FIFA blows their own trumpet…

So World Cup officials have pledged that the tournament’s current villain, not Rob Green but the loathed vuvuzela, will not be silenced.

There was a lot of conversation surrounding these horns in the buildup to the games with many arguing that although they supply a piece of South African Spirit…they are bloody annoying. And I have to admit, although a lover of the beautiful game…even I’m struggling to get through a full ninety minutes!

For me, they make the game so impersonal. I like to hear the sound of the crowd where one single action causes a whole torrent of audio and visual reactions – whether that be cheers and squeals of celebration or moans and groans of despair, it’s all part of the game. Instead we’re subjected to a rendition of The Charge of the Light Brigade albeit orchestrated by a giant bee.

However, I’m not a dictator and not one to call for our culture to replace another but I do feel that the broadcasters have missed a trick in the form of utilising their digital ‘red button’ capabilities. Here’s a suggestion if you’re listening BBC, ITV, Sky Sports or ESPN…how about providing an interactive service where viewers have the option to select and watch a game WITH the match commentary but WITHOUT the background noise? Problem solved!

You could even install microphones at UK Fan Parks to bring back the match atmosphere which we’re more accustom to. Failing that…I don’t think I could take another four weeks of the vuvuzela. What’s on the other channel?

By the Comms Anarchist, Manchester based PR propagandist, social media transmitter and digital brigadier…at least i didn’t say ‘guru’.

Never mind the b*ll*cks…

Here’s my pick of the week’s best online PR, social media activity plus digital developments which are breaking down the walls of traditional communication techniques:

BBC RADIO 5LIVE
The addictive power of the Mexican Wave has been fully harnessed by 5Live with their Big Mexican Wave project. As it says on the tin, they’re creating a big Mexican Wave online and asking listeners to log on and continue the wave – promoting their World Cup coverage along the way. Who couldn’t resist a good Mexican Wave ey?

COCA-COLA
There’s a new way of thinking in town and that’s brands redirecting their efforts into social media rather than their own websites. It’s not a hot off the press concept but it is surprising to see Coke, a company built upon ramming corporate messages down your throat, announce to the world that this is their new way of thinking.

SONY MUSIC
This week saw Radiohead’s Thom York claim that the music business will fold within months and that aspiring musicians should stay clear of the major record labels. It’s no secret that the Simon Cowell’s of this world have struggled to get their heads around an online business plan but the clever folk at Sony Music have launched an online research hub to show brands the effectiveness of music in marketing. And if Lady Gaga’s ‘Telephone’ video is anything to go by, they’ll have marketeers eating out of the palm of their hand.

BING
The conundrum that is Bing. Can they realistically make a dent in Google’s hold over the internet? Well…at least they’re having a go. Microsoft has just announced that the engine will now rank search results from Facebook. As a major resource for information, this is a good move by Bing.

By the Comms Anarchist, Manchester based PR propagandist, social media transmitter and digital brigadier…at least i didn’t say ‘guru’.

My first words…

“I’m the one person in this industry who famously has never made any money. I used to say some people make money and some make history.”

The late, great Tony Wilson

Here it is, my own damn blog. For sometime I’ve been hemorrhaging my thoughts on brazen babble…and it’s really not fair of me to punish my colleagues like that. Amazing jokes aside, I’ve been sat here for hours panicking about what my first words should be…there’s so much pressure to get them right – I bet Neil Armstrong was shi**ing in his spacesuit when taking his first steps on the moon! So instead of saying something ridiculous, I thought I’d let Tony do the talking.

Our first words are so important…impressions and relationships are literally forged within seconds so you can understand why it is imperative to get them right. Ask Nick Clegg…his first words got him into Downing Street (sort of).

With my first words now behind me, I shall bid you adieu and leave you with the following…

“My life is made complete by working with people who are cleverer than me, I am obsessed with their genius. I am just a journalist or a presenter. I can’t write songs or design clubs. And I’ve never wanted to be a rock star because I can’t sing. I have a craft and I’m good at that.”

The late, great Tony Wilson

the start of something beautiful…

it’s on its way…