Earlier this week Mashable reported that the SEC (Southeastern Conference) had issued a policy to ban all Social Media uses at any of it’s Conference Sporting events. After large critisizm from it’s fans and Internet comments Mashable reported that the SEC reversed or softened it’s decision. It now reads,
‘…Personal messages and updates of scores or other brief descriptions of the competition throughout the Event are acceptable…..’
At least fans can now still use Twitter and FaceBook to make updates to their status, and even share a picture of them at the game. It amazes me how many people still do not see the value of Social Marketing on the Internet. Why I’m happy to see the SEC reversed their decision the fact they first made a decision to ban it shows they have no clue on the value of Social Media. If a fan updates their status via Twitter or FaceBook and their followers see somthing intersting they are MORE likely to find information about the game on TV. Ironically this will support thier ad revenues they are so despartely trying to protect. As Chris Anderson writes in his latest fascinating book, “Free: The Future of a Radical Price“, the more you fear something, the more likely it is you need to become it if you want to survive. People need to realize the Web, and Social Media is here to stay and people/companies/organizations are going to have to learn to harness it’s power otherwise they will be left in the dust.
