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Smartphone photographers to gain pitchside access to FA Cup Semi Finals

A pair of smartphone photographers will be given pitchside access to this weekend’s FA Cup Semi Finals, bringing social networkers to the edge of the action for the first time.

Working alongside FA Cup title sponsor Budweiser, the two smartphone toting amateur photographers will be handed the same pitchside accreditation as their long lens boasting professional counterparts, with the ingeniously entitled ‘Phoneigraphers’ tasked with keeping social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook up to date with the action.

Selected as the web’s best amateur photographers, the two newly appointed Phoneographers will be armed solely with a smartphone device, becoming the FA Cup’s first official social reporters. Highlighting the increased effect the likes of Twitter has on citizen journalism and bringing instant news to the masses, all pitchside images will be accompanied by the hashtag #tothedream.

With the first 2013 FA Cup  Semi Final to see Millwall play Wigan this Saturday, April 13, the second game will follow the next day when the eagerly awaited clash between Manchester City and Chelsea occurs at Wembley.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing these avid football and photography fans closer to the game they love in a way they can share with other fans in stadium and at home,” Iain Newell, Budweiser’s UK Marketing Director said. “It reflects the changing way people get their football updates and our desire to bring the magic of The FA Cup even closer to the fans, which social media certainly has the potential to do.”

He added: “We hope the Phoneographer’s shots will help celebrate the great moments from this season’s Semi-Finals and capture the optimism of fans hoping to see their team reach the Final in May.”

Part of a wider campaign that will see Budweiser launch a three minute advert showcasing the 2012/2013 FA Cup campaign from a fan’s perspective, the Phoneographer’s images can be joined by fan’s own shots shared using the same hashtag.

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