Live From MLB All-Star: MLB Network Takes Social-Media Efforts to the Next Level

Live From MLB All-Star: MLB Network Takes Social-Media Efforts to the Next Level Increased social-first content resulted in sizable audience growth on Twitter and Instagram By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 3:14 pm

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MLB Network's linear-TV-production and live-streaming operations were bigger than ever at this year's MLB All-Star, and its social-media efforts also took a monumental step forward: more MLB social-media-first content was created across its Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat platforms than ever before.

MLB Network analysts Carlos Pe a (left) and Cliff Floyd served as fashion reporters at the Red Carpet Show to provide behind-the-scenes social-first content.

And the effort looks to have paid off in spades, as MLB Network's original social content totaled more than 2.6 million views on Twitter and over 563,000 on Instagram - up 74% and 104% from the 2017 All-Star Game, respectively. Fan engagements and interactions also increased on both platforms, with 585,494 on Twitter and 160,322 on Instagram, +52% and +4%, respectively, year-over-year.

We're producing more social-media content than ever before via all of our social platforms, and we have every event covered in some fashion, especially the ones that MLB Network is exclusively producing, Marketing Manager Tim Shanahan said during the run-up to the All-Star festivities.. Each year at All-Star, there are more platforms to do more content on. As our staff has grown, so has the amount of content [created] for those different platforms.

The MLB Network marketing team traveled a team of six to Nationals Park, with four dedicated solely to social media. On Monday and Tuesday, additional social-media-focused staff members were located at MLB Network headquarters in Secaucus, NJ.

Sharing Content, Talent Between Linear and Social

In addition, the respective production teams made a concerted effort to more seamlessly integrate social media into MLB Network's live telecasts. Not only did the social and linear teams share a variety of content, fans were also able to send questions to this year's All-Stars by posting videos to social media - #ASG and tagging @MLBNetwork - that were shown to All-Stars and answered during MLB Network's All-Star programming, including Intentional Talk, High Heat, MLB Tonight.

We have really worked the last couple years to marry what we're doing from a social-media perspective even more with what we're doing from a broadcast perspective, said Shanahan. In addition to our own [content], we want to be cognizant of also pushing out our best content from our broadcasts. We truly want to make it an integrated 360 experience for fans.

In addition, MLB Network on-air talent was regularly incorporated into the social-media efforts throughout the week.

One of the big things for us this year is working with talent and adding to the great work they're already doing for broadcast by doing [segments] specifically from a social perspective, said Shanahan. Whether that's Cliff Lee and Carlos Pe a at the Red Carpet or Harold Reynolds and Sean Casey during Batting Practice and then lots of reactions for social from talent in the postgame.

On the Floor at Media Day

On Monday at MLB All-Star Media Day, MLB Network reporter Scott Braun provided on-the-floor coverage on Facebook Live as he roved around the 40 player-interview pods asking questions.

MLB's Scott Braun (right) provided live coverage from MLB All-Star Media Day via Facebook Live.

It's almost like we're bringing fans right there into Media Day, said Shanahan. Scott will be going around to the different players, asking them some questions. As we get questions in on Facebook Live, we'll jump in and get some of those questions answered for the fans watching on Facebook Live. We are basically simulcasting at the same time as our on-air coverage, so it will be more of a second-screen experience.

Giving an Awards Show Feel to the Red Carpet

The social-media effort took center stage during the Red Carpet Show on Tuesday. MLB Network analysts Cliff Floyd and Carlos Pe a were on hand as fashion reporters to provide behind-the-scenes social-first content, which was posted across MLBN's social-media channels, especially Twitter, and incorporated into MLB Network's linear coverage as well.

There are lots of opportunities in other sports, like the NBA and the NFL, for fans to see what players are wearing when they arrive at the building. When Lebron walks into the building, everyone pays attention to his suits and shorts. But MLB players rarely get to show that off. This is one of the few opportunities where I feel like people are paying attention to what our MLB players are wearing. So we thought this was a great opportunity to kick that up a notch and get them to talk about what they're wearing as if they were at an awards show.

Snapchat Spectacles Take Fans on the Field for Batting Practice

MLB Network used Snapchat Spectacles to give fans an on-field experience throughout the festivities. For batting practice for the MLB Futures Game on Sunday, Home Run Derby on Monday, and All-Star Game on Tuesday, MLB Network analysts (including Harold Reynolds) wore Snapchat Spectacles to provide a first-person look at this year's All-Stars.

MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds wore Snapchat Spectacles during the MLB Futures Game on Sunday, providing fans with

unique social-first content.

In addition, at the MLB Futures Game, Team USA captain Mitch Keller wore them in the dugout during batting practice, while Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez wore them in the cage.

We've used the Snap Specs over the past couple years, and I think [this is] a cool opportunity to use wearable technology, said Shanahan.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2018/07/18/live-from-mlb-all-star-mlb-netw...
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