Hertha’s digital platforms win awards

On Thursday, our club’s website relaunch and the building of its OTT (Over-the-top content) program was given the 2022 German Brand Award in the category “Excellence in Brand Strategy and Creation – Brand Communication – Web & Mobile”. Maurice Sonneveld (head of digital & innovation) and Arne Werner (head of digital platforms) were present at the gala in Berlin to collect the award.

“The brand of Hertha BSC has truly caught up to the competition this year, through the relaunch of our website. We found the attractive design of the website, which professionalises their internet presence and gives the brand an innovative and lively appearance, extremely impressive,” explained the eight-person judging panel from the German Design Council.

Since 1953, the Council has been a world-leading centre for communication and exchange of knowledge in the areas of design, brands and innovation. It rewards both individuals and companies who are pioneers in the world of brands, with the German Brand Award. The organisers received around 1200 submissions and nominations for the 2022 edition of the award.

Underlining the club’s role as digital leader

Over the last year, Hertha BSC has significantly adapted, updated and renewed its online presence to suit current challenges. These measures included a brand-new website, as well as developing the club’s over-the-top content plan, in order to provide all members and fans around the world with an emotional, engaging and future-orientated digital experience for their club, as well as to underline the club’s role as a digital leader.

By using a mobile-first strategy, it is now possible to make use of the club’s entire media offering across all platforms and without barriers. The centrepiece of communications is herthabsc.com, our new internet address. With an international view, content on the new webpages is available to read in German, English and Spanish.

Our “simple language” offering, as well as an integrated text-to-speech function, has made using all sites possible without barriers. We have placed significant emphasis on usability, as well as consistent user guidance and experience across all digital interfaces. Multimedia player profiles, emotional live matchday content, extensive statistics and exciting background information makes it possible for all visitors to the site to get closer to the club in a digital sense.

Unique and groundbreaking trends

Our new digital platforms did not go unnoticed by the German Design Council, who nominated and subsequently awarded them with the 2022 German Brand Award. The independent competition process saw a panel of experts in both brand economics and brand design discover, present and award the unique and groundbreaking trends. With a reach of around 315 million people per year, the German Brand Award is the most prestigious marketing award in the German-speaking world. Aspects such as sustainability, innovation, consistency and futurism were all considered in the decision to award of the prize, as were factors like the quality of the design, the brand identity, the homogeneity of the brand experience and the economic success of the project.