Tuesday, July 27, 2010

PAC-10 Unveils New Brand and Digital Media Initiatives


--Football Coaches Join Commissioner Scott In New York, L.A. To Usher in New Era--


NEW YORK - At the launch of its first-ever bicoastal Media Tour, Commissioner Larry Scott today unveiled a series of new initiatives designed to reflect an increasingly fan-friendly, innovative future for the Conference of Champions. In addition to presenting the new Pac-10 logo and the most comprehensive branding effort in the history of the Conference, fans were able to experience a new digital initiative which includes streaming video and a new Pac-10.org website with original content.
These initiatives enable the Pac-10 to tell its story more effectively and leverage technology to engage an enlarging fan base as the University of Colorado and the University of Utah prepare to join the Conference. Scott confirmed that the Conference name will officially migrate to Pac-12 once the Buffaloes and Utes actually begin their membership. The new branding and logo already reflect this geographical expansion, depicting the beauty and energy of the West, from the mountains to the ocean, an expanded territory that will include seven of the nation’s top 35 media markets.
The announcements came as the Conference and its current 10 head football coaches were conducting a series of media events, for the first time taking place on both East and West Coasts. The events began with today’s announcements in New York City and will culminate with the annual Pac-10 Media Day in California, which for the first time will be held on the field of the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. The Rose Bowl portion of the media tour will be streamed live on the internet.
Introducing the initiatives at a New York press conference today, Scott said, “With our universities and students on the cutting edge of innovation and digital media in their research, studies and daily lives, we think it’s appropriate that the Pac-10 lead the way in using these new media and technologies to more effectively bring our competition and stories to our fans.”
While the new website will retain all the things fans have come to expect – schedules, scores, standings – it will now offer video highlights, streaming video, blogs, and other state-of-the-art features. As part of the Conference’s digital initiative, fans and media will also be able to follow this week’s media tour via Twitter (@Pac10), Facebook (www.facebook.com/Pac10) and Flickr.
After the press conference, the league’s 10 head football coaches – Arizona’s Mike Stoops, Arizona State’s Dennis Erickson, California’s Jeff Tedford, Oregon’s Chip Kelly, Oregon State’s Mike Riley, Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh, UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel, USC’s Lane Kiffin, Washington’s Steve Sarkisian and Washington State’s Paul Wulff – had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with key national media.
On Wednesday morning, the coaches and Commissioner Scott begin the day ringing NASDAQ’s opening bell as a new Pac-10 movie trailer runs all week on News Corp’s giant electronic television in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. The live stream of the NASDAQ opening ceremony will be available at the link: www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx.
The group will then travel to Bristol, Conn., to provide interviews and shoot videos at ESPN headquarters.
The three-day tour culminates Thursday, July 29, with the annual media day in Pasadena. The 10 coaches and one student-athlete from each institution will answer questions from the media. The Media Tour caps off with a Hollywood premiere of the new Pac-10 for over 200 guests hosted by the Fox Broadcasting Company on their studio lot.

Del Negro Has A Plan For The Clippers


I had my first opportunity Tuesday to meet and speak with Clippers new head coach Vinny Del Negro.  At the time of his hiring, I was on the road with the Angels and I missed his introductory press conference thanks to a very slow internet connection at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.  Thanks anyway, FOXSportsWest.com.
 

But nonetheless, after Donald Sterling hired his new coach, I did my own research regarding Del Negro. I only knew of him as a player at N.C. State back in the 80's, and his short tenure as head coach of the Bulls.  In fact, prior to Tuesday, I had never even spoken to the man despite his two years in Chicago and his two previous years in the Suns front office.  Despite the NBA being somewhat of a small circle, paths don't always cross as often as you might think.
 

One of the things I really wanted to know was what happened in Chicago.  How does a coach who led a very young team to back-to-back playoff appearances get pushed out of town?  I mean, making the playoffs is supposed to be a success, right?

foxsportswest.com:  Del Negro Has A Plan For The Clippers




View extended interview with Del Negro here.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

LeBron James Panel Discussion Added To NABJ Convention In San Diego




Saturday, July 31  2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

NABJ SPORTS TASK FORCE PRESENTS... ”THE DECISION”


Location: Del Mar AB, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Now that LeBron James has decided to take his “talents to South Beach”, sports journalists examine teachable moments on the 24-hour news coverage of James’ free agency, journalism’s role and ethical concerns of ESPN’s broadcast of his announcement.


Moderator: Michael Eaves, Anchor/Reporter Fox Sports

Panel:
Chris Broussard -- ESPN the Magazine
Mike Wallace -- Miami Heat reporter, Miami Herald
Debra Simmons -- Managing Editor, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Marc Spears -- National NBA Reporter, Yahoo! Sports
J.A. Adande -- National NBA Reporter, ESPN.com
A. Sherrod Blakely -- Celtics reporter, CSNSports.net

For more information on the NABJ Convention in San Diego, click here.






Monday, July 19, 2010

NABJ Sports Task Force Scholarship Jam Comes To San Diego




NABJ Sports Task Force Annual Scholarship Jam Powered by Yahoo!

DJ Limelight and special guest DJ former NFL player and ESPN analyst Marcellus Wiley will pump the party all night long! 




Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Derek Fisher's Impact Cannot Be Ignored


Going into this summer's free agent period, all eyes seemed to be fixated on the new Big Three: LeBron, Wade and Bosh.  However, I felt going into the off-season, that even if all three of them ended up on the same team, it may not be the most significant move of the summer.

Biggest? Yes!

Most significant?  No!
 

The most important move in the entire NBA would be the re-signing of Derek Fisher by the Lakers.  


foxsportswest.com: Derek Fisher's Impact Cannot Be Ignored 

 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Weaver Is A Hometown All-Star Snub


Even though the MLB All-Star game is nothing more than a glorified exhibition--despite World Series home-field advantaged being determined by the outcome--players take selection to the Midsummer's Classic very seriously.  In fact, most players probably care more about being selected to the team than the actual outcome of the game, especially those not likely to make the playoffs.

Besides just about every player having some sort of All-Star Game incentive in their contracts--Torii Hunter picked up an extra cool $100k for his 4th selection--the real reason guys want to make the team is to be recognized as one of the game's best.  Call it pride, ego or both, but every player wants to feel elite.

The problem, however, is that not every All-Star caliber player makes the All-Star Game roster.





foxsportswest.com: Weaver Is A Hometown All-Star Snub