Can NCAA’s Bubble Tech Serve Brands and Marketers Better? Loop Reveals a Safer Alternative for Traditional Events

Loop’s new data indicates that it is possible to engage in live in-person events safely.

Loop Insights launched its new end-to-end venue-tracing and management solution for businesses. Loop, a provider of contactless solutions and artificial intelligence for venue management and tracing, also rolled out its bubble platform for NCAA basketball in Nevada and Florida earlier this month. Loop’s venue-tracing platform enabled the NCAA to organize numerous matches across the two states without a single infection.

Loop’s “bubble” is a safe space for people regardless of whether they are traveling, playing, or watching sports. The company has successfully executed the idea of creating a vast bubble that was previously thought impossible and unrealistic.

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The company’s achievement made it possible for NCAA to recoup some of its investment after it canceled March Madness this year. Loop drew inspiration from NBA’s $150 million “Disney World Bubble,” which “recouped $1.5 billion in revenue that might have been lost had the season ended when COVID-19 paused it on March 11. And no positive tests came out of the bubble among players, staff and media.”

The NCAA partnered with Loop on venue-tracing to plan and organize #VegasBubble in Nevada and the #BeachBubble in Florida during the ten days of the collegiate basketball season. Loop provided all hardware, software, rapid mobile testing, and lab results to facilitate the tournaments. Users just need to register and receive a wallet pass on their mobile phones and then check-in at designated contactless devices.

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In a recent press releaseOpens a new window , Loop stated that its system is “ infinitely scalable and has proven high adoption rates compared to other apps because additional hardware or software is not required.  The system uses the mobile wallet that already exists on a user’s mobile device. Loop uses this same near-field communication (NFC) technology backed by Apple and Google.”

How Does Venue-Tracing Impact Data Privacy?

At a time when data privacy has emerged as a hot-button issue for marketers and brands, Loop collects personal data and de-identifies it. The de-identified data is then stored in Loop’s data portal, where its AI capabilities monitor details such as movements, active users, occupancy, promotions, and more. Loop also offers real-time messaging to keep users updated on critical information and raise alerts for people at risk or in need of a rapid COVID-19 test.

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What Does This Mean for Marketers?

COVID-19 brought events across the world to a screeching stop. And while it is still important to stay safe and healthy, marketers and brands reliant on in-person events are experiencing significant financial stress.

Solutions like Loop’s bubble provide an alternative way for marketers, brands, and people to safely engage in live events.