Lebron Digital Brand “Heating Up”
When Lebron James isn’t adding to his enemies list (i.e Dan Gilbert and the entire city of Cleaveland), the KingJames Twiiter and Facebook home shave managed to grow just as well.
Yes, I’m back on The Decision kick.
I figure hey….this thing went on for 762 days – might as well milk it for all it’s worth. I might have Sports Center beat this time around.
What really brings me back to this subject is an article by Clickz.com, a leading website for all things online marketing and digital news.
Even though I think the overall Lebron brand will suffer as a result of the adios Cleavland and hola Miami spectacle…his online presence has not.
According to the Clickz post:
* After launching KingJames on Twitter on July 6th, in less than 12 hours he racked up 150,000 followers…by Thursday night that total had grown to 320,00 and as of the current page refresh the total stands at 407,809.
* Even though his Facebook page is not quite has new as his Twitter and other social media counterparts, it has gained 234,000 new fans and picked up over 40k on two days ago…standing at 2.5 million Fans / People who like it…etc
Also, Alexa or Compete have not released results for LebronJames.com yet…I’m sure those will be coming out soon.
So, with the above stats in mind…and as Clickz poses the question – is Lebron James trying to do with social marketing what Michael Jordan did to TV?
Yes and No.
I don’t see Facebook, Twitter and all of the other mediums as something King James is pioneering.
Social marketing is the minimum of what a global icon should be doing.
If he broke any records Thursday night, it would be in the realm of T.V ratings for a free agent announcement…even Jordan couldn’t do that.
On the Yes side…Lebron is changing the way we see athletes bypass media – such as the way we saw other athletes discuss The Decision with their fans….check out Dwight Howard’s comments when you get a chance.
For James to harness the power of social media, he would have to offer a candid look inside his personal life…and, I don’t think he’s ready to do that.
To be a Twitter Icon….you must Tweet. The same goes for his Facebook status.
Chances are all of these channels will not be managed by the King himself…most likely you’ll be reading a carefully screened blurb from one of his many advisors.
A championship will do more for his brand than Twitter will ever be able to promise.
You can guarantee that.
Also, I had to use this image again…just one of those things. Hope you like it!
