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Scott Clark asked a question on LinkedIn earlier this week:

I’m putting together a magazine article about how arenas/venues may use social media, such as blogs, twitter, facebook in innovative ways.

I’ve discussed some of these issues in previous blog posts, which I’ve listed at the end of this page. So I wrote a response and posted it to LinkedIn on Tuesday.

Scott has published an article about live events and social media, so I am reposting my response to his LinkedIn question:

Live blogging at a conference makes more sense to me, simply because computer usage and Internet access are much more common at academic and professional events than at performances.Many performance and sporting venues have posted rules about mobile phones and cameras, partly because of intellectual property issues and contractual obligations. Mobile blogging through smartphones and PDAs is the only practical way to implement social media interaction at these events.

These restrictions are also in place to minimize disturbances and distractions for the audience and the performers. It might be interesting to see a real-time Twitter display of comments during an event, but would everyone want to see that information? Would the performers want to limit access?

Because “big name artists” tend to use established business models, including the recording industry and concert venues, these artists have limited room for innovation with social media.

Artists who use a more open license such as Creative Commons might welcome and encourage audience interaction and moblogging as part of the event. As more musicians decide to release their own music online, some will embrace social media as an essential part of their marketing and community-building plans.

Another exception might involve visual and performance art. Event sponsors could invite and encourage attendees and exhibitors to moblog their comments, as long as the participants accept the event’s licensing scheme. Social media can provide a means for real-time transcribing and recording an audience’s reaction to a gallery opening or museum exhibit.

I’m assuming that in all of these examples there are some content filters in place. Event sponsors usually don’t want guerrilla marketers to post or send comments that promote a rival brand. Local regulations might punish event sponsors if the moblog included indecent or illegal content.

Collegiate sports are a case in point. During the current basketball season, mainstream journalists and sports bloggers have student sections at several universities for rude and unsportsmanlike behavior. Taunting, intimidation and name calling happen at sporting events and on social media every day. While most collegiate athletic departments hold themselves at arms length from Facebook groups and blogs, these departments always have some interaction with student sections at the actual events.

Related posts

• 25 February 2008: Social Media 101
• 10 August 2007: Forty-somethings flock to Facebook
• 4 June 2007: Illinois high school holds diplomas after crowd celebrates
• 5 August 2006: Isolated Americans are trying to connect