LOS ANGELES — What does a giant panther, a soaring raven and an NFL pregame show all have in common?
First, they’re larger than life.
And second, they’re not real.
“It’s the combination of a video game and real life and by putting those things together, you can’t tell what is real and what is not,” said Jon Slusser, founder of the Famous Group.
Slusser’s company specializes in creating a new wave of live and virtual event production.
For more than 20 years, the Famous Group has created, developed and integrated in new technology to advance the fan experience during games.
“These elements and this time that wraps the game has become more and more important,” Slusser explained. “And everyone, every team, every league, every promoter is looking to maximize that time.”
That’s where his team comes in.
With projects ranging from bringing mixed reality mascots to life in stadium — like the Carolina Panther or Baltimore Raven — to reimagining traditional in-game elements like fan contests or social media integration.
“Sports has always embraced technology,” Slusser said. “They wanna do what’s new, what’s different and what’s gonna create what we call a ‘wow moment.’”
“This company is in the business of creating wow moments,” he added.
And perhaps nothing screams ‘wow’, like the country’s largest annual sporting event — the Super Bowl.
Just ask the Famous Group’s Executive Vice President Andrew Isaacson.
“Super Bowl never gets old,” he said. “I’m lucky enough that this is the company’s 17th Super Bowl and there’s still the chills that run up your arm when the game starts.”
Especially in a year like this.
This year’s Super Bowl, set against the backdrop of SoFi Stadium, will feature a Famous Group produced introduction.
Slusser’s team also will work with both the league and the NBC broadcast team to enhance the game storyline on air.
“We’re putting that all together with a huge mixed reality activation and our Vixi software, which has been rebuilt to have iconic pieces of Hollywood on it,” Isaacson explained. “So fans can see themselves on the board this year.”
And while we can’t tell you what you’ll see Sunday night, Chief Creative Officer Lauren Fisher said it’s all about the story.
“The story this year is really that the Super Bowl is back in LA,” she said. “It’s really a historical place for the Super Bowl. It’s where the first Super Bowl happened.”
“As long as it’s fun, gets your attention and holds your attention, then we’ve succeeded,” Slusser added.