Mark Cuban is the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and also has his own blog where he talks about business, the NBA, and other sporting events that interest him. In the blog I checked out he discussed how traditional media and blogging with never successfully collaborate. His argument for this is that “bloggers drive blogs, share price drives traditional media. Blogging is personal, traditional media is corporate.” Mark Cuban believes it is impossible to run a blog that is set up and operated by the old white guys in ties because money is fueling the topic and the conversation. Everyone has an agenda and they aren’t blogging in the sense of the definition. With traditional media it is all about cost vs. time and the moneymaking schemes that allow corporations to gain allowances. I couldn’t agree more with Mark Cuban and his philosophy about blogs and traditional media who try to blog. In the sense of the word it just isn’t possible to set up a successful “blog” that allows free speech and public opinion. If traditional media were to strive for a true blog there would surely be mixed opinions and a diverse ray of thinking that may contradict the traditional media’s agenda and their goals. All in all, Mark Cuban is a clever dude. The man that invented the minute-to-minute updates for sporting events on the Internet and has made billions of dollars might know a little something about how new Internet networking works. So, yes, I fully agree with Mr. Cuban.
Comments (8)
Cuban definitely knows how to work when it comes to the Internet as well as business. I think he makes a great point when he says that if blogs are money and business driven they won't work out. There would definitely be a lot of controversy if the traditional media tried to switch over to blogs due to the diversity in opinions of the readers. All in all Cuban is a smart man and the traditional media should take his advice on blogs.
Posted by Whitney Worthington | March 4, 2007 3:50 PM
Posted on March 4, 2007 15:50
I agree. I think that corporations that have blogs are..pathetic. They should stick to making good products and money. Once a company starts to blog, its essentially saying "Please care about us! Here's what we're doing and we assure it is very significant. And here are some drunk pics from our recent party!! Lolz!"
The company is reduced to a teenager.
Posted by Adam Schoof | March 4, 2007 11:49 PM
Posted on March 4, 2007 23:49
I agree that companies run the risk of reducing the level of which they appear to be succesful by participating in a blog. However, to the same affect, blogs can provide a great "leg-up" for their public relations division. If you believe the idea that "all PR is good PR." then whether or not their blog even generates or recieves positive feedback, the company is still creating a way to get their name in the public eye and sometimes that can be the biggest feat of all.
Posted by Amanda Peterson | March 5, 2007 11:50 AM
Posted on March 5, 2007 11:50
There's not already a discussion on this topic below or anything.
Posted by Kayvon Sarraf | March 5, 2007 1:04 PM
Posted on March 5, 2007 13:04
I agree with Cubans thoughts on blogs. Under no circumstances should corporations have blogs. To me it is kind of unprofessional. But as far as Mark Cuban, I think he tries to get too much media attention. He takes away from the game of basketball and sports jounralism. He is just a money hungry individual.
Posted by Phil Mix | March 5, 2007 8:12 PM
Posted on March 5, 2007 20:12
Wow, I could not agree more. Blogging is a totally personal thing. It is the idea of putting yourself out there for other people to see. I do not think that a traditional media outlet will be able to achieve the same open quality that blogging strives for.
Posted by Susan Schwarz | March 7, 2007 11:34 AM
Posted on March 7, 2007 11:34
I also agree with Cuban but I can understand corporations desire to entire the "blogosphere" (not sure if thats really a word) to capitalize on the widespread use, especially among young consumers. As most of the comments show, it seems pretty lame because we all know the motivation to blog is not necessarily sincere. I do think that if blogging expands we will see more and more companies entering the race to put their product in our minds. Money always rules and the internet seems to be the perfect outlet for advertisement.
Posted by Andrew Wiebe | March 7, 2007 10:28 PM
Posted on March 7, 2007 22:28
David Ugarte:
I don't exactly agree that blogging is something traditional media cannot compare to, or compete with, however, it looks like some older media are trying, or actually could try. Newspapers have letters to the editor, a small blog-esque experience of reader-participation. Radio stations take peoples calls to request songs, and even get random listener's opinions on a topic of discussion. Many times I've heard and read these small acts of participation, and felt like I was reading a comment or response to a blog, so in a way, I think they actually could.
Posted by David Ugarte | March 13, 2007 10:08 PM
Posted on March 13, 2007 22:08