Loop'd Network, a social media platform exclusively for online sports communities, said it had created online communities for both Oakley, Inc. and Pacific Sunwear Inc. Deals were also reached with Monster Energy (Hansen Co.) and Surfer Magazine’s Hot 100 as the website designer's first four branded customers.

Loop'd Network said that while MySpace and Facebook compete for the largest number of members from a mass audience, niche social communities are quickly increasing in popularity and sports is an industry with a growing need for online social interaction.

As specialized communities form, the assembled audience attracts attention from brand marketers. According to an eMarketer study, U.S. advertising revenues on sports-related Web sites will reach $1.1 billion in 2011, up from $407 million in 2006. Loop’d Network addresses this demand by building and connecting social network properties for athletes, fans and brands in seamless interaction across the web of communities.

“Our network of athletes thrive on social interaction and self-promotion. Brands who are accepted into the athletes’ lifestyle become an integrated component of their self-expression,” said Scott Tilton, chief executive officer of Loop’d Network. “Our proprietary Web 2.0 technology platform blends brands into the experience with purpose-driven communities to participate with the athletes and their fans in relevant ways.”

For Oakley, www.oakleyridersearch.com will feature interactive content, events, and a contest that invites amateur snowboard, skateboard, ski, motocross, BMX and mountain bike athletes to submit their best video. Fans and the community will have the opportunity to rank and rate the videos. The top five winners from each sport will then compete for a grand prize.

“Oakley sports marketing has been built upon our involvement and support of grassroots athletes,” said Pat McIlvain, global sports marketing director at Oakley, Inc. “Partnering with Loop'd Network has given us a platform to speak with our grassroots audience, but also gives them a voice. The Loop'd Network provides an arena for aspiring core sport enthusiasts to show their talents not only to potential sponsors, but also to their peers.”

“Oakley is a world-class lifestyle brand, and we're excited they've chosen to utilize the Loop'd Network for such a forward-thinking program,” said Tilton. “Oakley's commitment to supporting sports is evident by the numerous high profile athletes and teams they sponsor which makes the company a perfect match for our network – a global audience that lives and breathes sports.”

For the PacSun community, www.pacsunteam.com on Loop’d Network will offer sponsorship opportunities to amateur surfers, skaters and snowboarders and provides a forum for them to interact with other athletes, fans and enthusiasts. Beginning November 5, PacSun will launch a nationwide effort on Loop’d Network that will enable the company to find surfers, skaters and snowboarders to sponsor through their online community. In addition, PacSun will leverage Loop’d Network’s interactive features to directly connect with community members. Loop’d Network’s business marketing tools, which include sophisticated Web analytics, will be used to enhance the PacSun Team community experience and measure online campaign results.

“We’ve grown our online business by focusing on the needs of our customers and adapting our business to the latest social and technological developments,” said Stacy Clark, senior director of e-commerce at Pacific Sunwear Stores, Corp. “Our partnership with Loop’d Network is a great compliment to this approach. It provides both a platform to build a broad-reaching sponsorship program and a set of tools and services that drive community growth.”

“We’ve always respected PacSun’s commitment to the action sports community, and are again witnessing this dedication as PacSun actively seeks to sponsor up-and-coming surf, skate and snowboard athletes,” said Loop’d Network's Tilton. “We are thrilled to provide a sponsorship and community solution to PacSun, the country’s largest action sports retailer, so the company can connect with its customers in new and exciting ways.”