@OwneytheDog

Erin Blasco, public programs & social media, National Postal Museum

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco

Who is [was?] Owney

• 1888-1897 • Pal of Railway Mail clerks • Good luck charm • Postmaster General’s darling • Traveling celeb, mascot

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco

Owney Today

• New exhibit, makeover • Stamp • E-book • Curriculum • Look-Alike Contest • Annual “Owney Fest” • Social media user

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco

Why is he Using Social Media? • Fan of speedy, high tech

communication • 1890s canine celeb = newspapers

2012 = Twitter • Advocate for postal workers • Combines museum topic areas • Curious, social lifelong learner • Approachable history

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco

Owney’s Conversation Topics • Stuff @PostalMuseum can’t say • Weird stuff in the collection • Historical dogs, animals in

postal history • Transportation, mail, and food • Snooping new exhibits at night

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco

Owney’s Challenges • Evaluating if fans are learning • Refining audience segmentation

(@PostalMuseum vs. Owney) • Identifying audience needs, interests

and meeting them with museum resources

• Bigger projects (crowdsourcing transcription)

Owney’s Shout Out to his Museum Mascot Friends

• Mr. Blobby the Blobfish: • http://twitter.com/mrblobbyam • SUE the T-Rex • http://twitter.com/suethetrex • Djehutymose • http://twitter.com/djehutymose • LAS Mummy • http://twitter.com/lasmmummy • KVM Mummy • http://twitter.com/kvmmummy • Guerriere Terrier • http://www.facebook.com/people/Guerriere-

Terrier/100002603759151 • Sabra Sabertooth • http://twitter.com/SabraSabertooth

• Johny Gadsby • http://twitter.com/johngadsby • Maurice the Miner • http://twitter.com/mauricetheminer • Sandy the Mammoth • http://twitter.com/SandytheMammoth • Camilla • http://twitter.com/Camilla_SDO • Dippy • http://twitter.com/NHM_Dippy • Oisin the Deer • http://twitter.com/OisinTheDeer

@OwneytheDog | facebook.com/Owney | @ErinBlasco