HBO’s programming has always been inherently social. HBO Connect was created to serve as a social destination that would continue the tradition of “water cooler" conversation in today’s digital world. HBO Connect provides a slick and sophisticated way for fans to interact with talent, unlock exclusive content, see what others are saying, and participate in innovative promotions.HBO Connect continues to be the social media hub of relevant content and conversation shared by viewers, leveraging leading social platforms in order to drive user engagement, participation and tune-in. HBO Connect was designed to: · Support the breadth of HBO programming including series, sports, films, documentaries and specials · Give fans direct access to talent in the form of Q&A’s. Popular Q&A’s include: o Lena Dunham of Girls o Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire o Anthony Bourdain of Treme · Allow for the creation of mini-activations and promotions quickly and flexibly. Promotions of note include: o Beyonce’s #LifeIsButADream – fans submit photos of their dreams using the hashtag #LifeIsButADream for a chance for a personalized Beyonce shoutout o #SDCCGoTFan – fans using the #SDCCGoTFan hashtag entered for a chance to win a limited edition Game of Thrones Xbox 360 o #SaveYourself – fans had the ability to unlock a sneak peek to the season 5 finale of True Blood by tweeting #SaveYourself 100k times · Provide navigation features that allow users to find desired content easily · Create feeds that feature the most active and influential users on the site, including the cast and crew · Encourage participation with easy authentication through Facebook and Twitter
