There's no need to choose one sport over another when it comes to the love of any game, but volleyball, in particular, has an almost underground following that has independent pockets of the internet blowing up with every official match. Kumu, as the app that connects anyone either to like-minded people or to their latest obsession, is the safe space for such communities--made of both athletes and fans alike--to be able to engage in genuine, real-time conversations and sports stories.
Looking to spike that interest to new intensities, they are continuing their collaboration with the Premier Volleyball League, the Philippines' first and only women's professional volleyball organization.
In a conference held on July 6 in the Infinity Ballroom at the F1 Hotel, Kumu executives Paolo Pineda, Ari Kader, and Alex Tshering sat down with the league--from management to team managers and star players--to discuss what this affiliation will mean for all parties going forward.
"We're really excited about this," said Angelo Mendez, Co-founder and Chief of Content, "because fans and enthusiasts kind of go wild on their own, in very isolated spaces around the net. Connecting them to the players is a two-way street; they get to gather and get to know each other, while the players get to see who's rooting for them. We take pride in bridging those gaps, so to see it grow into one of Kumu's biggest and most engaged sub-communities shows the power of real connection." They take those bridges further with greater accessibility--fans can stream games on the app for free, specifically at 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with replays immediately after the most recent match, and every day starting at 7:30 am.
From its first partnership run last March, Kumu has seen the passion for volleyball fans grow on the platform, with the intention to further grow this community during the upcoming conference. "It's overwhelming to see how the fans absorb the authenticity and personality that the volleyball streamers show on Kumu and I think it gives them more reasons to love these athletes from in and out of the game. We all believe that that's the magic of Kumu," said Carmela Tunay, Partnership Lead for Kumu x PVL.
The fun began at 2:00 PM PST, with the announcement and details of the partnership. Teams were introduced before a sneak peek of the league's appearances on Kumu-only shows and programs was released. Plus, 10 lucky Kumu campaign winners had the chance for a meet-and-greet with the sports stars, officially bringing digital communities together in a physical space.
"It's nice to know that the league has a following comparable to other sports," said Ricky Palou, PVL President. "This is a great step because since volleyball was introduced in the Philippines in 1910, Filipino players and team managers have made big contributions to the sport as the world knows it today. Working with Kumu will allow us not just to expand our networks and reach our fans, but also to really put the Philippines on the sports map. We have fantastic players and coaches who deserve that recognition."
Fans can see what the league is up to via their official Kumu channel, @PVL, and keep their eyes peeled for PVL on Kumu: The Show, hosted by Migs Gomez, Carmela Tunay, and Eya Laure, live on Sundays starting July 17 at 3:00 pm. Also coming up is the game show Fan Match-Up, hosted by Joric Pecson on Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:00 pm, starting July 13.
