As part of New Balance's focus on the basketball category for Fall 2002, the athletic shoe maker along with New York-based marketing communications agency Euro RSCG MVBMS Partners, and its interactive unit Euro RSCG Circle, created www.nbhoops.com, a basketball-specific site designed to be a resource for the everyday basketball athlete.The four main sections of the site: Product, Courts & Hoop Troop, Events, and Retailers all contain new, innovative features including exploded illustration and 360 degree shoe rotation. The site, built with Flash technology, allows for animation, rollovers, hotspots, and sound accompaniment. The most notable area of the site, Courts & Hoop Troop, features a Court Guide that profiles courts in five different cities across the country, with more cities and courts to be added. The guide provides court photographs and outlines each courts level of competition, types of players, types of games, opening times, directions and more.Remaining consistent with New Balance brand strategy and its Endorsed by No One positioning, www.nbhoops.com was developed with grassroots marketing in mind. The site highlights the human dimension of the sport and serves as a valuable resource for real, everyday basketball athletes who love to play the game.