Scarlets’ YouTube PR heaven
By Andy Pearson
When full-back Rhys Priestland scored a try again Perpignan late in the first half of a Heineken Cup tie two months ago it signaled a remarkable turnaround in the Region’s PR fortunes.
Not because Sky Sports were able to re-run it a few times over the half-time interval from Parc y Scarlets; not because it gave the Western Mail something positive to report from West Wales.
No, the greatest PR kickback Nigel Davies’ team has had from that has come from YouTube – http://bit.ly/eap72W.
The social media video platform soon featured the corner-to-corner score, featuring a delicious passing movement.
Hits
Now, just two months on, the clip has attracted almost 150,000 hits.
That’s great exposure in anyone’s book.
The latest pop chick getting her kit half off would be immodestly happy with that result.
Priestland and his teammates have taken a good deal of flak in the past two years as a young squad has developed in the full glare of the Welsh sports media.
This particular clip is only two minutes long but it illustrates flair, skill, jaw-dropping cheek and astonishingly beautiful and balletic human interaction – at speed.
Appreciation
Give the people – and the traditional media – what they want and they’ll show their appreciation.
Give the internet what it wants and it’ll be a magical PR weapon.
BBC Radio Wales sports guy Steffan Garrero tweeted yesterday that he’s working on a Welsh sports review of the year.
He asked followers: “What’s the best Welsh sport moment from 2010?”
I nominated the efforts of Priestland & Co in that perfect Perpignan moment.
How could 150,000 YouTube hits be wrong?
