No Media Tweeters at Colts Practice

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Permalink Reply by Bob Burchfield on August 6, 2009 at 1:17pm

Bob was just a little testy there, but he is right. Double standard at its worst.

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on August 6, 2009 at 10:10pm

I had breakfast yesterday with a sports marketing researcher, and he said that most pro sports teams are behind the times when it comes to social media. This is not a surprising stance for the Colts to take, but one they should not be allowed to impose. If they want to build fan relationships and increase their fan base, it's not the smartest thing they've ever done.

Besides, if they're not on Twitter, how are they even going to know whether the media is doing it or not?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hood on August 6, 2009 at 11:06pm

I think these professional sports teams are starting to read what their own players are posting on Twitter, and now are generally scared of Twitter. Hopefully it will die down and the media can tweet, but I do think teams are going to have to lay down rules for the players about what they can and cannot say. I read some tweets from professional athletes that you would never hear them say in front of a camera. They should embrace the players' public Twitter feeds, add them to their website, and make them accountable.

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Permalink Reply by Erik Deckers on August 6, 2009 at 11:41pm

The NFL has all sorts of stupid rules for the media, like not allowing them to show more than 40 - 45 seconds of continual action in a news story, and other inane crap. So this type of thinking doesn't surprise me in the least.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hood on August 7, 2009 at 12:06am

Gotcha, and that makes sense. I've had a blog post drafted for two weeks about athletes and Twitter, so I probably took it off course. But, still check out what they're tweeting. It looks like someone is going to have to get in big trouble before things change.

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on August 7, 2009 at 4:17pm

What is interesting is the NFL is encouraging teams to allow media tweeters, but the Colts are in the minority of teams who have decided not to allow it.

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Permalink Reply by Ellen Dunnigan on August 7, 2009 at 6:04pm

Well, this is predictable, isn't it? They may have the right because they own the practices. I have the right in my office to set policy. But it's definately not savvy, and borders stupidity in today's connected community. I think Bob should get a ghost-blogger/tweeter. Someone who is unobtrusive and stays off the radar screen. That should be easy to manage. Hey, I just might know a couple of those. Bob, meet my friends Cindy and Matt. Cindy@hartmaninventory.com; Matt@marrubium.com

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Hartman on August 7, 2009 at 9:52pm

I agree with you Ellen, on all points. And Rob Kravitz - if you're so inclined - I'd like the opportunity to talk to you about being the 'ghost' for you. Then, you wouldn't get into any trouble because the news, updates, tweets and posts wouldn't be from you - they'd be from someone who ghost writes as a paying (very small paying) hobby and far removed from being a 'professional' writer. You can keep your tablet and your well-earned seat with the media and still serve your public.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Hartman on August 7, 2009 at 10:00pm

Completely unbelievable! I'd rather read a tweet or facebook post from a reporter than "Bubba" any time. I would be more inclined to retweet it or comment on it if I knew it was reliable. Too bad the Colts have chosen, as you put it, to remain in the dark ages.

To the Colts - this is the new era. A new way to connect with your fans. Shutting the media down by not allowing the reporters to use Twitter as a news stream is just plain WRONG. One thing, though ... you won't have to wonder what happened to your fans as they start following other teams that are more open and allow this method of engaging with their fans. You won't have to wonder, because you'll KNOW.

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