Happy Veterans Day!

Veterans Day is a day to honor and celebrate the past, present, and future service men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It's a day that we as Americans thank those in the armed forces and their families for what they do and everything that they endure to protect the right, liberties, and pursuit of happiness that Americans hold so dear. With out them we could quite possibly live in a different world and not have many of the things that we cherish in life.

Today has special meaning and I am so thankful to have served this great country. I am very thankful for all the great men and women that I have had the opportunity to serve with and under and to fight for our freedoms. I am remembered each and everyday of how short life can be each and every time I look at the bracelet I wear on my wrist to honor one of my fallen brothers, SPC Donald L. Nichols. He and the many men that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country are true heroes and are men that I greatly consider my heroes. I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to those who have gone down range and performed the job that few sign up to do. Remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and thank any and all veterans that you encounter daily.

Live Streaming Takeover?? You Decide!!

In today's world the access in to information is in the palm of almost everyone's hands and the information is practically endless. With the growth and technological advancements of the internet, people don't have to wait long, go far, or even exert to much effort to find solutions to problems or questions. And if there isn't a computer near by, people can just pull out their smart phone and boom instant access to a world of information.

Recently a couple of interesting articles, blogs, and comments made in my digital advertising class have brought my attention and curiosity to a theme that could be in the realm of future possibility. On rEvolutionworld's blog they had a post about live-streaming sports and how the professional sports world are using different outlets, like the internet, other than TV for fans to have access to live sporting events. Another article from the Sport Business Journal talks about how long-time, popular show "Around the Horn" and "Pardon the Interruption" seemingly are loosing viewers. Except they aren't, people are just watching in different ways, like streaming on WatchESPN, and not in the traditional way of TV. The third instance that made me think more and more about the way people are consuming sports and or TV was in my Digital Advertising class when my professor said that he doesn't even have cable. Everything he watches or news that he researches is all done on his computer, where he streams shows or videos that he wants to watch.

With my busy class schedule and extra curricular this year I have really been giving great thought to also canceling my cable because 1) I'm sometimes not home to consume it so I'm paying for a service I'm not using; 2) I'm a sports junkie so what ever sports news, videos, podcasts, and information I could possibly want I can find online; 3) It could possibly be cheaper to use Netflix, WatchESPN, Hulu, YouTube, or even some other outlet instead of continuing my TV service. So if I'm thinking this, my professor is doing this, how many other people are contributing too?

Currently there are various ways for consumers/fans to stream live sports with out cable, all they need is an wi-fi connection and boom they can access. Such examples are:

WatchESPN

Apple TV

NFL Sunday Ticket




Even XBox 360 and PS3 have access to stream live sports. With fans consuming sports in a variety of different ways, it opens up new segments and opportunities to reach them. Now live streaming hasn't taken over TV, but that doesn't say that it couldn't or won't. 

As marketers, whether in the sports world or not, we have to look at this possibility/trend that is going on so that we can effectively take advantage and tap into this opportunity that presents itself. More and more the digital word is becoming a gold mine for adverting and a new way to reach fans and the audience.

Salute to Soldiers!!

Under Armor is at it again with their unique and innovative designs. Recently Under Armor designed a stars and stripes uniform combination for Northwestern to wear during their game on November 16 against Michigan. The uniforms are to help raise awareness for Under Armor's Wounded Warrior Project and is a tribute to the American soldiers.

The back of the uniforms will also have a unique aspect to them. Instead of having the last name of the Northwestern players, it has been replaced by with either Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Country, and Service. Being a soldier of the Iowa National Guard, these words mean much more to me and are what we as soldiers try to live by in our service.

My Take:

These uniforms are sick!! Being a soldier of the Iowa Army National Guard, I love seeing things like this. It is a great tribute to the great men & women who serve for a great country and it's helping create awareness for a great cause, UA's Wounded Warrior Project. I can't wait to tune in on November 16 to watch Northwestern play Michigan in these awesome uniforms.

The Value of a Photo

Everyone knows the saying, "A picture is worth 1,000 words." While there might not be 1,000 words in this post, the value that this photo offers is immense. As you can see in the photo background, there is space in the UNI-Dome that is bare and would be a great spot for a corporate sponsor to take advantage of by placing signage there.

Recently I interviewed, Rob Miller Account executive with Panther Sports Properties, to get insight about the value of this photo and how to use this photo when selling signage space in the UNI-Dome. 

Me: What is the value that you see in this photo?

Rob: This photo tells the story of what Panther Sports Properties can offer on Gameday for brand awareness, with a wide reaching exposure. In the way that college sports is the vehicle for our partners to reach the community at large.

Me: What would your overall objective be with this photo?

Rob:  The goal would be to show the prospective partner “lots of eyeballs”. I want to show a packed house, captivated audience, and brand connectivity between the prospective company and Panther Athletics.

Me : Could you walk me through/tell me how you would use this photo in a client proposal?

Rob: First, I would work with the prospective partner on the messaging that they would want to incorporate into a signage space. Then I would take a photo of the full UNI-Dome, a play that catches the audience’s attention, and transpose this prospects brand message into the signage space.

Me: What is the biggest objection/hurdle do you face when selling signage or this signage piece in particular?

Rob: The biggest hurdle we have to overcome when selling is signage is "how do I measure success?" How can I as a client track sales from a sign?" 

Me: How do you overcome these objections?

Rob: What I would do is pair the sign with other elements that we (Panther Sports Properties) offer to help create top of mind awareness. The goal is to reach fans through multiple channels, signage is just a reminder. Signage keeps the client top of mind and then we have several other things that we pair the sign with, like radio, giveaways, web & social media posts, to enhance the awareness of the client.

As you can tell, there is much more to this photo that meets the eyes. In the eyes of Rob Miller, this photo shows an opportunity to connect a potential client to the Gameday atmosphere of  UNI Panthers football.