First developed for Athens 2004, the Samsung Wireless Olympic Works (WOW) is a wireless innovation that was developed specifically to ensure that essential Games Time data and information is placed instantly in the hands of those that need it. To keep the Olympic Games running smoothly the London 2012 version of Samsung’s WOW application has been pre-loaded onto over thousands of Samsung’s latest smartphone devices which have been issued to members of the Olympic Family including officials from the IOC, National Olympic Committees and LOCOG.
“We are very proud to be a key part of the London 2012 operation. Our campaign is to ensure that London 2012 is the most inclusive and social Olympic Games ever” commented Sunny Hwang, Vice President and Head of Global Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Through our WOW service, Samsung has been contributing to the successful operation of the Olympic Games, enhancing accessibility and seamless communication. We’re placing real-time information at everyone’s fingertips which is making the daily management of the Games more efficient than ever before”, he added.
Gerry Pennell, Chief Information Officer for London 2012, said “We are very grateful to Samsung for their continued advances in wireless device technology; technology from which we are reaping the benefits in terms of better communications, speed and greater efficiency.”
Samsung’s WOW for London 2012 includes services such as up-to-the-minute Games information service (mINFO), real-time running event updates (mLIVE), WOW widgets for fast access to WOW, and group messaging service (mCOMM).
Samsung has supplied around 17,000 mobile handsets and 4,600 mobile accessories to the Olympic family to keep users connected and informed during the Olympic Games. Samsung also provides operational support for the Olympic Games at the Technology Operations Center (TOC). The TOC provides central monitoring and control for all the IT systems and telecoms supporting the Games, Samsung works with other IT partners including Atos, BT, and Omega at the TOC to deliver the seamless WOW service.
Building upon its success over the last five Olympic Games with wireless innovation, Samsung’s extensive social initiatives have helped to create an Olympic Games that is now being credited as the first social Olympic Games - making London 2012 an Olympic Games for Everyone. Driven by a variety of social campaigns, Samsung has involved more people to become part of the Olympic Games and to share the Olympic spirit with people across the world.
The Samsung Global Blogger programme invited 76 inspiring individuals from around the world to report on their own exclusive experiences of the Games and the vast array of London’s treasures to Olympic fans worldwide. Samsung’s wireless communications equipment technology and social initiatives have offered inspiring opportunities to more people than ever before to experience London 2012 Olympic Games.
Through the Samsung Hope Relay, Samsung has offered a meaningful experience to people around the world, enabling them to take part virtually in the Olympic Games and contribute to their local community. Samsung also introduced “Samsung: Take Part 2012”, a mobile app designed to bring consumers closer to the London 2012, allowing users to play interactive sports games, take virtual 3D tours of the official Olympic venues, and keep up with the latest Olympic Games news and results.