December 4 -A new digital platform has launched curating content from some of the world’s biggest players that focusses on their lives off the pitch.
Fans can access Otro via the web or by downloading an app from the iOS or Android stores that launches later this week.
Users sign up as members which gives them a certain amount of content free. For a monthly subscription of £3.99 they have unrestricted access to all Otro content. The service is available in eight languages and will feature long and short form programming.
The players who have pooled their image rights and content on the platform to date include Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Isco, Romelu Lukaku, Jerome Boateng, Paulo Dybala, Gabriel Jesus, Lieke Martens, Benjamin Mendy, Dele Alli, David Luiz, Toni Duggan and Eric Cantona.
Otro promises more players will join and points out that the current group has a combined social media following of more than 1 billion.
In terms of content, Otro says it “provides unprecedented access and an authentic view of these top players that fans can’t get anywhere else. OTRO enables the stars of the modern game to connect with their fans, telling personal stories through short form content and feature length shows, interviews and documentaries that shine a light on their lives away from the pitch.”
Otro, CEO Jeremy Dale said: “Football fans all over the world want a deeper connection with their heroes and this is where Otro comes in. Our line-up of players is beyond even my wildest dreams and I know that fans are going to love them coming together to form one club where they share their stories. We’ve specifically designed Otro to be a community where members and players engage directly. These players are the founding members of Otro and they are now inviting their fans to join their other club.”
Otro is financed by 23 Capital, a specialist finance house and solutions provider for the Sports, Music and Entertainment (SM&E) sector. No figure was given for the investment in Otro.
Jason Traub, CEO and founder of 23 Capital, which has more than $2 billion to invest across the SM&E sector, said: ”23 Capital’s funding and specialist sector knowledge of the sports, music and entertainment industries has been central in helping create and build OTRO. With an estimated 3.5 billion fans across the world, football is a major driver of online content. OTRO is a digital fan club that brings high quality, curated content from many of the world’s leading footballers into a single digital offering for fans. It breaks new ground in creating a platform where the players can maximise their digital IP while connecting with their fans through their love of football.”
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