A Community of Devils
So does my last post relate to marketing?
Sure it does. Well, kinda. And even if it doesn't, I still feel proud and excited to write about it. So read on. If there's a marketing thread, great. If not, it doesn't bother me.
Living in Korea for the better part of a year, I was lucky enough to experience what I feel (in hindsight) was one of the most enchanting and exhilarating experiences of my life.
Seeing a whole country come together for their upstart of a futbal team makes me realize (again, in hindsight) what a powerful thing the notion of community is. Imagine 45 million ambassadors to your product, each one emotionally connected to the ultimate success (or failure) of what you provide to them.
I know I'm talking about a game here, but I think there are things to be taken away.
I remember being on the subway on my way to a match with friends, and looking around me - not a single person on that tube dared not wear a red t-shirt with 'Be The Reds' emblazoned across the chest. Adults and children alike were consumed by the fever that was captivating the entire country. It didn't matter what you believed in, or what you stood for; the overwhelming and all-encompassing sentiment was one simple thing: Pride in The Devils. Tae Han Min Guk.
3 million people packed into the streets of downtown Seoul to watch Korea take on the powerhouse from Spain. As far as the eye could see, there were red shirts, red bandanas, red everything. And when Korea scored in penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, I witnessed an emotional outpouring of which I've never known to be possible.
People were screaming in excitement; strangers were hugging each other; high-fives were exchanged; Koreans partied into the wee hours of the night.
And when the final whistle blew on the Korean squad's magical run in the World Cup, it didn't matter. The fans didn't care. As far as they were concerned, victory was achieved weeks before.
To top it all off, once the handshakes were exchanged after that final loss, the Korean team acknowledged the people that had helped get them to where they were now - the fans. All 45 million of them. A devoted community of loyal fans.
See, I knew there was a way to bring it back to marketing.
That's my warm and fuzzy for the week. I'm outta town for a few days, so I hope this tides everyone over until my return.
Adios.
-R.
Sure it does. Well, kinda. And even if it doesn't, I still feel proud and excited to write about it. So read on. If there's a marketing thread, great. If not, it doesn't bother me.
Living in Korea for the better part of a year, I was lucky enough to experience what I feel (in hindsight) was one of the most enchanting and exhilarating experiences of my life.
Seeing a whole country come together for their upstart of a futbal team makes me realize (again, in hindsight) what a powerful thing the notion of community is. Imagine 45 million ambassadors to your product, each one emotionally connected to the ultimate success (or failure) of what you provide to them. I know I'm talking about a game here, but I think there are things to be taken away.
I remember being on the subway on my way to a match with friends, and looking around me - not a single person on that tube dared not wear a red t-shirt with 'Be The Reds' emblazoned across the chest. Adults and children alike were consumed by the fever that was captivating the entire country. It didn't matter what you believed in, or what you stood for; the overwhelming and all-encompassing sentiment was one simple thing: Pride in The Devils. Tae Han Min Guk.
3 million people packed into the streets of downtown Seoul to watch Korea take on the powerhouse from Spain. As far as the eye could see, there were red shirts, red bandanas, red everything. And when Korea scored in penalties to advance to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, I witnessed an emotional outpouring of which I've never known to be possible.
People were screaming in excitement; strangers were hugging each other; high-fives were exchanged; Koreans partied into the wee hours of the night.
And when the final whistle blew on the Korean squad's magical run in the World Cup, it didn't matter. The fans didn't care. As far as they were concerned, victory was achieved weeks before.
To top it all off, once the handshakes were exchanged after that final loss, the Korean team acknowledged the people that had helped get them to where they were now - the fans. All 45 million of them. A devoted community of loyal fans.
See, I knew there was a way to bring it back to marketing.
That's my warm and fuzzy for the week. I'm outta town for a few days, so I hope this tides everyone over until my return.
Adios.
-R.
I have a tear in my eye, Ryan.
That's it, I might be busy as hell, but I'm gonna post a webcam shot of me in my Be the Reds t-shirt tomorrow, in honour of this great post.
Thanks for playing spoilers, by the way. I read this just before I say down to watch the re-broadcast tonight at 8. Doh!
Posted by
Jordan |
Tue Jun 13, 10:24:00 PM PDT