From exhortations to score a touchdown to birthday wishes for a six-year-old, Manchester Wolves fans and occupants of the “No Bull” cheering section were tweeting away at Friday night’s “No Bull Football Jam” at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
The “No Bull Football Jam” represented the first time in North American sporting history that professional sports fans could not only enjoy football action but then share their experience with the rest of the world via Twitter. At two locations strategically located in the Verizon Wireless Arena concourse, Best Buy set up two laptop computers for the express purpose of allowing fans to tweet throughout the game.
The purpose of the “No Bull Football Jam” was to find a new and creative way to introduce social networking tools to New Hampshire residents. Businesses and economic development officials were invited to take part in the event by registering to sit in the “No Bull” section of the arena – the “No Bull” moniker of course refers to the title of this blog.
Special thanks to Manchester Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike (www.manchesterwolves.com) for her partnership and assistance in planning the event as well as to Alan Voivod, co-owner of social media gurus Epiphanies, Inc. (www.epiphaniesinc.com), for providing expert advice to any fans interested in learning more about social networking. Kudos as well to Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com) for generously donating staff and computers to make the evening a success. And yes, before I forget, thanks to my super intern Sarah Feugill of New England College for helping to pass out 500 “No Bull Football Jam” promotional pieces as folks made their way through the turnstiles.
It was quite a scene to see an 80-year-old man learning how to send a tweet just ten minutes after a group of teenagers sent a flurry of messages into cyberspace. Social networking is interactive, engaging and, on this occasion, worthy of a touchdown dance.
P.S. Best wishes to the Manchester Wolves as they take to the road for the first round of the af2 playoffs – go Wolves!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
“This is an incredible coup for the State of New Hampshire,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher, one of the organizers of the promotion. “With social media becoming such an incredible phenomenon, especially with the business community, this is a great way to get the Granite State excited about Twitter, Facebook and other new communications vehicles.”
“We’re really happy to be able to offer something new and fun for our fans – now, not only are they able to cheer every play, they’re also able to share their perspective with football fans worldwide,” said Manchester Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike.
“The power of social networking is gaining more and more prominence not only nationally, but globally,” said Epiphanies, Inc. Co-Owner Allen Voivod. “Learning the new ways of sharing information is becoming a necessity for all of us and we’re thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking event with our great partners from the State, the Wolves and Best Buy.”