Dear Subscriber,
A benefit I enjoy, when working in The Ann Arbor News hub, is asking fan-boy questions whenever Aaron McMann is in the office.
See, I’m a lifetime University of Michigan sports junkie, and McMann is our Wolverines football beat writer. I love the access, and he’s always a good sport about giving personal takes and inside info that don’t always make it into stories.
Now we’re giving avid fans an opportunity to get the same privileged access, without having to hang around a newsroom. On Wednesday, MLive launched Wolverine Confidential Subtext, through which McMann will send texts multiple times a day directly to the phone of those who subscribe for $4.99 per month.
“There are nuggets of information, background details and obscure thoughts that run through my head and don’t make into the stories all the time,” McMann said. “This will be an opportunity to flesh all of that out, and give subscribers true ‘behind the scenes’ access to what I'm working on, thinking about and focusing on.”
The service shares its name with the weekly podcast that features McMann and fellow UM sportswriters Andrew Kahn and Ryan Zuke. Fans who sign up for Wolverine Confidential will get news as it happens, and even before it hits Twitter – hot takes from Schembechler Hall to the locker room, and spring practices through the Big 10 championship chase.
Here’s a sample of what fans will see, multiple times a day:
“Aaron here. Day 1 of the player interviews at the NFL combine have wrapped up. The big takeaway from the three Michigan players today: QB Shea Patterson entertained the possibility of returning to Michigan for a fifth year. Boy, that would have thrown a wrench into the already packed QB room, huh?”
Another engaging benefit: Subscribers can text back at McMann with thoughts and questions, and those questions will get priority status for the weekly podcast and in-season mailbag posts.
I will pause here to address an obvious question some readers – well, half of this divided state – may have: What about the Michigan State Spartans? Rest easy, we’ll be announcing the launch of Spartan Confidential insider access very soon. It will feature the same access and benefits that Wolverines fans are enjoying today.
Bryn Mickle, MLive’s director of sports, said starting “Blue” wasn’t a difficult choice.
“The thing about Michigan football fans is that they are everywhere, and they can't get enough news about their team,” he said.
“I can also tell you that Aaron has a knack for finding the most interesting storylines and digging up the nuggets that will make you the smartest one at the next Wolverine tailgate party.”
Right now we’re offering a 14-day free trial, so I encourage you to check out McMann’s takes. Click here, or simply text 734-215-6605 and follow the simple sign-up prompts.
It’s easier, and a lot less work, than coming into our Ann Arbor office every day. |
|
Sincerely,
John Hiner
Vice President of Content for MLive Media Group
Share your thoughts with him at editor@mlive.com |
|
|
|
