Month: January 2011

A few weeks ago Dana White and the UFC announced that they would be streaming non televised prelim fights live on Facebook. After initially booking 2 fights to be shown, the idea was reconsidered and an additional 2 more fights were added to the experimental ploy. So what did viewers have to do to watch them? By simply logging into Facebook and “liking” the UFC page, fans across the world were able to access the live stream and watch the fights for free. It is reported that over the weekend the page increased its “likes” by over 60,000, a 1.3% increase. Did i mention that once you “like” the page the UFC can promote other events and they can pop up on your home page for Facebook to keep you up to date.

By using the ultra popular social media network Facebook, the UFC has continued to successfully promote the company on its own page. In my opinion this strategy is brilliant, there is no other athletic organization that uses social media quite like the UFC does. That being said, an interesting point that has been trending across the internet is the reaction from fans. Although many fans claimed the quality was excellent, there were some including myself that had sub par quality off of the live stream. It is uncertain at the moment as to the effects that this could have, but I know personally as an avid MMA fan just receiving the fights for free was a bonus in and of itself. As for the Facebook/UFC connection, it is clearly the next step in promoting sports through the means of social media. In my opinion this is only a foot hole with plenty more fights going to be streamed live in the future.

As if a Venti size wasn’t big enough for all the coffee lovers out there. Starbucks has just announced its marketing ploy to introduce the new size ‘Trenta’ (31 ounces as opposed to the Venti, only 24 ounces) throughout the United States. After much success in what Starbuck’s refers to as the testing phase in which the size was introduced last spring in Phoenix and Tampa Bay, the company will continue to produce this drink size in the hope to market a larger ‘cold’ drink cup to consumers. Starbucks needless to say has tried to capture the essence of brand loyalty and it is with this in mind that the company hopes to make the Starbucks experience that much more enjoyable. In my opinion, even a Venti is to much in one cup, but it is prudent to say in the world we live in the bigger is better idea reigns supreme.