Where does Twitter not belong?
According to the Southeastern Conference in NCAA sports, not at sporting events. The SEC’s new policy not only applies to Twitter, but all forms of social media, and is directed to ticketed fans. For more info on the background, check out the following blog http://bit.ly/z0PBs. Quickly, fans reacted, and the SEC had to retract their statement and allow social media from the fans http://bit.ly/36s6O. Maybe they realized, “Wait, how can we control this and are we going to be citing violations among our die-hard fans and donors?” So, Twitter belongs.
Next up, the NFL and Chad Ocho Cinco, the in-your-face, more-concerned-about-off-field-than-on-antics receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. He publicly stated that he will be tweeting from the sidelines. The NFL was quick to react that he would not, nor would any other player. It’s safe to say that he will tweet and the NFL will fine him. Fans have been going back and forth on what should and shouldn’t be allowed since, lighting a fire to forums and blogs everywhere and here’s a great example of one http://bit.ly/igZAa. Twitter not allowed, doesn’t belong, but is still going to be there. UPDATE: Ochocinco says he’ll soon launch a contest, in which he’ll select one of his followers each week, fly them to the Bengals game, and work out hand signals so he can have them update his Twitter account while he’s on the field. http://bit.ly/188dEC
So if companies, leagues, entities can’t stop Twitter, they will want to control it. Take ESPN for example, the supposed leader in sports information, now wants to have control over the info sent out via Twitter by their on-air talent, reporters and writers. Why? Because they want to make sure it serves the interest of ESPN first, which begs the question of who comes next – the fans. In a move to only allow certain info out, ESPN will lose more of it’s edge as it prepares to act more like traditional media and leaves the door open for more fan-based reporting that will definitely resonate better with the core audience – the fans. Twitter belongs, companies lose out by not adapting, but trying to control.
Twitter, or whatever the hype of day/week/year is, clearly the power is back in the individual’s hands. Companies can reject this notion and fight with trying to control the content, or adapt and learn to listen to what the customers are saying and want. Are you ready for some football (and tweets)?