The Dallas Mavericks are partnering with Kristaps Porzingis to launch #KrisStops, a new community initiative to fight childhood hunger. With every block this season, Porzingis will donate $500 to the Mavs Foundation, which will then be distributed to local organizations to help stop hunger in North Texas. Groove Jones is working with the Dallas Mavericks to launch the program through an Augmented Reality experience running with an oversized wallscape mural in downtown Dallas.
The back mural appears on the back of the Antioch Church Building at Lamar and Elm and features Dallas’s newest star, Kristaps Porzingis. MFFLs are directed to Mavs.com/AR to access Porzingis, which was brought to life for a one-on-one matchup. Fans can shoot on a virtual basketball hoop, all while trying to avoid being blocked by Porzingis. After the video, fans are introduced to #KrisStops, highlighting his fight to combat childhood hunger.
Fans who discover the mural on the corner of Lamar and Elm in downtown Dallas have three chances to make the shot. With the tap on their screen, they throw the basketball high into the air toward the 5-story tall building. Kristaps then reaches out to block the shot. The AR experience is used to engage with fans in a unique experience and help spread the word about the Dallas Mavericks program to stop childhood hunger in the DFW area. The Mavericks Foundation is making a $500 donation for every blocked shot that Kristaps Porzingis makes this season to area food banks in the DFW area.
This activation is free and open to the public. Below are screenshots from the Web AR game activated by scanning the mural. Fans are encouraged to take a photo of the Web AR and share it on their social channels with #KRISSTOPS and #MavsAR. The wallscape will be active through December 29, 2019.
Making a Mural Come To Life
The Groove Jones team designed both the printed mural and the digital AR component. The team presented multiple concepts of the design, which focused on Kristaps Porzingis blocking the fans’ shots. We began with a photoshoot with Kristaps, which we used to create the animated illustrated version of him for the mural.
The team digitized the video from the photoshoot and then designed the unique illustrated look to demonstrate how the image would animate and change.
Once the creative concept and visual style were achieved, the team began finalizing the design of the printed mural.
Time-lapse of the Mural Installation
After the traditional artwork design was approved, the team began to create the 3D assets that would bring the illustration to life. Bringing a 2D image to life in AR often leverages three-dimensional objects and visual effects to achieve a compelling experience. For this experience, we needed to create 3D versions of the basketball that fans would throw up against the building. Kristaps was then animated to block the incoming throws.
Web AR – No App Needed – Try it Now!
Groove Jones created the AR experience using web AR. We built the experience using Zappar’s Zap Works platform, which allows users to activate the AR through their mobile web browser, alleviating the need to download a special App. Groove Jones has done this with numerous clients.
Participants can visit Mavs.com/AR to unlock the experience. When you hit the LAUNCH page, give your browser permission to activate your camera when prompted. Once activated, point your camera at the image above to bring the mural to life.
100 Foot Tall Mural on the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dallas
On December 10th, we launched the newest mural, a 100-foot-tall Web AR experience on the Crown Plaza in Dallas, Texas. This is the largest Web AR experience ever made. The new mural features Kristaps Porzingis in the new Dallas Mavericks City Edition jersey.
About the Mavericks Foundation
The Dallas Mavericks Foundation is dedicated to using our unique platform to build a stronger community by empowering youth, women, and families who need us most through financial support, advocacy, and service. Established in October 1996, the Mavs Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team.
Over the last 22 years, the Mavs Foundation has granted over 4 million dollars to nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in need and created Reading and Learning Centers and basketball courts across the North Texas community. Changing lives by supporting programs for kids in foster care, victims of domestic abuse, families struggling with homelessness and hunger, and much more. For more info visit – https://www.mavs.com/community/dallas-mavericks-foundation/
Award-Winning Production
Clio Sports Awards
Out of Home – BRONZE
Category: Outdoor Board
Client: Dallas Mavericks
Title: #KrisStops AR Web Mural
Addy Awards – AAF Dallas
OUT-OF-HOME & AMBIENT MEDIA – BRONZE
Category: Outdoor Board
Client: Dallas Mavericks
Title: #KrisStops AR Web Mural
