SEC "Revises" Their Stance on Social Media Ban

Well... it looks like the SEC has quickly come to their senses and realized they cannot stop a freight train. Here is an article from Mashable regarding the SEC's revision to their ridiculous ban on social media in their college stadiums. It basically states fans can still Tweet and do status updates and take photos for their social networks (Facebook, Myspace, etc...) as long as it is not for commercial use. Video during games is still banned though... Read here for more details. In the mean time, enjoy football season and keep on acting like we're in the 21st century for heaven's sake!

Confession Time...

I have a confession to make.... I want a webcam.

I didn't want one for a long time. The stigma behind it was too related to porn. But I heard about a application coming out now, that will allow you to do video email. I think I'm liking that idea more every second.

My friend, Amy Barickman, has a few companies that involve a lot of crafting and working with designers. She could literally hold a project up and say "move this piece over here..." as she emails a designer... or hold up a different fabric and say "I want this one". I get chills at thinking how this could help her and her business partners.

Another friend of mine, Mark Sudermann, is an interior designer. Imagine what he could do! Not only could he send a photo of a piece he found for a homeowner, but with this application he could video it... walking around the table... or a couch... sitting on it... talking and video'ing. I think it would create a ton of excitement with a client... I love it!!!!!!!

If you remember my other blog where the Southeastern Conference is not allowing social media to be used during their college games ... so I wonder, is email social media? Maybe... it's on the fence. Or not. It just seems so "old" compared to the newer technology. But think about this... you could video a great play and email it out. Awww, it's probably frowned upon too at the SEC, but it's going to happen. A lot.

I'll keep you posted if I make this webcam and software purchase. The application will be available on an iPhone. Which I don't have... but want. hmmmm... yet another purchase.

Social Media... changing every day I tell ya! EXCITING!

I Love a Good Pep Rally!

Call me old fashioned... but I love a good pep rally.

I like the thousands of energetic people, coming together for one common interest. In this case, the Kansas Jayhawks. More specific, the football season right around the corner. (It was announced today in the AP Poll, Kansas is ranked #25 preseason. That alone is worth celebrating!) As fans show up, I enjoy how KU fans reconnect instantly and for some of us, this is the only time of year we see some of these people. We pick right back up where we left off ... a year ago or maybe longer. The pep rally last night was the perfect storm... a friday night, clear with a few clouds and about 70 degrees in late August, reminding me "this was meant to be."

Though the skirts are shorter and the tops are cropped too small, the cheerleaders still do the same fight song moves and throw in some modern chants and cheers for a little flavor. The large "Big Jay" and smaller "Baby Jay" mascots are easily found in the huge crowd, with a gaggle of children following closely behind as they make their way to various groups for photo opportunities. Like my family, I wonder how many others have used those photos for holiday cards. LOL! Back at the podium and the stage, the traveling KU pep band enthusiastically bobs and weaves their heads in perfect unison to their own music and it's loud enough you can feel it all the way to the center of your being... The crowd loves it and cheers for more!

Several presenters greet our enthusiastic crowd. The newest and 17th KU Chancellor - Bernadette Gray-Little, Kevin Corbett - the charming President of the Alumni Association and others I might have missed while getting our hair sprayed blue and red. Then KU's Head Basketball Coach, Bill Self, gives an inspirational speech that seems genuine and sincere. He knows the power of KU alumni and friends in the community... he knows how to get us fired up. He then introduced the Head Football Coach, Mark Mangino. He's literally a very large man with a large presence. The crowd is silent as he does his best to hammer home his prediction for an exciting football season... yet being very edited. Though it wasn't the greatest of presentations, he gets a very generous and appreciative response and as he exits the stage. The band strikes up again and the cheerleaders and Crimson Girls dance to the school fight song "I'ma Jayhawk". Then everyone links arms over shoulders to sway slowly to the KU School Song... followed by the world famous ROCK CHALK CHANT! When it's over, the band plays longer... the crowd claps along to the beat... nothing but a sea of smiles the entire time.

Change the coaches names and you could put any year, in the last 100 years of KU, in front of this description and it would be believable. It's a good old fashioned pep rally and every school should have one. At Kansas University, we are very fortunate that alumni, such as Pat Roberts at Johnny's Tavern in Prairie Village (and Lawrence KS) have the interest and means to make it happen. I went this year with my 80 year old father, my husband and my two elementary age children. It's an event our three generations can participate in together and reminisce on... well... forever. My children look just as forward to the excitement and festivities as my father does. Most of my life, I've kind of been one to buck tradition. However, when it comes to pep rallies... what's old is still new. Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk!

Are You Kidding Me?!

I love the smell of football in the Fall. I like it when the air gets chilly enough for a sweater but yet still nice enough for shorts. I can't wait for the faint smell of someone illegally burning leaves (it used to not be illegal around here) in their backyard. Most of all, I love that Fall brings with it, football season! I'm gearing up for a rock'n 5th grade tackle football season, maybe a few high school games with the SME Lancers, hopefully a KU Jayhawk football game and maybe catch a Chiefs game. I'll be snapping photos and video left and right and submitting them to friends and family who I know will want to see the hilarious and amazing moments of these games. Some of the best photos I have taken in the last 3 years, are of these games. (see the photo on this blog). I've posted them for many to see, especially on Facebook. The SEC (SouthEastern Conference consisting of 13 colleges) however, doesn't want its fans doing the same.

Yesterday, the SEC announced they are banning social media from their college football stadiums. This means no excited tweets about a great play or concern over an injured player on the field. It also means no "you better get over here to see this" type of enthusiastic messages to friends and family on Facebook or Twitter, which invariably increase college revenue. No Twitpics posting the latest spiritwear surrounding the fan. Again, a loss in revenue. So what's the reward in this for the SEC?

Apparently the SEC, not really comprehending the power of social media (and especially the reverse psychology of telling teens and college age kids not to do something... are you kidding me!) they are protecting their interests of their broadcasters... ESPN and CBS which the SEC are paying $3,000,000,000 over the next 15 years to show the SEC's games. User generated clips, which are easily accessible from mobile devices like a phone, completely undermine the need to carve time to sit down in a chair and watch it on the ol' television.

How the heck do you think those college officials are going to enforce this new rule? Social media is like a freight train right now... and sadly, I think alumni and fans will tweet and message through Facebook and sports blogs about their disappointment regarding this stance. What faster way to turn off your clientele? It leaves me scratching my head and asking "Are you kidding me?!"

Good luck to those colleges and their fans: University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss"), Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University

"We're going backward, in order to go forward"

...I think we've all had to do that at some point...

One of my all time favorite bands, TRAIN (woot!), is coming out with a new album/DVD, SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO on October 27th.

side note: I'm about to do something I don't recommend. I'm starting out with a negative. Not against TRAIN, but you'll see... and I have to in order for you to understand where they've been and what's coming ahead...

Their last album, FOR ME IT'S YOU, was absolutely fabulous! However, it didn't do well in sales. Why? Because their management company, Sony Music, in usual historical fashion, did not promote it or the band. No sir, not well at all... in fact, it was pathetic! Tour attendance was low because no one knew they were coming to their towns. I'm not really even sure if radio spots were bought, promotions or cross promotions made. In fact, the TRAIN band members eventually had to go back to their roots and rely on street teams that they contacted, to get the word out. I'm sure it's not the impression TRAIN wanted to leave anyone with. I feel certain Sony wouldn't have wanted it that way either, if they had known how poorly their client was being treated. I could do a whole other blog on the bands that have been dissatisfied with SONY MUSIC over the last two decades. Why anyone signs with them now, I have no idea. But TRAIN learned and they sought out innovative clever professionals. This time, they have a new management company, CRUSH Management and TRAIN couldn't be more excited. All I know is... Sony couldn't have eff'd this up more in the past... and it can only get better from here. In fact, it already is...

Check out TRAIN's website and you'll notice up toward the top of the initial page, links for social networks and other social media sites so you can connect with them quick and easy! I love this, because lead guitarist, Jimmy Stafford, is tweeting from the road and posting photos. You can get real time photos as they get to locations, sound check, on stage. Guest guitarist, Hector Maldonado, is doing the same thing. Lead singer, Pat Monahan, has always been available on through his blogs and is as open about the successes and challenges they face as a band... another way to reel the average Joe and Jane like you and I, in. As for their website, it's a great place to hear the first single "Hey Soul Sister" on their album SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO. This single is available for your listening pleasure, although it just became available on for purchase on iTunes today!!! Nice going guys and to web guru, Justine Foreman at the band's website! Nothing like a good teaser to build a frenzy. The title of this album, SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO, is a homage to the city and reflective of their efforts to get back to their roots (and hard core fan base in San Fran)... going backward so they can go forward. Getting back to their rootsby way of connecting with fans again... one on one, mano y mano. What better way to do that, than through social media. You can find them here on their twitter page, Facebook fan page, Myspace page and Youtube. Yes, they do respond to comments and questions... Yes they do give a huge hoot about you and what you think. Yes, they are gearing up to tour!

I hope you get to see them too. Then post your photos... WOOT!