Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Class Blog: Social Media Marketing

Social media is becoming more and more prevelant in sports marketing today. Twitter is probably the most common place where this takes place. Twitter offers players the unique and new opportunity to personnally market their teams as well as theirselves. What is so unique about this form of advertising is that it is an interaction directly between players and fans. Players are even advertising for teams that they don't play on. I know the Cleveland Browns players Joe Haden and Josh Cribbs both urge fans to come out to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers whenever they come to games. Josh Cribbs even had a special code offered on his Twitter account that fans could redeem for tickets and a meet and greet with him before the Cavs game. These marketing opportunities were unheard of as little as a few years ago.

Teams are using social media as well. Practically every single professional team has a Facebook and Twitter page as well as multiple blogs and vlogs. The Cavaliers frequently post video interviews on their website with players and announcers to give fans a background look at the organization. Many teams even offer discounted tickets or advertise for upcoming promotions on their Twitter or Facebook pages. A new online ticketing base used by several teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and several others creates an interesting and innovative way to market each team. The company is called FlashSeats and they have totally eliminated paper tickets for these teams. Rather tickets can be bought and sold on the website and just emailed to whoever goes to the game. Once purchased, you just scan your credit card or drivers license at the gate of the arena and they will give you your tickets there. This site creates an interactive place where season ticket holders can communicate with every other fan on ticket prices and other issues involving their teams.

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