Does FIFA Like Bad PR?

As a sports fan and a public relation professional, I understand that sports governing bodies cannot always make the popular decision favored by the public because they are the ones who are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the sport and the game. And not just for today and tomorrow but for years to come.

That's why I was OK with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig not overturning Armando Galarraga "perfect game" that umpire Jim Joyce admitted that he made a mistake on the play which should have been the last out of the game.

But over the last two weeks, sports fans have been dealt a huge injustice over the way soccer's international governing body FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has handled the poor on-field officiating by its referees.

American soccer fans were introduced to how bad soccer officials can be on the sports biggest stage on multiple occasions. And if the officiating mistakes stopped there during the 2010 World Cup, the argument against FIFA would end with the Americans just have bad luck.

But poor officiating through the majority of matches has ruined the World Cup this year and FIFA has done nothing but make matters worse.

LINK: Difference Between Social Media & Social Networking

Earlier this week on Forbes.com, Adrienne Graham (CEO & Founder of Empower Me! Corporation) blogged about how she defines the differences in what Social Media is and how that is different from what Social Networking is.

There is a difference between the two and I think she does a pretty good job at laying out what both are. Some times the two are grouped into the same category (and I have probably been guilty of that at some point, probably in a rush to explain something else) and knowing the differences are extremely important for any public relations professional.

Twitter: @ Vuvuzela Horn

Some Twitter genius created an account for the Vuvuzela Horn that is all the buzz at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The account (@thevuvuzelahorn) has gained over 2,250 followers in the 15 hours since it's first tweet. And predictably, all of its tweets are filled with "zzzzzz" to represent the buzz the Vuvuzela Horn makes.

A Vuvuzela Horn.

In case you do not know what the Vuvuzela Horn is, it's monotone trumpet that produces a buzzing sound and has become South African tradition for soccer games. And yes, some people find insistent sound annoying

Regardless of what the Vuvuzela Horn is, it's Twitter page illustrates how easy it is to gain attention on social media websites with little more then a few "zzzzzzz" 's. (The Vuvuzela Horn also has a facebook page, but as of this post it does not have a large following.)

Simple? Yes. Creative? Very much so.

While the Vuvuzela Horn Twitter page is creative and comical, the next question is: Besides garnering a few laughs, what else can be done?

Not knowing who created the Vuvuzela Horn account, I can't question their motives. However, if a corporation would have created this account (or particularly a World Cup sponsor) they would have been able to slap their logo on the page and receive a good amount of free advertising, marketing and attention.

So, can you create a Vuvuzela Horn-like Twitter account or Facebook page for your business?