Here’s a guest post from Jacobs Media’s talent guru, Keith Cunningham, with some observations about a new celebrity phenomenon.
Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco is at it again. But this time he’s not changing his name, hilariously trash-talking with opponents, catching touchdowns, or racing thoroughbred horses – he’s on the way to becoming a media monster.
The outspoken NFL star has partnered with Motorola to set up a social news network on Twitter, dubbed OCNN (Ochocinco News Network). His goal is to compete with mainstream news outlets and tell fans what’s going on with NFL teams. Don’t laugh – it’s not a bad idea; he’s the ultimate insider and will probably dig up some compelling dirt.
After all, who has the best access to what really happens in the locker room? As Ochocinco promises, “"If I break it, you might as well believe it."
While it’s early in the game for the OCNN, this is another sign that traditional media is being challenged on every level. When you think that it was TMZ that broke Michael Jackson’s death – not CNN or NBC – Ochocinco’s concept doesn’t sound so crazy. It’s also proof that anyone with motivation, creativity, access, and resources has the ability to participate in, or even change, the entertainment and news landscape.
The OCNN will not replace ESPN or the NFL Network for football news. But gone are the days when ESPN had a lock on sports news, when newspapers and TV owned breaking news, or when radio owned music and traffic reports. Citizen journalism (and in this case football star journalism) is thriving.
It’s hard to stand out in today’s crowded field, but radio personalities should take notice of Chad Ochocinco’s efforts and begin thinking of ways to grow their own personas outside of the traditional airwaves.
Chad Ochocinco …
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Has his own iPhone app
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Has over 300,000 followers on Twitter with many more to come
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Has his own content rich website that’s updated more frequently than most radio websites
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Is constantly in the news because of the content or controversy he creates
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Has creative ideas and has the cojones to put them in motion
Could a radio personality pull this off on a local level, or in the case of syndicated shows on a national scale? Keep in mind their advantage in being able to promote initiatives to large audiences each day. In the digital world, a big-thinking personality can do big things.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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As an addendum, Ochocinco was fined $20K today for trying to bribe an official with $1. He also wanted to send mustard packets to the Steelers defense this week, but his coach wouldn’t let him. Ochocinco is becoming more and more Stern-esque every week. He knows how to get attention and it’ll help him in the long run (even if the Steelers break his leg this weekend).
Bribing football officials is a crime! Or at least a 15-yeard penalty.