Summer is officially here, and this summer happens to be an extra special season for billions around the world. This is the summer of the 2012 Olympics in London, a time where countries join together to compete for metals, not land or oil. The Olympic Games have always induced inexplicable nationalism around the world, and this year that nationalism is sure to flourish in this age of social media. Unlike previous summer games, the 2012 Olympics will be tweeted, tubed and tumbld, all in real time, giving a whole new meaning to instant inside access.
Americans and Chinese alike, as well as every other country participating in the games, love showing that their nation is the best in the world. There are few ways better to show this than flaunting your physical dominance over others. However, not all of us are gifted enough to compete, so we suport those who do. In the past there were very few ways for watchers to support their country in the games besides going to the games, watching them in your own house, and parading your nations flag around. While these are all still excellent ways to support your country, through social media we are given a chance to directly address our athletes and cheer for our teams. It allows the world audience to directly take part in the games, enhancing the experience and upping the competition for those who support their country the most.
Social media websites and platforms have been rapidly increasing within the past five years. Since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, when Facebook had 100 million users and Twitter had about 6 million, the websites’ users have increased over well 500%, with Facebook having about 900 million users and Twitter coming in at 140 million. Even the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver did just shed a sliver of light onto what could come this year. Alex Hout, the International Olympic Committee’s head of social media said, “Vancouver was just the first snowflake. [The 2012 Olympics] is going to be a big snowball” while discussing the impact social media will have on the games. Through websites such as YouTube, we can relive victorious moments and tragic defeats minutes after they happen and then again years later. Twitter will allow us to support our country, Pinterest and Tumblr will allow us to visualize our team spirit, and Facebook will allow us to do all of the above for all of our friends to see.
Sponsors will also be able to use these websites to create marketing campaigns for the games. According to CTV News, companies such as Coca-Cola, Cadbury and Visa have already started using platforms such as Facebook to reach a younger audience. Advertising and marketing campaigns for these games will be dramatically different from those in 2008 and 2012 because so many people are now using all types of social media. It’s safe to say that in promotion for the events, there will be no escaping the Windsor family!
There is debatably no larger event in the world that can bring joy and pride to so many people as the Olympics. It has always been one of the most anticipated and watched event as a global community of humans. Now, thanks to social media, it will also be one of the most widely discussed events on live time. When the Williams sisters finish their final set we will instantly be able to show our excitement to the entire world. Game, Set, Match, Tweet!