Great slide share presentation from Oliver Blanchard of the Brand Building blog.
His slides tell it like it is and show some nice and easy steps to developing the right metrics to help the C-suite understand what we are all building.

The winter Olympics are a few months away and I’m beginning to wonder if the Vancouver team has missed a Golden opportunity (pun intended). As the buzz grows the committee has launched just 1 social site, www.twitter.com/followthetorch which has protected tweets and only 2 followers!?! As much as I love Vancouver and think these games will be awesome, it feels like they might miss the social media boat.

Even though the Vancouver Olympics are seeing a slow roll toward social media it is in no way highlighted on their website or what it could be. The official website has some very cool graphics and videos, but it lacks a central facebook page, twitter feed, blog, or even e-mail sharing abilities. One major problem with the Olympics and media is that they only happen every 2 years. In the social sphere that is an eternity. I admit its still early in the game for full details to be released but Vancouver could start to create buzz now.
A few things I hope they these Olympics include…

Let the world share videos like this….
(Great video highlighting how the Olympic medals were made)

Create a blog: let the world know what went into the planning the 2010 Olympics

Work with iphone and blackberry app creators so that original and unique applications will be available

Thats just some of my thoughts and hopes, the torch begins its cross Canada Trek October 30th 2009.
It starts in Victoria BC, and linked is a site with full details.

Since 2006 the digital landscape has seen a great shift. The games in China were full of side issues which created a distraction for what could have been done. These 2010 Vancouver Olympics are a perfect opportunity to showcase how Sports and Social media can work together.

CNBC is doing a special 5 part global series on Leadership and Vision.

We have attached the full hour long episode below featuring some of the most preeminent minds in the Technology sector.
Some key points that are touch upon in the episode:

• Understanding the User is a Top Priority
• Production Mindsets don’t always work in the digital space
• Small is the New Big
• Innovation isn’t always about equating dollars in the short term
• Test Test and Re-Test!

This is just a short post to say:

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! You can now report spammers on Twitter with just a click–in the actions tab on any profile you can report the profile as spam! YAAAAAY!!

The details are available on the official Twitter blog. On the one hand, ABOUT FREAKING TIME! On the other hand,

YAAAAAAAAAAY!!

Now Graham Spam Spam Spam Chapman can finally have his breakfast without spam.

Kleenex is running an Ad Campaign called “get mommed“. I understand that the internet is a loud place but I don’t feel like this is going to get the traction they were hoping for.

If you are really lonely on your birthday they will send messages like this for your viewing pleasure

I heard about this on prime time TV about 2 weeks ago and I still don’t get it. All this Ad does is make me want to grab the generic brand because now I feel awkward buying Kleenex. Personally I feel like moms fall under sacred space.

Please tell me I’m not the only one that thinks this.

This Mashable compilation of hilarious Twitter spoofs brought me back all the way to my very first blog post with Nostrum, way back in March.

The Jon Stewart one is still my favorite…and I still like Twitter.

Disclaimer #1 I love hockey (blame my wife)
Disclaimer #2 The Chicago Blackhawks are hands down my favorite NHL team

Now that, that is out of the way every single sports team could learn from how the Blackhawks do video. I’d argue every fan wants an inside look at a professional sports team. It does something when for a fan when they feel like the know the guys on the ice or field. In terms of ROI this represents Jersey sales biased on personalities alone. Add jersey sales to a more rigorous fan base and the benefits are pretty clear.

In case you don’t know Chicago went from averaging less then 5000 fans per home game to about 20,000 fans per home game nearly over night. I personally feel one very important component to that were the addition of videos like this.

and this

This is still a controlled medium to a certain extent as they produce the content. However they allow fans to share these videos which is awesome.

Major League sports have failed again.

The NBA has followed in the footsteps of the NFL and the SEC and banned athletes from using social media during events. From 45 minutes before the event until they’ve finished their team responsibilities, team-related personnel are not allowed to use ANY KIND OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

I’ve been harping on what a bad idea this is for AGES, so I won’t rant about it again today…all I have to say is:

SHAQ AIN’T GONNA LIKE THIS.