Changing the Digital "Game"

If you do not think a share on a social media site is effective, think again. Take advice from Vice President of Digital Platforms for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Grahl.

I attended a regional conference of the American Marketing Association where Mike was a keynote speaker held at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The theme was “The Generation Next” and Mike emphasized just that.

Selfie = Autograph

The selfie today is the equivalent to what the autograph used to be. This picture is proof and essentially serves as bragging rights of the person who captured the photo with a famous entity or person. Just think how many more impressions a selfie will reach by being shared, liked and commented on. The possibilities are truly limitless compared to the amount of people that would have been able to view an autograph memorabilia that would have only reached a minimal audience by word of mouth only.

Phenomena Game Changer

This phenomenon has revitalized the way people think of a basketball. As a veteran in the marketing and digital advertising field, Mike said that going to a basketball game is not just strictly a basketball game anymore. Working with the second worst team in the NBA in the 2013-2014 seasons only winning a total of fifteen games, Mike has learned to lean towards the experience of the consumer, not on the record of the basketball team. It is all about the experience.

Show Biz

Using entertainment entities such as the Hoop Troop, Milwaukee Symphony, Bucks Dancers, Grand Dancers, Game Night Live, Rim Rockers, Bango, Youth Bucks Dancers and other performers, is what keeps the fans engaged and coming back to the basketball games time and time again. It is evident the hard work that Mike has put forth to his employer. This year, there are more season ticket holders than any previous years thanks to his digital platform. The experience is what keeps the fans coming back despite the record.