The Digital Media Cafe Blog – Featuring NASCAR, Dani Alves and Stephanie Rice – David Granger
April 30, 2014
Motorsport Costs: Crowd-finding in Nascar
This weekend #98 Moonrocket will line up on the Nascar grid in the Aarons 499 Sprint Series Cup Race, driven by the up-and-coming driver Josh Wise… so far so usual. But what is unusual about this team is that the car was crowd-funded by the Reddit Dogecoin community. In other words the $55,000 raised to purchase the car came from internet sports fans. As you’d expect, the livery has a load of in-jokes including the slightly confused looking shiba dog of the dodje coin on the bumpers and bonnet. So, is this the next generation of motorsport team owners? Probably not, but it will be interesting to see if other independent teams follow suit.
Digital Publishing: Facts For Footie Fans in The Inbox
The move from print publishing to digital media is an ongoing discussion and process. But Bauer Media has launched a daily football stats email The Equaliser to compliment its on- and offline portfolio. Aimed at both desktop and mobile user, the service combines stats and analysis and goes under the tagline ‘Making You The Brains Of The Beautiful Game’. Offering commercial partners display and native advertising, the aim is that – and I quote Bauer’s group managing director for London Lifestyle – “as well as being a further proof of our commitment to invest in new digital products that will offer multiple new commercial opportunities for our advertising partners.” See what you think: you can sign up here.
Social Good: Anti-racism Banana Meme
Social media is best served organically. What does that mean? It means the best, most shared content is usually the stuff which just happens, rather than being planned two months ahead of posting. Case in point is the recent Banana Meme – a backlash to the racism targeted at Barcelona defender Dani Alves. When fruit was thrown at him during the La Liga match at Villareal, Alves diffused the situation by taking a bite out of the banana. And while the powers that be have expressed their outrage at what was aimed at Alves, pictures of footballers from across Europe eating bananas, demonstrating support for him and against racism in football is a much more powerful, subtle and unscripted reaction.
Athletes Getting It Right: Stephanie Rice
Our athlete getting social media right this week is recently retired Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice. The Australian can count three Olympic Gold Medals and five World Records alongside with three excellent social channels: Facebook, Twitter and of particular note is her Instagram feed which is well worth checking out.
