2 Notes
For consumer brands seeking to drive purchase through social media engagement, the solution may be simple: have an athlete mention it.
According to our 2011 Catalyst Fan Engagement Study, sports fans who follow their favorite athletes on social media are 55% more likely to purchase a brand if an athlete mentions it on Facebook or Twitter. Additionally, athlete mentions of brands on social media can have an even bigger impact on young (18-34), non-white fans (75% more likely to purchase) and those with kids at home (62%). Catalyst Public Relations commissioned Vision Critical to develop its second annual Catalyst Fan Engagement Study, exploring the growing convergence of sports and social media. Conducted in May 2011, more than 2,000 fans nationwide participated in the survey, which focused on the social media attitudes and usage habits of NFL, NBA, MLB, and college football and basketball fans.
7 Notes
Great article recently published in Fast Company about the NBA’s strategy to engage social media followers. This is a terrific read and a good reminder to brands as they engage consumers in this medium.
Rules of Engagement, from the NBA Social Media War Room
While bored traditional sports reporters wait for quotes from the megastars, the NBA’s elite social media team finds images, videos, and moments that take followers up close and behind the scenes of the Finals. We follow—literally—the social media masters during before, during, and after the action to watch how it all works. Read more at Fast Company. 
7 Notes
This week’s Ad Age collected social media demographics based upon user profiles. Check it out. Click the image below to read on.
1 Notes
By: Bill Holtz, Managing Partner
Sports has always served as common passion point for people, one that numerous brands have tapped into and leveraged.
Jon Last recently wrote an interesting commentary on MediaPost about the live sports experience as the ultimate brand community, and the opportunity that it presents to brand marketers. Having attended many sports events, both in a professional capacity and as a “fan,” I understand the power of shared experiences that only come from “being there.” There is value for brands in activating at live events.
That said, the live event is most valuable…only if there are people at the live event. Attendance for most sports has fluctuated in recent years, given the many entertainment options and the challenging economy.
Zoom
This is a great concept that we can’t wait to see in practice. Tomorrow, via its Ustream Channel and “simulcasted” live on its Facebook page, Sports Illustrated will host a live online, interactive (submit your questions) video chat with this year’s Sportsman of the Year.
Welcome to the official Sports Illustrated Ustream page for the 2010 Sportsman of the Year. Tune in here on Tuesday November 30th at 11:00 AM ET (8AM PT) to see our exclusive interview with this year’s winner. You won’t want to miss it!
Be sure to submit your questions in our social stream. The one’s you pose before the actual stream, the Sportsman will answer first!
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We’ve seen a lot of buzz over the past year or so about the various digital programs that the NHL has been putting together - from partnering with Blackberry on a new Facebook app, to aggressive movements on blogs and growing their Twitter presence.
But are they practicing what they preach? According to today’s USA Today article, it seems this was a hot topic at a recent GMs meeting. The NHL GMs are a little concerned with the lack of rules among the players, and don’t (really) know where to start in creating them.
So here’s the bigger question - can you as a brand truly embrace social media while simultaneously enforcing rules against using it? We think there’s a way to handle this question, but the answer is different for each league and brand.
Check out the full article here. Would love to hear your thoughts.
