The Chicago Cubs will host an inaugural Social Media Night in the Wrigley Field bleachers, Wednesday, May 16, against the Philadelphia Phillies. What will this entail? Well, maybe some #cardinalssuck showing up on Twitter. And probably a couple of drunk Facebook status updates.
A pregame social media panel at Captain Morgan Club and a set of Cubs “Social Media Series” baseball cards. Yes, Twitteriffic baseball cards! Many packs include a card personally autographed by a Cubs player on Twitter, such as Kerry Wood (@KerryWood), Ryan Dempster (@RyanDempsterFDN), Paul Maholm (@paul_maholm), David DeJesus (@David_DeJesus3) and Ian Stewart (@IAN_STEWART_9).
Fans purchasing Special Event tickets for this event will also receive a gift package containing a T-shirt compliments of Cubs.com, a copy of Vine Line Magazine, a complimentary hot dog voucher and the “Social Media Series” baseball cards. Throughout the game, @Cubs will encourage fans to use the Twitter-specific #CubsSocial hashtag.
The Captain Morgan Club pregame social media panel will feature Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (@RobbieGould09), Cubs.com beat reporter (I still have issues hearing the term “beat reporter” describing a job in which the writer covers a team, and that work is published on that very team’s website. “Writer” sounds more accurate than “reporter.”) Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) and Cubs Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Kevin Saghy (@Cubs). The panel will share stories and discuss social media from an athlete, media and club perspective. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will begin at 5:45 p.m. CDT and conclude within an hour.
Get tickets to the game/event here
A second Social Media Night is planned for Monday, September 17, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs will provide an opportunity to throw a ceremonial first pitch before that night’s game through an @Cubs Twitter contest. Official rules and details will be revealed closer to the game.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, MSN and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.