Written on February 25th, 2005 at 05:02 pm by Darren Rowse
Why the Crocodile Hunter needs a Blog
I was just chatting to Paul on Skype when the conversation wandered to Australia (my home) and the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (as it tends to when I talk to friends from overseas). Paul suggested the Steve should start a blog. Of course this was the only invitation I needed to shoot over to the Crocodile Hunter’s web page to check out what they currently have as a web presence.
What I saw left me convinced that Steve really could do with a blog. In fact I think a blog would suit what he and many other high profile celebrities are doing down to the ground. Of course it would be called ‘CrikeyBlog.com’.
I can imagine categories for:
- News from the road - with photos and stories from his travels doing interviews with Oprah, recording stories with wildlife and even some short video clips.
- Upcoming appearances - details of where he and his family are appearing.
- Conservation news - Steve seems pretty keen on conservation and environmental issues - what better place to promote these causes on a blog.
- Merchandise - Steve has a swag of merchandise which could be featured on a blog with a connected online shop - as new products are added to the shop they could be featured on the blog.
- Crisis Management - it wouldn’t be called ‘crisis management’ but a blog would be ideal for dealing with controversies like Steve has experienced over the years. To be able to update in real time his side of the story, to deal with PR issues would be of major benefit.
- Zoo News - I could imagine sections of a blog on different animals (information on species - but also information on some of the Zoo’s stars).
I wouldn’t recommend that they scrap the current website - but rather feature a blog along side it which would summarize all the new news and site features and then feed people into the rest of the site. Instead of a front page like this that is fairly stagnant - it would be a dynamic and always changing environment that would funnel people in the right direction according to their interests.
A blog would give them a quick and easy way to make their site dynamic, give their readers not only the latest information, entertainment but a chance to interact via comments. I could also see some pretty imaginative posting. For instance what if you put a camera phone in the hands of Steve and his family and they started posting from on location as they filmed around the world. Steve with head in crocodile mouth, Steve and 8 foot long snake, Steve and Oprah Winfrey - a real behind the scenes look at the life of the crocodile hunter. I think it would be a blog that create a real buzz and enhance what they are doing.
That’s my pitch to the people behind Steve Irwin anyway! Of course they’ll need a Professional (Australian) Blogger to help them get it up - cough…look at me…. cough….
Update: When I told Paul about this post in IM he imagined a Crocodile Hunter’s Post going something like this:
“Hello, everyone, I’m Steve Irwin here with Darren Rowse, our blogger. He’s going to help me capture this vicious man-eating crocodile”
“Darren, you grab the head, and I’ll get the tail…”
On second thoughts maybe I don’t want a job with this kind of project
2 Responses to “Why the Crocodile Hunter needs a Blog”
Tim
February 26th, 2005 9:58 am
I honestly think that would work. You should make a pitch to Steve Irwin’s company and see what happens. I’d imagine it would pay off pretty well.
Grant
February 26th, 2005 2:03 pm
what a great idea - they should definitely start a blog. Darren you are so creative - great idea!
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