Bizarre Twins Advertising

[JB_Iowa]

This morning, the Minnesota Twins account tweeted the following:

 

Minnesota Twins ‏@Twins  · 2h 
Over 20,000 clients have trusted Hoglund Law with their social security disability case. Call today at 888-792-6009. http://atmlb.com/1mMps4Y

 

I'm in complete agreement with the following:

 

Retweeted by Seth Stohs

Jesse Spector ‏@jessespector  · 2h 
This is just embarrassing from an MLB team. You’re that desperate for a little extra cash?

 

 

 

 

I'm just flummoxed by this.  Are the Twins now raising cash based on tweeting advertising?  This isn't even the personal injury firm that advertises by doing the ridiculous reminders during the game about ownership of broadcast rights.

 

First, I'm ashamed of the Twins for "advertising" in their tweets regardless of the subject of the 3rd party advertising (and I'm about ready to unfollow the Twins).

 

Second, I despair at the depths to which advertising by law firms has now fallen.

 

 

 

 

P.S. I hope they were hacked but it really doesn't seem all that likely.

[Mike Sixel]

Super sad, really. Super, super sad.

[jokin]

Super sad, really. Super, super sad.

 

I was commenting about that the other night..."look at all of the Fortune 500 names placing advertising plaques and billboards on the MinuteMaid outfield walls...the only one slightly embarrassing is Citgo,"

 

Meanwhile the Twins prominently feature in their commmercials the ambulance chasers, Meshbesher & Spence.  What next?  Bankruptcy lawyers, Jack Prescott and Sons?

[iTwins]

I was disappointed to see that today too. I was hoping it was a hack and that the Twins hadn't sold out their Twitter account to ad execs...but it appears that EVERYTHING has a price.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Maybe they were just tweeting this out for the benefit of their top prospects, who will likely be eligible for some sort of disability benefits given their 2014 seasons?

[S.]

When you're fielding a World Series caliber MLB team with as much high priced talent as the Twins, you gotta milk your fan base for every last dollar to keep signing those top tier free agents.

 

Oh wait...

 

 

http://gifatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/seinfled.gif

[Ben B]

Looks like they deleted the tweet. Good move. That was about as shameless as it gets. The Twins (and probably other MLB teams) have a real problem being tone deaf and not understanding how bad money grabs like that look to fans. 

[DaveW]

They had one on facebook as well, a lot of teams do use social media to advertise, however for a crappy law firm with tacky creative etc it just didn't make a whole lot of sense.

I am fine when they tie it into a promotion (i.e. Pepsi Bat night or whatever)

[TheLeviathan]

This certainly doesn't help public perception about ownership and what they prize most.

[JB_Iowa]

I am fine when they tie it into a promotion (i.e. Pepsi Bat night or whatever)

 

I don't have a problem with that either.  They should promote what they are doing.  I didn't even have a problem with all the TF concert promotions, etc.

 

This just was so totally unrelated to their product.

[Parker Hageman]

Stacking checks. 

[Mike Sixel]

This certainly doesn't help public perception about ownership and what they prize most.

 

Perception? Reality.

[Oldgoat_MN]

This just looks so bad for the Twins. And I'm one who does not consider the Pohlads to be cheap or lacking in their desire for a World Series.

 

The promotions are fine, though the 'Summer's Eve Bobblehead Night' was awkward.

[Winston Smith]

They have a PR guy running the team not a baseball guy so what would expect?  

 

Super America on the backs of the ball persons I thought was over the top. Where next? I wouldn't be surprised to see baseball uniforms look like NASCAR driver suits before long.

[Paul Pleiss]

If someone wanted to pay me to tweet out links to their business, I would, almost without question.

 

If you don't have room on your timeline for an extra few Tweets from the Twins, unfollow them.  That's what's great abou Twitter, if you don't like what someone is doing, you just unfollow them.

 

Sometimes I record a podcast and then asks pseudo-famous guests that were on the podcast to tweet out the link.

 

Are the Twins tweets any different than the "That's the ticket" series that Twins Daily does that's sponsored by Ticket King?

 

Get paid for content. Why not?

[Oxtung]

If someone wanted to pay me to tweet out links to their business, I would, almost without question.

 

If you don't have room on your timeline for an extra few Tweets from the Twins, unfollow them.  That's what's great abou Twitter, if you don't like what someone is doing, you just unfollow them.

 

Sometimes I record a podcast and then asks pseudo-famous guests that were on the podcast to tweet out the link.

 

Are the Twins tweets any different than the "That's the ticket" series that Twins Daily does that's sponsored by Ticket King?

 

Get paid for content. Why not?

The Twins are a half a billion dollar company that brings in hundreds of millions of dollar every year.  I have to pay very good money to enjoy their product.  On the flip side you are not a millionaire and I pay nothing for your podcast or for viewing Twins Daily.  If you (or those at Twins Daily) choose to make a buck by advertising that is not unreasonable.  You have  a right to get paid for your time and effort.  The Twins on the other hand are already getting paid for their time in other ways.  They are just trying to double dip.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The Twins are a half a billion dollar company that brings in hundreds of millions of dollar every year.  I have to pay very good money to enjoy their product.  On the flip side you are not a millionaire and I pay nothing for your podcast or for viewing Twins Daily.  If you (or those at Twins Daily) choose to make a buck by advertising that is not unreasonable.  You have  a right to get paid for your time and effort.  The Twins on the other hand are already getting paid for their time in other ways.  They are just trying to double dip.

I agree with you, but I don't have a problem with the Twins double dipping. I do however have higher expectations of the Twins than this. Yes this site does have sponsored content and banner ads, but at least the sponsored content ties in to what Twins Daily is. When Dairy Queen hat night occurs, it's absolutely double dipping, but at least baseball caps are a part of baseball, even if DQ isn't exactly Cracker Jack. Ambulance chasers in a Tweet is just plain lazy

[70charger]

I think there's a big difference between the "That's the Ticket" series, since they contain write-ups of the upcoming series, and I often find them to be interesting content that's completely related the site. In other words, it's a tie-in that makes perfect sense.

 

The Twins just made their Twitter account available to the highest-bidding ambulance chaser. I'd say that's night and day.

[whitsbrain]

Super sad, really. Super, super sad.

You want sad?  Have you seen we have a new WNBA team in town?  Yep, get to Target Center to cheer on your Minnesota Mayo Clinics!

 

Advertising has been creeping into all major sports for years.  It's only a matter of time until a NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB team starts wearing jerseys with ads.  Eventually, they will look like NASCAR drivers.  I've got nothing against making a buck but when that happens, I'm out.

[Gernzy]

I'm so used to seeing ads everywhere it doesn't even bother me anymore.

Should the Twins twitter person have tweeted that? Probably not.

Will it effect my view of the team? Not at all.

[Beezer07]

This bothers me zero. But then I have very little interest in Twitter as it is. Or the Twins beyond their on-field product.

[Mike Sixel]

I also am not "bothered" by it......but I found it tacky I guess. I don't know why......as I expect everyone out there to be trying to make money. Maybe disappointed is a better word. 

[twinsfan34]

Twins don't need the money.

 

But seriously, that's where you pick up the phone...hear the pitch...and you laugh until they hang up.

[drjim]

I also am not "bothered" by it......but I found it tacky I guess. I don't know why......as I expect everyone out there to be trying to make money. Maybe disappointed is a better word. 

 

This was my view of it too. Saw the tweet and kind of did a double take, thought it was an unnecessary use of the team twitter feed.

[raindog]

I am bothered by it. It's shameful. I'm just glad they had the sense to delete it.

[tobi0040]

I also am not "bothered" by it......but I found it tacky I guess. I don't know why......as I expect everyone out there to be trying to make money. Maybe disappointed is a better word. 

 

That is kind of how I feel. Tacky.  Some franchises try to win at all costs, some try to win and make money, some just want to make money.  Things like this question the goals of the ownership team and which of these they fit in.

 

My personal wish is that the Pohlads would sell the team (not going to happen I know).  They don't seem to be huge fans. They don't seem to like baseball or attention (interviews with Jim are painful). And the team has risen in value since the stadium to a point that the bulk of the money has been made.  Cash out please.

[raindog]

I would love that, but I think a lot more money is to be made by keeping the team.