This month Derek Jeter announced his retirement after the 2014 season. The most interesting part of it was that he did not use a traditional press release or conference to announce this, but a Facebook post!

Social media releases are in many ways replacing the need for press releases. It is easier to connect with readers and fans through an outlet like Twitter or Facebook, because these days everyone (and their mother!) uses these social networks. Press releases can come out boring and not easily accessible for fans, but a Facebook post such as Jeter’s has the personal side that connects his fans to the emotion involved in the decision to make this season his last. It doesn’t sound like a rehearsed speech but a farewell letter that he put a lot of meaning into. Using Facebook connects him with his fans because it is extremely popular, therefore anything he posts advertises Jeter as that ‘everyday type of guy’ we can all connect to. Smart business move – making himself relatable to his fans who are also his customers. He is not just a baseball player but he is a business and a brand and everything he does can either help or hurt this business. I think using Facebook to get out his news was a great move on the business side because Facebook is “the social network,” and Jeter is keeping up his all-American, wholesome, friendly baseball player image that everyone loves. By telling people through Facebook, which people use for posting such intimate announcements as wedding engagements, its a much more personal approach than a press release. Either way, Yankees tickets might be pricy this season!