How much click-power does YouTube bring?
YouTube spans multiple platforms
By now you may have heard that Chad Hurley, co-founder and CEO of YouTube, is the major investor in USF1, but what’s it mean for the team? For starters, keep in mind that it’s not YouTube that’s involved, but Chad himself.
Anyone who doubts the power of new media should check out what good ideas are worth – search engine juggernaut Google bought YouTube from Hurley and his partners for $1.65 billion. And the guy is just 33. So while a financial investment will buy a lot of carbon fiber, I believe Hurley’s true contribution is his business mind.
Depending on how open Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson are to input (and I believe they are), someone with Hurley’s entrepreneurial spirit can help shape the team when it comes to building a fan base, acquiring sponsors, and incorporating the latest technology.
Let’s take a look at these areas in detail:
Fan Base: I’m not sure if there is a better, quicker way to “spread the word” than the rapidly evolving social media we can’t seem to live without (you’re on this website, so don’t even try to diminish the strength of Twitter, Facebook and blogs).
Understanding how this stuff works is in Chad’s DNA. It’s not going to difficult to corral the present F1 enthusiasts, so bringing new fans must be the focus. Beyond brand building messages, a partner so closely linked to YouTube, and subsequently Google, can help create experiences that create interest. And the more people out there in front of TV and computers who are interested in USF1, the more marketers with something to hawk are interested in USF1. Brilliant, right? That’s really how it works. And if the demographic in question is the elusive 18-34 male, all the more interest there will be.
Sponsors: Marketers want their name emblazoned on things that are relevant to their target audience and have the potential for buzz. They pay big money for that. However, Formula 1 is truly in the periphery of State-side TV viewers at the moment. What it really needs is a groundswell of enthusiasm, but at a minimum, a little attention would be nice.
Attaching Chad’s name to the team makes it more exciting to sponsors. Just Google “USF1.” Of the first five results, two focus on the recent announcement of his involvement. It was a true news event. It got coverage. If marketers didn’t know what to make of Peter and Ken up until this point, at least now they’ve got a media superstar to vouch for them.
Technology: Formula 1 cars, are in large created in Europe, not in Silicon Valley, right? True, but not the whole picture. To me, the real advantage of having a Silicon Valley insider sitting at the table is the access to minds that can’t help but find better ways and novel approaches to solve problems and revamp processes. So you take that passion and you focus it with through of the world’s most brilliant business management types and I say you’ve got something. Something with huge potential. I’m not talking about these guys designing an aero package or suspension geometry. But going over the entire endeavor a fresh set of eyes.
In my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazingly creative people and the truly wonderful thing is that creativity is not locked down to a specific discipline – it’s like an electron that jumps from one orbit to another. Creativity asks and explores what if? And to me, there’s nothing more powerful.
So in case I’ve been too subtle, I think Chad’s involvement is a tremendous advantage for USF1. What do you think?
photo credit ©YourMaccessories.com
Author: Stace Caseria
8 Responses to “How much click-power does YouTube bring?”
Leave a Reply
USF1blog.com Active Poll
Loading ...Recent Comments
Popularity Contest
2010 F1 World Championship Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Adrian Sutil Autodromo Nazionale di Monza Belgian Grand Prix Bernie Ecclestone Brawn GP Chad Hurley Cosworth European Grand Prix Fernando Alonso Flavio Briatore Force India FOTA German Grand Prix Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring Italian Grand Prix Japanese Grand Prix Jenson Button Ken Anderson KERS Kimi Raikkonen Lewis Hamilton Marina Bay Street Circuit Mark Webber McLaren Mercedes NASCAR Nelson Piquet Nurburgring Pat Symonds Peter Windsor Red Bull Racing Renault Rubens Barrichello Scuderia Ferrari Sebastian Vettel Singapore Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Team US F1 United States Grand Prix USF1blog.com Valencia Street Circuit Yas Marina Circuit YouTube
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
I am personally elated by Chad’s involvement. There has been chatter in the backrooms since his visit to the British Grand Prix, and I glad that the team has made it official. Chad is getting involved at a ‘personal’ level, not via some obscure business marketing medium. Because of this I feel like he now is fully committed to bring his (and Google’s) resources to the table to make sure the chassis is as competitive as it can be for the upcoming season and beyond.
Of the 3 new 2010 teams, USF1 without a doubt has the most momentum at the current moment. We just need to ride this wave all the way to Melbourne next year.
I have been a Formula 1 fan since the mid-sixties and have attended F1 races in Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Montreal and Indianapolis. Over the years, it has been hard to find a Team with which to identify, without American involvement. The current low esteem that is held by European race fans for American involvement and ability is actually a big reason to get behind USF1 and support the team's efforts in 2010.
It is interesting that I live in the Charlotte area, and very few people know of the USF1 venture into Formula 1. If Chad Hurley's involvement will help to build US interest in the team and F1 in general, it will be a HUGE Plus for USF1! It is fascinating to watch as this team developes, but it is also frustrating to see so little information coming out of the USF1 effort. Perhaps Chad Hurley's involvement will help send the message that there are millions of US Formula 1 fans out here, and that releasing more information will cultivate many of them to support USF1's efforts
Most of us want more info about the team, it;s status, efforts, team members, car design, and of course, the first drivers! But there seems to be a black-out from USGPS, or that they are in desperate need of a Public Information Officer. There is a ground-swell of enthusiasts available if only the Public Relations would be available and merchandise and apparel were to become available.
Someone at Cafe-press is already selling merchandise with a Logo (modified with motion stripes). Official merchandise would help to build the fan base long before the first rolling chassis is available. I can't wait to see the first Livery and see how the corporate team identity develops! I guess I am just chomping at the bit to support USF1!
The team here at USF1blog.com are doing our very best to provide all of the available information to the public. Please spread the word, and share the site with other Formula 1 fans in the U.S.
I saw the interview with Ken and Chad and quite frankly I have lost all hope for the USF1 team. If I was in an interview with Ken for a job, he would not have a chance, even if his only job was to hold out the pit board on pit lane, talk about social skills, this guy is a hundred car pile up on a freeway!. THIS GUY IS THE FOREST GUMP OF THE MOTOR SPORT WORLD. What could Peter Windsor be thinking about, perhaps Ken's wind tunnel.
Tom, don't you remember, Forest Gump ran all the way across the country. He kept going and going. Don't give up hope so easily.
Stace Caseria
It is a huge asset to have Hurley on board, his creativity at getting more eyes, MORE AMERICAN EYES, on F1 will be evident early. I do wish the team was a bit more visible at this point but perhaps building anticipation and mystery is a good marketing tool. If they dont have a livery designed up yet, with apparel etc. call me its what I have srtived to gain the opportuntiy to be a part of! F1 is about creativity from engineering to paint jobs to tshirts and posters. everything you make available to the fans is another key to draw them in to the fantastic world of F1. GOT TO RUN PETER IS ON THE GRID AT SPA!!!!
Thanks for your comment Tony, and I'll echo your request for more visibility — it's not my call but if it were, I'd have a team logo hat/shirt available for sale at this point (generally before you announce a new product, service or venture, you have the marketing/identity sewn up). I know sponsors' logos and livery is to come, but people are waiting to plunk down some cash for a piece of their new favorite team!
get Kimi….He will bring a large fanbase with him…and a" Big bang"