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“Calculating” a Social Media Blunder

 

Nick Anderson (2)
Image by Nick Anderson of the Houston Chronicle

So, another college football year is heating up, and another release of the first BCS standings for the year has stumped fans across the nation.  Nothing has changed, the majority of college football fans still despise the system and all trust for the methodology has gone out the door.  In the past year we have seen Congressman, college presidents, coaches and players speak out about the process, and the BCS is no closer to gaining fans than it was about a year ago when it created a Facebook and Twitter account to boost its street cred.

When the BCS launched both accounts, a fire storm was created in the media.  Many called the BCS out for not understanding its audience… or lack thereof.  Many felt they were ill-advised and for the purpose of strengthening their brand identity, social networks just weren’t the way to go.  Well, here we are a year later and the BCS hasn’t gotten any better in the eyes of “fans” and “followers.”

Current comments include:

“The BCS is a monopolistic joke....the games get good ratings cuz people love football, the BCS just exploits that.”

“If only more sports would adopt BCS-like systems. Forget March Madness, let's cut to the chase and just have Kansas play Kentucky and call it a day. And forget this whole world cup nonsense. Brazil vs Spain, one game, problem solved.”

“Inaccurate, irrelevant, take your pick.”

@BCSFootball- Thanks computer software. I am sure its all fare and equal right!? !!”

The BCS has spent the last year ignoring the thoughts of fans and followers on both sites, choosing not to respond to any of the negativity but blindly post scores, stats and news tooting its own horn.  The biggest shocker? Take a look at the BCS Facebook page.  See anything unusual? Yup, that’s right, they haven’t interacted with their page since May 20, 2010! Talk about a social media faux pax, and of course fans have called them out on it!

Social media is a valuable tool for companies to reach customers, but we must continue to educate these companies on the proper use and context in which to use it.

By Christy Olliff

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