Sports need public relations too

Various types of sports such as college and professional teams survive because of powerful public relations (PR). PR helps stir up interest in sports teams and players, sell tickets to upcoming games and encourage souvenir and clothing sales. PR also advertises the many corporate sponsors that fund these sporting events. Corporate sponsors are imperative to many sports teams even existing.

Many college and professional teams have their own public relations staff that work to stir up interest. Volunteers and interns also play a part in assisting teams with these tasks. Stirring up interest can involve many different tools and tactics. The basic tools such as news releases, media kits, interviews, and press conferences are used.

There are a lot of enthusiastic sports fans, those fans are usually very emotional and they will stand by their desired team. PR feeds off knowing this and when stirring up interest by creating a media kit or a news release for example, they will try to stir up emotions to get fans enthused. Emotion is just one angle that PR can use to draw attention to sports teams.

2010 Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch will be relayed across Canada from October 30, 2009 to February 12, 2010. The torch relay is on a strict schedule, travelling from large to small communities in all provinces in Canada. On December 15, 2009 (day 47 of the schedule), the Olympic Torch will travel through my local community, Belleville.

The Canadian Olympic Games is a huge tourism booster for Canada as there will be people travelling across Canada and worldwide to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has a major role in marketing Canada as a desirable tourism destination to the whole world. The CTC had to develop strong media relations and online communication to prepare for the Olympics.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are fast approaching, as a Canadian, I am very excited and I know I'm not the only one! The Olympic games would not be a huge success without strong media relations, marketing and of course public relations to maximize promotion of the games. The games would also not be a success without all the major corporate sponsors.

Sports and the ever popular social media...

There are so many ways to stay connected and be up to date with everything happening in the sports world. We all know you can't physically be in more than one place at once but with social media you can be aware of all that is going on as updates are instantaneous. Sports teams all have their own website but these days that is not enough to keep everyone updated.

Along with the well known websites, there are also mobile updates, RSS feeds, blogs, e-newsletters, twitter, facebook...there are more but these are the most used. I personally use facebook, twitter and as of recently this sports blog, they are great to provide updates on sports highlights. Unlike websites, most social media is free to use and who doesn't like free stuff!

Out of curiosity, I checked out twitter and found that many major sports teams, associations, television networks all use this free tool to communicate with the public. For instance, MLB, the PGA tour, the Toronto Argonauts and the Canadian Olympic Team all have twitter accounts. The way technology is going, everyone should jump on the social media band wagon as it is becoming more popular by the day.

Press conferences

I want to talk about press conferences when it comes to sports. This is an important aspect of public relations, you have to know how to talk to the media. Everyday on t.v. there are press conferences held by the media for professional sports players, coaches, managers and owners of teams.

My absolute favourite press conference is when an NBA player Allen Iverson, was addressing the media. It is funny to watch and listen to. During the press conference he said the word "practice" over 20 times! To watch the video, click on this link.

As funny as the press conference is, I personally do not think it is a good idea to talk to the public and the media this way. On a positive note, that press conference happened quite awhile ago and it is still getting public attention but not in a professional way. That press conference gets public attention on a humourus note. I hope you watch the video and see why it is my favourite sports press conference.

Mississauga road trip

On November 6, 2009 a Foley coach bus will be filled with Belleville Bulls hockey fans. The bus will be headed to Mississauga for the fans to watch the Belleville Bulls play against Mississauga St. Michael's Majors. For $45 the trip includes the game ticket and transportation.

Every home game in Belleville, I have a table set up where I promote the fan bus trips. I am there to answer any questions about the trips and sell seats by collecting money and issuing receipts. At the start of the regular OHL season I have had a physical presence at the games.

I am in my opinion a communicator, I have to communicate the features and benefits of going on these fan bus trips. I have to prepare for any type of crisis, such as customers not paying, bad weather, bus breaking down or even disgruntled customers. Working in the public, I have to act and dress professionally at all times. These things are imperative for success.