Wednesday, December 2, 2015
The Player Way: How Derek Jeter Is Helping Athletes Tell Their Story
http://prezi.com/nswr-ubhofzw/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Social Media Monitoring Project Part 2: Where Do We Go From Here?
During the first part of my monitoring project, I discussed Beats Electronic and their launch of the Pill XL, their revised and revamped wireless bluetooth speaker.
Their social media campaign for their entire company was incredibly effective, with images of celebrities and athletes going about their lives doing anything from working out to walking into an arena but the one constant was their Beats headphones.
I thought their marketing and social media campaign was well received and told the story they needed to tell and they continue to sell their brand in a very appealing way to their legion of followers.
However with the increased popularity of individualized music and the ability to take your music and share it with anyone who may or may not want to hear it, the Pill XL, has truly taken ahold of the marketplace.
In the first part of the monitoring project, I discussed how Beats went pretty basic and plain with their marketing on social media with the Pill XL. Things have changed dramatically since then and they have made a concerted effort to use social media to brand the Pill with more than just the Pill itself. They have taken on their overall company plan of using celebrities and athletes and their usage of the Pill XL to highlight the many ways to use the product.
The most exciting part of their revitalized campaign is an app that they launched specifically for the Pill XL. It allows you to unlock features to your Pill XL that allows you to connect with another Pill XL and boost your sound even more among another things.
Traditionally, the marketing for the Beats products seemed to lean towards a more urban African-American population. Even that has changed with the addition of some prominent individuals from other music genres like Reba McIntyre.
Unfortunately for Beats, all of their updates and changes have yet to move their brand to the No. 1 spot, rather they seem stuck in a solid but distant No. 2 and the analytics bear that out. The Bose SoundLink, which most insiders believe occupies the No. 1 slot, outdistances the Pill XL in the blogs according to Meltwater IceRocket with the exception of a few spikes, mostly centered around the launch of the Pill XL.
Social Mention doesn't give the Pill XL much to stand on either with its strength and passion hovering at less than 50% and their reach not making it to 40%. I think the most difficult thing for them to swallow might be the overall indifference by most people and the neutral sentiment is more than ten times the positive sentiment. YIKES!
Similar to Social Mention, Google Trends spells out the same fate for the Pill XL. Other than a brief spike that we discussed in the last post due to the relaunch, their interest over time has actually seen a somewhat steady decline.
What's NEXT?
Beats needs to continue with their latest trend of expanding their target audience. Music lovers come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life and unfortunately, in my opinion I thought they developed this part of it too late. While the use of celebrities and athletes are great and bring in a certain demographic, expanding their marketing to a group of everyday citizens might be a way to swing some sentiment.
One thing you do see and it happens a lot with popular brands that are sometimes out of the every-man's price range is the production of knockoffs. Letting your consumers know what's real and what's fake is another step in the right direction. Beats has done that but because their products are commonly sold in this underground world a more proactive approach to this problem can help with the long term positive views of the brand.
While they do attempt to use the groundswell with the use of celebrities and sports figures - many who can use their own star power to influence, maybe starting at home might be the best idea. The marriage with Apple, while initially ignited the groundswell, it hasn't done what I believe they thought it would do long term.
In the end, the real question is how satisfied are you with being No. 2 or are you going to make a push, do some things differently and really go after that No. 1 spot?
Only time will tell.
Their social media campaign for their entire company was incredibly effective, with images of celebrities and athletes going about their lives doing anything from working out to walking into an arena but the one constant was their Beats headphones.
I thought their marketing and social media campaign was well received and told the story they needed to tell and they continue to sell their brand in a very appealing way to their legion of followers.
However with the increased popularity of individualized music and the ability to take your music and share it with anyone who may or may not want to hear it, the Pill XL, has truly taken ahold of the marketplace.
In the first part of the monitoring project, I discussed how Beats went pretty basic and plain with their marketing on social media with the Pill XL. Things have changed dramatically since then and they have made a concerted effort to use social media to brand the Pill with more than just the Pill itself. They have taken on their overall company plan of using celebrities and athletes and their usage of the Pill XL to highlight the many ways to use the product.
Traditionally, the marketing for the Beats products seemed to lean towards a more urban African-American population. Even that has changed with the addition of some prominent individuals from other music genres like Reba McIntyre.
— Reba McEntire Daily (@McEntireDaily) November 6, 2015
Unfortunately for Beats, all of their updates and changes have yet to move their brand to the No. 1 spot, rather they seem stuck in a solid but distant No. 2 and the analytics bear that out. The Bose SoundLink, which most insiders believe occupies the No. 1 slot, outdistances the Pill XL in the blogs according to Meltwater IceRocket with the exception of a few spikes, mostly centered around the launch of the Pill XL.
Social Mention doesn't give the Pill XL much to stand on either with its strength and passion hovering at less than 50% and their reach not making it to 40%. I think the most difficult thing for them to swallow might be the overall indifference by most people and the neutral sentiment is more than ten times the positive sentiment. YIKES!
What's NEXT?
Beats needs to continue with their latest trend of expanding their target audience. Music lovers come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life and unfortunately, in my opinion I thought they developed this part of it too late. While the use of celebrities and athletes are great and bring in a certain demographic, expanding their marketing to a group of everyday citizens might be a way to swing some sentiment.
Country music's greats and @BigMachine celebrated #CMAAwards2015 by turning on #NewBeatsPill. pic.twitter.com/silTUAdmG3
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) November 6, 2015
One thing you do see and it happens a lot with popular brands that are sometimes out of the every-man's price range is the production of knockoffs. Letting your consumers know what's real and what's fake is another step in the right direction. Beats has done that but because their products are commonly sold in this underground world a more proactive approach to this problem can help with the long term positive views of the brand.While they do attempt to use the groundswell with the use of celebrities and sports figures - many who can use their own star power to influence, maybe starting at home might be the best idea. The marriage with Apple, while initially ignited the groundswell, it hasn't done what I believe they thought it would do long term.
In the end, the real question is how satisfied are you with being No. 2 or are you going to make a push, do some things differently and really go after that No. 1 spot?
Only time will tell.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Hashtags, Twitter And College Football
Li and Bernoff's Chapter 11 on how connecting with the groundswell can transform a company is literally textbook for how fans interact with their teams and favorite players on a daily basis.
Every professional sports team has a twitter handle and the use of the hashtag is direct access for not only the fan but the team themselves.
Television programs use it as well - especially during sporting events! Have a comment about today's game use the hashtag .... to share with us your thoughts.
Talk about transforming your company! A kicker, while often mocked and ridiculed by some observers, play a crucial role in football contests. Just ask the Patriots with Adam Vinatieri delivering them two of their four Super Bowl titles with game-winning kicks.
With tens of millions of dollars on the line in big-time college football, someone who the football program had no clue even existed most likely until this week, could be the difference in playing for a national championship and the fame and glory that comes with it or the infamy and heartache that goes with not because of a kicking snafu.
At last check, more than 200 students (and 1 Gator named Albert) have signed up for the open tryout and a decision on who their kicker will be will come in the next week as they prepare to face their biggest rival, Georgia in Jacksonville on Halloween.
Every professional sports team has a twitter handle and the use of the hashtag is direct access for not only the fan but the team themselves.
Television programs use it as well - especially during sporting events! Have a comment about today's game use the hashtag .... to share with us your thoughts.
Ezekiel Elliott ran for 153 yards vs. Penn State, his FBS-leading 12th consecutive 100-yard game. pic.twitter.com/CjnSUvnhJs
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 19, 2015
Even colleges and universities use these mediums to ask questions, fact find and do market research. Sometimes, they even allow you to ask questions of specific high profile individuals using these hashtags and twitter questions, like they do at the University of Florida.
Time for this week's #AskAGator. Who's got questions for @BEECox_UF?
Reply or use the hashtag to submit. pic.twitter.com/3jmzl4UM5y
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 21, 2015
However, never before what is best described as an job posting on Twitter. The University of Florida has scheduled an open tryout for students to earn the job as the kicker on the football team.
All Call for Kickers! #Gators are looking for walk-on kickers. Visit the football office today by 4:30 PM to sign up for a tryout.
— Gator Recruiting (@_Gators_) October 19, 2015
The Gators are one of the country's premier athletics programs and have won multiple national championships. They are ranked in the top 25 this season but a rash of injuries have left them with out a placekicker for a portion of the season. With nowhere else to turn the football program turned to the student body for help.Talk about transforming your company! A kicker, while often mocked and ridiculed by some observers, play a crucial role in football contests. Just ask the Patriots with Adam Vinatieri delivering them two of their four Super Bowl titles with game-winning kicks.
With tens of millions of dollars on the line in big-time college football, someone who the football program had no clue even existed most likely until this week, could be the difference in playing for a national championship and the fame and glory that comes with it or the infamy and heartache that goes with not because of a kicking snafu.
At last check, more than 200 students (and 1 Gator named Albert) have signed up for the open tryout and a decision on who their kicker will be will come in the next week as they prepare to face their biggest rival, Georgia in Jacksonville on Halloween.
— Albert (@AlbertGator) October 20, 2015
Social Media Monitoring Project 1: And The Beats Go On
Beats Electronics is the brainchild of musician Dr. Dre and music executive Jimmy Iovine and was launched in Fall of 2008.
That duo capitalized on a market that was devoid of any real front runner and immediately began producing headphones and speakers.
Initially they were owned by Monster Cables, Inc and even for a time by Taiwanese smartphone developer, HTC.
However, in 2014, the company was acquired by Apple for $3 billion in a cash and stock deal that is the largest acquisition in Apple history.
The thing that Beats does that seems so simple, is marry a music lover with his or her own music in a way that they can still express themselves outwardly.
Whether you are punk-rock kid from the grunge scene in Seattle or a hip-hop wannabe from Brooklyn, Beats work for you.
Where they have really cornered the market, however, is with professional athletes. To prepare for a long grinding season or to find that spot mentally to play the upcoming game, athletes often times revert to music to get them into that "zone." Beats has used that opportunity perfectly as their marketing campaigns continue to show athletes and their quest for not only greatness but their search for that pregame zone.
Superheroes always show up. Cam Newton #KeepPounding
Posted by Beats by Dre on Sunday, October 18, 2015
Facebook:
Amazingly, over 8 million people like Beats by Dre on facebook! And the interaction is fantastic among their followers and the social media managers who oversee the site. For instance, a video they posted on their page about a month ago has been viewed more than 6 million times. That video, which is a little more than three minutes long, has more than 18,000 shares.The way to defend a legacy is to start again each day. Watch Richie McCaw in #TheGameStartsHere.
Posted by Beats by Dre on Saturday, September 19, 2015
With close to a million followers, Beats by Dre is an extremely popular Twitter handle and its pretty active. They are posting four times a day like clockwork and it is a mix of topics. From promoting a product launch to incredible images of individuals using beats by dre in a variety of ways, they use the hastags and twitter handles effectively to get the maximum amount of reach.
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) October 17, 2015
Beats by Dre actually takes a que from Li and Bernoff by "listening to the groundswell" on their Twitter account. Last week the world was going crazy for the Chicago Cubs and their hope that this would be the year they win the World Series. Beats by Dre wasted no time jumping into the fray with a perfectly timed tweet:
One win away from moving on. The @Cubs are ready to close it out tonight. pic.twitter.com/fdP1ISCZEM
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) October 13, 2015
Instagram:This such a powerful medium and Beats by Dre knows this and takes full advantage with the intense and intimate photos they share with their more than two million followers. Regardless of the platform, their themes stay the same - athletes looking for that zone and Beats by Dre's willingness to show that their products are a part of everyday life.
The specific area of the company that I have targeted is the New Beats Pill - a portable wireless speaker that has - similar to their headphones - helped change the way people listen to music. It is featured prominently on all their social media platforms and on their website.
The Recall:It was determined that the Pill XL might be a fire hazard and it was decided by Apple and Beats to do a recall. As we have seen in the past, with companies like Volkswagen, not being up front can be
devastating to your brand. Beats and Apple incorporated Apple support to assist with recall questions and issues in addition to staying engaged on all of their social media platforms.
Recalls and returns are a true test to a companies commitment to their customer base and companies like LL Bean have thrived on that commitment since they were founded. Beats and Apple are trying to provide that same kind of customer loyalty as can be seen in this Facebook interaction from October 7.
Pill Facebook:
Introducing Beats Pill+ We dare you to turn it on and hear for yourself. #NewBeatsPill For more info & to sign up to get notified when released go to beats.is/NewBeatsPill
Posted by Beats by Dre on Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Pill Instagram:
Pill Twitter:
Keep it simple.
Play, pause, skip tracks, and control your phone calls with a touch of the ‘b’. #NewBeatsPill pic.twitter.com/LpoEbQ8kmR
— Beats By Dre (@beatsbydre) October 16, 2015
Google Trends:
What Google Trends shows is that when the Pill launched, activity spiked really high as the word-of-mouth spread about the Pill's performance. Even still, more than a week after its launch they chatter has stayed around more than it did previously.
Social Mention:
The image on the left is for last week and the image on the right is for the last month. As you can see, the last doesn't quite have the same reach or strength as last week and that could partly be due to the launch being so far away. Also, the negative comments are there and can't be ignored. The first version of the Pill is going through a massive recall for a fire hazard but even still, I thought this report would include more negative comments.
Conclusion:
They are almost as recognizable as the white earbuds that helped define a generation nearly a decade ago. Beats headphones have taken over as the primary form of personalized music listening by marrying not only the world of music but by incorporating celebrities and their music routines as they go about their everyday life. And now their portable music player is attempting to do the same.
However, I would like to see the following when it comes to the Pill: Truly identify a target audience. At nearly $300 dollars, clearly the teenager and college student aren't who they are focusing on with this product unlike the headphones. When you do that, you take away a huge population of music listeners. Is it the hip urban millennial who wants a minimalist feel? Whoever they are, I would like to see the same kind of campaign that developed with the headphones to come with the Pill.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
How Back To The Future Made Everyone Love The Cubs
Back in the late 1980s , the Back to the Future movie series took hold as everyone's favorite nerdy older brother, Alex P. Keaton (or Michael J. Fox), transformed into Marty McFly, the central figure in a movie trilogy that grossed nearly a billion dollars.
One the most famous scenes in the second movie of the series sends present day (1989) McFly into the future (2015) looking at a hologram of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2015.
Amazingly, the movie, which was released in 1989, has the chance to be proven correct. The Chicago Cubs are in the Major League Playoffs for the first time in eight years and with the Back To The Future coincidence fresh in everyone's minds, the Cubs have become America's team. The fact that they haven't won a World Series since 1908 helps as America is known to be a country that loves to pull for the underdog.
And better believe, as the groundswell of support enraptures the Cubs, they have taken full advantage of the opportunity through their social media channels. Remember, I always talk about engagement with sports and fans and social media platforms are the best way to do so. Sometimes, however, it isn't the fans, its their own players who do all the talking that needs to be done.
Li and Bernoff went in depth in chapter ten about how Twitter can be your best vehicle to discover new contest and be your best way to spread your brand image through word of mouth.
First, the wife of Cubs reliever Travis Wood shares her experience of being on the field with her husband after a win:
But in the end, its about the fans, the fans, the fans.
So when co-creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis crafted part two of this series did they not it would have this far reaching effect so many years later? Probably not. That hasn't stopped Cubs fans and now the groundswell of casual fans from latching on hoping that a movie made nearly 30 years ago could have been the catalyst to help push the Cubs over the top?
At this point, the jury on whether the Cubs win the World Series is still out but if your a fan of Chicago's North Side team, odds are you are willing to grab onto any glimmer of hope. After all, you have been waiting for this to happen since 1908.
One the most famous scenes in the second movie of the series sends present day (1989) McFly into the future (2015) looking at a hologram of the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2015.
REMINDER: 'Back to the Future II' predicted the @Cubs would win the 2015 #WorldSeries... #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/JoGwJalp0S
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 14, 2015
And better believe, as the groundswell of support enraptures the Cubs, they have taken full advantage of the opportunity through their social media channels. Remember, I always talk about engagement with sports and fans and social media platforms are the best way to do so. Sometimes, however, it isn't the fans, its their own players who do all the talking that needs to be done.
Li and Bernoff went in depth in chapter ten about how Twitter can be your best vehicle to discover new contest and be your best way to spread your brand image through word of mouth.
First, the wife of Cubs reliever Travis Wood shares her experience of being on the field with her husband after a win:
— Brittany Wood (@bwz428) October 14, 2015
How about Anthony Rizzo, star first baseman, sharing the moment his worked so hard for with the people who have been by his side the longest, his parents:
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) October 14, 2015
But in the end, its about the fans, the fans, the fans.
Elation. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/73efrXHkA8
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 14, 2015
At this point, the jury on whether the Cubs win the World Series is still out but if your a fan of Chicago's North Side team, odds are you are willing to grab onto any glimmer of hope. After all, you have been waiting for this to happen since 1908.
Difficult Dialogue, Perfect Execution
I decided to take a step away from sports and all of its excitement in this post. Maybe its because I'm coming off a sick spell that zapped energy out of me or maybe its because this topic is one that hits pretty close to home for obvious reasons. Or maybe because it was when I read chapters 9 and 10 (OK, most of 9 & 10) It was the first thing that jumped into my head.
For me, I have to believe that Li and Bernoff were amazed by how effectively the #BlackLivesMatter Movement used the Groundswell to mobilize and confront an issue they they thought needed to be brought to the forefront of the American consciousness. First off it begins with a hashtag! And since Champtenr 10 is how to tap the groundswell using twitter, it seemed to be a perfect marriage. While facebook has its advantages of reaching a different kind of demographic, ttwitter seems to be the most effective, instantaneous way to bring the groundswell together and keep them informed.
After all, a groundswell is a buildup of opinion or feeling in a large segment of the population. And this movement is definitely that. It's amazing really, when you think of it. A mobilization of this kind, truly has no face, no true leader, just individuals gathering together and really pushing their agenda.
Think about it, when the #BlackLivesMatter movement makes news, the same person isn't in front of the camera or releasing a statement to the media, its almost a faceless movement that swept up our country and its being done almost exclusively through social media.
Locally, they have set up protests in Kelley Square in Worcester and made a mess of the morning commute on Route 93 in Boston.
Nationally, they have made their way into the Presidential candidates consciousness. First they made their way on to stage at a Bernie Sanders event in Seattle and even had Hilary Clinton discussing it at a town hall event.
Their effects are so far reaching, there have been spinoffs - first it was #AllLivesMatter, now even local police departments have stated their case.
And now, one of televisions most watched primetime shows will take a look at some of the things that people believe started the movement with what is being considered a groundbreaking episode. Law & Order:SVU will air an episode where an unarmed African-American male was murdered by police officers and will deal with the repercussions that come along with it.
For me, I have to believe that Li and Bernoff were amazed by how effectively the #BlackLivesMatter Movement used the Groundswell to mobilize and confront an issue they they thought needed to be brought to the forefront of the American consciousness. First off it begins with a hashtag! And since Champtenr 10 is how to tap the groundswell using twitter, it seemed to be a perfect marriage. While facebook has its advantages of reaching a different kind of demographic, ttwitter seems to be the most effective, instantaneous way to bring the groundswell together and keep them informed.
Posted by Black Lives Matter on Friday, August 2, 2013
After all, a groundswell is a buildup of opinion or feeling in a large segment of the population. And this movement is definitely that. It's amazing really, when you think of it. A mobilization of this kind, truly has no face, no true leader, just individuals gathering together and really pushing their agenda.
Think about it, when the #BlackLivesMatter movement makes news, the same person isn't in front of the camera or releasing a statement to the media, its almost a faceless movement that swept up our country and its being done almost exclusively through social media.
Join #BlackLivesMatter chapters across the state of CA, as we build our team for the #CaravanForJustice pic.twitter.com/nxFMFY0aXW
— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) September 30, 2015
Their social media profiles are growing by the day but at last count there are more than 70,000 followers on Twitter and simple search in facebook will bring up arms of the organization from Saint Paul, Minn. to Phoenix, Ariz. and several stops in between.Locally, they have set up protests in Kelley Square in Worcester and made a mess of the morning commute on Route 93 in Boston.
Nationally, they have made their way into the Presidential candidates consciousness. First they made their way on to stage at a Bernie Sanders event in Seattle and even had Hilary Clinton discussing it at a town hall event.
"Sanders has come a very long way since the first time he was asked about #BlackLivesMatter" http://t.co/5kIJJQ5CFW pic.twitter.com/DtIxC8NMpc
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 14, 2015
Their effects are so far reaching, there have been spinoffs - first it was #AllLivesMatter, now even local police departments have stated their case.And now, one of televisions most watched primetime shows will take a look at some of the things that people believe started the movement with what is being considered a groundbreaking episode. Law & Order:SVU will air an episode where an unarmed African-American male was murdered by police officers and will deal with the repercussions that come along with it.
Everyone will be talking about tonight’s new #SVU. Get in on the conversation at 9/8c on @NBC. https://t.co/7BfmZDEk8w
— Law and Order: SVU (@nbcsvu) October 14, 2015
While the topic isn't the easiest to talk about for some and even more difficult for others, the impact of #BlackLivesMatter will not be forgotten by a large majority of those who look back on 2015. I truly believe, even with all of the flaws that may exist with its message, they have used the groundswell like not many have before.Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Who Does It Better? The Nod Goes To Under Armour
For me, sports is all-consuming almost to the point where I
feel like I’m in overload. Whether it be vegging out on my couch watching
football on a Sunday or dragging my family to Dallas Cowboys training camp in
the middle of a California vacation, my life and now my family’s life is all
encompassing.So when I see a trend take hold, I take notice. I guess it makes sense that one of my favorite quotes about life comes from legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden. “Talen is God give. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be careful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” I love it because in an abstract way he talks about hard work and need for it – in anything you do.
That concept has never been more evident than what is going
on with Under Armour and their campaign centered on hard work and now competitors and other businesses alike are following suit.
Look at how they bring it back to hard work with their recent campaign of “I Will”, plus anytime you can replicate Tom Brady, it's never a bad thing, right?
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And while adidas makes an excellent attempt at the concept, it just doesn't resonate the way Under Armour's campaign does. That being said, I love the connection, the realism and the excitement that adidas brings. They hear Under Armour's footsteps in the battle for clientele and market share. Nevertheless, the use of up and coming high school athletes with a mix of professional athletes to show the work they put in and then how hard work helps you reap the glory is grabbing a lot of attention.
In a world where sports are going on year round and a generation of people don't know what it is like to live without ESPN 24 hours a day, the market for apparel is massive. And while traditional strongholds like Nike and adidas have their loyal supports, the reach and rise of Under Armour is something they will have to deal with. They have already taken notice.
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) August 24, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
An Ear To The Ground: Listening To The Groundswell
One of my favorite chapters in this really well written book, Groundswell, by Li and Bernoff is the chapter on Listening to the Groundswell.
As I stated in my previous post, to me, social media is all about engagement and how up close some of the platforms can bring you. I especially love the connection between professional athletes, teams and the fans or followers.
And just like any business, professional teams take heed from the groundswell and react accordingly. Recently, fans at several National Football League stadiums complained about the fact that while they were watching the game in the stands, the were unable to check their fantasy football scores because the wireless internet at the stadiums were not sufficient enough.So the NFL stepped in and set wifi minimums for their venues. The buzzwords being thrown around regarding this situation, were "enhancing the in-game experience." Having an excellent signal allows fans to not only check on fantasy rosters but helps them engage (there is that word again) with the team they cheer for.
Think about it. Bob sits in Section 1, Seat 30. He tweets a photo of a marriage proposal of the two people next to him and mentions the home team's twitter handle? Does that image not get retweeted and shared over and over again? And who gets credit for it? The home team because, remember it is their followers who are going to share it and truly spread the word. That's listening to the groundswell 101.
Another great example took place this summer with the New England Patriots and the Deflategate fiasco. After the NFL levied their four game suspension against quarterback Tom Brady and it seemed as if Brady, the face of not only the organization but of football in New England, would miss the opening game of the regular season. With the Patriots coming off of their fourth Super Bowl title last February, Patriot fans were in an uproar. One of the great perks of winning the Super Bowl, is the fact that you get to play the first game of the NFL season at home on a Thursday night rather than a Sunday afternoon. That puts all eyes on you and your team and it is truly the first time the team gets to celebrate their championship with their fans. The highlight of that night - other than a win of, course - is watching the championship banner that will hang forever in that stadium being unveiled.
As Li and Bernoff discussed, listening to the groundswell can bring new insights and the insight was something that captivated a region and a legion of fans. Fortunately for the NFL, Brady had his suspension overturned on appeal and was able to play opening night. Meaning the banner reveal could go on as they needed it to. Had the suspension not been overturned, the Patriots were prepared to raise an alternate banner on that Thursday night.
What has ensued since is a belief from Patriot fans that the team listens to them, hears them and respects them enough to take their concerns and matters seriously. Isn't that all we ask for as consumers?
As I stated in my previous post, to me, social media is all about engagement and how up close some of the platforms can bring you. I especially love the connection between professional athletes, teams and the fans or followers.
And just like any business, professional teams take heed from the groundswell and react accordingly. Recently, fans at several National Football League stadiums complained about the fact that while they were watching the game in the stands, the were unable to check their fantasy football scores because the wireless internet at the stadiums were not sufficient enough.So the NFL stepped in and set wifi minimums for their venues. The buzzwords being thrown around regarding this situation, were "enhancing the in-game experience." Having an excellent signal allows fans to not only check on fantasy rosters but helps them engage (there is that word again) with the team they cheer for.
Think about it. Bob sits in Section 1, Seat 30. He tweets a photo of a marriage proposal of the two people next to him and mentions the home team's twitter handle? Does that image not get retweeted and shared over and over again? And who gets credit for it? The home team because, remember it is their followers who are going to share it and truly spread the word. That's listening to the groundswell 101.
Another great example took place this summer with the New England Patriots and the Deflategate fiasco. After the NFL levied their four game suspension against quarterback Tom Brady and it seemed as if Brady, the face of not only the organization but of football in New England, would miss the opening game of the regular season. With the Patriots coming off of their fourth Super Bowl title last February, Patriot fans were in an uproar. One of the great perks of winning the Super Bowl, is the fact that you get to play the first game of the NFL season at home on a Thursday night rather than a Sunday afternoon. That puts all eyes on you and your team and it is truly the first time the team gets to celebrate their championship with their fans. The highlight of that night - other than a win of, course - is watching the championship banner that will hang forever in that stadium being unveiled.
With Brady's penalty looming - meaning he would miss the first four games - including the spotlight opening Thursday night - Patriot fans jumped into action. The twitter hashtag and twitter profile NoBradyNoBanner started trending and it became a regional chant, a motto if you will, about the Patriot fans' perception that they and their quarterback were being unfairly targeted by the NFL. Their thought was that if we can't have our quarterback, you can't have your banner.
As Li and Bernoff discussed, listening to the groundswell can bring new insights and the insight was something that captivated a region and a legion of fans. Fortunately for the NFL, Brady had his suspension overturned on appeal and was able to play opening night. Meaning the banner reveal could go on as they needed it to. Had the suspension not been overturned, the Patriots were prepared to raise an alternate banner on that Thursday night.
THIS is the banner the @Patriots would have unveiled tonight if Tom Brady did not play @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/VemK9oNyY6
— melissa stark (@melissastark) September 10, 2015
The groundswell and engagement of Patriots fans - the private network in this case - led to action by the team and as the word spread about #NoBradyNoBanner, they were prepared to act accordingly.What has ensued since is a belief from Patriot fans that the team listens to them, hears them and respects them enough to take their concerns and matters seriously. Isn't that all we ask for as consumers?
Banner drop in slow-mo? Love it.
Posted by New England Patriots on Thursday, September 10, 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Social Media & Sports: A Marriage Made In Heaven? So Far, Mostly
Not even the Royal Family could've hoped for nuptials that fit like hand and glove or head and tiara as the relationship that exists between sports and it's legion of followers. Or so it would seem. But that is for later. For now this marriage is the honeymoon stage and everyone is still ga-ga over each other.
Whether its good news like LeBron James and his 28 million followers finding out he is giving out college scholarships to kids in his hometown or bad news like the Ray Rice scandal in which a the professional football player was seen on video knocking his wife unconscious - in a matter of moments news on anything sports related takes off like wildfire and will most likely be "trending" before you know it. And for sports fans, its like a Sunday in September with your favorite team rolling through their opponent and its not even halftime yet.
For us fanatics (yes, I'm one of them!), we don't need to search out the score or find out the latest breaking news from our local newscaster on the 6:00 p.m. edition. That news finds us. Whether we are walking through the grocery store and we get an alert, or our phone buzzes in the middle of the night with a tweet from your favorite teams' Twitter account about their star player.
Twitter, Facebook and even Instagram have become the norm in terms of news reporting and information gathering.
Think about the news we heard all summer long in terms of sports - Deflategate. When Tom Brady decided to respond to his four-game suspension, he didn't hold a press conference or do an exclusive 1-on-1 prime time interview. No, he posted a message on his Facebook account.
Or when James announced he was leaving Miami to return to his native Cleveland, he penned a letter and posted on a website. And what ensued? A media marketing campaign for a native son that rivaled a mayoral run in some small cities.
Another great factor in this marriage is the true connection fans feel with athletes and teams. Fans want instant gratification and inside access to the favorite players, their lives and all the trappings that go with it. The couch potato from Cleveland or the sophomore stud on the high school team wants to know that there is that slight chance that you might have an interaction with the athlete who's poster is above your bed or who's jersey you wear every Sunday.
Because professional athletes realize the impact social media can have, they use social media to brand themselves. Access is granted and their willingness to share the most mundane aspects of their lives sometimes, is something that we as fans will continue to gobble up in record pace.
Clark Athletics has a Facebook account with close to 1,300 followers, a Twitter account with - you guessed it - around 1,300 followers and an Instagram account that just went over the 500 follower mark. Our YouTube page has given us the opportunity to share videos and use another avenue to keep everyone informed.
While our totals don't come close to the 246,500 Twitter followers at the University of Georgia, or the 31.3 million Instagram followers for Neymar, our circle of followers are loyal and committed to Clark Athletics.
So in 2015, with the coverage of sports and its star athletes on a never-ending cycle of who, what, when and where, social media's influence on the way news is disseminated and viewed in the sports world has changed dramatically from the days when reports smoked in the pressbox, wore pork pie hats, dressed in suits and banged away at a typewritter.
Social media and sports maybe the perfect marriage, but the dying breed of those hardcore reporters and beat writers are being replaced by bloggers and social media experts who sometimes, in their haste to be first with the story, they make decisions that don't sit right with the masses ethically or morally.
The good far outweighs the bad in this marriage of two heavyweights in the world today and the offspring that could come from this relationship is one that is being developed everyday as the digital world continues to spin on its axis.
Whether its good news like LeBron James and his 28 million followers finding out he is giving out college scholarships to kids in his hometown or bad news like the Ray Rice scandal in which a the professional football player was seen on video knocking his wife unconscious - in a matter of moments news on anything sports related takes off like wildfire and will most likely be "trending" before you know it. And for sports fans, its like a Sunday in September with your favorite team rolling through their opponent and its not even halftime yet.
For us fanatics (yes, I'm one of them!), we don't need to search out the score or find out the latest breaking news from our local newscaster on the 6:00 p.m. edition. That news finds us. Whether we are walking through the grocery store and we get an alert, or our phone buzzes in the middle of the night with a tweet from your favorite teams' Twitter account about their star player.
Twitter, Facebook and even Instagram have become the norm in terms of news reporting and information gathering.
Think about the news we heard all summer long in terms of sports - Deflategate. When Tom Brady decided to respond to his four-game suspension, he didn't hold a press conference or do an exclusive 1-on-1 prime time interview. No, he posted a message on his Facebook account.
Or when James announced he was leaving Miami to return to his native Cleveland, he penned a letter and posted on a website. And what ensued? A media marketing campaign for a native son that rivaled a mayoral run in some small cities.
Another great factor in this marriage is the true connection fans feel with athletes and teams. Fans want instant gratification and inside access to the favorite players, their lives and all the trappings that go with it. The couch potato from Cleveland or the sophomore stud on the high school team wants to know that there is that slight chance that you might have an interaction with the athlete who's poster is above your bed or who's jersey you wear every Sunday.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2015
Because professional athletes realize the impact social media can have, they use social media to brand themselves. Access is granted and their willingness to share the most mundane aspects of their lives sometimes, is something that we as fans will continue to gobble up in record pace.
And it's not only the professional athletes, its the teams themselves that provide that inside access we used to be only be able to dream about like this photo of former University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota who gives his mother a hug in the tunnel after his first professional football game. It's those kind of moments that humanize professional athletes and bring them to our level.
— Oregon Football (@WinTheDay) September 14, 2015
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 12, 2015
And for someone like me who works in sports and communication, the marriage has helped tremendously with the ability to market a small Division III athletics program in a state and region where college sports sit on the very back burner of the news and information cycle.While our totals don't come close to the 246,500 Twitter followers at the University of Georgia, or the 31.3 million Instagram followers for Neymar, our circle of followers are loyal and committed to Clark Athletics.
So in 2015, with the coverage of sports and its star athletes on a never-ending cycle of who, what, when and where, social media's influence on the way news is disseminated and viewed in the sports world has changed dramatically from the days when reports smoked in the pressbox, wore pork pie hats, dressed in suits and banged away at a typewritter.
The good far outweighs the bad in this marriage of two heavyweights in the world today and the offspring that could come from this relationship is one that is being developed everyday as the digital world continues to spin on its axis.
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