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What has happened to the O.S.
Comments
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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I’m not arguing for its current design or issues with out of date content, but it’s fair to say that 1) the comms team is smaller now than in the 2000s when it was seven or eight full-time staff and 2) there is more to do -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.17 -
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.Dazzler21 said:
CAFC Women have their own site: https://cafcwomen.co.uk/lancashire lad said: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.
Come on Comms get the basics right!
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.1 -
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...1 -
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.RickAddick said: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...1 -
Didn’t Benjy start writing about all things Charlton whilst a student?DagenhamAddick said:
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.RickAddick said: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...0 -
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.4 -
Talking of Benjy, haven't seen a peep from him in a while?0
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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.Addickted said: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’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.2 -
Website totally unavailable now " This page cannot be found"0
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Be careful of what you wish for.... the whole site content seems to have disappeared

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I'd happily offer some UX tips and Analysis on how to improve the site.3
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Getting ready for the announcement of Adkins getting binned1
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Whoops! is it something I said?daveroan said:Website totally unavailable now " This page cannot be found"0 -
Funnily enough I dreamed about this last night. His permanent replacement was announced immediately as JJ.cafcdave123 said:Getting ready for the announcement of Adkins getting binned1 -
Yes, you're THAT importantlancashire lad said:
Whoops! is it something I said?daveroan said:Website totally unavailable now " This page cannot be found"

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Cafc43v3r said:
Maybe they are saving up all the news for Thomas to personally deliver it........killerandflash said:
That doesn't mean that it AND the official Twitter account are good enough, especially when you consider the effort put into Charlton TVeaststandmike said: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.
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?
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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.14 -
See no problem with that, I’m still celebrating our 2-1 win over Cheltenham.seth plum said: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.4 -
i blame Keohane - reckon their all a bundle of nerves0
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Thanks, I had wondered if they were short staffed, as the official Twitter feed has been lacking recentlyHenry Irving said: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.
Hope he isn't too ill and gets well soon4 -
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Oh no !Henry Irving said: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.
Get well soon, Olly...you're clearly missed .5 -
yes - Olly seems to do a good job, get well soon3
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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?Henry Irving said: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.3 -
Fair point well madeChris_from_Sidcup said:
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?Henry Irving said: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.0 -
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.Chris_from_Sidcup said:
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?Henry Irving said: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.
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Also what if the first team had played yesterday, surely someone else would've had to post info in his absence if he was too ill?0
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So we need an LB and a new member of the comms team7
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i'm concerned keohane has got him tied up at knife point0
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Not sure how getting the scoreline wrong for the Womens' game at Durham is a resourcing issue.0






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