Business Commons^™

Game-Changer: A Case Study Of Social-Media Strategy In Big Ten Athletic Departments, Makayla Hipke, Frauke Hachtmann

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

This study used a case study approach to develop an understanding of how social media strategy is developed and deployed in Big Ten Conference athletic departments and to explore the issues associated with it. Based on in-depth interviews with department officials, the following six themes emerged: connecting with target audiences; varied approaches in coordination of postings; athletic communications as content gatekeepers; desire to incorporate sponsors and generate revenue; focusing on building fan loyalty through engagement; and challenges of negativity and metrics. The social media strategy in Big Ten Conference athletic departments appears to be driven by athletic communications/sports information departments …