Things have moved on a long way from the official site being the main source of information as it was when we started it in 1995 - Gritty was sacked on the day of the launch, so that was an interesting beginning. Obviously the audience was very limited.
Message boards and social media have reduced any reliance on it and of course it gives the company line and can’t easily do otherwise, like the programme.
I’m not arguing for its current design or issues with out of date content, but it’s fair to say that 1) the comms team is smaller now than in the 2000s when it was seven or eight full-time staff and 2) there is more to do - more media channels and more angles to cover. People also expect instant updates.
On top of that the club has now focused resources on Charlton TV. I believe there has been an increase in resources - Benjy Nurick editing the programme, for example - but I suspect there is still a mismatch between fans’ expectations and what can be achieved. The only reduction in demand compared to the 2000s is reduced mainstream media interest, but that was largely managed by a separate team from content back then.
The whole comms staffing when I ran it was financed by revenue, principally from the programme, and the cost was much less significant as a proportion of overall club income, but now it is likely to appear as a net cost on the budget within a far smaller turnover.
In short I don’t think it’s fair to assume the fault is with staff. One of the issues with online as opposed to print is that the you can always do more.
No match report for the women's game at Durham No pre match or match report for the under 23's match with Wigan No squad numbers shown for some of our new recruits
But we do have cuddly pics of supporters at the last home game.
OK, but I would have anticipated the odd link or two to keep the Charlton family connected, noting that the women's team is back in house. Useful as a marketing tool to maintain interest that may lead to the odd fan at a loose end buying a match ticket. Although perhaps not that many for Durham.
Does the media team compromise only paid staff or are some volunteers as has been suggested? Asking as I don't know. If volunteers are used there is obviously potential for expanding the team as the cost would be minimal. Could be a useful work experience opportunity for a student...
Does the media team compromise only paid staff or are some volunteers as has been suggested? Asking as I don't know. If volunteers are used there is obviously potential for expanding the team as the cost would be minimal. Could be a useful work experience opportunity for a student...
That's a great Idea. I think there may well be a load of roles at the club that volunteers would love to help out with. Save money and broaden out the skill set as well.
Does the media team compromise only paid staff or are some volunteers as has been suggested? Asking as I don't know. If volunteers are used there is obviously potential for expanding the team as the cost would be minimal. Could be a useful work experience opportunity for a student...
That's a great Idea. I think there may well be a load of roles at the club that volunteers would love to help out with. Save money and broaden out the skill set as well.
Didn’t Benjy start writing about all things Charlton whilst a student?
How many full time Comms 'experts' does it take to run a straight forward web site reporting and publishing on a daily basis information to fans on Club news and no more than half a dozen football matches where just basic facts are required and a couple of photos?
No need carry out in depth reviews of these in massive detail, just a quick update.
How many full time Comms 'experts' does it take to run a straight forward web site reporting and publishing on a daily basis information to fans on Club news and no more than half a dozen football matches where just basic facts are required and a couple of photos?
No need carry out in depth reviews of these in massive detail, just a quick update.
It would depend what else they are being asked to do, for example multi-media editing, interviews, internal meetings, dealing with printers, commercial projects, matchday press arrangement. Bear in mind that matches are played outside office hours too.
It’s also the case that the club’s editorial isn’t just reporting, it’s frequently policy and therefore needs liaison with management. Staff will serve up things that need to be challenged - eg the original Gillingham coach times - and comms should be questioning that.
Two FTEs might well be able to deliver a fully updated website but in practice they would be doing many other things too.
You have not offended me seth however as many have said before the OS has never been a "go too place" for fans if you want to know something about Charlton. It has been lacking in real depth for years now.
It's a site to purchase match tickets on and anything else is a bonus.
That doesn't mean that it AND the official Twitter account are good enough, especially when you consider the effort put into Charlton TV
I'm amazed for example that the Twitter account still has NO mention of yesterday's U23 match at all. And that Charlton fans had to ask Wigan to see our team lineup
I'm sure things were better last season, are they short staffed?
Maybe they are saving up all the news for Thomas to personally deliver it........
Here is something constructive. Just looked at the Official Website and it headlines the weekend woman’s game as Durham 0 Charlton 2. It was the other way round, so I am constructively suggesting the ‘comms’ team put it right.
See no problem with that, I’m still celebrating our 2-1 win over Cheltenham.
Doubt this will make any difference to some but Olly is off ill, not at all well, which is the simple explanation
Usually he'd take a call to get the lineup and put out any goal updates but was just too ill last night and today to deal with it.
Obviously best wishes to him in getting well soon but surely he isn't the only member of the comms team we have? What if he's on holiday? Does literally nothing get updated or posted?
Doubt this will make any difference to some but Olly is off ill, not at all well, which is the simple explanation
Usually he'd take a call to get the lineup and put out any goal updates but was just too ill last night and today to deal with it.
Obviously best wishes to him in getting well soon but surely he isn't the only member of the comms team we have? What if he's on holiday? Does literally nothing get updated or posted?
Doubt this will make any difference to some but Olly is off ill, not at all well, which is the simple explanation
Usually he'd take a call to get the lineup and put out any goal updates but was just too ill last night and today to deal with it.
Obviously best wishes to him in getting well soon but surely he isn't the only member of the comms team we have? What if he's on holiday? Does literally nothing get updated or posted?
In my experience only the bare minimum gets done when you are away sick or on leave and when you come back to work it’s normally to a pile of crap 😤. Depends what your profession and job cover there is I suppose.
Comments
I’m not arguing for its current design or issues with out of date content, but it’s fair to say that 1) the comms team is smaller now than in the 2000s when it was seven or eight full-time staff and 2) there is more to do - more media channels and more angles to cover. People also expect instant updates.
On top of that the club has now focused resources on Charlton TV. I believe there has been an increase in resources - Benjy Nurick editing the programme, for example - but I suspect there is still a mismatch between fans’ expectations and what can be achieved. The only reduction in demand compared to the 2000s is reduced mainstream media interest, but that was largely managed by a separate team from content back then.
The whole comms staffing when I ran it was financed by revenue, principally from the programme, and the cost was much less significant as a proportion of overall club income, but now it is likely to appear as a net cost on the budget within a far smaller turnover.
In short I don’t think it’s fair to assume the fault is with staff. One of the issues with online as opposed to print is that the you can always do more.
Useful as a marketing tool to maintain interest that may lead to the odd fan at a loose end buying a match ticket.
Although perhaps not that many for Durham.
Asking as I don't know.
If volunteers are used there is obviously potential for expanding the team as the cost would be minimal.
Could be a useful work experience opportunity for a student...
No need carry out in depth reviews of these in massive detail, just a quick update.
Usually he'd take a call to get the lineup and put out any goal updates but was just too ill last night and today to deal with it.
Hope he isn't too ill and gets well soon
Get well soon, Olly...you're clearly missed .