crowdsourcing, social media

Let’s play ball fans

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. Nor do I look at everything as “the glass is half full.” However, I must say that the current attendance numbers for our Toronto Blue Jays is a little concerning. Ok, very concerning.

The Jays, again, are off to a hot start. There is no competition from the Maple Leafs or the Raptors and Toronto FC are off to a horrible start again.

10,610 paying customers walked into the Rogers Centre last night. This was only two days after selling out the place during Opening Day.

This is the problem.

As a baseball fan and as a fan of the Blue Jays I want to help. And I’m hoping you want to help too.

So, for the next 7 days please leave a comment. Really, leave a suggestion or two. (If you’re reading this on Facebook, please take the time to come on over to www.KarimKanji.com and fill out the comments section)  And invite your friends and fellow fans to come hear and voice their opinion.

Here’s the question I’m asking:

What should the Toronto Blue Jays do to increase the average attendance to games to 30,000 this year?

Why?

I’m going to set up a meeting with the person in charge of marketing and social media and share with him our thoughts and suggestion. (He is starting to listen and has agreed to meet with me and a colleague to hear our thoughts.)

Thank you for reading.

Let’s play ball!

health

Getting Ready

If the stars align, the gods agree, and all that good stuff happen, I should be in Mombasa with my wife to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.  From what I’ve been told (I haven’t checked Google…yet) Mombasa is on a beautiful beach.  And my body is not beach ready.  By a long shot.

I’ve got just over a month to get ready.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHlibR0FGs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Fit4lifenyc and the Fit4lifenyc Blog

Any tips or suggestions?  Comment below or on any of my daily health vlogs.

Ok. I checked Google.  Beautiful.

Uncategorized

Born to Run

With the sub title being “”A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never seen” I was hooked.

Author Christopher McDougall takes the reader on a journey that can only be described as breathtakingly fascinating.

I have read another book since I finished Born To Run but the images etched in my brain from reading it have remained.

Here’s who I would recommend the book to:  If you’re an athlete, a wannabe athlete, a weekend warrior, someone who wants to get healthy, a health nut, a vegetarian, a runner, someone who is interested in anthropology….heck, I’d recommend this book to just about anyone who even just likes a good story.

youth

Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada

The young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada (ysec.org) is an organization created by youth for youth interested in business for profit and social change.  Assaf Weisz of “ysec” gave me the lowdown of the organization and what they are looking to accomplish.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2pLiFOI8Lw&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Please forward the url of this post/video to people in your communities who are looking to support or be involved with this dynamic group of “do-gooders”.

video, youth

Matt Tod empowers youth

Not too long ago I met a young man named Matt Tod.  He’s a very engaging person who is very passionate about what he does.

Here’s a quick video I shot of Matt explaining a little bit about what he does.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuJPHpBf6DA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Visit Matt Tod on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MattTod

blog, social media, sports

Mainstream Media vs Bloggers – Part 2

You can find Part One here.  It was written by Eric Smith.

Some of you may know Eric.  He’s on The FAN590 here in Toronto.  He’s also the voice of the Toronto Raptors basketball team.  He also blogs, tweets, does video blogs and makes himself available to the fans, public and to bloggers like me.

So, after Eric posted his article he got attacked.  Viciously it seems.  Unfairly as well.

I’ve had the opportunity to interview Eric for Techvibes.  Back last December, this is a bit of what I wrote:

The ability for people to self-publish blogs creates the perception that all authours are experts which is far from true.  Eric feels the ability to be properly accredited and cultivate important contacts is a privilege that most independent bloggers don’t have.  Traditional sports media are still able to access player and coach interviews as well as seek sources that the average Joe probably can’t. 

I’m not an expert in media or blogging.  Although I report for Techvibes, I don’t consider myself a reporter.  I’ve even done presentations where I admit that I don’t even consider myself “media”.  And I don’t even think I can hold a keyboard to some of the more prolific bloggers out there.

But what really upsets me about this situation is that various sports blogs seem to have bashed on Eric’s opinion.  It’s one thing to have an opinion.  It’s quite another to think that just because someone is a blogger this means that they are more objective or have more to offer. 

As bloggers, here is what we have to offer.  Our unbiased opinion.  And really, that’s all.  What Eric Smith provides is opinion as well.  However, he has the ability to access people, events and information that we can’t.  The only way we get information is from people like Eric.

There is a place for both bloggers and msm.  To take the low road and bash someone because of their job is classless.

That’s just my opinion.  What’s your’s?

Olympic, twitter, youtube

Weeks that were

Did you miss me last week?  Or yesterday?  I know.  Not yet.  Soon.  Very soon.  Content is coming here.  And fast.

In any event, here are the last 2 weeks that were.

Techvibes:

  1. You can find my most recent Techvibes contributions here.  However, here are a few you might find interesting or useful.  Maybe both.  And hopefully a little entertaining.
  2. Canadian company takes location-based apps to another level.
  3. Canadian Prime Minister Harper on YouTube.
  4. Want to get paid to blog and travel?  Yeah, me too.
  5. Do you pay too much on your cellphone bill?
  6. Last straw for WIND Mobile?
  7. Julie Tyios of the Toronto Transit Commission Customer Advisory Panel.

iBizBook:

  1. Mitch Joel on the value of promotional products.
As always, feel free to be my friend on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and watch my videos on YouTube.
 
In the meantime, please feel free to comment, or send me an email to karim_kanji at hotmail dot com.
And before you leave, please take off your caps, stand up as we sing the national anthem to celebrate the Paralympics in Vancouver:
 
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twitter, video

Crushing It on Twitter

Some people ask me about Twitter and why I use it so much.  Others ask me how they can use Twitter.  So, I thought I’d share with you some thoughts.  But not by me.  This is a snippet of Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) talking to some small business owners in Toronto.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxTbtj64gBs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

How do you use Twitter?  I’d love to hear your tweets thoughts.

youtube

Flip MinoHD

So I got a gift in the mail a little while ago.  A new Flip MinoHD.  Do I like it?  You betcha!  Below is my answer.  You can also check out my homemade videos on my own YouTube channel!   

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCzedib2Po&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]