Philadelphia Eagles offering fans assistance via qtags text

The NFL's Philadelphia Eagles are using a unique text-alert system powered by qtags to provide in-stadium assistance to fans at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles fans who need emergency help or who have a situation that requires the attention of stadium personnel can text a keyword to 78247 (q-t-a-g-s). This initial text creates a channel for private communication between the fan and stadium support staff, allowing both to communicate back and forth using a web interface and the fan's mobile phone. The keyword is communicated to fans via in-stadium signage and the Lincoln Financial Field scoreboard.

"The text alert system allows us to quickly and effectively identify problems and respond as needed -- even when the crowd is loud," says Eagles Leonard Bonacci, Direct Event Services. "Our qtags-powered system enables us to communicate privately in real-time using a mode of communication most accessible for fans, the mobile phone."

The Eagles are joining a wide range of other organizations relying on text message for security/support assistance. Around the country, various police departments are using text messaging to receive tips and communicate with citizens, and a number of universities and schools have instituted text-messaging platforms for student alerts.

"The benefits are clear -- you can quickly and easily communicate with audiences as needed, in real-time, with a cost-effective platform that offers a wide range of options," says Allison Gower, president of qtags. "We can customize responses in multiple ways in order to enable information flow and timely reactions."

Here's an early take on it from Intentional Foul

I’m so tempted to write this post using text message speak, but I’ll try to refrain… LOL. Anyway, Philadelphia Eagles fans attending home games can now text message stadium personnel from their seat if there’s a problem that needs the assistance of the Lincoln Financial Field staff. Thanks to a partnership between the Eagles and qtags, fans now have the ability to spam the stadium staff at will.