NBA tweets its way to the top

The NBA has positioned itself as the top sports league in social media -- No. 1 on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in terms of respective followers, likes and views.

As I was combing ESPN looking for anything related to e-marketing, I hit the jackpot when I found a link to an article titled "The NBA's social media explosion."


The NBA is in the midst of a record-setting season. It's generating its highest TV ratings across networks (ESPN, TNT and ABC) and an all-time high in traffic to NBA.com, 2 billion video views on its website, and has one of the most-trafficked YouTube channels.

This surge comes as the NBA experiences unprecedented growth among its social media platforms. The NBA just surpassed 100 million combined followers and likes on Twitter and Facebook. That number is up from 63 million at the start of the season.

Approximately half of the NBA's players (220 and counting) are on Twitter, including 2 who were named among Time magazine's top Twitter feeds: Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash.

The NBA has embraced social media more than any other sport, making it an integral part of their day-to-day operations. David Stern, the NBA's commissioner, encourages social media and sees it as a "digital watercooler."

This digital watercooler allows the league to closely engage with their fans, keeping them filled in on the latest news, and most importantly, allows them to listen to their fans' wants and needs and respond in real time.

Social media has brought NBA fans closer to the action than ever before. Yet it is what social media offers that is key to understanding the tie between an explosion in social media exposure and explosion in league profits.

Social media allows fans what they desire most, access to professional athletes' world. Any fan who  can set up a Twitter account can gain access to the world of these superheroes. Social media allows fans an opportunity we have never had, the opportunity for anybody to interact with professional athletes. 

The NBA understands that social media affords mere mortals the opportunity to gain entry to the world of the gods. This previously unattainable feat being made available to anyone is the reason why seemingly EVERYONE is tuning into the NBA.


~Z

Beer, Football, and Social Media...?

What do these three have in common? Well if you were watching the Super Bowl this year, you saw aspects of them all. Obviously you saw football, unless you are part of the group who just watch the big game for the commercials. And in that case, you saw lots of beer ads as well! But what about social media?

Almost every commercial played mentioned a Facebook page or website, however as the Online Marketing Blog mentions, social media was very much underutilized. Social media has quickly become a huge market to to capture costumers, and companies are scrambling to use to their advantage. Brands can use social media to create hype about their commercials before they air them, as well as involve their clientele in the process. Only a few managed to do this.

With a cost of $3 million per 30 second spot, companies need to make use of all the tools they can. Just putting web addresses at the end of commercials doesn't work if you want consumers to take the next step and explore what you have to offer.

What were your favorite commercials from the game? There were plenty of good ones this year, but personally I have to go with one of the classics. The infamous "Lamb Streaker". Enjoy!

-Karina