotch Sport) explains the genesis of the project:
At the root of this strategy is Xbox's desire to go out and meet sports fans and bring their dreams to life (editor's note: Xbox's claim is "Power Your Dreams"). Following the formalization of its partnership with the FFF, the brand asked us to activate this advertising commitment with real-impact actions. The first step was the organization of Xbox Day at the end of May, a day dedicated to inclusion and diversity, held at Clairefontaine, with 8 amateur clubs invited. The launch of Xbox FC is the 2nd step in this strategy, enabling the brand to reinforce the FFF's support for amateur soccer, while reaching out to players in the regions. We chose to focus on the theme of infrastructure to leave a lasting impression that will last the test of time. What's more, getting involved in the places where people come together allows the brand to be associated with the off-field moments where friendships and complicities are created. The common thread running through this strategy is Xbox's desire to promote the accessibility of "games" for the disabled, in the broadest sense of the term, whether video games or sports.
Logically, the Miramas clubs' infrastructures were renovated as a preview. Sakina Karchaoui's hometown, the ambassador's first training sessions and victories took place there before she was transferred to Montpellier HSC.
This first stage also enabled the brand and its agency to test the program's implementation and cost.
Supported by the FFF and the District, we were warmly welcomed by the clubs and the municipality. We concentrated on the small-scale work, relying on local craftsmen.
On November 24, 2022, the FFF and Xbox opened the registration form, collecting a thousand applications in 6 weeks, right in the middle of the World Cup period.
We deliberately asked for motivated applications on the form, in order to filter the entries. After studying the applications, we pre-selected 10 clubs per league, i.e. 130 clubs, before drawing lots to decide between them.
13 clubs were drawn at random, each representing one of the 13 leagues in mainland France, thus ensuring fair national representation. These clubs were invited to share a summary video of their application (presentation of the club and its impact in its territory, presentation of its infrastructures and needs, etc.).
The videos were examined by a jury made up of Xbox employees, FFF representatives and the program's 2 ambassadors, to select the 6 winning clubs of the 1st season.
The selected clubs were announced during a live broadcast on Xbox France's Twitch channel on Thursday April 13, in the presence of the various members of the jury.
The next step is to meet the winning clubs and create content around the operation thanks to ambassadors and presenter Nanix. In particular, we're planning before-and-after reportage formats. Our ambition is to complete the work before the start of the new season, so see you at the end of August!
Xbox, official gaming partner of the French Football Federation, inaugurates its second year of partnership with the launch of the XBOX FC program for amateur soccer. Accompanied by its ambassadors Sakina Karchaoui and Pierre-Alexis Bizot (aka Domingo), Xbox France offers amateur clubs the chance to renovate their infrastructures: changing rooms, clubhouses, etc.
David Lessert, Partnership Activations Director (Hopscotch Sport) explains the genesis of the project:
At the root of this strategy is Xbox's desire to go out and meet sports fans and bring their dreams to life (editor's note: Xbox's claim is "Power Your Dreams"). Following the formalization of its partnership with the FFF, the brand asked us to activate this advertising commitment with real-impact actions. The first step was the organization of Xbox Day at the end of May, a day dedicated to inclusion and diversity, held at Clairefontaine, with 8 amateur clubs invited. The launch of Xbox FC is the 2nd step in this strategy, enabling the brand to reinforce the FFF's support for amateur soccer, while reaching out to players in the regions. We chose to focus on the theme of infrastructure to leave a lasting impression that will last the test of time. What's more, getting involved in the places where people come together allows the brand to be associated with the off-field moments where friendships and complicities are created. The common thread running through this strategy is Xbox's desire to promote the accessibility of "games" for the disabled, in the broadest sense of the term, whether video games or sports.
Logically, the Miramas clubs' infrastructures were renovated as a preview. Sakina Karchaoui's hometown, the ambassador's first training sessions and victories took place there before she was transferred to Montpellier HSC.
This first stage also enabled the brand and its agency to test the program's implementation and cost.
Supported by the FFF and the District, we were warmly welcomed by the clubs and the municipality. We concentrated on the small-scale work, relying on local craftsmen.
On November 24, 2022, the FFF and Xbox opened the registration form, collecting a thousand applications in 6 weeks, right in the middle of the World Cup period.
We deliberately asked for motivated applications on the form, in order to filter the entries. After studying the applications, we pre-selected 10 clubs per league, i.e. 130 clubs, before drawing lots to decide between them.
13 clubs were drawn at random, each representing one of the 13 leagues in mainland France, thus ensuring fair national representation. These clubs were invited to share a summary video of their application (presentation of the club and its impact in its territory, presentation of its infrastructures and needs, etc.).
The videos were examined by a jury made up of Xbox employees, FFF representatives and the program's 2 ambassadors, to select the 6 winning clubs of the 1st season.
The selected clubs were announced during a live broadcast on Xbox France's Twitch channel on Thursday April 13, in the presence of the various members of the jury.
The next step is to meet the winning clubs and create content around the operation thanks to ambassadors and presenter Nanix. In particular, we're planning before-and-after reportage formats. Our ambition is to complete the work before the start of the new season, so see you at the end of August!
