CNN announced that it has bought the @CNNbrk user name from a Twitter user, for an undisclosed fee. The account, which currently has almost a million followers, was the brain child of London based Developer, James Cox. Cox is said to be very happy with the deal.
CNN & Twitter – A smart move!
It seems CNN have been working alongside Cox, since realising the power of his Twitter account; as a tool to shepherd traffic around the various CNN properties. With almost a million followers, the value of the account is massive and gives CNN a unique social media outpost. (I hate the term social media)
Unlike many big organisations, when CNN saw what Cox was doing, they chose not to litigate for use of the CNN trademark. Instead, they decided to partner with Cox, which has turned into a mutually beneficial relationship.
It would be nice to see other big names act similarly, rather than taking it to the lawyers as an automatic response. Somehow, I don’t think CNN’s move will be emulated!
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I have to admit I am surprised that the big guys didnt just take the account away from him, they could always have pulled some kind of trademark crap on him, but I am impressed it is very nice of CNN to go about it this way.
I admire CNN for working with this guy, but wonder what signal it sends out. Anyone like the idea of starting a @foxbrk or @skybrk account?
If somebody tried to have @foxbrk, Murdoch would have a cow and a conniption!
:)
I thought I read somewhere that you wouldn’t even need lawyers if it was clear-cut (like this seems to be), that an email to Twitter customer support would reassign it. Don’t remember where I read that, but it sticks in my mind. Just adds to CNN’s kudos though that they valued what was created with the account. Like the way Woot’s Twitter account was started by someone else and turned over to woot by mutual agreement. Shows there might be hope for people yet.