FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/29/2019
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME DEBUTS MICHAEL STRAHAN’S “TALKING BRONZED BUST” NEW TALKING BRONZED BUST EXPERIENCE UNVEILED TODAY ON ABC’S “STRAHAN AND SARA”
CANTON, OHIO – Hall of Famer MICHAEL STRAHAN’s “talking Bronzed Bust” debuted exclusively today on ABC’s third hour of “Good Morning America,” “Strahan and Sara,” featuring co-hosts Strahan and Sara Haines. The segment featured Strahan’s Bronzed Bust hitting the streets of New York City as fans in Times Square interacted with it and experienced the latest technology from StatMuse that is currently being showcased at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
StatMuse, the leader in conversational artificial intelligence (AI) for sports, collaborated with the Hall of Fame to pioneer the technology that combines AI with dynamic animation and augmented reality (AR) to create a truly unique and interactive experience for fans. Guests visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame can now converse with Strahan to hear stories from his Hall of Fame career and also learn about the lessons the game teaches that apply to all walks of life.
Image Right: The “Strahan and Sara” segment was shared through the show’s Twitter. Link>>>
Earlier this year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame debuted StatMuse’s technology when it unveiled Hall of Fame coach JOHN MADDEN’s Interactive Bronzed Bust. The first-of-its-kind innovation has been available for fans to enjoy in the Hall of Fame Gallery.
Starting tomorrow when it returns to Canton, visitors will also be able enjoy the opportunity to interact with Strahan’s Bronzed Bust. The experience is included with the standard Museum admission price and can only be enjoyed after today at the Hall of Fame.
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Inspiration for the project came from Madden’s 2006 Enshrinement speech, when he humorously shared his thoughts about the immortality of the Bronzed Busts in Canton.
“I believe that the busts talk to each other. I can't wait for that conversation, I really can't… We'll be there forever and ever and ever talking about whatever. That's what I believe. That's what I think is going to happen, and no one's ever going to talk me out of that.”
StatMuse creates interactive digital personas by first capturing a series of specialized images and high-resolution 3D scans of the original bust. A 3D character artist then constructs a virtual bust, optimized for a mobile-based AR experience. StatMuse used its proprietary in-studio software to record Strahan’s stories, simultaneously capturing audio and facial motion data. When fans hold a mobile device in front of Strahan’s Bronzed Bust, they will see it come to life on-screen – moving, talking and interacting with them.
The project is part of the Hall of Fame’s ongoing museum development that includes an infusion of interactive technology that supports the important mission to “Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.”
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CONTACTS: Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President of Communications [email protected]; 330-588-3622
Rachel Gutting, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives [email protected]; 330-588-3671
ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.
Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. Fans can also enjoy the Hall of Fame Store at the Hall, and online at www.profootballhof.com/store, for merchandise from all 32 NFL clubs plus the Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the Store support the Hall’s Mission.
Construction on Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, a mixed-use development project that will include 10 main components, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.
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NFL’s 100th Season Kicks Off at the 2019 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls (Aug. 1-4) ProFootballHOF.com/Tickets