30 teams. 7 weeks. 2 bloggers. 1 mission: to share our learnings of how NBA teams uniquely leverage digital tools to build fan community.
As students, or disciples of the game, we'll supply you with the doctrine - 5 takeaways per team - and raise you one idea for every takeaway that we think would make it 'extra' cool.
Then, we'll wrap it up, pick a winner and send you on your merry way to apply and spread the gospel....or something like that. Kapish?
Let's go!
So far, we've studied the NJ Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Today we descend on the nation's capital and take a peek at how the Washington Wizards connect with fans.
So what's unique?
1) The Wizards Twackle Page - I recently interviewed the VP of Octagon Digital and co-founder of Twackle, Jim DeLorenzo, who described the product as "a technology platform that provides an online hub for the social sharing of real-time sports news. It's the pulse of sports!" This Southeast Division team makes it easy to find and share all links, trends and tweets related to the Washington Wizards organization by offering them in a single, easy-to-use destination. You can consume the feed via RSS, or grab the Twackle widget to install on your own site. Portability's no longer a luxury.
--Plus one: Create Twackle feeds specific to each player. More work, yes, but I may only be interested in news about Josh Howard.
--Plus one: Create Twackle feeds specific to each player. More work, yes, but I may only be interested in news about Josh Howard.
"Through the Wire"2) Wizards Wire - A free electronic newsletter that delivers breaking news, and information about player personalities and community events, exclusive promotions and contests from Wizards marketing partners, and game notes detailing player stats and key match-ups. The newsletter is a cost-efficient and cost effective way to communicate with fans, generate leads, add value for your marketing partners and quickly track results.
--Plus one: Make it mobile.
Text CONNECT to 71855 to sign up today. The bill's all yours.3) WizConnect - Oops. I spoke too soon. WizConnect allows you to receive breaking news alerts and exclusive ticket offers on your phone via text message; a smart move to capture today's growing mobile audience, and one that aligns nicely with the organization's core value of 'connection.'
--Plus one: Add incentives to check-in to specific locations (i.e. one your sponsors' stores) with Gowalla or foursquare. Make it fun. Make it rewarding.
Great name. Great idea.4) Peter's Points: Trust me, I didn't single this one out for its namesake. Peter's Points is the personal blog of the Wizards' CFO and President of Business Operations, Peter Biche. We all cherish the chance to engage with leaders of our favorite organizations, particularly when it's not corporate PR-speak. Don't worry, Biche talks about the smell of the circus coming to town, his disastrous March Madness bracket and volunteering with the much- missed Gheorge Muresan. If this isn't genuine enough for you, Biche lists 'The Onion' as one of his favorite websites. You have to respect that.
--Plus one: Let's get Biche on USTREAM once a month for 20 minutes to engage in real time. A recorded Viddler or audio Lexycast check-in would not be a bad consolation, either.
5) The Wizards are LinkedIn - Per its description, the Wizards LinkedIn page is "designed to connect individuals in the community that share a common interest in their love for the Washington Wizards, and stay on top of news and events with the team." Having a presence on the foremost professional networking site is also not a bad idea when you consider the average household income for LinkedIn users is over $100K, which bodes well when identifying season ticket prospects.--Plus one: Host a LinkedIn Live event to bridge the virtual world with the real world. There's already a common interest: The Wizards!
YOUR TURN:
What did we miss? What did we get wrong? What would you like to see? Please share below. Don't forget, tomorrow Andy Pawlowski takes on the Kings.
