This is the end...

As this semester has some how come to an end, so too has my blog assignment. I have used this forum to discuss pertinent sports events and tried to address the PR side of each event/issue. I hope someone out there enjoyed just part of my blog - if so, it was well worth it.
I have also used the blog to discuss some personal opinions about sports internships, several Major League Baseball teams and the prowess of the SEC. Hopefully my opinions were taken as just that - opinions.
To bring an end to this assignment, I thought I would re-visit some of my favorite and some of my least favorite posts.

Personally, I liked the post about sports internships because it expressed my opinions and thoughts on an issue I feel I know a little bit about. It gave me an opportunity to share some of my experiences and hopefully (if anyone read it) help someone out down the road. I was also happy with some of the posts that used videos! It was an exciting day when I figured out how to incorporate videos and pictures into my blog. I thought, in most cases, they added to the effectiveness of the blog and created a more pleasurable blogging experience.

Of course, not all of my blogs were worth writing home about. A recent one that talked about the popularity of blogs was probably one of my least favorites, but it has shown me areas I can improved upon in future blogs.

Overall I thought the blogs were much tougher than I originally thought. Going into the assignment, I thought it would be simple to think of things to discuss. I was wrong. It was tough to come up with fresh ideas that were relevant, pertinent and interesting. On the bright side, this assignment definitely helped me develop better writing skills as well as an ability to scoop out news from around the world.

As this, my last semester, comes to a close, I am forced to rethink and remember all the finer moments of my time at UGA. Honestly, I can think of few better than the time spent with my HDF campaigns team. They are, without doubt, the best group I have ever worked with. We honestly enjoyed each other's company, and each moment spent working with them is a moment I will treasure long after I have left Athens.

All the best,

Ben!

Soccer in the States

Like most years, the beginning of the Major League Soccer season kicked off recently and no one seemed to notice. In a country dominated by FOOTBALL and baseball and basketball, soccer is overlooked and under appreciated. Unlike the rest of the world, America does not take much pride in professional soccer. As a result Major League Soccer has had a tough time leaving the ground. Now, in their 12th season, the league is finally beginning to gain awareness. Attendance is up (but still very low), advertising revenue is up and even ESPN has begun broadcasting regular season games!
From a PR/Marketing standpoint, MLS has really been slow to act. They have what I would consider a good product, but have been unable to make any headway in America. But recently they have gotten noticed and I believe a lot of it has to with their new, effective "You're a fan. You just don't know it yet" campaign. The commercials have run on sports networks ESPN and FSN, as well as ABC (that I have seen). I think what makes them brilliant is that they take aspects of every other sport we love in America and show that soccer has them all - quickness, agility, teamwork, contact etc. Whoever is behind their latest campaign deserves recognition for this recent success.
To test popularity of MLS among some of my cohorts I asked around. Of the 10 people I asked, 4 had watched an MLS game this season (the season just began four weeks ago). Although this number may not seem extremely high, it is huge compared to how many had ever watched a game prior to this season, 0.
The point is, MLS is making headway and I can't help but think their recent campaign is part of the reason, that and the anticipated arrival of David Beckham...

Sadness in St. Louis

Early Sunday morning St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Josh Hancock died in a single car accident. The 29 year-old bullpen pitcher had reportedly spent Saturday night drinking at a bar and then refused a ride home. Regardless of the details surrounding his death, the Cardinal family has been grieving over an unfortunate loss. To try and commemorate their fallen teammate, the Cardinals hung Hancock's No. 32 jersey from the dugout of their Monday night game against the Brewers (the team took Sunday night off due to the loss).
A situation like this is one that very few prepare for and one the everyone hopes they will never have to deal with. The Cardinal organization must find a way to honor Hancock, but at the same time they will be forced to move along. How does PR personnel handle such a tragic situation? It is very hard to say, but I think the Cardinals handled it nicely. They sent the only person they could to talk with the press: Manager Tony LaRussa. LaRussa addressed the media in an appropriate manner and gave appropriate responses. The team has attempted to memorialize Hancock by wearing a NO. 32 patch on the sleeve of their uniforms. Undoubtedly, the team will hold a commemorative ceremony for Hancock when the team returns to St. Louis at the end of this current road trip.
These efforts should not be considered a "PR Move." They are appropriate tributes to a fallen teammate. They are measures taken by a grief striken team that is struggling to find answers. Situations like this are about much more than PR. They are about remembering that there are so many things out there more important than baseball and public relations. This situation reminds us that life is short, and we must make the best of the time were are fortunate enough to have. Also we must take time to really cherish the people in our lives that make life worthwhile...

All the best,

ben

Sweeping Blogs

According to a 2003 article in Forbes, sports blogs are "few and meager." They explain use as being unimportant and somewhat trivial. According to the article no one is reading them, and bloggers will never be able to compete with Web sites and cable TV.
I imagine if an article ran nowadays about sports blogging, it would be singing a different tune. Blogs in general are everywhere, and sports blogs seem to be a major source of sports information. Use however, seems to be coming from middle aged individuals. Just from asking around, it seems no one in my age group - 18-23 is using blogs at all. In fact, of the ten people I questioned, 0 said they even know how to access a blog and 0 said they had ever read a blog.
But blog use is up and young creators of blogs are coming into large sums of advertising money.
Sports blogs too are becoming increasingly popular, providing users a chance to link to hundreds of sports stories and articles from around the world, and view photos and videos of relevant sports news and information.
As for this blog, it seems to fall into the meager category Forbes talked about four years ago...

Because its fresh and newsworthy and it has to do with sports I had to include the following clip and story...


Just so you don't feel bad, here is the story that clears up how he survived.

All the best,

ben

Manuel loses cool...

This season has been anything but easy for Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. His team, picked by many to win the National League East division, is currently in last place in the division and NL MVP Ryan Howard is on the bench with a leg injury. On Thursday they were able to pull out a victory, but not without Phillies fans expressing their dissatisfaction with Manuel. One group of fans held signs that read "Hey Pat (GM Pat Gillick), Phire Charlie! Save Our Team!"

Following Wednesday night's game, Manuel apparently had enough. While taking questions following a 5-4 loss to Washington, Manuel got into a verbal altercation with a local reporter:


How do the Phillies save face from this incident? Well, it doesn't really appear to be a huge issue. Coaches have exploded as long as the game has been around and no one will ever live up to the Ryan Leaf explosion:



But the Phillies really don't have much work to do to clear this particular issue up. To me it is really simple - start winning. Winning will lighten everyone's spirit. The fans will be happy, the players will be happy, the front office will be happy, and Charlie Manuel will be happy.
From a PR standpoint, this really doesn't present much problem. Manuel has been around the game to earn the right to vent every now and again. He didn't really offend anyone and probably has learned his lesson. Keep your eye on the Phillies though, if they don't heat up, Manuel may be out of work...


All the best,

ben

Tim Duncan ejected for ...

This past Sunday, April 15, San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan was hit with two technical fouls that ultimately led to his ejection. Whats troubling is that Duncan was sitting on the bench when he received both technicals and apparently was ejected for laughing at what he thought was a bad call.



As you can imagine, after the game the media jumped all over the story, quoting Duncan as claiming referee Joey Crawford wanted to fight.
"He looked at me and said, 'Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?"' Duncan said. "If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don't have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, `Do you want to fight?"'

While this seems to be a case of 'he said, he said' what is commissioner David Stern supposed to do. He's got an argument between one of his best referees and one of his biggest superstars that has received national attention. Stern decided the best way to handle the situation was to suspend long time ref Crawford at least until the 2007 NBA Finals. At that point it appears the two will meet to discuss Crawford's possible reinstatement.

While on the face, this may seem like a brash decision by Stern, it seems to me to be rather appropriate. Stern must demonstrate his ability to handle situations like this that inevitably arise in professional sports contests. What he ought to do though, that it doesn't appear his has done, is fully investigate what actually happened. It doesn't appear he has gotten the full story from Crawford and may be missing some very important information.

I think his decision is the right move, but he may want to thoroughly look into the altercation. What was really said between the two and what will this mean for refs in the future...

All the best,

ben

Imus out of bounds

In case you haven't heard, we have come across more unacceptable behavior by a renowned broadcast journalist, Don Imus. Imus, a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, made several disparaging remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team prior to their national championship game with Tennessee. In case you haven't heard...


Following the comments, several organizations called for immediate punishment and, in the case of the National Association of Black Journalists, his immediate firing. CBS and MS NBC have suspended Imus for two weeks, but according to the NABJ, they need to finish the job and let the national syndicated radio host go.

Showing more forgiveness than the NABJ, the Rutgers women's team has agreed to meet with Imus and attempt to come to some sort of mutual understanding.

This situation arises quite frequently when dealing with radio hosts such as Imus. Known for his caustic attitude and politically incorrect rhetoric, Imus draws lots of listeners, but often tip-toes on the line bordering offensive. How does the radio station react to save face, while at the same time looking out for their best interests?

It is a tough situation. CBS and MS NBC must do the right thing, and I believe they started in the right place. They suspended Imus for two weeks and have offered numerous apologies, including an apology from Imus himself. Where to go from here is a tough PR v. business decision. Restoring their image would call for a firing, but restoring their bank accounts would not. I feel like they could effectively restore their image and keep Imus on the air. Perhaps begin with a longer suspension. Show America that you do not, in any way, condone such language. Next make it very clear to Imus (as I imagine they have done behind closed doors) that this type of language is utterly inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Also, perhaps CBS and MS NBC could allow spokespersons from concerned groups such as NABJ to come on their airways to discuss their side and how they feel. They may also want to try to get some opinions from the players/coaches Imus offended - lets hear their side and see how they plan to move forward from this, because if they can, we ought to be able to as well.


All the best,

ben