Elan Workshop

Elan

Ski manufacturer Elan stands for the creative use of innovative technologies and materials like no other brand in the ski industry. To prove their pioneership on the ski slopes as well as on the web, we developed a one of a kind online tool, where youngsters could create their own personalized Elan ski.

 

For the application launch in Slovenia, we decided to cooperate with schools and invited them to a national wide design contest, which really spread the word among the younger ski fans. And since the app got such an overwhelmingly positive feedback, Elan decided to enable users from all EU countries to join the fun, create their designs and get the new skis delivered directly to their home.

 

But the app did not only boost kids creativity, it marked the start of Elans MAKE YOUR OWN line, which will soon be extended across the whole product range.

Elan Workshop and Sport2000

Elan's success with the application for personalizing kids skis, did not go unnoticed. In 2014 German sports retailer Sport2000 decided to team up with Elan and offer the online tool to their clients. The launch was accompanied by a contest, where kids could post their own designs and win a new pair of skies with it. The action generated a lot of buzz, but even more important, it generated a whole lot more unique ski designs. 

AWARDS

- Silver Award at SOF 2013

- WEBSI 2013 winner in category "free time and sport"

- Sporto 2013 Finalist in best digital communication category

- Netko 2013 Finalist in web applications category

ELAN WORKSHOP 2013 SCHOOL CONTEST

BEHIND THE PROJECT

Elan is a traditional Slovenian brand, a part of Slovenian industrial culture and as such part of our society. But with time comes change and with change came a shift in their target group. Elan identified that youngsters are skiing less than former generations. There are many reasons for that, one of them is also that schools are no longer organising the so called “school in nature”, a project where pupils would visit ski slopes for a week each year and additionally schools do not have the equipment needed. 

THE BIG IDEA

We suggested that Elan begins embracing and emphasizing two new products and communication logics. First, to address the new generation through online activities and second to start enabling ski personalisation. We developed an online contest for personalised ski creation and invited schools to join and have the chance to win the first prize (15 pairs od skis). Even more, every design created was also available for purchase. Elan was the first brand in the industry with the ability to create personalised skis online.

RESULTS

The results were outstanding. More than 90 percent of Slovenian schools participated in the campaign, some even went so far to include the project in the school curriculum, while others encouraged youngsters from their community to vote for their schools. The positive movement went viral. Over 19.000 works were submitted and almost 70.000 unique users visited the page. Most importantly, Elan really created a buzz and highlighting their brand right before the ski opening season. 

THE POTENTIAL

Personalised products and options enable strong brand interaction fostering a new kind of relationship between brand and customer. Users become more then observers, they become the creators and that makes them part of the story which the brand is telling. The project potential  of personalised skis is about to become a special communication and production line of a globally renowned brand from a small Slovenian village Begunje.