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Case Study
Buzz Fan Apps
Buzz Fan Apps
Buzz Fan Apps
How Ruhr 24 built a thriving fan community for two German Football Clubs
How Ruhr 24 built a thriving fan community for two German Football Clubs
How Ruhr 24 built a thriving fan community for two German Football Clubs
About Ruhr24
About Ruhr24
About Ruhr24
Ruhr24 is a subsidiary of Lensing Media, a leading regional media company with a history dating back to 1870. Based in Dortmund, Lensing Media is one of the prominent publishers in North Rhine-Westphalia, delivering local news and content across various digital platforms.
Ruhr24 was founded as an online-only publisher, focusing exclusively on the development and growth of high-reach digital offerings. As of early 2024, the Ruhr24 editorial team consists of nearly 50 journalists and digital experts. The platform now attracts around ten million visitors per month, demonstrating how to sustainably monetise digital content.
Buzz09 and Buzz04, two innovative brands developed by Ruhr24, cater to the fanbases of two of Germany's most popular football clubs: Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and FC Schalke 04 (S04). These dedicated mobile apps provide real-time updates, match analyses, exclusive content, opinions, and lively discussions. Each app offers much more than just the publisher's own content, providing a comprehensive daily experience for fans of both clubs.
Ruhr24 is a subsidiary of Lensing Media, a leading regional media company with a history dating back to 1870. Based in Dortmund, Lensing Media is one of the prominent publishers in North Rhine-Westphalia, delivering local news and content across various digital platforms.
Ruhr24 was founded as an online-only publisher, focusing exclusively on the development and growth of high-reach digital offerings. As of early 2024, the Ruhr24 editorial team consists of nearly 50 journalists and digital experts. The platform now attracts around ten million visitors per month, demonstrating how to sustainably monetise digital content.
Buzz09 and Buzz04, two innovative brands developed by Ruhr24, cater to the fanbases of two of Germany's most popular football clubs: Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and FC Schalke 04 (S04). These dedicated mobile apps provide real-time updates, match analyses, exclusive content, opinions, and lively discussions. Each app offers much more than just the publisher's own content, providing a comprehensive daily experience for fans of both clubs.
Ruhr24 is a subsidiary of Lensing Media, a leading regional media company with a history dating back to 1870. Based in Dortmund, Lensing Media is one of the prominent publishers in North Rhine-Westphalia, delivering local news and content across various digital platforms.
Ruhr24 was founded as an online-only publisher, focusing exclusively on the development and growth of high-reach digital offerings. As of early 2024, the Ruhr24 editorial team consists of nearly 50 journalists and digital experts. The platform now attracts around ten million visitors per month, demonstrating how to sustainably monetise digital content.
Buzz09 and Buzz04, two innovative brands developed by Ruhr24, cater to the fanbases of two of Germany's most popular football clubs: Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and FC Schalke 04 (S04). These dedicated mobile apps provide real-time updates, match analyses, exclusive content, opinions, and lively discussions. Each app offers much more than just the publisher's own content, providing a comprehensive daily experience for fans of both clubs.
Dortmund, Germany
Headquarters
Headquarters
2016
Founded
Dortmund, Germany
Headquarters
2016
Founded
Media
Industry
Media
Industry
50+
Company Size
Challenges
Challenges
Challenges
Complex mobile technology
Complex mobile technology
Complex mobile technology
Ruhr24 initially launched both Buzz brands as hybrid mobile apps, where their existing websites were simply wrapped into app containers. While this approach was quick and cost-effective, it failed to meet modern user expectations. The lack of user-friendliness resulted in negative reviews, and many users abandoned the apps after their first experience.
Ruhr24 initially launched both Buzz brands as hybrid mobile apps, where their existing websites were simply wrapped into app containers. While this approach was quick and cost-effective, it failed to meet modern user expectations. The lack of user-friendliness resulted in negative reviews, and many users abandoned the apps after their first experience.
Ruhr24 initially launched both Buzz brands as hybrid mobile apps, where their existing websites were simply wrapped into app containers. While this approach was quick and cost-effective, it failed to meet modern user expectations. The lack of user-friendliness resulted in negative reviews, and many users abandoned the apps after their first experience.
Search for a scalable full-service solution
Search for a scalable full-service solution
Search for a scalable full-service solution
Developing and maintaining an internal team to build apps was not an option for Ruhr24, as it was considered too costly. However, they knew that a stronger mobile presence was essential, particularly for Buzz. They needed a scalable framework that could deliver native apps with a premium user experience, supported by full technical service.
Developing and maintaining an internal team to build apps was not an option for Ruhr24, as it was considered too costly. However, they knew that a stronger mobile presence was essential, particularly for Buzz. They needed a scalable framework that could deliver native apps with a premium user experience, supported by full technical service.
Developing and maintaining an internal team to build apps was not an option for Ruhr24, as it was considered too costly. However, they knew that a stronger mobile presence was essential, particularly for Buzz. They needed a scalable framework that could deliver native apps with a premium user experience, supported by full technical service.
Budget constraints
Budget constraints
Budget constraints
Ruhr24 required a cost-effective solution that would allow them to focus on content and monetisation rather than the complexities of app development. The solution needed to align with the project’s limited budget, and tchop™ was able to provide an attractive yet affordable offer.
Ruhr24 required a cost-effective solution that would allow them to focus on content and monetisation rather than the complexities of app development. The solution needed to align with the project’s limited budget, and tchop™ was able to provide an attractive yet affordable offer.
Ruhr24 required a cost-effective solution that would allow them to focus on content and monetisation rather than the complexities of app development. The solution needed to align with the project’s limited budget, and tchop™ was able to provide an attractive yet affordable offer.
Finding an app framework that is optimized for user retention was challenging, but tchop delivered beyond our expectations.
Finding an app framework that is optimized for user retention was challenging, but tchop delivered beyond our expectations.
Pascal Weiss
Pascal Weiss
Head, Ruhr24.de
Head, Ruhr24.de
From vision to reality
From vision to reality
From vision to reality
Native mobile apps for a premium experience
Native mobile apps for a premium experience
Native mobile apps for a premium experience
tchop™ delivered fully native mobile apps for both Buzz09 and Buzz04 on iOS and Android. Combining content and community in a single feed and app perfectly aligns with the passions of football fans, one of the most engaged target groups. Thanks to a well-curated content feed and smart engagement tools like push notifications, many users who initially tried the apps were drawn to continue using them. For many fans, these apps became their go-to destination for all things related to their favourite club.
tchop™ delivered fully native mobile apps for both Buzz09 and Buzz04 on iOS and Android. Combining content and community in a single feed and app perfectly aligns with the passions of football fans, one of the most engaged target groups. Thanks to a well-curated content feed and smart engagement tools like push notifications, many users who initially tried the apps were drawn to continue using them. For many fans, these apps became their go-to destination for all things related to their favourite club.
tchop™ delivered fully native mobile apps for both Buzz09 and Buzz04 on iOS and Android. Combining content and community in a single feed and app perfectly aligns with the passions of football fans, one of the most engaged target groups. Thanks to a well-curated content feed and smart engagement tools like push notifications, many users who initially tried the apps were drawn to continue using them. For many fans, these apps became their go-to destination for all things related to their favourite club.
Custom branding and community features
Custom branding and community features
Custom branding and community features
Buzz09 and Buzz04 were fully customised to reflect the branding of each club, giving each app a unique identity while maintaining a seamless user experience. tchop’s community features allowed fans to engage in real-time discussions, comment on the latest news, and share updates. The Buzz editorial team leverages tchop™ to curate a mix of news, social media posts, background stories, podcasts, and videos, all integrated into a single news feed to deliver a comprehensive fan experience.
Buzz09 and Buzz04 were fully customised to reflect the branding of each club, giving each app a unique identity while maintaining a seamless user experience. tchop’s community features allowed fans to engage in real-time discussions, comment on the latest news, and share updates. The Buzz editorial team leverages tchop™ to curate a mix of news, social media posts, background stories, podcasts, and videos, all integrated into a single news feed to deliver a comprehensive fan experience.
Buzz09 and Buzz04 were fully customised to reflect the branding of each club, giving each app a unique identity while maintaining a seamless user experience. tchop’s community features allowed fans to engage in real-time discussions, comment on the latest news, and share updates. The Buzz editorial team leverages tchop™ to curate a mix of news, social media posts, background stories, podcasts, and videos, all integrated into a single news feed to deliver a comprehensive fan experience.
Completely ad-funded approach
Completely ad-funded approach
Completely ad-funded approach
Ruhr24 chose a fully ad-supported business model for Buzz, ensuring that the service remains free for all users and maximising its reach among football fans. This complements the parent publisher’s strategy, which is focusing more on paid content. To support this model, tchop™ developed multiple ad integration formats, ensuring a high-quality user experience while optimising for strong advertising CPMs through efficient ad server integration.
Ruhr24 chose a fully ad-supported business model for Buzz, ensuring that the service remains free for all users and maximising its reach among football fans. This complements the parent publisher’s strategy, which is focusing more on paid content. To support this model, tchop™ developed multiple ad integration formats, ensuring a high-quality user experience while optimising for strong advertising CPMs through efficient ad server integration.
Ruhr24 chose a fully ad-supported business model for Buzz, ensuring that the service remains free for all users and maximising its reach among football fans. This complements the parent publisher’s strategy, which is focusing more on paid content. To support this model, tchop™ developed multiple ad integration formats, ensuring a high-quality user experience while optimising for strong advertising CPMs through efficient ad server integration.
tchop™ features utilised
tchop™ features utilised
tchop™ features utilised
Ruhr24 leveraged a wide range of tchop™ platform features:
Ready-to-use integrations: The platform aggregated news from various sources, including both in-house and third-party editorial content, social media, official club updates, podcasts, and YouTube videos, creating a comprehensive feed for users.
Custom branding and design: Each app—Buzz09 and Buzz04—had a unique look and feel, tailored to reflect the respective football clubs’ identities. Despite the distinct styles, the editorial team benefited from a unified platform for ease of management.
Content curation system: A dedicated Buzz editorial team used tchop’s CMS to curate content, initiate discussions, and deliver daily updates in a single, streamlined feed.
Multimedia micro-content: In addition to traditional news articles, the editorial team incorporated engaging micro-content formats that users are accustomed to from social media. This mix of journalistic content with entertaining multimedia formats enriched the fan experience.
Push notifications: Push notifications played a critical role in activating fans, keeping them informed about the latest news, match updates, and fresh content. On busy days, the team sent out up to a dozen notifications to ensure timely updates.
Community moderation: Fans could discuss match reports, comment on news, and engage in threaded discussions. With hundreds of comments on some posts, active moderation was necessary, and tchop™ made it easy to manage community standards.
Engagement drivers: Many fans not only followed the news but actively participated in discussions. Automatic push notifications and personalised feeds enhanced user retention and engagement, encouraging users to return and engage with the app.
Ad integration: Multiple ad formats, including full-page interstitials and medium rectangle ads in the content feed, were integrated into the app. These ad placements were efficiently monetised via a classic ad server, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-funded model.
Usage analysis: The Buzz editorial team took a data-driven approach, using tchop’s analytics dashboard to track key metrics like push notification open rates, content reach, and various engagement KPIs, allowing for ongoing optimisation.
Ruhr24 leveraged a wide range of tchop™ platform features:
Ready-to-use integrations: The platform aggregated news from various sources, including both in-house and third-party editorial content, social media, official club updates, podcasts, and YouTube videos, creating a comprehensive feed for users.
Custom branding and design: Each app—Buzz09 and Buzz04—had a unique look and feel, tailored to reflect the respective football clubs’ identities. Despite the distinct styles, the editorial team benefited from a unified platform for ease of management.
Content curation system: A dedicated Buzz editorial team used tchop’s CMS to curate content, initiate discussions, and deliver daily updates in a single, streamlined feed.
Multimedia micro-content: In addition to traditional news articles, the editorial team incorporated engaging micro-content formats that users are accustomed to from social media. This mix of journalistic content with entertaining multimedia formats enriched the fan experience.
Push notifications: Push notifications played a critical role in activating fans, keeping them informed about the latest news, match updates, and fresh content. On busy days, the team sent out up to a dozen notifications to ensure timely updates.
Community moderation: Fans could discuss match reports, comment on news, and engage in threaded discussions. With hundreds of comments on some posts, active moderation was necessary, and tchop™ made it easy to manage community standards.
Engagement drivers: Many fans not only followed the news but actively participated in discussions. Automatic push notifications and personalised feeds enhanced user retention and engagement, encouraging users to return and engage with the app.
Ad integration: Multiple ad formats, including full-page interstitials and medium rectangle ads in the content feed, were integrated into the app. These ad placements were efficiently monetised via a classic ad server, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-funded model.
Usage analysis: The Buzz editorial team took a data-driven approach, using tchop’s analytics dashboard to track key metrics like push notification open rates, content reach, and various engagement KPIs, allowing for ongoing optimisation.
Ruhr24 leveraged a wide range of tchop™ platform features:
Ready-to-use integrations: The platform aggregated news from various sources, including both in-house and third-party editorial content, social media, official club updates, podcasts, and YouTube videos, creating a comprehensive feed for users.
Custom branding and design: Each app—Buzz09 and Buzz04—had a unique look and feel, tailored to reflect the respective football clubs’ identities. Despite the distinct styles, the editorial team benefited from a unified platform for ease of management.
Content curation system: A dedicated Buzz editorial team used tchop’s CMS to curate content, initiate discussions, and deliver daily updates in a single, streamlined feed.
Multimedia micro-content: In addition to traditional news articles, the editorial team incorporated engaging micro-content formats that users are accustomed to from social media. This mix of journalistic content with entertaining multimedia formats enriched the fan experience.
Push notifications: Push notifications played a critical role in activating fans, keeping them informed about the latest news, match updates, and fresh content. On busy days, the team sent out up to a dozen notifications to ensure timely updates.
Community moderation: Fans could discuss match reports, comment on news, and engage in threaded discussions. With hundreds of comments on some posts, active moderation was necessary, and tchop™ made it easy to manage community standards.
Engagement drivers: Many fans not only followed the news but actively participated in discussions. Automatic push notifications and personalised feeds enhanced user retention and engagement, encouraging users to return and engage with the app.
Ad integration: Multiple ad formats, including full-page interstitials and medium rectangle ads in the content feed, were integrated into the app. These ad placements were efficiently monetised via a classic ad server, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-funded model.
Usage analysis: The Buzz editorial team took a data-driven approach, using tchop’s analytics dashboard to track key metrics like push notification open rates, content reach, and various engagement KPIs, allowing for ongoing optimisation.
On average, users open the app four times per day, with over a third of users actively commenting and contributing daily.
On average, users open the app four times per day, with over a third of users actively commenting and contributing daily.
Impressive Results
Impressive Results
Impressive Results
Following the relaunch, the Buzz09 and Buzz04 apps quickly became indispensable platforms for their respective fan communities. The combination of the latest news, a perfectly curated feed, and rich community features offers everything a football fan could want, filling a gap that social media platforms increasingly fail to provide.
Key benefits realised include:
Increased user engagement: Not only did the number of users grow, but fans began opening the app more frequently. On average, users now open the app four times a day, with over a third actively liking, commenting, or posting daily.
Better conversion: Community features played a crucial role in encouraging users to register. To comment or participate in discussions, users must sign up, making these features an important driver in converting anonymous visitors into registered users.
More interactions: Popular posts now generate over 1,000 interactions, including emoji reactions, comments, and replies within threads. Users who actively participate in discussions tend to be the most loyal, often using the app multiple times a day.
Growth in advertising revenue: Increased app usage and higher session frequency have led to substantial growth in advertising revenue, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-based business model.
Positive feedback from the editorial team: The Buzz editorial team benefits from tchop's continuously evolving platform and the dedicated support team, which is always available through its own Slack community.
Time to market: tchop’s rapid deployment allowed Ruhr24 to relaunch the mobile apps within just a few weeks, ensuring minimal user loss during the transition from the previous platform.
Following the relaunch, the Buzz09 and Buzz04 apps quickly became indispensable platforms for their respective fan communities. The combination of the latest news, a perfectly curated feed, and rich community features offers everything a football fan could want, filling a gap that social media platforms increasingly fail to provide.
Key benefits realised include:
Increased user engagement: Not only did the number of users grow, but fans began opening the app more frequently. On average, users now open the app four times a day, with over a third actively liking, commenting, or posting daily.
Better conversion: Community features played a crucial role in encouraging users to register. To comment or participate in discussions, users must sign up, making these features an important driver in converting anonymous visitors into registered users.
More interactions: Popular posts now generate over 1,000 interactions, including emoji reactions, comments, and replies within threads. Users who actively participate in discussions tend to be the most loyal, often using the app multiple times a day.
Growth in advertising revenue: Increased app usage and higher session frequency have led to substantial growth in advertising revenue, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-based business model.
Positive feedback from the editorial team: The Buzz editorial team benefits from tchop's continuously evolving platform and the dedicated support team, which is always available through its own Slack community.
Time to market: tchop’s rapid deployment allowed Ruhr24 to relaunch the mobile apps within just a few weeks, ensuring minimal user loss during the transition from the previous platform.
Following the relaunch, the Buzz09 and Buzz04 apps quickly became indispensable platforms for their respective fan communities. The combination of the latest news, a perfectly curated feed, and rich community features offers everything a football fan could want, filling a gap that social media platforms increasingly fail to provide.
Key benefits realised include:
Increased user engagement: Not only did the number of users grow, but fans began opening the app more frequently. On average, users now open the app four times a day, with over a third actively liking, commenting, or posting daily.
Better conversion: Community features played a crucial role in encouraging users to register. To comment or participate in discussions, users must sign up, making these features an important driver in converting anonymous visitors into registered users.
More interactions: Popular posts now generate over 1,000 interactions, including emoji reactions, comments, and replies within threads. Users who actively participate in discussions tend to be the most loyal, often using the app multiple times a day.
Growth in advertising revenue: Increased app usage and higher session frequency have led to substantial growth in advertising revenue, supporting Ruhr24’s ad-based business model.
Positive feedback from the editorial team: The Buzz editorial team benefits from tchop's continuously evolving platform and the dedicated support team, which is always available through its own Slack community.
Time to market: tchop’s rapid deployment allowed Ruhr24 to relaunch the mobile apps within just a few weeks, ensuring minimal user loss during the transition from the previous platform.
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Drive deeper engagement with your audience
Enhance your digital strategy with a custom community app built for engagement. Get your free branded app from tchop™ today!
Request your free branded app
Drive deeper engagement with your audience
Enhance your digital strategy with a custom community app built for engagement. Get your free branded app from tchop™ today!
Request your free branded app
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