episode 18 of the dsmsports podcast w/ jon rosen of the los angeles kings

Best Of Jon Rosen, LA Kings InsiderSnippets from Episode 18 of the Digital & Social Media Sports Podcast

On episode 18 of the Digital and Social Media Sports Podcast, Jon Rosen of the Los Angeles Kings discussed his unique role as a team-employed insider/blogger

What follows are some snippets from the episode. Listen to the full podcast on iTunes or at DSMSports.Net.

@njh287 DSMSports.net


Jon's career path:

Grew up a Kings fan and played hockey growing up Got involved at University of Michigan with the student TV network and began reporting as sideline reporter for hockey team, eventually becoming color commentator and helping out with baseball team Got an internship with Las Vegas 51's (Dodgers affiliate) and put a tape together with hopes of becoming play-by-play broadcaster → Got the #1 job with the High Desert Mavericks minor league baseball team (California League) and spent 3 seasons doing that→ Got back into hockey and became broadcaster and PR director for major junior OHL hockey team and was there for 3 years → Moved back home and did reporting for Fox Sports West w/ reporting/sideline reporting for Kings and Ducks → Got opportunity to become LA Kings Insider (official team beat writer) for 2012-13 season, still there now



“A lot of things come into play: establishing relationships with the players, business operations, hockey operations...and getting in good, clear, thoughtful, objective analysis of the team.”

The term people use is called 'paying your dues...' I had plenty of nights (working in the minor leagues) ...(tells some harrowing tales!). I spent a lot of time on buses. There are so many hours and hats you have to wear at the minor league level. I made a lot of good friends and good contacts over that time (that led to his current gig).“A night club in Visalia...”



Jon's role with the Kings as @LAKingsInsider:

“It's more just providing daily coverage of the Kings in the format of a blog...It's mostly updates (4-5 on non game days, 15-20 on game days)...It has become the primary stop for Los Angeles Kings coverage on the Internet. I'm with the team every dayBecause it is an insider platform, you have to form relationships with (every department), so you know what to do with (all the) information...It's a very involved beat writing position. I don't to tow the company line at all...If I don't provide an honest, articulate, reliable picture of what's happening with the team, people will go elsewhere to find their information.It's a good comprehensive site for everyday Kings coverage and for the fans that have been there for so long...It's a community and a source for team coverage.”



How Jon differs from mainstream media:

My posts are more like blog posts and have more editorial freedom...(Mainstream media) have these built-in relationships with people (that I had to develop). Newspapers, when competing with blogs, have a disadvantage in (quantity) and limited by space they have to fill. I do think they are the most reliable, accurate writers, and that is their advantage over non mainstream media.”



“I have editorial freedom. There are stories I want to pursue and if there is something I want to (write about), I'll talk to Kings staff (about proper time and place to write about)...”

“If four or five hockey writers are saying (something), I will link to it and write about it...There are occasional ethical things that come up during the season...I'm going to push buttons...You have to think big picture. While the team is very guarded about injuries, it's still my duty, my responsibility to find out as much as I can.”



This Episode’s Helpful Tool:

Pages App (for Facebook Page Administrators)



On his objectives in his role for the LA Kings:

“They just want to command a dominant share of Kings coverage and (bring) Kings web hits...At some point, there will be more sponsors on the site, too...Over the summer, there (may be) branding on the site, but nothing that would take away from the constitution of the site. You're judged by page views at the end of the day...(and seek to) drive a commanding share of online Kings discussion.”



On how he treats breaking news from the team:

“I'm very independent from the team in my coverage. They won't share any news that is breaking with e. I have to go out and report it myself, using my sources. They don't just spoon-feed me information. I am at no advantage (compared to) other reports...”

“If I know there is (information) they prefer to have under-wraps until a certain time, I'll (talk to) some of my bosses...but they won't give me anything...(The PR staff) is not playing favorites to me. I don't have a leg up over any other member of the media.”



“I do understand, at the end, it's the business operations that sign my paychecks...to that end, I will throw up some stuff about off-the-ice (team events), but I don't want to base my coverage too heavily on that as the team employee aspect comes out more. But there's always plenty of (off-ice) stuff that does happen and is newsworthy.”

(cites team appearances, charity events, mascot Bailey appearances/events)



On other teams adopting this model:

“I think it's already starting to happening. (cites NY Rangers, Dallas Stars, etc.)...It all depends, do teams want these types of reporters to drive traffic to their website or do they want to create that sort of side website like the insider platform and drive traffic there?”

- cites LA Dodgers news “Dodgers Insider” (@DodgersInsider)

(more on next slide)



“In all these types of positions, it's interesting to see how the team is covered (based on whether they are winning or losing).”

(Refers to RSN's team-focused social media presences): “They benefit from people going to their site and people tuning in to their broadcasts...There (always) has to be some type of promotional aspect of the team because that's their role. Getting people to watch (their broadcasts) and visit their websites.”“It's an interesting evolution of digital media...”



This episode’s Shareable Stat:

44% of Twitter users have never sent a single tweet(and only ~12.5% have sent a tweet in the last 30 days)



The best Kings celeb fan(s):

Cites a handful of his favorite high-profile fans: Alyssa Milano (also cites she is great on Twitter @AlyssaMilano; “She always has a good attitude and keeps it classy”)

Also states others of note: Tom Hanks, Colin Hanks, Matthew Perry, Cuba Gooding Jr., Will Wheaton (who did a Twitter takeover during game 3 of their first round playoff series)



The best quote in the Kings room:

Drew Doughty – “He is honest, he will tell you what he is thinking, he is always approachable, and he is someone who loves playing the game...”

- Also shouts out Dustin Brown being eloquent and honest; Justin Williams showing a lot of emotion



Best part and biggest challenge of working in sports:

“Best part is when you're doing postgame interviews and the team wins and Anze Kopitar comes over and gives you a fist bump and calls you 'JR' on the broadcast...”“The couple of minutes you get to spend on the bench before the game (Jon does pregame bench hits on the road)...Being on the bench (during warmups) and seeing the eam and energy before the game”

Biggest challenge: “The hours...Since Labor Day, the only three days I've had off were Thanksgiving, Christmas, and President's Day (and still got posts up on Thanksgiving and Christmas)...The hours are difficult, but, as always, it's a labor of love. We do it because we love it. The travel and schedule isn't hard because we love what we're doing.”



The best press box food in the NHL:

Chicago (carving station, chips & dip, ice cream, candy)- Also notes Boston and Philadelphia are great, too- Teases a summer project to find the best road cities in the

Western conference and press box food will be one factor weighed in!

“I tend to gain a little weight over the season because of how well they feed us in those press boxes.”



Jon's Stanley Cup pick besides the Kings –

Whoever wins the SJ vs. LA series

- Also cites Blackhawks and their depth, doesn't trust Anaheim's and St. Louis's high shooting % during the season, and says you can't overlook Boston



Jon's Social Media All-Star(s) to follow:

Jon cites a few SB Nation blogs –

Jewels From The Crown (Kings blog): www.jewelsfromthecrown.com and on Twitter at @JewelsFromTheCrown

Fear The Fin (SJ Sharks blog): www.fearthefin.com and on Twitter at @FearTheFin,

Battle of California (all CA hockey, humor/satire): www.battleofcali.com and on Twitter at @BattleOfCali

- run by @MegalodonBOC, @SharksGotMyLeg, @RudyKelly, @JerMeansWell, @EarlSleek

“Outstanding, hysterically funny, not G-rated”


http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/

http://www.fearthefin.com/

http://www.battleofcali.com/


Where to find Jon and LA Kings Insider on social media:

@LAKingsInsider and LAKingsInsider.com and LAKings.com



Thanks so much to Jon for sharing his time, knowledge, experience, and expertise with the Digital and Social Media Sports Podcast!

Listen to the full podcast and find more episodes on iTunes and at www.DSMSports.net

You can also follow me on Twitter at @njh287


http://www.dsmsports.net/

episode 18 of the dsmsports podcast w/ jon rosen of the los angeles kings

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