Tottenham Hotspur partners with international video platform with over 100m users

Tottenham Hotspur has become the first Premier League team to launch on Chinese video platform, Douyin.

The club will use the short-form video app, which has over 100 million registered users and generates more than one billion daily video views, by providing content such as skills, goals and behind-the-scenes footage to attract young Chinese fans to the club.

Douyin was the sixth most downloaded app in the world in the first quarter of 2018 across iOS and Android devices. It was also the world’s most downloaded non-gaming iOS app, while 85 per cent of the site’s users are under the age of 24.

The service allows users to engage with 15-second video clips, with the content appearing on each individual’s timeline the result of an algorithm designed to provide users with the content most relevant to their needs.

Donna Maria-Cullen, Tottenham’s executive director, said: “We are constantly looking at innovative ways in which we can further engage our young and growing fan base.

“The progress of our team on the pitch in recent years, coupled with the stand-out performances of our players at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, has led to increased demand for unique club content in line with the popularity of football in the region.

“We are delighted to be working with Mailman to launch this new and exciting partnership with Douyin, a first for a Premier League club, and one whereby we hope to bring our fans closer to the club and its players than ever before.”

Spurs claim a fanbase close to 45 million people in China, with a official supporters’ clubs in both Beijing and Shanghai. Part of this is due to the success of the club’s Weibo account, with 1.7 million followers on the Chinese social media platform.

Chinese messaging app, WeChat has also proven fruitful for the club, with a further 25,000 followers on the app.

The launch on Douyin is the latest move in Tottenham’s partnership with Shanghai-based sports marketing agency Mailman Group, which drives the club’s social media activity in the country.

On the field, the team sits fifth in English soccer’s top flight after four games, having suffered their first defeat of the season against Watford.

However, the club continues to play its home fixtures at Wembley Stadium, with doubts still surrounding the eventual opening date of the club’s new permanent home.