Sexism in Olympics Coverage

Brand Journalism - or Should That be in Quotes?

Tiger Woods at Dubai Desert Classic 2001 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Several athletes are already taking control of their message. Tiger Woods announces all of his news via his website. Athletes take to Derek Jeter’s “The Players’ Tribune” to tell their own story. The most marketable athletes tend to also be the ones actively telling their stories on their digital platforms.

Brands need to grasp the same opportunity to tell their stories to fans in interesting ways. Blasting out press materials in hopes that writers and bloggers will pick it up is – at best – old fashioned, and at worse, increasingly ineffective.

The future of cutting edge media relations strategies are centered on the brand as a storytelling engine; a news outlet in its own right. Forward-thinking brands are taking control of where, when and how they tell their stories online by being more assertive and deliberate in how they use their owned properties as branded destinations.

Brand journalism is a vehicle that organizations, especially those invested within the sports category, must use to reach consumers.

When Reporters Date Sources: Not a Good Idea

 

English: Cupid Cupid weather vane Pentlow, Essex. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Not a good idea at all says veteran reporter Jackie MacMullan

“I’m a journalist,’’ she said, “and sometimes I wonder if people know what that means anymore. I know when I became a journalist, you had to be objective. That was the rule. That was what you were supposed to be. Sometimes you really liked somebody and they were lousy at what they do, and you had to be willing to write that they were lousy at what they do. And sometimes, someone could be a real idiot, a real jerk, but perform at a very high level. You had to do that, praise them, as well. It’s impossible to be objective about someone when you’re in a personal relationship.

“Now, this isn’t the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last time,” MacMullan said. “But it disappoints me nonetheless. I don’t think either one of them would deny that what they did was unprofessional. There’s no place for it in the business. I’m talking about my business. And my business is journalism.”

What Better Questions Might You Ask?

A quick Google suggests some questions.  And it didn't take me long to find:

The Dark Side of Young  Girls Who Run Long Distances.


from a sportswriter:

Strikes me as PR, didn’t learn anything about running or who the girl is. So, I would start with the basics: where raised, what do parents do, brothers, sisters, high school, best run, hardest run, did you ever want to quit, worst coach, best coach, where to from here, boy friends, and so on.

Likeable girl.

Asking Athletes Smart Question

English: A fight in ice hockey: LeBlanc vs. Ponich. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: It is good sportsmanship to shake hands with your opponent after playing a tennis match, whether or not you have won or lost. Français : Il est d'usage de serrer la main de son adversaire à la fin d'un match de tennis, que l'on soit le gagnant ou le perdant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Playing sports is good for you

* Playing sportS is bad for you

* Sports/sports writing as window into society/culture

Interviewing Curlers

San Diego Reader

NPR


SFist

LA Times

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A Useful How-To for Interviewing Sports Figures

George X interviewing BMX champion Dave Mirra (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Solid advice, including this list:

For sports features, you might ask:

• What is a person’s biggest challenge?
• How does someone feel about a decision he made?
• What concerns someone the most?
• What do someone’s parents think about her career/accomplishment?
• What did someone used to think about … ? You can insert a person, place, issue or approach to sports.
• What makes somebody the angriest, or saddest?
• How does one keep going when facing such dire circumstances?
• Tell me about your youth.
• What do you think about when…?
• Describe a time when you learned a great deal about yourself.

Double Standard for Female Reporters?

Image by lobomx65 via FlickrSainz didn't deserve abuse from New York Jets, but...

Washington Post | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Something else is important here, as well," says Leonard Shaprio. "Don't sports reporters, male and female, print and broadcast, also have certain responsibilities? Isn't it critical to their own credibility to conduct themselves as professionals, in their actions, in their demeanor, and yes, even in the choices they make from their closets?" || Related from Packers reporter Lori Nickel. || NY Daily News: NFL issues memo after Ines Sainz incident.

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