Abstract:
From an analysis of the literature it is apparent that there has been no concerted effort to date to undertake a coherent and integrated assessment of the application of e-marketing in sport mega-events. A strategic evaluation of the e-marketing initiatives implemented since 2000 during national and international mega events, indicates that e-marketing, in most instances, took place in a limited and fragmented manner. However a further analysis of these case studies provides valuable perspectives and lessons that could inform the research process related to e-marketing during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World CupTM. Against this background each of the selected sport mega-events since 2000 was investigated in terms of how e-marketing technology was used in the particular event, the e-marketing challenges experienced, the key e-marketing lessons learnt and the apparent e-marketing critical success factors related to these events.
The theoretical context and the lessons learnt from previous mega-event case studies provided the background and frame of reference for the empirical research into the use of e-marketing during the 2010 Soccer World CupTM. The key envisaged outcome was to theoretically develop an e-marketing framework that can serve as a guideline to fully optimise e-marketing in future sports mega-events. The research findings were presented and the 16 critical e-marketing success factors (CSFs) that may contribute to the success of sport mega-events were identified. Specific conclusions were made based on the results obtained and specific actions were recommended for future additional research in the sport mega-events field.
