On any other day, a title like “T minus 5 hours” would leave people wondering. A new season finale of Grey’s Anatomy? The premiere of a summer blockbuster? The opening of a new theme park? Today though, there are no hesitations. Congratulations, LeBron James, you have achieved your goal with flying colors. Everyone wants to know “The Decision“.
The full impact of LeBron’s decision is best seen through internet traffic. Type in “LeBron James” in Google.com, and:
5,391 related articles on ESPN, and 1,987 on Washington Post all related to this decision? I have a feeling this sort of frenzy has not shown up with other sports icons. LeBron has timed the publicity perfectly. He’s kept everyone in the dark for as long as possible, making sure that everyone is talking about him. And, in case ESPN, Google, Sports Illustrated, NBA.com, and just about every news outlet known to man weren’t enough, LeBron decided to (again, timed appropriately) enter the world of micro-blogging on Twitter.com. His entry was announced by friend Chris Paul Tuesday morning, who tweeted:
Oneandonlycp3: **Couldn’t convince him to tell me which team he’s goin to but convinced him to join twitter lol…my brother from another mother @KINGJAMES
Unfortunately for Paul, within a few hours LeBron had beat him in number of followers. In fact, only two days later, James is now nearing 315,000 followers. His most recent tweet encouraged the excitement:
KINGJAMES: Good Morning! It’s your chance to ask me a question about my decision, use #lebrondecision to submit and I’ll answer them tonight.
Apparently, someone taught him how to use Twitter quite well. The questions are rolling in, with questions about what influenced his decision, and what it would take him to go to a certain team. One humorous post was:
anesduvall: #lebrondecision would you go on national tv to break up with your girlfriend
Unfortunately, that is how many people are viewing his one hour national TV special tonight on ESPN, appropriately named The Decision. Though the proceeds go to charity, many Cavaliers fans feel betrayed that he is announcing his decision on air. If he chooses to go to Miami, New York, or New Jersey, Cavs fans will be left in the dust – “broken up” with on national TV.
All in all, LeBron James, we at Serendipit Consulting compliment your ability to rouse all this conversation. Whatever your decision, congratulations on some great PR.