The Dallas Mavericks scored big when they partnered with Big PlayAR to offer Mavs fans a new augmented reality (AR) experience on 11 collectible player slap bands.

"In 2011, the year we won the NBA championship, we tied in with Big PlayAR and introduced AR on the front side of our playoff tickets (all four rounds)," says Gina Calvert, corporate communications/community relations director for the Dallas Mavericks. "It was a big success, and fans enjoyed the interactive game tied into their game day ticket. We decided to use it in a collector series of slap bands."

Each Mavs AR slap band was designed with a different Mavs player and was handed out at select home games. All told, the Mavericks gave away 40,000 slap bands to the first 5,000 fans at eight home games. "The Mavs ‘Tip-Off' program has staying power because fans are competing throughout the season," says John Robison, CEO of Big PlayAR.

Fans could download the Mavs Tip-Off app and use a smartphone or tablet device to scan the logo located on the front of the slap band. This allowed fans to watch interviews, highlights and previews of the player on their particular slap band. Fans were also able to compete in virtual games with others wearing the slap band to win prizes including home game tickets and autographed player jerseys.

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