Capitals Launch NHL’s First Social Rewards Program
Washington partners with Activ8Social to create #CapsPowerPlayARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals announced today the launch of a comprehensive social loyalty program that will reward fans for engaging with the team via social media and at the Verizon Center.
The free #CapsPowerPlay program is the first of its kind in the National Hockey League and offers Caps fans an opportunity to win exclusive team prizes and experiences through a variety of social actions including checking into games on Foursquare, using team hashtags on Twitter and Instagram and sharing Caps content on Facebook.
“The Capitals have one of the most loyal and engaged fan bases in professional sports and we are excited to offer this unique opportunity for them to compete and showcase their passion,” said Joe Dupriest, chief marketing officer of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “We are always seeking new ways to enhance the fan experience and reward fan loyalty and we think this is a great step forward.”
The #CapsPowerPlay rewards program was developed in partnership with Activ8Social using its proprietary FanScore platform that allows brands to identify, activate and reward their fans across social platforms.
“We’re very excited to have the Washington Capitals as a FanScore launch partner,” said Steve Cobb, partner and co-founder of Activ8Social, a creative digital agency that specializes in fan engagement and loyalty. “The Capitals have a reputation as being one of the more digitally savvy teams in professional sports and are always seeking innovative ways to give back and add value to their diehard fans. The #CapsPowerPlay rewards program is just another example of their willingness to find cool and unique ways to recognize and reward the best fans in the NHL.”
Caps fans can sign up for the rewards program by visiting WashingtonCaps.com/PowerPlay and connecting their Facebook or Twitter account. Fans have the ability to connect additional social media accounts for more opportunities to engage and earn points for prizes. Point-scoring actions across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Foursquare will be available at launch with additional actions being announced over the course of the season. Simply by signing up, fans will have the chance to win random giveaways that include Caps game tickets and merchandise.
Those fans who top the leaderboard each period will be entered to win exclusive team prizes. Monthly winners will receive two (2) Caps game tickets, a ride on the Olympia and an autographed stick, puck, or jersey. One lucky grand prize winner will receive the Ultimate Caps Fan Experience, which includes four (4) tickets in a catered suite to a Caps game, access to watch pregame warm-ups from the penalty box and an autographed jersey.
NATS: “Bill and Teddy’s Executive Adventure
Racing Presidents started with a racewalk to Olympic music and then Tom started to sprint at the corner and others followed. Tom won. Phillies v. Nationals, July 31, 2012. (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS RACING PRESIDENTS
HEAD WEST ON FIRST EVER ROAD TRIP TO MOUNT RUSHMOREFans can follow “Bill and Teddy’s Executive Adventure” throughout
Presidents Day weekendFor the first time ever, the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents – George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and the newest member, Bill – will celebrate Presidents Day from America’s definitive presidential landmark when they visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
To kick off the Bill-Teddy rivalry, the two Presidents will “race” from D.C. to Mount Rushmore beginning Friday, February 15 and join the other Racing Presidents at the monument on Presidents Day. Fans can cast their ballots for “Bill and Teddy’s Executive Adventure” on Twitter by using #VoteBill or #VoteTeddy to identify which of the two presidents they think should win. One randomly selected user of each hashtag will win a private mascot appearance with their respective Racing President. Official sweepstakes rules will be posted to the Nationals official Twitter account (@Nationals) when the contest launches on February 15.
All five of the Racing Presidents will celebrate Presidents Day at Mount Rushmore with the Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association. Bill and Teddy will be tweeting throughout their travels and fans are encouraged to track their adventures by following @NatsBigChief27 and @Teddy26Nats.
Due to the road trip, auditions for the 2013 Racing Presidents – which are traditionally held President’s Day weekend – will instead take place on Saturday, March 2. Fans with presidential aspirations have until Wednesday, February 20 to apply for the chance to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and Bill throughout the 2013 baseball season.
To be eligible, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Measure between 5’7” and 6’6” in height
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be able to run from center field to home plate in 40 seconds (approximately 200 yards)
- Be able to wear a costume weighing approximately 45 lbs for several hours
- Be available for at least 35 Nationals home gamesRacing hopefuls should submit their cover letter, resume and photo to Entertainment@nationals.com. Once these materials are received, applicants will be contacted and required to answer six mascot-related questions. Further details regarding the 2013 Racing Presidents auditions will be released in the coming weeks.
Developed in 2006, the Racing Presidents are 12-foot oversized mascots who race in the fourth inning GEICO Presidents Race during every Nationals home game. The popular figures can be seen promoting the team and its community efforts at Nationals Park and around the Washington region. For more information on the Racing Presidents, visit nationals.com/racing presidents.
NATS: Minor Leaguer Cutter Dykstra Engaged to Sopranos Alum
According to TV Guide, Washington Nationals minor league infielder Cutter Dykstra is engaged to actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Sigler is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano of The Sopranos.
Dykstra, 23, played for the Hagerstown Suns, the Nationals single-A affiliate, last season.
This will be the second marriage for Sigler, 31, who was married to her manager A.J. Discala from 2003-2006.
Dykstra tweeted that she said yes.
She said yes!! RT “@jamielsigler: So this just happened….❤❤ @cutterdykstra instagr.am/p/VC7YK9nFED/”
— Cutter Dykstra (@CutterDykstra) January 28, 2013
So in love…..
Thank you so much for all the love everyone. I am so happy and more importantly lucky ! @cutterdykstra
— Jamie-Lynn Sigler (@JamieLSigler) January 29, 2013
Rachel from Glee tweeted congratulations.
❤U lady thx!“@msleamichele: Congratulations to my good friend @jamielsigler and her new fiancé on their engagement! So happy for you both!!”
— Jamie-Lynn Sigler (@JamieLSigler) January 29, 2013
2013 Washington Nationals NatsFest (with fan photos)
“We’re going to the World Series this year.” – Principal Owner Mark Lerner said during a “State of the Nationals” forum for season ticket holders at NatsFest.
The Washington Nationals held NatsFest on Saturday, January 26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. By all accounts, it sounded like a big success with more than 7,000 fans (per @NationalsPR).
Fans got a chance to see new Nationals Denard Span and Dan Haren as well as several other Nats players and prospects, including Corey Brown, Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Christian Garcia, Gio Gonzalez, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Nathan Karns, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Mattheus, Tyler Moore, Ryan Perry, Anthony Rendon, Will Rhymes, Matt Skole, Drew Storen, Kurt Suzuki, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmermann.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and Mark Lerner, one of the team’s Principal Owners, as well as team broadcasters Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo, Charlie Slowes and Phil Wood were also in attendance. [Read more...]
NATS: Bernadina hands over Number 2 to Span
Updated: Bernadina tweeted that his new number will be 33.
Shark new number for coming season it’s on 33!!Just alore to dance…
— roger bernadina (@RBtheshark) January 21, 2013
Washington Nationals newest outfielder Denard Span will wear number two on his new Nats jersey thanks to Roger Bernadina per Span’s Twitter account. Span has worn #2 for his entire career. No word as to Shark’s new number.
Roger aka the shark was very gracious in allowing me to wear it!
— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) January 8, 2013
Nationals traded pitching prospect Alex Meyer to the Minnesota Twins for Span in November.
Roger Bernadina will wear a new number in 2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)
CAPS: Washington Capitals Pumpkin Stencils and Contest
The fall weather is upon us now so it is perfect timing for heading to a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Fans can even download the Washington Capitals stencils and show your Caps pride by carving a Caps pumpkin! Be creative!
The Washington Capitals invite fans to tweet photos of the carved pumpkins to @washcaps with the hashtag #CapsOLantern for a chance to win a team-signed jersey from the 2011-12 season.
Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page
PHOTOS: 2012 Washington Nationals Rookies
Thankfully, Nats pitcher Gio Gonzalez tweeted photos of the Washington Nationals rookies! After Sunday’s game, the tradition continued of dressing up the rookies in costumes to leave Nationals Park and take the train up to New York (Nats face the Mets tomorrow through Wednesday).
Last year it was Smurfs.
Meet the Nats Super Seven “Olympians” that didn’t quite make the cut for London.
Left to Right: Tyler Moore, Corey Brown, Eury Perez, Sandy Leon, Christian Garcia, Steve Lombardozzi with Bryce Harper in front as the flag bearer. Good work by the veterans.
Washington Nationals Rookies 2012 in clubhouse before heading to NYC, 9/9/2012 (Photo tweeted by Gio Gonzalez)
Washington Nationals Rookies 2012 by train before heading to NYC, 9/9/2012 (Photo tweeted by Gio Gonzalez)
NATS: Ignite Your Natitude Tweet-up
Updated 7/2/2012:
Arrive early! First ten to check in get an exclusive meet and greet with Nats players. First 140 to check in get a Free Ignite Your #Natitude T-shirt.
Did you RSVP for Ignite Your NATITUDE Tweet-up (#IYNT) at Nationals Park? Did you buy your ticket(s)?
The Nationals put together a FAQ list for #IYNT.
What is #IYNT? The Washington Nationals have invited all social media fans to join the team for the first ever Ignite Your NATITUDE Tweet-up at Nationals Park prior to and during the Nationals-Giants game on Tuesday, July 3 at 6:35 p.m. The event will feature exclusive giveaways, scavenger hunts and special guests, while offering a unique, interactive fan experience for all @Nationals Twitter followers in attendance.
Ticket prices for the Tweet-up were fixed at $20 per seat, but the seat location improved as more people RSVP’d for the event through Twitter. Thanks to a great response, the ticket location was upgraded twice and will be in section 140. For more information, visit nationals.com/tweetup.
