This week the world fell in love with Ted Williams through the power of video. His story and the youtube video quickly catapulted him into the public eye as well as a new career. The use of video as a way to share your story is not new. A long time ago (no this is not a fairy tale) in Miami, Florida and Clinton, Oklahoma - I discovered the power of television -- today that power is shared with the internet.
An Oklahoma soccer team, headed to Brazil, was stranded at the Miami airport because of a snafu in their tickets. After 2 days, it looked as though the players and the parents would have no choice but to return to Oklahoma. I went to bed that night thinking "who do I know" that can help us. The next morning, I got the wheels in motion by calling the editor of the Clinton Daily News. He referred me to one of the wire services. I knew the "hook" of the story was the stranded kids and that was my lead to them when they called. I asked where it would go - the answer was: it will go out on the wire around the world and anyone who is interested can use it. I thought for several minutes, then called the CBS affiliate in Miami and asked for the news department. Luckily, it was a slow news day so the reporter was more than willing to go to the Miami airport to cover the story. I then called Kelly Ogle at Channel 9 (they had provided pre-Miami coverage of the team's adventure) and, suddenly the news was now running on the Miami TV station and Channel 9, Oklahoma City. I knew I had to get it on CNN, so I watched CNN for 45 minutes - slow news day - then called them. I convinced a reporter to look at the news feed from Miami - and 15 minutes later it was the breaking news on CNN. 30 minutes later Pan American sent an airplane to Miami to fly the soccer team, parents and coach to Brazil. While Pan Am is no longer flying - - that day they certainly made history for a soccer team from Oklahoma. The Pam American Airlines gives an excellent history of a very proud airline : http://panam.com/default1.asp The story behind this story is the power of visual - whether it is an interview, a news story, a lucky break or a bad break.
The name Ted Williams no longer means baseball - it also means a homeless man with a Golden Voice = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rPFvLUWkzs
Then there's Ron Franklin - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcREQxjA2Y . A long career with ESPN derailed because he had trouble editing what he said beforeit came out of his mouth. Honestly, I hope there is more to this story than that one incident. Why? Because everyone at some time has said something inappropriate. For most of us, though, it's not heard 'round the world on Youtube and does not cost you your job.
Now good news - who can forget this amazing voice - found on youtube....Charice Pempengo - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opdd-_Z2pRE
The good, the bad, the ugly and the amazing - - when caught on video - can lead to unexpected changes (good, bad, ugly and amazing).
The power of video, but more specifically the power of the spoken word, can transform lives and the future in so many positive and negative ways. The power of the spoken word allows you a vehicle to share your story, even face-to-face in an interview. What you say will be important - bu so will how you say it.
I love how the internet has shaped the lives of so many people. A lot of people have been discovered and given great chances to share their talents worldwide. Ted Williams, seems to have been through a lot, and I think this is his time of redemption. His humility and acceptance seem to have been the driving force that turned his life around. Thank you for featuring these stories Kay! More power to your blog!
Posted by: Staci Burruel | May 16, 2011 at 03:43 PM