by Amani Channel

As I watched the USF Bulls beat the North Illinois Huskies in the International Bowl, I reflected back on the Bulls’ first ever bowl game win.

USF defeated East Carolina in the inaugural PapaJohn’s.com Bowl in 2006.

I had just moved to Atlanta, but got to enjoy the game with one of my Fox 13 news friends.

I’m a USF grad student if you didn’t know, so it was cool witnessing a piece of history.

Here’s a walk down memory lane:

by Amani Channel

In this latest MediaConnection episode I sit down with NFL Tight End Daniel Wilcox who blogs at YardBarker.

We talk about his blog and the challenges that go along with life in the NFL.

by Amani Channel

I’ve been taking notice of the great videos that are being produced with the Canon 7D.

In a prior post I wrote that the camera takes amazing video. The video below is proof.

The quality of the Canon 7D rivals that of much bigger HD video cameras.

I’ve had more than a week to recover from the Florida Gators’ loss in the SEC Championship game and actually enjoyed watching this recap courtesy Patrick Murphy-Racey.

I enjoyed watching the video so much, I also wanted to share the behind the scenes video he produced. Patrick, you may be new to video, but you definitely know how to shoot like a pro.

by Amani Channel

So we all know about the Tiger Woods controversy. It’s scandalous to say the least, but enough already.

I stayed away from the story until I ran across this video via the Witches’Brew.

You won’t see a re-enactment like this on U.S. news.

I don’t understand what the reporter is saying, but the animation is priceless.

On a more serious note, Woods made a huge crisis communications error with this one. Sometimes, silence isn’t golden. He was slow to release a statement, ducked investigators, the media, and the public.

His sponsors are hanging tough, but if the public roars loud enough, that will change.

Here are some ways he could have handled the situation differently using traditional or social media:

1. His lawyer or spokesperson could have called a press conference shortly after the accident to speak on the family’s behalf.
2. Release a statement quickly. Post a YouTube video response. If Woods’ face was healing, release an audio podcast statement. Don’t give the public and media too much time to speculate.
3. Speak to investigators. It always looks suspect when a celebrity “hides” from the law.
4. Apologize to the public. Sure it’s none of our business, but his endorsements are a direct result of his popularity, and without his fans where would he be?

Looks like these ideas are similar to what other crisis communications pros are thinking.

CrisisBlogger
PRWeek
WSJ
SchwartzPR

by A.man.I

It’s the best time of the year if you’re a college football fan!

I’m a Gator (undergrad) and a Bull (grad school), so I’ll be rooting for both Florida universities this weekend.

Gator Nation Mashup

USF PapaJohns.com Bowl Episode