Why did iiNET sponsor the NBL?

One of the most exciting things I heard this year was that iiNET would be sponsoring the National Basketball League! It was the meeting of two up and coming success stories in one agreement and I could see the massive potential for both sides.

For the NBL iiNET is fun-loving company that has grown from a WA start up in a garage and understands the challenges of being in a changing market, just like the NBL. They are more daring than traditional sponsors which means that the NBL is more likely to have more leeway with innovation and experimentation which will be good for the game.

For iiNET There is no doubt in most people's minds that basketball is a grassroots sport which has a very strong passionate group of followers. There are probably much more kids playing basketball than there are playing AFL. For iiNET to get in early in joining the NBL, they can get a good deal for sponsorship and also generate some goodwill for the company amongst the many basketball fans in Australia. Also, as a result of the NBL wanting to expand its brand, iiNET will naturally benefit from this expansion and receive valuable mindshare in the Australian public as basketball grows.

I was very interested to read on the iiNET blog today about why iiNET sponsored the NBL and many of their thoughts I completely agree with. Much can be gained from this partnership and I only wish I could have a part in it :)

Chinese Twitter Weibo Sells 1,000 N8s in one event

In China, Twitter is banned but to say therefore that microblogging does not exist would be incorrect. Nokia recently held an online "press conference" on Weibo with over 400,000 participants. News sources say, through that event, Nokia was able to sell 1,000 N8 phones showing the immense potential that engaging in social media strategically could  be achieved. 

 "Micro-bloggers could wear a 3D eyepiece to watch Nokia's online 3D promotion video and interact with the company through its micro blog on Sina Weibo, China's largest micro-blogging website."

Nokia has been leading the multinationals in Social Media strategy employing 1000 Heads in London  to keep their social reputation in check and following the launch of the N8, a plethora of fans have started blogs and openly endorsed the N8 in spite of mainstream media's critical look at the flagship phone. 

On the flipside, managing a crisis on social media has also been proven lately, with Qantas officially joining the Twitterverse with their @qantas_airways Twitter account to counter the negative press and talk on social media regarding their mechanical problems.  

But joining twitter does not mean you have the street cred to start your own # hashtag for example. Social media is a very quick way to grow but it can also be a very quick way to die.