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Wrestling, martial arts sites launch ad-supported mobile WAPs

Professional wrestling and mixed martial arts news sources PWTorch.com and MMATorch.com have taken their properties mobile.

The sites were designed and developed by UIEvolution and leverage every mobile platform, from mobile widgets and browsers to full-featured mobile applications, including Apple's iPhone and Google's Android.

"The target demographic for these sites is young males in their teens, 20s and 30s, which fits in well with mobile," said Travis Beaven, vice president of products for UIEvolution, Bellvue, WA. "Lots of emerging brands can build a following online and become a large brand, and many of those are getting onto mobile as well.

"We help them get to mobile, get a product out there, and take advantage of this new technology in the same way they've been taking advantage of the Web," he said.

Fans can find PWTorch and MMATorch content by going to the Apple iPhone App Store, by entering in the Web site into their mobile browser, or by sending a direct link to their phone through SMS from the Web.

Each Torch property keeps fans up-to-date with the latest content available online, formatted and optimized for mobile.

Consumers can keep up with live TV and Pay-Per-View events as they happen, read interviews with top stars, and get up-to-the-minute breaking news reports throughout the day.

Launched as a print newsletter in 1987, Torch has been providing pro-wrestling and MMA information.

The Torch is a source for coverage of the pro wrestling industry and rapidly growing sport of mixed martial arts.

UIEvolution's clients include media, sports and entertainment companies.

UIEvolution enables experiences across all commercially released mobile devices.

The brands around the world use UIEvolution technology, including AT&T, ESPN, the Walt Disney Company, E! Networks, Fox, MySpace and CBS.

"The Torch brand has a loyal following, and they'll be promoting the mobile services on their Web site, as well as some marketing with Apple for the App Store to entice iPhone users to download the apps," Mr. Beaven said.

"They'll be linking with informational texts on MMA message boards and forums, hit the fans of these properties where they frequent, including Facebook and other social media sites," he said. "We're taking a nice brand to mobile in a really rapid time frame, under a week.

"Rapid deployment is key here, because it's an emerging market, these brands can't make a several month bet. It has to be simple and agile, so we can course-correct quickly if necessary."