WGN Superfans: "How I Met Your Mother"

Traditional Networks are trying to evolve

If you think most networks are unable to adapt to the new reality of the online world, Josh Richman, VP Marketing at WGN America would beg to differ. The network has been actively cultivating their personal group of social influencers. They have identified brand ambassadors (Superfans) based on members who are signed up to their cable channel, and engaged in content on Facebook leveraged around their syndicated programming. These “Superfans” generate content promoting WGN’s line-up and keep engagement levels up, a unique challenge for WGN since they don’t actually create any of their own TV shows. Whether these activities are bearing fruit is hard to say, since I’m guessing they rely on traditional advertising as a primary revenue stream. But it is surprising to see how many viewers are engaged in content WGN has created around their “borrowed” programming… or maybe 1,093, 541 fans just don’t realize they’re not on the official How I Met Your Mother Facebook page?
Did I say there was something to be learned here? I’ve forgotten…

Tomorrow: Social Media chatter and BlueFin Labs

peter g