Golden girl Kelly becomes face of ‘social’ campaign

Olympian and original heptathlon poster girl, Kelly Sotherton, has become the face of a West Midlands campaign to encourage other Birmingham athletes to get ‘switched on’ to social media.

The athletics sweetheart who hung up her spikes for the final time in May 2012, is spearheading a campaign called ‘The Great Birchfield Social Switch On’ which encourages athletes at Birchfield Harriers in Birmingham, to embrace social media and unlock the benefits of being social.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Birmingham, is keen to encourage up and coming talented athletes based at the club, to utilise social media to showcase the work they’re doing in preparation for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio, 2016.

Kelly, who is an ambassador for Birchfield Harriers, said she feels passionate about the year-long campaign and hopes it will help many aspiring athletes on their way to fulfilling their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

She will be launching the event on Monday November 11 at Birchfield Harriers, Alexander Stadium, at 6pm.

Kelly has a social media fan base of around 40,000 followers and recognises the great opportunity that social media gives sport to grow fans and encourage participation.

She said: “British sport has come along way since I started out as an athlete and there is more pressure now, than ever before, on young athletes to ensure they are projecting the right brand image of sport on social media.

Used correctly, social media can also help young and aspiring athletes to unlock sponsorship deals, which can help fund their athletic dreams.

Being social also has the power to encourage other youngsters across Birmingham and the rest of the country to embrace sport in a way like no other.

We saw first hand during the Olympic and Paralympic Games how previous unknown athletes emerged as stars on social media. Being social allowed these athletes to not only advance their own careers but to actively inspire and encourage other people of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activity.”

Michelle Leavesley, social media expert and managing director of sports marketing agency, Citydesk Sport – which is based in Birmingham – will be on hand to share inside knowledge on how brands and sports stars are using social media to grow their personal reputation, communicate with the media and add value to sponsorship deals.

She said: “I am looking forward to joining forces with Kelly to tackle the issues of safety and reputation online. This is an exciting opportunity to encourage our Olympic stars of the future to engage more on social media and utilise the many benefits being social has to offer.”

Andy Paul, Club Chair and Coach at Birchfield Harriers, said: “Social media has given young and aspiring athletes the opportunity to reach out to potential sponsors for endorsement to help fund their careers in athletics.

Over the past three years social media has become a powerful tool for sponsors of athletes, who value an athlete’s brand identify – on social – as much as their ability to perform on the track.

It is vital we teach these rising stars how to use social media safely while utilising the huge potential being social offers.”

ENDS

For press enquiries, contact Kate Allum on 0121 710 4463.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Kelly Sotherton

• Kelly Sotherton has 40,370 followers on Twitter
• Kelly is a former heptathlete.
• She was the bronze medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was fourth at the 2008 Sumer Olympics in the heptathlon.
• She also won bronze at the 2007 World Championships in athletics and was the gold medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
• She has been living in the Midlands since 1998 and is a member of Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club.

About Citydesk Sport

• Citydesk Sport was established in 2009 by Birmingham entrepreneur Michelle Leavesley.
• The agency provides communications delivery within the Sport & Leisure sector and specialises in community based social marketing campaigns.
• In 2013, Citydesk have delivered a number of high profile campaigns including – Give it a Go London (London Mayors Office), Be Proud of Yourself (London Legacy/ Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), Community Games Relay (Community Games), Taste Tennis (Lawn Tennis Association), Get into Golf (England Golf) and Teepee Golf Clubs for 14-16 year olds (Golf Foundation).
• Citydesk Sport also support the Serco Leisure portfolio of sports facilities across the UK including national sports centres – Bisham Abbey, Lilleshall and the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
• Michelle Leavesley is a lecturer on the MSc Marketing Communications Programme at Birmingham Business School and a board member of British Wheelchair Basketball Association.
• She is also on the general committee of Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

About Birchfield Harriers

Birchfield Harriers are an Athletics Club based at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Founded in 1877, Birchfield have a deep and proud history line with success stories, ranging from Cross Country Champions, World Records, Olympians and Paralympians.

In 2013 members of the club achieved: British Titles across all age groups, with multiple podium finishes and success on the International stage at World and European level.

Currently the club has National teams in Premier league competitions for all age groups from young athlete to Senior. In 2013 the Women’s Senior Team competed for Great British clubs in Portugal and won the “Birmingham’s Sports Team of the Year Award” after back to back National League titles in 2011 and 2012.

Press attendance

5.45pm: Kelly Sotherton photocall and press interviews. (Please let me know if you would like to be added to the press guest list).

6pm - 8.15pm The Great Birchfield Social Switch On event, Birchfield Harriers, Alexander Stadium, Stadium Way, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2LR.

Kate Allum

Citydesk Sport on behalf of Birchfield Harriers.

The Fireworks, 3-6 The Old Fire Station, 68 Albion Street, Birmingham B1 3EA



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