When I first signed up for a LinkedIn account, I’ll be honest, I was not really sure why or what I’d be doing with it. Initially I saw the value in connecting with others in my industry and experimented with the tools that were there. I began to meet a lot of interesting people via…
Sports Public Relations Critical to Athlete Playbook
We’ve heard the words “public relations” tossed around quite a bit this summer, particularly when an athlete or coach scrambles to save face after behaving badly. My concern as someone who’s worked in sports PR in some shape or form for most of my professional life, is that I increasingly hear consumers talk about press…
Getting Past Bertha: The Rules of Gatekeeper Engagement in Sales
We all know who Bertha is. She’s the ever-present Gatekeeper… the evil lord of the Decision-Maker’s precious appointment book, telephone, and front door. She eats unsuspecting sales reps for breakfast. She’s been around the block, and knows what you’re up to. You’re a Salesperson, and as far as she’s concerned, you’re the enemy. She’s made…
3 Reasons Athletes Should Use Social Media
Last week Antonio Ramirez wrote in from Mexico to ask what the best arguments were for convincing players to participate in a social program. It’s a great question, and in Antonio’s case, for a great cause. Childhood obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic in Mexico, particularly surrounding low income areas and schools. And he’s looking…
How Twitter Gives Fans Free Access to Games (& Why Ochocinco is Brilliant)
In early July, the National Football League announced they would enforce a ban on players using Twitter during games. A Mashable article from July 9th stated, “If you were hoping for Chad Ochocinco to pull out his cell phone and tweet after scoring a touchdown this season, prepare to be disappointed.” Last week on uStream,…
SXSW Panel on Sports and Social Media: Need Your Vote!
Sports Networker needs your vote! We submitted to conduct a panel at SxSW next year to talk about how social media is changing the sports world. We all know the sports industry is behind the times on using new media, however, it seems as though teams and companies are starting to see the value. In…
How To Build a Digital Brand Universe
Building a Digital Brand Universe is a fundamental part of the Digital Royalty philosophy. We created the concept to serve as a road map for digital integration. This video is an example of how social media is done on the move.
How to Increase Ticket Sales for Your Sports Team
I had the pleasure to meet with fellow SportsNetworker.com writer, Bill Guertin, during one of my business networking events that I hold around the country. This event happened to be in Cleveland where Bill was doing some ticket sales consulting with the Cleveland Cavs and meeting with the Cleveland Browns as well. I already knew…
An Agents Guide To Athletes
In roughly four months, Bob Ruxin and I will be releasing a new book: An Athlete’s Guide to Agents, 5th Edition. The book will cover everything from NCAA rules and regulations to turning pro early…and it even discusses the agent selection process. That process is not a one-way street. The principal is the athlete, who has…
How To Land A Sports Press Pass Using Twitter
Peter Robert Casey, a fellow Sports Networker member who recently attended the Sports Networker NYC event has been getting a lot of attention online at mashable, Brian Solis, the St. John’s site (along with many others) for his recent “acceptance in the press” credentials he has received because of his powerful Twitter presence. Let’s just…
SEC Caught in PR Firestorm Over Social Media Policy
Southeastern Conference associate commissioner for media relations, Charles Bloom, has had better weeks. Actually, so has everyone in the SEC offices in Birmingham, Ala. Just days after a conference ticket policy went into place, the SEC began to receive unprecedented criticism from season ticket holders at its 12 member schools to media nationwide. The primary…
How is Your Sponsorship Program?
Perception is reality I am told and recently sports sponsorship has taken it on the chin. Do we need to rehabilitate our image and if so, how? Some have suggested we should change the terms we use to describe our practice. Is this managing perception or folding in the face of uninformed critics? Jason…
How to Find a Sports Social Media Manager
Sit-down with Amy Martin, of Digital Royalty. She shares her professional experience and offers tips on how to use your existing social marketing space to find and recruit your brand’s next Sports Social Media Manager.
Relinquish Control, Empower the Passionate Fans!
Sports marketing thought leader, Jason Peck, said something two weeks ago that really resonated with me. After hearing a company say they controlled their brand in social media he said this, “The words influence, facilitate and protect your brand should replace control.” Frankly, I couldn’t agree more… … Provided it’s your fans who pay money…
Before Shaq on Twitter, There Was Gilbert
When you think of social media and basketball, you think Shaquille O’Neal. He has over 2 million followers on Twitter and about 900,000 fans on Facebook. He is hilarious, innovative, active, and engaging. He was one of the first athletes to get involved with social media and his personality has helped make him one of…
Usain Bolt Breaks Another World Record!
Can Usain Bolt really be that much of a freak to break two of his own world records in one week? He didn’t just break his world records in the 100m and 200m, he smashed them! What does this mean for his sponsorship opportunities for the future? Should brands hop on the wagon and spend…