Transforming fans into custom Charlotte Hornets-inspired characters through AI, personalization, and immersive in-venue engagement.
As part of the Charlotte Hornets and Dr Pepper’s ongoing commitment to elevating the in-arena fan experience, MVP Interactive collaborated with both to create a fun, personalized, and share-worthy digital activation that let fans transform into their very own mascot character.
The Challenge
Dr Pepper and the Charlotte Hornets were looking to deepen engagement inside the arena by introducing an experience that felt interactive, customized, and uniquely “Buzz City.” The goal: create a moment that fans would not only enjoy, but proudly share — extending the Hornets’ brand presence beyond the venue while showcasing Dr Pepper’s role in sparking memorable, high-energy fan interactions.
The Solution
MVP Interactive designed a seamless, mobile-first journey where fans could build their own Hornets-inspired mascot using AI-powered character creation.
The experience began with a simple QR code scan that launched a registration flow on the fan’s mobile device. They then answered five quick lifestyle questions — covering music, fashion, basketball style, and more — before posing for a photo. Our AI engine combined their preferences with their portrait to generate a fully customized digital mascot, complete with personalized accessories and attributes.
Within seconds, fans saw their one-of-a-kind Hornets character displayed on screen, followed by a professionally composed, ready-to-share image delivered straight to their inbox.
The Experience
The activation captured strong participation and enthusiasm, with fans eager to see how their personality would come to life as a Hornets mascot. Even though this was a Hornets branded experience, plenty of visitor team (Lakers) fans enjoyed it just as much. The intuitive UX, quick turnaround, and high-quality character renders created a smooth, delightful fan journey from start to finish.
Each participant walked away with a unique, branded keepsake — a digital mascot image that celebrated their individuality while amplifying the Hornets and Dr Pepper brands across social channels.
The Results
- Personalized fan moments that increased in-arena engagement
- Highly shareable digital content that expanded social reach
- Elevated brand visibility for Dr Pepper and the Charlotte Hornets
- A scalable experience model that can evolve across future games and campaigns
The Impact
By combining the excitement of live sports with forward-thinking AI technology, MVP Interactive helped Dr Pepper and the Charlotte Hornets deliver a fan-first activation that blended personalization, innovation, and brand storytelling. The result is an experience that doesn’t just entertain fans — it empowers them to become part of the Hornets family in a whole new way.
