Annie Pyle


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P003 → Sponsored Polls @ B/R


Spearheaded the creation of a poll feature for Bleacher Report, resulting in a $1.75 million partnership with Mike’s Hard Lemonade, demonstrating our unique approach to user engagement, storytelling, and advertiser branding.


Overview

During my tenure at Bleacher Report as a member of the Product Design team, I undertook a pivotal project that aimed to enhance user engagement and provide a unique advertising avenue for the company. The project focused on introducing an interactive polling feature, designed to empower sportswriters and captivate the audience through dynamic content.

The primary goal was to develop a content type that seamlessly integrated polls within news streams in the B/R app, allowing sportswriters to craft timely and clever polls while also allowing users to engage with more content in the app. Additionally, the project aimed to transform these interactive polls into a valuable advertising asset, presenting an innovative opportunity for brand partnerships.


Initial Ideation on Paper 

Embarking on the Poll project, I grabbed pen and paper, and sketched out some basic wireframes and flows to share with the team. It was a quick way to explain the challenge and make sure we were all on the same page. Before spending too much time on the computer, this exercise is a straightforward method to save time and get to the heart of our design goals efficiently.


Importance of Sharing Sketches 
In the context of design projects, the principle of sharing early and consistently is more than a mantra; it's a strategic imperative. Early sharing establishes an ongoing feedback loop, preemptively identifying and addressing potential issues. Equally crucial is securing stakeholder involvement from the project's outset. This early engagement expedites decision-making and significantly contributes to overall project efficiency. 



Wireframing  

During the critical wireframing phase, my approach centers on three pivotal elements: flow, content, and functionality. While wireframes conventionally sport shades of gray, our unique twist at Bleacher Report involved opting for a monochromatic palette in shades of blue. Given that our app adhered to a striking black and white aesthetic, the blue hues in our wireframes served as a deliberate visual cue, ensuring stakeholders instantly recognized the preliminary nature of the designs.




High Fidelity Flows & Animation 

After wireframes were approved, I ensured a meticulous approach to crafting high fidelity designs that catered to every conceivable use case. To expedite communication with the engineering team and bring my designs to life, I leveraged Figma to create quick animations. These dynamic visualizations served as a powerful tool for conveying my design vision efficiently, fostering a collaborative environment where intricate details met swift execution. The integration of high fidelity designs and rapid animations not only streamlined the development process but also played a pivotal role in shaping the interactive and engaging features that defined our product offerings at Bleacher Report.






Designed to Share 

To amplify the reach and impact of our interactive polling feature, we strategically designed polls for seamless off-platform sharing, creating a compelling gateway to drive more users to the Bleacher Report app. By crafting polls that were not only engaging within articles but also shareable across various social media channels, we aimed to harness the viral potential of user-generated content. This approach not only enhanced brand visibility but also served as a powerful acquisition tool, enticing sports enthusiasts beyond the app's existing user base. The result was a dynamic fusion of interactive content and strategic marketing, aligning with our mission to captivate audiences both on and off the Bleacher Report platform.


Results

The project not only achieved its primary goal of introducing an interactive polling feature but also became a catalyst for substantial financial gains. The collaboration between the Product Design team and sportswriters not only resonated with users but also attracted major advertisers like Mike’s Hard Lemonade, showcasing the platform's ability to deliver innovative and lucrative opportunities. The $1.75 million dollar purchase agreement marked a significant milestone, solidifying the interactive polling feature as a dynamic and monetizable asset for Bleacher Report and reinforcing the team's commitment to driving innovation in sports content and advertising.

The successful implementation of the interactive polling feature had a multi-faceted impact:
  1. Increased User Engagement: The introduction of polls significantly elevated user engagement, encouraging active participation and interaction with the content.
  2. New Revenue Stream: The innovative incorporation of brand advertisements within the polling feature created a new and lucrative revenue stream for Bleacher Report. Advertisers could align their messaging with popular sports-related polls, reaching a highly targeted and engaged audience.
  3. Enhanced Content Diversity: Sportswriters now had a versatile tool to diversify their content, providing users with an interactive and personalized experience.