I am not a fan of the Star-Spangled Banner being played before sporting events.
Did you know that the tradition started during World War II to drum up support for the “war effort?”
It, in effect, politicized sports. And the only place that belongs is in the Olympics, in my opinion.
With that being said, the new Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer [former client], did something REALLY cool in their home opener Thursday night: instead of bringing in a professional singer or local talent to perform the anthem, they had the FANS do it!
Brilliant!
What better way to create an instant soccer community than to have your fans sing the anthem.
Honestly, I hope this is not a one-off thing for the Timbers. Portland has very little identity as a sports town, and this “fans sing the anthem” thing could help spark one.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup and Global Public Relations
Guest post by Andi Narvaez, public relations and social media professional and graduate student at University of Maryland. Co-founder of The BMPR, founder of Social Media Breakfast DC chapter, and Social Media Club-DC officer. Read her blog and follow her onTwitter.
Two years ago, my best friend came to visit my home country of Ecuador for the summer. One night, we went to a bar because an Ecuadorian soccer team was playing the semifinals of the 2008 Copa Libertadores. The final score was 0-0, which helped Liga de Quito, the Ecuadorian team, advance to the finals where they destroyed their Brazilian opponents and won the cup. Needless to say, this was the most anticlimactic day of my best friend’s life. And to this day she can’t understand how it can be possible for people to get as rowdy as we did that day when, for 90 minutes, not a single point was scored. Basketball has spoiled her.
In 63 days and less than 20 hours from the time this post goes live — give or take — the moment I’ve been anxiously waiting for four years will finally be here. And my friend couldn’t care less.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the greatest sport tournament in the world to me. And after a semester in my “Global Public Relations” course in graduate school I finally have an argument to support this statement that is not, “because soccer is the best sport in the world… and shut up.”
For those of us in public relations and social media, the world matters. Others matter. The beautiful thing about culture and diversity is that they make the world we live in a lot less boring and predictable; however, that is also the greatest challenge we face.
The FIFA World Cup gives us the rare opportunity to learn more about other cultures by either observing or, in my case, participating in UBER fandom. I’m talking body-painting, screaming, perspiring, crying, drinking, cursing… fandom. You might be thinking, “umm, it’s called the Olympics! Hellooo!” But to that I say, nay. The thing about soccer is that people live it and breathe it. Back home, in Ecuador, businesses shut down for it. Additionally, the researcher in me thinks that the World Cup is our chance to see all attributes of all the different cultures under the influence of a single variable — soccer.
Public relations and social media professionals should pay special attention to what will go down in about two months. In fact, start paying attention now to how FIFA is communicating about this event and turning it into not just a soccer tournament, but a global public relations phenomenon and case study:
Por ejemplo:
(A blog post AND a Spanish lesson?? You’re welcome)
FIFA has a hospitality program set in place, ready to welcome everyone who comes to South Africa for the World Cup. This the the first time an African nation is hosting the World Cup and FIFA is making the most of this opportunity by showcasing a culture and embracing everyone who will come into contact with it for the very first time.
Over the past few years, the most amazing stadiums have been built for the soccer matches. South Africa’s infrastructure has benefited from this event. Jobs were created. Tourism will bloom. And that, folks, is how a soccer tournament becomes a public diplomacy mission.
Although the World Cup is a competition, if everyone has fun it doesn’t matter who wins in the end. Ok… I’m not even buying that one. Still, it’s interesting to see how FIFA and the fans deal with rivalries while still promoting togetherness.
Coke and Hyundai, two major sponsors, have already launched worldwide initiatives with crowdsourcing and digital/social media components. The values of cultural diversity and togetherness are both present in these campaigns. Global public relations FTW.
I leave you with the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Now, if this doesn’t inspire you to take your public relations practices to the next level and think outside of your own culture’s box, I don’t know what will.
PS: The guy singing in Spanish is David Bisbal, a winner of Spain’s “Operación Triunfo” (a.k.a. American Idol). Boom. Right when you thought I would end without a global pop culture lesson.
1 – As the most-hyped soccer player since Pele, he brought glitz & glamour to MLS, but not a ton of substance. He has had a minimal impact on the Los Angeles Galaxy. His game has never been about scoring goals (think Steve Nash), but even soccer die-hards can see he hasn’t been the same player.
2 – Public clashes with teammates, especially Landon Donovan, have put him at odds with fans and players. He politicked the captaincy away from Donovan and did…well…nothing with it. Donovan wears the armband again these days.
3 – While on load to AC Milan, Beckham reportedly tried to negotiate a more long-term arrangement to remain in Europe.
The sports of soccer revolves around skill and respect. While age and injuries have sapped some of Beckham’s ability to perform at his previous levels, his apparent lack of respect for MLS and the Galaxy became a hot-button issue.
At the end of the day, though, this is a brilliant step forward for soccer in the United States. If the fans won’t let the most famous soccer player on the planet, with the gorgeous pop star life, rags-to-riches story and lengthy resume, walk all over them, then they truly recognize that the game is more important than a star player.
Look at it this way: many sports fans will cheer for legends because of their past accomplishments. MLS fans have DEMANDED that Beckham be better as a player and teammate. No one player in above the other 10 while on the pitch, not even the sport’s poster child.
Have you registered for the #1 youth and adult soccer tournament in the Mid-Atlantic? No? Do it NOW! The Mid-Atlantic Classic SoccerFest (from the people that brought you McDonald’s McSoccerFest 2003-2008) is ready to kick-off on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28!
a bar because an Ecuadorian soccer team was playing the semifinals of the 2008 Copa Libertadores. The final score was 0-0, which helped Liga de Quito, the Ecuadorian team, advance to the finals where they destroyed their Brazilian opponents and 
