GoPro has undoubtedly changed the game in action sports. Everything from the lifestyle to marketing to the action itself has been seen through a new lens since the tiny little cameras entered our lives. And yes, it all feeds into society’s growing narcissistic selfie-taking reality, but there are also some amazing and creative things people are sharing thanks to action cameras.
But when it comes to making the overall “best” videos, it’s all more than a simple point and shoot. That’s why GoPro’s Athlete Camp teaches athletes how to grow into well rounded, fully trained producers of their own content. As a business strategy this is a brilliant move for the Silicon Valley company. According to Bloomberg, athletes are paid $1,000 for every million Youtube views they can attract with edits of their respective sport. That all feeds into GoPro’s marketability, selling more cameras, promoting the lifestyle, and incentivizing higher quality content in the process.
As for the three day bootcamp, athletes experience everything from indoor lectures to real life daily activities that include learning shooting techniques. “You can be the world’s best at whatever sport you’re doing, but if you’re not promoting yourself and no one sees it then it’s hard to make a living,” says professional skydiver Neil Amonson. And knowing that “the game of social media” is a marketing tool and money making machine for the world’s most gifted athletes makes everything from picking the right mount to filming with the correct setting all the more urgent. It’s an interesting look into the business of action sports, but it also helps build an appreciation for the way each community has grown into sharing what they love.
Is this thing on? But first, let me take a selfie.
