is YouTube a Life-Changer?

In case you missed the incredible news from late last week, renowned soccer club Manchester United has recruited a new player from Brisbane, Australiaafter seeing a DVD of his YouTube highlight clips. However, this story is especially interesting because “the next Wayne Rooney” is less than 10 years old (read the story and watch him in action).

One could say this story is nothing more than a modern-day version of an agent sending out a highlight video of a free-agent client in search of a new team: player needs a new team, agent sends out tape, team loves highlights and signs said player. Except in this case the player is not yet a teenager, his “agent” is simply his grandfather and MU fan, and the “team” signed him from halfway around the world after watching a four-minute “highlight” reel that has been posted online.

Is this a new face of social media? Are people now going to use YouTube (and similar tools) to push their own agendas? Will companies/organizations now use social media for recruiting purposes? How will this affect the already grey line between personal and public information? Would love to know your thoughts: is my thinking correct or am I just taking this too far?

Comments

[Ali]

If players are good enough to stay in Manchester Uniteds youth system, Man. U will pay for their HS tutition at Old Trafford (some "soccer" HS). I'm not sure I think it's a PR stunt, Man. U breeds soccer players.

And this kids granfather is a pretty smart guy.

[Jon Burg]

While I agree that this is a very cool application of ePR on You Tube, this trend isn't anything new. A number of amateurs and students have self promoted themselves via YouTube into mainstream acceptance and businesses. Revver and Blip.tv are full of these YouTube stars. I have even seen a number of YouTube resumes and a couple of articles advising companies on how to deal with these submissions (many suggested not watching the videos as it could lead to potential discrimination lawsuits.

I didn't know this kid was actually signed Man. United, and frankly, that strikes me as a more of a pr stunt than a serious move, but it's always fun to see someone else finding new uses for existent offerings and media.