Members Tweet Coverage of RFD-TV’s The American
Sunday, March 15, 2015 | Author: Jessica Parton, Texas FFA News Staff
Select Texas FFA members were given the opportunity to contribute to the world’s richest one-day rodeo by acting as the inaugural social media squad on March 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Twenty student covered the second annual rodeo acting as the inaugural “social squad.” RFD-TV Chief Marketing Officer, Billy Frey, constructed the new program in hopes to increase event exposure through social media while simultaneously providing agriculture education students with an opportunity to grow in the public relations field.
“The goal of the squad was to give those on social media greater exposure to the sport of rodeo and agriculture,” said Frey.
Squad members were granted access to the arena floor and press room to post live tweets during each event, and to provide behind the scenes coverage to those on social media. More than 745 tweets were recorded using #theamerican, documenting opening ceremonies, results and pictures of athletes.
Following the success of The American’s “social squad,” Frey looks to add additional social media coverage next year.
“The inaugural event went very well; all the students were engaged and we plan to continue the squad,” said Frey.
The National FFA and RFD-TV relationship thrives after more than 25 years of success. After signing a five-year sponsorship with the National FFA in 2014, RFD-TV founder and CEO, Patrick Gottsch, continues to formulate ways to provide educational opportunities to FFA members.
|