Look Who’s Talking…
I think the Seattle Sounders FC is doing a fantastic job with public relations. They have over 20,000 season ticket holders and always pack Quest Field for Sounders FC games. The thing that Seattle Sounders FC is doing in public relations that I think is really smart is their use of well educated, intelligently placed spokes people.
Seattle Sounders FC can boast an elaborate array of “celebrity” spokes people including:
Franchise owner: Drew Carey
Team Captain and former United States National Team Goal Keeper: Kasey Keller
Former Arsenal FC and Swedish National team star: Freddy Ljungberg
Major League Soccer All Star: Freddy Montero
Team Manager (head coach): Sigi Schmid
All of Seattle Sounders FC’s spokes people have great credibility and have launched campaigns for Major League Soccer and for the Seattle Sounders FC. These campaigns are doing more than fighting for their individual causes; they are spreading the branding of the Seattle Sounders FC and Major League Soccer.
Drew Carey appeals to people who may not have ever watched soccer before, but now are becoming slightly more interested, if only to find out what that funny guy is talking about now. I think his reach is going much farther toward the non soccer fan or even the casual soccer fan. He has done wonders for getting the less than dedicated soccer watchers to attend games and buy merchandise.
Kasey Keller is helping to get support and respect from long time United States National team fans. Seattle Sounders FC is a Major League Soccer expansion team. Typical expansion teams do not receive much respect, but having a legend like Keller between the pipes has really helped the Seattle Sounders FC get off the ground in Major League Soccer.
Freddy Ljungberg is an international football icon. Through his stardom with Arsenal and the Swedish National Team Ljungberg is bringing international attention to Major League Soccer. His reach is with the incredibly dedicated soccer fans from overseas that are suddenly interested in how he is doing in his new league. He is helping Major League Soccer to gain international respect.
The reason I think Seattle Sounders FC is doing such a good job with their public relations campaign is the fact that it does not look like a public relations campaign to most people. They made diverse selections that are hitting multiple publics at the same time. Keller inside the United States, Ljungberg in Europe, Montero in South America, Carey to the non soccer publics, and Schmid to the administrative levels in Major League Soccer. Great public relations planning and execution by Seattle Sounders FC.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2300 Thoughts
The New York Times <3’s Villains
The New York Times printed a “puff piece” interview based article on recent You Tube villain Elizabeth Lambert. Lambert made several aggressive tackles and just downright violent plays in a NCAA Women’s soccer match versus Brigham Young University on November 5, a semi final game in the Western Athletic Conference Championship.
Lamberts “fame” rose as clips from the game reached ESPN’s Sports Center meriting commentary from former United States Women’s World Cup Champion team Captain Julie Foudy. The clips were then seen thousands of times on You Tube, professional and personal blogs, and via several other social media outlets.
In a previous post I thought that New Mexico would need to get some good public relations flowing to try to salvage some of their once good reputation. Well I am happy to say that New Mexico’s public relations professionals did not disappoint me. They have already been out in full force trying to manage the crisis situation they have been handed.
On November 18, there was an article about the incident in the New York Times. Lambert was interviewed, and painted to be an angel that was provoked and is being attacked and treated terribly since the incident all at no fault of her own. All the blame for her actions was nicely diverted to other players on both teams, the referee, and her coach.
The article is clearly polarized starkly in favor of Lambert, and her apparent cause. I definitely think this is the first of many public relations moves by New Mexico. Getting an article in the New York Times is a great start. They certainly still have a long way to go to smooth Lambert’s actions over in the soccer community. Just reading the comments will tell you that.
I think this type of article might help to get some of the people that just saw the video to take pity on Lambert, but not the soccer community, especially not soccer players. Someone that has been in games just as intense and just as important will not allow her to use a “get out of jail free card” on this one. Her actions were pretty fierce. They have a long road ahead to reach their desired public.
I think New Mexico really missed the mark with this piece. I think their most important public is soccer players/fans and I think this article will only make them more upset; as illustrated by the comments and blogs already commenting on this article published by the New York Times. It will be interesting to see what New Mexico’s next move is.
The New York Times printed a “puff piece” interview based article on recent You Tube villain Elizabeth Lambert. Lambert made several aggressive tackles and just downright violent plays in a NCAA Women’s soccer match versus Brigham Young University on November 5, a semi final game in the Western Athletic Conference Championship.
Lamberts “fame” rose as clips from the game reached ESPN’s Sports Center meriting commentary from former United States Women’s World Cup Champion team Captain Julie Foudy. The clips were then seen thousands of times on You Tube, professional and personal blogs, and via several other social media outlets.
In a previous post I thought that New Mexico would need to get some good public relations flowing to try to salvage some of their once good reputation. Well I am happy to say that New Mexico’s public relations professionals did not disappoint me. They have already been out in full force trying to manage the crisis situation they have been handed.
On November 18, there was an article about the incident in the New York Times. Lambert was interviewed, and painted to be an angel that was provoked and is being attacked and treated terribly since the incident all at no fault of her own. All the blame for her actions was nicely diverted to other players on both teams, the referee, and her coach.
The article is clearly polarized starkly in favor of Lambert, and her apparent cause. I definitely think this is the first of many public relations moves by New Mexico. Getting an article in the New York Times is a great start. They certainly still have a long way to go to smooth Lambert’s actions over in the soccer community. Just reading the comments will tell you that.
I think this type of article might help to get some of the people that just saw the video to take pity on Lambert, but not the soccer community, especially not soccer players. Someone that has been in games just as intense and just as important will not allow her to use a “get out of jail free card” on this one. Her actions were pretty fierce. They have a long road ahead to reach their desired public.
I think New Mexico really missed the mark with this piece. I think their most important public is soccer players/fans and I think this article will only make them more upset; as illustrated by the comments and blogs already commenting on this article published by the New York Times. It will be interesting to see what New Mexico’s next move is.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2300 Thoughts
Social Media?
How serious should public relations professionals really get about social media? Consider the number of users on Twitter, Facebook, Second Life, You Tube, and your head starts to hurt just a little bit. The opportunities for public relations through these new forms of media are absolutely endless. I would dare say that most of them have yet to be found and utilized to their fullest potential.
Social media can help you track the number of people talking about your clients, and even what they are saying about specific products or services they are providing. Giving you instant feedback on what the public really thinks about your company. With those amazing opportunities and information packs social media also provides multiple challenges for public relations professionals.
Before social media a broken guitar would not have even registered on the scale of public relations problem, but thanks to social media it is now labeled as a crisis! Social media gives customers a place to talk about different products, relate to each other’s experiences with the product, so if that experience is not good, the experience will travel at least twice as fast, and now result in a crisis.
I am learning something new about social media every day. I think the impact that social media is having on the world is greatly underestimated by public relations, and marketing professionals. In my opinion a smart public relations firm would be getting on board with social media and hiring some young fresh public relations graduates who understand social media to launch their clients “social identity.” Sometimes who you appear to be online is more powerful than who you actually are.
How serious should public relations professionals really get about social media? Consider the number of users on Twitter, Facebook, Second Life, You Tube, and your head starts to hurt just a little bit. The opportunities for public relations through these new forms of media are absolutely endless. I would dare say that most of them have yet to be found and utilized to their fullest potential.
Social media can help you track the number of people talking about your clients, and even what they are saying about specific products or services they are providing. Giving you instant feedback on what the public really thinks about your company. With those amazing opportunities and information packs social media also provides multiple challenges for public relations professionals.
Before social media a broken guitar would not have even registered on the scale of public relations problem, but thanks to social media it is now labeled as a crisis! Social media gives customers a place to talk about different products, relate to each other’s experiences with the product, so if that experience is not good, the experience will travel at least twice as fast, and now result in a crisis.
I am learning something new about social media every day. I think the impact that social media is having on the world is greatly underestimated by public relations, and marketing professionals. In my opinion a smart public relations firm would be getting on board with social media and hiring some young fresh public relations graduates who understand social media to launch their clients “social identity.” Sometimes who you appear to be online is more powerful than who you actually are.
Friday, November 13, 2009
2300 Thoughts
The Power of the Fans
ReAL Salt Lake has made it to the Eastern Conference Final against the Chicago Fire, but the game is going to be played in Chicago, at the Chicago Fire’s home stadium. Since the fans at Rio Tinto stadium have been so instrumental for ReAL Salt Lake this year ReAL Salt Lake’s public relations department decided to make a great public relations move…
Create a blitz of Facebook fans, trying to get more fans than the Chicago Fire have on their Facebook fan page before game time! It has really created a unified group of fans online. The goal is to reach 7,000 fans (the Chicago Fire have 6,000 and something) by Saturday morning before the team leave their hotel to head to the field. So in a nut shell they wanted to get 7,000 fans in two days, well I think they will make it. On Friday at 3:00 p.m. they had 6,976 fans on their Facebook page.
It is really amazing the power of social media in marketing, image management, branding and so many other facets of public relations. I think ReAL Salt Lake was super smart in this social media blitz. They were smart to turn to social media and they really created lots of buzz around this game.
They also encouraged their Twitter followers to become fans of the team on Facebook. Their blog has really improved and was a great place for them to also promote this fan page blitz to “put out the Fire in Chicago.” I think the play on words really helped them get more “fans” and increase the team loyalty and indirectly promote the game and encouraging fans to remember to watch this crucial away game for ReAL Salt Lake.
I think ReAL Salt Lake has hit a home run with this simple media campaign that really did not cost them anything, just a little time and maybe some research to find out about the Chicago fan page on Facebook. I think it was very well done and nicely executed. I certainly hope they make it to 7,000 fans by their deadline.
ReAL Salt Lake has made it to the Eastern Conference Final against the Chicago Fire, but the game is going to be played in Chicago, at the Chicago Fire’s home stadium. Since the fans at Rio Tinto stadium have been so instrumental for ReAL Salt Lake this year ReAL Salt Lake’s public relations department decided to make a great public relations move…
Create a blitz of Facebook fans, trying to get more fans than the Chicago Fire have on their Facebook fan page before game time! It has really created a unified group of fans online. The goal is to reach 7,000 fans (the Chicago Fire have 6,000 and something) by Saturday morning before the team leave their hotel to head to the field. So in a nut shell they wanted to get 7,000 fans in two days, well I think they will make it. On Friday at 3:00 p.m. they had 6,976 fans on their Facebook page.
It is really amazing the power of social media in marketing, image management, branding and so many other facets of public relations. I think ReAL Salt Lake was super smart in this social media blitz. They were smart to turn to social media and they really created lots of buzz around this game.
They also encouraged their Twitter followers to become fans of the team on Facebook. Their blog has really improved and was a great place for them to also promote this fan page blitz to “put out the Fire in Chicago.” I think the play on words really helped them get more “fans” and increase the team loyalty and indirectly promote the game and encouraging fans to remember to watch this crucial away game for ReAL Salt Lake.
I think ReAL Salt Lake has hit a home run with this simple media campaign that really did not cost them anything, just a little time and maybe some research to find out about the Chicago fan page on Facebook. I think it was very well done and nicely executed. I certainly hope they make it to 7,000 fans by their deadline.
2300 Thoughts
Social Promo
I have been getting several promotional codes and offers through my Facebook and Twitter accounts. More and more companies are getting in on the action of using social media to their advantage. I think social media is a great way for small companies to effectively advertise with little to no budget.
I think giving out promotional codes and offers though social media networks is really increasing loyalty for these companies, and helping them target their already loyal customers. I know that I have spent more money with companies that are sending me promotional material through social media outlets, because I know about the opportunities earlier than I did before, and receiving it over social media almost makes those receiving the promotions feel like it is a personal invitation more than just a mass mailing would have in the past.
I have been receiving multiple promotional codes that are only available to Twitter followers, or Facebook fans. Sending promotions to your followers or fans has really helped companies know what people are already their loyal customers and then reward them and enhance their loyalty through these social media outlets. I think companies really need to jump on this social media wave before it runs out. There are so many amazing opportunities for companies through social media.
I am excited to graduate and start helping companies better utilize social media for their public relations. I think the possibilities are endless for social media. I am sure by the time I graduate all the stages for social media will be completely different, but equal if not more influential than the ones that are currently available.
I have been getting several promotional codes and offers through my Facebook and Twitter accounts. More and more companies are getting in on the action of using social media to their advantage. I think social media is a great way for small companies to effectively advertise with little to no budget.
I think giving out promotional codes and offers though social media networks is really increasing loyalty for these companies, and helping them target their already loyal customers. I know that I have spent more money with companies that are sending me promotional material through social media outlets, because I know about the opportunities earlier than I did before, and receiving it over social media almost makes those receiving the promotions feel like it is a personal invitation more than just a mass mailing would have in the past.
I have been receiving multiple promotional codes that are only available to Twitter followers, or Facebook fans. Sending promotions to your followers or fans has really helped companies know what people are already their loyal customers and then reward them and enhance their loyalty through these social media outlets. I think companies really need to jump on this social media wave before it runs out. There are so many amazing opportunities for companies through social media.
I am excited to graduate and start helping companies better utilize social media for their public relations. I think the possibilities are endless for social media. I am sure by the time I graduate all the stages for social media will be completely different, but equal if not more influential than the ones that are currently available.
2300 Thoughts
New Mexico Needs PR
New Mexico’s Elizabeth Lambert's actions against Brigham Young University players in Mountain West Conference tournament will certainly require the school and especially their sports department to kick public relations into full gear. I would guess that a crisis management plan was not readily available for what resulted from Lambert’s actions on the field. I am sure however that now the Lobo’s are running full pace in crisis management.
The video of Lambert “attacking” several BYU players made an appearance on ESPN’s Sport’s Center with former United States National team captain Julie Foudy. After the national coverage on ESPN countless newspaper and blog sites picked up the video and started adding their commentary to the actions of Lambert during the game.
On You Tube Lamberts “fame” as grown faster than anyone would have expected, thank you social media! Lamberts video on You Tube has already reached 31,252 views on You Tube alone not even including all the views on ESPN’s page and other blogs and news sources. Sources say that Lambert’s video has received more views faster than the famous You Tube clip Bubble Boy.
New Mexico has already handed down an indefinite suspension to Lambert, but I have a very good feeling that it will not be enough to regain their once good name. It will be very interesting to see the public relations that comes out of New Mexico regarding this game. They have been thrust into the spotlight with far less than favorable circumstances.
I think they need to do some social media public relations with all of their sports, and their current students and fans. I think this will probably affect them and the way they support their sport teams. I can also see a need for some public relations to other schools that they will be playing next season, making sure they know their players will be safe and treated with respect. I think it will be pretty hard for New Mexico to schedule pre-season matches next year. No one wants their star players hurt before the season even starts.
This story is far from over and will be interesting to follow and see how all sides react to this new found fame.
New Mexico’s Elizabeth Lambert's actions against Brigham Young University players in Mountain West Conference tournament will certainly require the school and especially their sports department to kick public relations into full gear. I would guess that a crisis management plan was not readily available for what resulted from Lambert’s actions on the field. I am sure however that now the Lobo’s are running full pace in crisis management.
The video of Lambert “attacking” several BYU players made an appearance on ESPN’s Sport’s Center with former United States National team captain Julie Foudy. After the national coverage on ESPN countless newspaper and blog sites picked up the video and started adding their commentary to the actions of Lambert during the game.
On You Tube Lamberts “fame” as grown faster than anyone would have expected, thank you social media! Lamberts video on You Tube has already reached 31,252 views on You Tube alone not even including all the views on ESPN’s page and other blogs and news sources. Sources say that Lambert’s video has received more views faster than the famous You Tube clip Bubble Boy.
New Mexico has already handed down an indefinite suspension to Lambert, but I have a very good feeling that it will not be enough to regain their once good name. It will be very interesting to see the public relations that comes out of New Mexico regarding this game. They have been thrust into the spotlight with far less than favorable circumstances.
I think they need to do some social media public relations with all of their sports, and their current students and fans. I think this will probably affect them and the way they support their sport teams. I can also see a need for some public relations to other schools that they will be playing next season, making sure they know their players will be safe and treated with respect. I think it will be pretty hard for New Mexico to schedule pre-season matches next year. No one wants their star players hurt before the season even starts.
This story is far from over and will be interesting to follow and see how all sides react to this new found fame.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
2300 Thoughts
4-H: Cruel to animals and kids
I am obviously very biased on this topic, because I grew up in an agriculture income based home, but I think this article is just too over the top! I had to comment on it. I think the best part of this article is the disclaimer at the bottom of the article. It is actually hilarious. It makes the article sound like an infomercial. I wonder if the article was actually just paid space written to look like an article.
The “points” made in this article are really quite laughable actually. The things it talks about as cruel and unusual punishment either are exaggerated situations, not common practice, or are mere facts of life that no one can change. Sorry that you got attached to a product that lost its value in its current stage, so it was sent somewhere it would have a value and that hurt your feelings. Death is a part of life.
The best part of this article though is the fact that they mentioned the little girl’s PETA water bottle and how it was not accepted well at the local fair. Why is that news? Everyone knows it would not be accepted well there. If an organization was taking away your livelihood you would not be a fan of their merchandise either. I don’t know why that was such a big deal. In fact I don’t think it was as big of a deal as the article makes it out to be. I think this is another one of PETA’s methods to get people interested in their cause.
“Like most little girls, my stepdaughter loves animals. She joined a local 4-H club when she was 9, solely because "cows are cool."” Cows are cool? Who even says that? I have heard one person actually say/believe that statement, and she is a rancher. This opening paragraph already makes you think that everyone is like this little girl, when in reality I think she is probably pretty alone in her love for cows.
Unfortunately I think it is a great approach for PETA to be taking. I think they are deceiving readers and creating an unrealistic reality for readers. They are trying to use this feature story as negative public relations for the 4-H, and staging it though a person who assumedly knows something about 4-H and has a family connection. Yea they sound really unbiased we should find out what there opinion is. And hilariously his stepdaughter is still in 4-H so apparently it is not as bad as he makes it out to be.
I wonder how much this article will actually affect the 4-H organization. It will be interesting to see if there is any follow up on this article by the 4-H. I doubt they will even notice this ridiculous article was written.
I am obviously very biased on this topic, because I grew up in an agriculture income based home, but I think this article is just too over the top! I had to comment on it. I think the best part of this article is the disclaimer at the bottom of the article. It is actually hilarious. It makes the article sound like an infomercial. I wonder if the article was actually just paid space written to look like an article.
The “points” made in this article are really quite laughable actually. The things it talks about as cruel and unusual punishment either are exaggerated situations, not common practice, or are mere facts of life that no one can change. Sorry that you got attached to a product that lost its value in its current stage, so it was sent somewhere it would have a value and that hurt your feelings. Death is a part of life.
The best part of this article though is the fact that they mentioned the little girl’s PETA water bottle and how it was not accepted well at the local fair. Why is that news? Everyone knows it would not be accepted well there. If an organization was taking away your livelihood you would not be a fan of their merchandise either. I don’t know why that was such a big deal. In fact I don’t think it was as big of a deal as the article makes it out to be. I think this is another one of PETA’s methods to get people interested in their cause.
“Like most little girls, my stepdaughter loves animals. She joined a local 4-H club when she was 9, solely because "cows are cool."” Cows are cool? Who even says that? I have heard one person actually say/believe that statement, and she is a rancher. This opening paragraph already makes you think that everyone is like this little girl, when in reality I think she is probably pretty alone in her love for cows.
Unfortunately I think it is a great approach for PETA to be taking. I think they are deceiving readers and creating an unrealistic reality for readers. They are trying to use this feature story as negative public relations for the 4-H, and staging it though a person who assumedly knows something about 4-H and has a family connection. Yea they sound really unbiased we should find out what there opinion is. And hilariously his stepdaughter is still in 4-H so apparently it is not as bad as he makes it out to be.
I wonder how much this article will actually affect the 4-H organization. It will be interesting to see if there is any follow up on this article by the 4-H. I doubt they will even notice this ridiculous article was written.
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