7 Ways to Destroy Your Reputation on Twitter

After reading the "7 Ways to Totally Destroy Your Reputation on Twitter," I agreed with every way that could destroy your reputation via Twitter.  One that I did not see on the list was, "using common sense and respect towards people you tweet at."

This respect issue is evident in the sports world with athletes everywhere.  I have written blog posts about this in the past but people need to use respect with their tweets towards others.

Examples of this are evident with hate-filled tweets high school football recruits received from fans of schools that are still bitter from those recruits not choosing to attend the fan's school.  Fan's who have nothing better to do than harassing an 18 year-old kid are ultimately ruining their reputation via Twitter.

Using common sense on Twitter should be a given but, for some people, isn't as obvious.  Being smart about what you tweet and who you tweet to can be the difference in receiving a job, as potential employers are most likely researching your social media sites/accounts.

The "7 Ways to Totally Destroy Your Reputation on Twitter" offers great insight towards being smarter about your tweets but, in the end, it all comes down to one thing.  Use common sense.  Picture yourself as a hiring manager at a company you would like to work at and look at your tweets.  If you have to delete some of your tweets to avoid potential conflict, then you need to start being smarter about your tweets.

Use common sense and respect on Twitter because it's the right and smart thing to do.

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/7-ways-to-totally-destroy-your-reputation-on-twitter_b6256

Condom Codes Let Users "Check In" with Smartphones

A Planned Parenthood safe sex promotion is allowing smartphones to scan condoms to show where the rendezvous took place on an Internet map.  This promotion is to encourage safe sex by showing that if people in your neighborhood are having safe sex maybe you should start to consider.

The target audience for this project is college students and millenials, who are already comfortable with social media and to promote healthy sexuality by announcing that they're "proud to wear protection."

I'm not sure how effective this promotion is going to be.  I don't see many college students using this system because most kids won't take the time to scan the condoms.  

I can see where it might be cool to see where you used the condom via an Internet map, but it is also very public.  I know I don't want my sex life to be public, so I highly doubt that I would ever use this promotion.  

Planned Parenthood might think about taking a different route towards promoting safe sex.  The publicity involved with these promotion efforts are too much.  Making my sexual intercourse public is something I have no interest in participating in.  

This promotion could be effective based on the person.  In my eyes, Planned Parenthood would be smart to invest their time in another promotion.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2017582308_condoms24m.html

High School Athletes Face Critics via Twitter

With national signing day occurring about a month ago, college football teams now know exactly who will be playing under the football program for the next four years.  Oregon received a 5-star recruit (Arik Armstead) out of Sacramento, California.  This is possibly one of the biggest signings in Oregon football history.

All Duck fans are anxious to see what Armstead can bring to the table for, what looks to be, an already stacked 2012 Oregon football team.  Fans from other schools, however, still will not let Armstead live without knowing that they feel he chose the wrong school.

I follow Armstead on Twitter and he has been receiving tweets from opposing school's fans that are disrespectful and inappropriate.  People need to accept the fact that these are 18 year old kids making decisions that they feel are best for them and their future.  To tweet things that can hurt these kids is just wrong.  Luckily, Armstead is very open about the subject and actually laughs at these critics.

This brings me to another point that could use some sort of changing: Twitter.  No matter who you are, nowadays you can talk to anyone via Twitter.  This is unfortunate because of the lack of privacy and things that are said on Twitter that can hurt someone.  Armstead can block people that say such hurtful things, but I think he prefers not to because it motivates him to shut his critics up during the upcoming season.

Either way, Twitter comes down to using common sense and respect towards the people you talk to.  You may disagree with someone on something, but you ultimately make the decision on how you will be perceived.  The internet is in ink, people need to be smart on what/who they write to, and to do so in a respectful manner; no matter if the person is 65 or a kid who has yet to graduate from high school.

http://www.osmguy.com/2012/01/8-simple-rules-for-tweeting-your-favorite-athletes/

It All Starts With the Organization

How can smaller markets in the sports world compare with the bigger markets, such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles?  Superstars in their respective sports love the bigger markets and fame they receive from being in that market.  Kobe in Los Angeles, Carmelo in New York and Lebron in Miami.  All of these superstars are in huge markets in the United States.  So how do smaller markets compete with these huge markets?

It all starts off with how the organization is ran and the stability within the organization.  Organizational stability is the main reason why smaller market teams are able to compete with larger markets.  If you look at the winners of 2011's major sports titles (St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB, Green Bay Packers in the NFL and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA), all are fairly small markets compared to the metropolis' of New York or Los Angeles, for example.  They won these titles with the stability of a established organization.

Winning organizations find a way to win, even without the big name superstars.  The organization's front office does a fantastic job in finding players at a reasonable price and drafting players that will fit their systems.  When players come into an established organization, they must buy into the attitudes/beliefs of the organization to achieve success.

Great management and great corporate environment matter more than the payroll or market size.  Small market teams need to stop complaining and start establishing an organization/front office that is stable and all have the same belief that organization's success.

In the end, market size is out of a team's control.  However, it is not critical to a team's success.  You need to find the right people to lead the team, which ultimately will bring championships to your city.

http://athletemarketingguy.com/2012/02/02/its-all-about-the-organization/

A Look at Ryan Braun's Future in Sports Marketing

Milwaukee Brewer left fielder Ryan Braun was recently suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 MLB season for testing positive to an illegal substance.  Braun won the 2011 NL MVP award, which was put in jeopardy after the positive test.  

Braun's image was helped dramatically when Major League Baseball found that Braun's positive test was wrong, allowing him to keep the NL MVP award and his image to remain intact, for the moment at least.

During the time when Braun was undergoing his appeal process, he remained close with sponsors, as he worked with Nike, Sam Bats and AirTran, his apparel company and his Milwaukee restaurant.  Image, however, if Braun's appeal failed.

Around ten years ago, Kobe Bryant was charged with rape allegations, which caused him millions of dollars in endorsement deals, as companies dropped the star athlete.  Although many would consider rape allegations to be a lot more devastating and serious than drug charges, I cannot see how Braun wouldn't have lost a lot of support if the allegations were proven to be true.

Braun's local sponsor deals most likely would not have been harmed, given his local fan base and fans who may be more forgiving.  He would have definitely lost sponsor deals outside of the Milwaukee area if allegations were proven to be true.

Braun is fortunate too that the all of this drama is occurring in the offseason, not in season when baseball is a 24/7 topic.

Either way, Braun is the face of the Brewers franchise and with the new findings that the positive tests were false, fans in Milwaukee can breathe again.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/140300713.html

NBA Fans to Decide Dunk Contest via Twitter

Last night the NBA's dunk competition took place in Orlando, Florida.  The cast of players in attendance (Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Dwight Howard) looked better than the actual players (Chase Budinger, Paul George and Reggie Evans) who were in this year's dunk contest.  However, with that pushed aside, the NBA decided to change the rules for this year's dunk competition; the fans now decided who won the contest via Twitter.

This is an intelligent way to get the fans involved, however, it has no place in the NBA dunk contest.  Over the past few years the dunk contest has grown worse and worse.  Star players no longer want to participate in the contest.  In the past, the dunk contest is where the great ones would show off their athletic ability and prove that they were the best dunker in the NBA.

Now the contest has come down to who can we beg to be in the contest this year.  This is a sad and pathetic statement.  The best of the best should constantly want to be proving they are the best.  Lebron James has never been in a dunk competition which says a lot about his character.  All of the great ones (Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dr. J) have all at least competed in the dunk competition.  The fact that stars like Lebron won't be in the dunk contest almost forced the NBA to get the fans more involved by voting for the winner.  Fans would never watch the dunk contest with a bunch of "no-name" players in the competition.

By allowing the fans to vote via Twitter, the NBA has grown with fan support.  However, fans should not determine the winner of the dunk competition.  Let's say Kobe Bryant were to enter the dunk competition next year.  Because of his popularity, Kobe would have an excellent shot to win the crown.  Another player who people may not have heard of might have had an electrifying dunk, but it wouldn't have mattered because fans will vote for players they like, not who had the best dunks.

The NBA needs to find a way to get star players to want to be in the competition again.  Once they find that solution, they can get rid of the fan vote via Twitter, leading to an "unbiased" dunk competition.

http://mashable.com/2012/02/22/nba-most-connected-all-star-weekend/

What Jeremy Lin Can Teach Us

Jeremy Lin.  A name that most people had never heard of before three weeks ago.  The undrafted second-year player recently burst onto the scene with the New York Knicks, leading an under-achieving team to seven straight wins without two of their star players (Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony).  Before he got this opportunity, however, he had his hardships.

After winning a state championship in high school, Lin wasn't offered a scholarship by any Pac 10 teams, leaving him to play at Harvard.  In 2010, the Golden State Warriors signed Lin to a small deal but later waived him.  The Houston Rockets picked up Lin earlier this year then waived him as well, allowing Lin to tryout for a spot on the Knicks roster.  I think it's safe to say the Knicks got the steal of the decade with the signing of Lin.

The sensation surrounding Lin is very similar to the success that Tim Tebow had once he was named the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.  Lin gives Americans hope that hard work does pay off and when when is given their opportunity, they must seize the moment.

Lin has fought through adversity that he never created himself.  Society creates these stereotypes that almost all of us see/associate ourselves with.  No matter how hard we try, stereotypes affect our lives whether we believe it or not.  Based on his past pedigree and ethnicity, Lin was never really given the chance he deserved.

Once the Knicks gave him that opportunity, he never let go, and that's why Lin has captured the hearts of thousands around the world.


http://bx.businessweek.com/sports-marketing/view?url=http://www.dwayneflinchum.com/2012/02/11/sports-heroes-building-brand-through-performance/

Tim Tebow is a symbol for U.S. in 2012

Tim Tebow took America by storm this past year.  Before taking over as the team's starting quarterback, the Denver Broncos were 1-4 and almost certainly looking like a team that would be playing for a top pick in the 2012 NFL draft.  Once Tebow became the full-time starter, something magical happened.

Tebowmania.  Tebow led the Broncos to seven wins out of their next eight games, putting them at an overall 8-5 record and clinching a spot in the playoffs.  The Broncos first-round playoff opponent was the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Broncos were not favored, but the two advantages the team did have was that the game was going to be played at Denver, and the Broncos had Tim Tebow.

Over the course of the game I felt as though the Steelers would eventually pull away with their clutch and proven quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  I was wrong.  The game went into overtime and on the first play, Tebow hit a crossing Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard touchdown to win the game.  Although the Broncos lost in the next round to the New England Patriots, the season felt as though it was a major success in the eyes of many.  Tebow revitalized a team that was left for dead and instilled hope, ultimately willing the Broncos to heights that NFL enthusiasts had never seen before.

Tim Tebow is the definition of a success story.  He worked hard to take over the starting quarterback job and proved critics wrong.  This is what marketing companies are looking for in 2012, an athlete that is a star, yet humble.  Today, talent and success mean less to brands that did even a few years ago.

Tebowmania is what the 2012 economy is all about.  People have been kicked around in this economy: losing their jobs, losing retirement accounts and saw disappearing equity in their homes.  Tebow too was kicked around.  Through all of this, however, Tebow stayed humble, remained faithful and focused.  In a way, he represents the American citizen, fighting in the face of challenges given by these troubling economic times.

Our country is moving toward the marketability of the "regular guy" heroes, which gives people like Tebow hope for the future.

http://athletemarketingguy.com/2012/02/06/tebowmania/

Desire to tweet stronger than the urge to smoke, drink

Social media is taking over the current world we live in.  A new study released by the University of Chicago's research team found a way to measure the willpower of 205 people between the ages of 18 to 65.

The studies showed that the "desire for media was far tougher to resist than that of sexual urges, spending impulses and alcohol, tobacco and coffee."

This does not come as a surprise to me.  When I think about my daily routine, I notice that I spend a significant amount of time checking my Twitter and Facebook on my phone.  Most days I don't even think about drinking alcohol, coffee or using tobacco.

My phone is always attached to me no matter where I go.  I can say with confidence that almost everyone nowadays has their phone basically attached to them as well.  Smart phones are the most common phones, which allows people to use Twitter and Facebook among other social media sites.

The urge to use social networking is among people of all ages.  The intriguing part of social media is the ability to connect with other people, while displaying what you are/have been doing.  The ability to also post pictures and videos allows connect with others even closer than ever before.

Although our generation is living a rapid growth of technology, I don't see any significant technological advances that take away from our current social media anytime soon.

http://www.healthcarecommunication.com/Main/Articles/8293.aspx

The NFL's Pro Bowl needs to be improved

Year after year, the NFL's Pro Bowl seems to be an afterthought amongst NFL fans.  Before last years time change, the Pro Bowl was traditionally played in Hawaii after the Super Bowl.  From my viewpoint once the Super Bowl is over, the NFL season is over.  Which is why no one really watched the Pro Bowl until two years ago, when the game was moved to the week before the Super Bowl.  

However, the Pro Bowl is still lacking a "fun" aspect to it.  For example, during All Star weekend for the NBA, there is the three-point competition, a skills competition and a slam dunk contest that always attracts a large television audience.  The MLB also has their All Star break down as well, with the home run derby being the main focal point of the break.  Both of these games are played in the middle of their respective seasons.

Since the Pro Bowl is played when the season is over, almost all of NFL fans (myself included) couldn't care less about tuning into the program.  The NFL needs to consider a Pro Bowl that is played at some point of the regular season.  This will attract more fans as well as open to a new target audience of people.  

The NFL could also benefit of the adding of a skills competition or some sort of competition between Pro Bowl players, much like the NBA does with the slam dunk contest and the MLB does with the home run derby.  

Once the NFL established the Pro Bowl during the middle of the season, sponsors would benefit as well.  A new target audience would most likely be watching the event, allowing sponsors to market to this audience as well through the apparel worn by players, and the game itself.

http://joefavorito.com/2012/01/29/pro-bowl-and-social-a-next-step-for-sport/

Social media changing college football recruiting

Twitter is changing the world of college football recruiting.  Coaches are not the only ones who can give their persuasive pitch to potential student athletes; fans can now as well.  A recent example of this is the amount of tweets defensive end high school prospect Arik Armstead received from fans, explaining why he should attend their school.  

This access to athletes can be seen in both a negative and positive light but, to me, it falls more into the negative light.  

There is an old saying that goes: "this isn't my first rodeo." Coaches and recruiters are professionals and know what they are doing.  Most coaches have been recruiting high school athletes for at least ten years.  High school athletes know this and will listen to every coaches recruiting pitch and why their school would be the best fit for them.

Fans are not recruiters.  They have no interest in what's best for the athlete, rather what's best for their school.  

If I were a highly rated recruit and a fan tried to recruit me through Twitter, I would most likely become very annoyed and eventually even look at that school in a different light.  

I recently saw a conversion on Twitter between former Oregon Duck LaMichael James and high school safety recruit Shaq Thompson.  Thompson was asking James about Eugene and how LaMichael's study habits were impacted with the Jacqua student-athlete center.  By NCAA rule, this could be considered as a violation, as ex-athletes of a school are not allowed to talk to potential recruits.  

The NCAA needs to figure out a rule and stick with it in regards to recruiting contact.  Twitter has changed the recruiting world and the NCAA needs to address this promptly, before the situation gets out of hand and recruits begin loosing interest in schools because of fan interaction via Twitter.

http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/sports/schools-look-to-curtail-social-media-recruiting

Tampa Bay Lightning Fire Mascot

The Tampa Bay Lightning mascot (Thunderbug) was fired after spraying silly string on a Boston Bruin fan and being tackled by the fan.  After watching this video, I found it more humorous than harmful.  I don't know the exact rules regarding mascot conduct and exactly what a mascot can/cannot do, but the Bruin fan was out of line.  Sporting events are meant to provide entertainment, which is why mascots even exist in the first place, to provide fan entertainment.  Last time I checked, silly string was not a harmful object.  Some fans, however, do take sporting events to another level. 
By the looks of the video, this Bruin fan doesn't like being messed with (as evident by tackling the mascot).  This was an altercation between and a fan and a mascot, nothing more.  The mascot should not have been fired for doing what it was supposed to do: provide fan entertainment.  Mascots cannot predict the reaction of fans or how sensitive a fan may be.  Certainly the mascot could have chosen to do something differently with the silly string, for example, spraying a Lightning fan with it. 
In the end, I am disappointed with the Lightning organizations decision to fire the mascot.  The mascot was trying to have some fun and, more importantly, no one was hurt.  Let's hope that mascots from around the country learn from Thunderbug's mistake; don't spray silly string on opposing fans.

http://deadspin.com/5879391/tampa-bay-lightning-fire-mascot-who-was-tackled-by-boston-fan