The document discusses how several athletes use social media for both personal and professional purposes. It provides examples of golfers Luke Donald and Bubba Watson, cyclist Lance Armstrong, football player Chad Johnson, golfer Paige Mackenzie, and golfer Ian Poulter, explaining how each actively engages with fans on multiple social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook and shares photos and updates from their daily lives and athletic careers. The conclusion emphasizes the importance for athletes to have a strong social media presence across various channels and devote sufficient time to interact regularly with their large online followings.

1. Athletes and Social Media Presented by: Brad Gardner

2. Social Media We use it in our everyday life, for sporting events, presidential debates, etc. Social Media impacts everybody and everything. One target market is Athletes. Athletes use social media not only for branding purposes but also for personal reasons to stay connected with fans and friends.

3. Luke Donald #1 golfer in the world. Accomplished painter. Embraces social media. Uses it for both a branding purpose but also a business purpose. Sells art and wine through social media sites and his own branding website.

4. Luke Donald cont. Recent Tweets Luke_Donald Luke Donald @robertbanks @RBC_Can_Open sorry! Come find me for something signed! 15 hours ago Luke_Donald Luke Donald Had to #deepdig today after a couple of doubles in the first 4 holes. Early start tmr, off to bed to dream about fairways and greens! 21 Jul Stays connected with his fans and updates quite often.

5. Primary Source Platforms Shares pictures and statuses throughout golf tournaments and his life experiences wherever he may be.

6. Lance Armstrong Won Le Tour De France 7 times. Known as a social media connoisseur. One of the first to embrace the social media world. He uses social platforms interchangeably for his Livestrong cause.

7. Lance Armstrong cont. Recent Tweets lancearmstrong Lance Armstrong Made it to Grenoble. Gonna be one helluva a race today. 2 hours ago lancearmstrong Lance Armstrong Thinking about all those in Oslo affected by today's tragic events. 19 hours ago

8. Primary Source Platforms Shares content and exposure across experiences through, pictures, videos, blogs, etc. He also has 2 websites. (Lancearmstrong.com & Livestrong.com

9. Lancearmstrong.com His “brand’ website Twitter & Flickr could be fed into the site however Facebook connect would link his Facebook profile sponsors into his website and can interact with his fans through that.

10. Livestrong.com His “business” website In support of his Livestrong project. It also enables community rallying around healthy living and support for those who are wanting to better themselves for the long run.

11. Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson Number 85 and plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. On April 2011, CNBC listed him as #1 for "Most Influential Athletes In Social Media List". Uses social media the correct way, for the good and not bad. Has multiple platforms to stay connected with fans.

12. Chad Johnson cont. Recent Tweets ochocinco Chad Ochocinco Wonder how many people understand the awesome strategic move that some genius came up with to shift the pressure n negativity on us. 10 hours ago ochocinco Chad Ochocinco Smart move by the owners to gain positive public perception and pressure the players into a bad deal shifting the negativity on us #kudos 10 hours ago ochocinco Chad Ochocinco Next time listen to the black guy *he knows his shit* RT @ProFootballTalk : Players: Owners tried to slip items into CBA wp.me/p14QSB-ACd 10 hours ago Truly embraces the social media world and thrives in to with over 2,300,000 followers on Twitter alone.

13. Primary Source Platforms Shares pictures and videos about his life and gathers an enormous following with everything he does.

14. Paige Mackenzie LPGA Tour player Social media queen. Loves to interact with fans via Twitter, and Facebook. Post videos and pictures on both Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr. She has multiple platforms to stay connected no matter where she is.

15. Paige Mackenzie cont. Recent Tweets Paige_Mackenzie Paige Mackenzie @crazyjamoke29 sad, I havent seen her today, tee times too far apart 18 minutes ago Paige_Mackenzie Paige Mackenzie @CoachPhill good, course is soft...weather good 19 minutes ago Paige_Mackenzie Paige Mackenzie @louisefriberg nope. And tried to download shows...cant do it outsidr US..boo... 26 minutes ago. As you can tell with the frequency of her posts that she is slowly becoming more popular as time goes by.

16. Primary Source Platforms Shares pictures and videos about her life and is slowly gathering a following with everything she does.

17. Bubba Watson Plays on the PGA Tour. Known as one of the bigger golfers to embrace the social media world. Has multiple social media platforms. Posts videos, pictures, etc. and is becoming very popular. Always is connected to fans because he feels that, that’s why he does what he does.

18. Bubba Watson cont. Recent Tweets bubbawatson bubba watson @JaysonMcEwen thanks 6 hours ago bubbawatson bubba watson Praying for the people Norway! #sadworldwelivein 6 hours ago bubbawatson bubba watson Man crazy round of golf, but shot 67. Tied for 3rd place with 36 holes to go. @European_Tour #rad 18 hours ago

19. Primary Source Platforms Shares pictures and videos about his life. Also shows information on and off the golf course and keeps his fans interested.

20. Ian Poulter PGA and European Tour player Social media icon. Uses social media for every occasion. He always has his social media tools linked to each other and to his websites. Loves social media and the affects that it can have on people.

21. Ian Poulter cont. Recent Tweets IanJamesPoulter Ian Poulter RT @tonyfernandes can be organised ian. If you give me golf lessons so I can whip heikkis ass.>> deal Golf lesson for Laps. I'm all in. 3 hours ago IanJamesPoulter Ian Poulter Very sad news of the deaths in Norway, thoughts are with all the families who have lost loved ones. 3 hours ago IanJamesPoulter Ian Poulter RT @tonyfernandes Karun putting in some good times today. Well done all about giving people a chance. Can I get a few laps in please Tony LoL 4 hours ago

22. Primary Source Platforms Shares pictures and videos about his life. Also shows information on and off the golf course and keeps his fans interested. “ Social media fascinates me. I don’t watch the telly because I can’t sit still long enough, but to use Twitter is amazing. I can access it anywhere, even on the go. With the push of a button I can see what millions and millions of people are doing and show them exactly what I’m doing rather it be through a tweet, picture, video, or all three”, Poulter says.

23. In Conclusion You need to have multiple social media tools and sites. You also need to be able to devote a lot of time and energy to stay connected with your fans and followers. Have a passion for the social media world and really embrace all of what it has to offer.