It’s the first time in over ten years that Pizza Hut has used a pro American Football Player in their commercials. What do you think of Reggie Bush’s new spot?
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Reggie Bush for Pizza Hut??
It’s the first time in over ten years that Pizza Hut has used a pro American Football Player in their commercials. What do you think of Reggie Bush’s new spot?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Nike Re-Signs Michael Vick to Endorsement Deal
Sports-Apparel Giant Renews Ties Cut Four Years Ago After Quarterback Admitted Role in Dog-Fighting Ring
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Nike said it re-signed Michael Vick, whom the world's largest sporting-goods company dropped as an endorser four years ago after the quarterback admitted to his role in a dog-fighting ring.
In October of 2009, when Mr. Vick made his return to the NFL, Nike went out of its way to ensure the public that it was not endorsing the ex-con and new quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Advertising Age reported that Nike released a statement claiming, "Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick." The statement also said: "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike."
Neither Nike nor Chicago-based attorney Andrew Stroth, Mr. Vick's marketing agent, would disclose financial terms of the multiyear contract, which was reported earlier by CNBC.
"Michael has acknowledged his past mistakes," Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike said in a statement. "We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field."
Nike will replace Reebok International in April 2012 as the National Football League's official apparel supplier.
Mr. Vick's contract contains a commitment to work with camps and youth programs, said Stroth, who also represents free-agent quarterback Donovan McNabb and guard Dwyane Wade of basketball's Miami Heat in marketing deals.
"Long-term, Michael Vick wants to coach," Mr. Stroth said in a telephone interview. "Michael wants to utilize the platform of playing in the NFL to impact our youth."
Mr. Vick, 31, played the past two NFL seasons with the Eagles after serving time in federal prison on the dog-fighting counts. He spent 2001-06 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Nike called the allegations against Mr. Vick "inhumane and abhorrent" when it cut ties with him in 2007.
Joel Segal, Mr. Vick's agent, said in a telephone interview that his client was "ecstatic" about the new agreement.
Mr. Vick was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2010.
In October of 2009, when Mr. Vick made his return to the NFL, Nike went out of its way to ensure the public that it was not endorsing the ex-con and new quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. Advertising Age reported that Nike released a statement claiming, "Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick." The statement also said: "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike."
Neither Nike nor Chicago-based attorney Andrew Stroth, Mr. Vick's marketing agent, would disclose financial terms of the multiyear contract, which was reported earlier by CNBC.
"Michael has acknowledged his past mistakes," Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike said in a statement. "We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field."
Nike will replace Reebok International in April 2012 as the National Football League's official apparel supplier.
Mr. Vick's contract contains a commitment to work with camps and youth programs, said Stroth, who also represents free-agent quarterback Donovan McNabb and guard Dwyane Wade of basketball's Miami Heat in marketing deals.
"Long-term, Michael Vick wants to coach," Mr. Stroth said in a telephone interview. "Michael wants to utilize the platform of playing in the NFL to impact our youth."
Mr. Vick, 31, played the past two NFL seasons with the Eagles after serving time in federal prison on the dog-fighting counts. He spent 2001-06 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Nike called the allegations against Mr. Vick "inhumane and abhorrent" when it cut ties with him in 2007.
Joel Segal, Mr. Vick's agent, said in a telephone interview that his client was "ecstatic" about the new agreement.
Mr. Vick was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2010.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Electronic Arts CEO Riccitiello: Gaming Is the New Mass Media
Mobile Put Booster Rockets on an Already Ascending Business, EA Chief Says at Ad Age Digital Conference
To kick off Ad Age Digital Conference in New York, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello introduced the new mass media: gaming.
EA, the creator of game favorites such as "Madden," "FIFA" and "Battlefield," projects there will be 3 billion gamers globally by next year, up from 1.5 billion now and 200 million in 2000. EA itself has 230 million consumers on its web and game properties.
"As a marketer for many years, I've asked myself the question: Where has my target audience gone?" said Mr. Riccitiello. "They've migrated to gaming."
But gaming is a different sort of medium. While consumers often use the web or mobile devices while watching TV, gaming seems to keep more of consumers' attention. From self-reported media habits, EA found consumers don't text message, surf the web and watch TV while they're gaming. "People don't really do anything else when they're playing games, they're focused on it," Mr. Riccitiello said. "Multitasking is almost nonexistent while gaming."
By hours spent, gaming also trumps most major web properties. U.S. consumers spend 15 million hours per week gaming vs. 9.5 million hours on AOL.
The gaming industry started to go mainstream 10 years ago and, as a marketer, that's when EA began to run mass TV campaigns, Mr. Riccitiello said. "That's when it turned from a niche into something short of a mass market," he said. "It felt like a real industry, something that really mattered."
But that growth is skyrocketing now, largely thanks to exploding smartphone sales, which put a gaming platform in millions more consumers' pockets. "Anyone with a phone can play a game," he said. Gaming is the No. 1 category in the iPhone, iPad and Android app stores. It's also the top app category on Facebook. Even the first game offered on the grey-screened Kindle outsold the top book.
"Where we were once an industry that talked about having attention and lacking reach, we now have that attention and staggering reach," he added.
EA is now trying to figure out how to be both a major entertainment marketer -- keep an eye out for $100 million-plus campaign for the "Call of Duty" competitor "Battlefield 3.0" this holiday season -- and a major media company.
"We're at the very early stage as gaming as a media," Mr. Riccitiello said. "The numbers support that it should be, but frankly we've been more focused on selling our apps than our audience."
Barack Obama, when he was a distant third in the primaries during the last presidential election, took out ads in EA games such as the "Madden" and "NHL" franchises to reach youth. "That obviously worked out for him," said Mr. Riccitiello. EA is also using its own properties to promote its own brands, which will see 25 new products introduced in the next year.
But EA is still working on how best to work with advertisers, Mr. Riccitiello admitted, which means advertisers can enjoy bargains on new programs.
"It's not easy -- it's not selling a commercial on TV or fashion ads in a magazine," he said. "At this point in time, you can do really unique things. But those opportunities are going to be bloody expensive in three years. We don't know how to price them now. If you want to make a name for yourself to doing something bigger and better, you can make an impact here."
To kick off Ad Age Digital Conference in New York, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello introduced the new mass media: gaming.
"As a marketer for many years, I've asked myself the question: Where has my target audience gone?" said Mr. Riccitiello. "They've migrated to gaming."
But gaming is a different sort of medium. While consumers often use the web or mobile devices while watching TV, gaming seems to keep more of consumers' attention. From self-reported media habits, EA found consumers don't text message, surf the web and watch TV while they're gaming. "People don't really do anything else when they're playing games, they're focused on it," Mr. Riccitiello said. "Multitasking is almost nonexistent while gaming."
By hours spent, gaming also trumps most major web properties. U.S. consumers spend 15 million hours per week gaming vs. 9.5 million hours on AOL.
The gaming industry started to go mainstream 10 years ago and, as a marketer, that's when EA began to run mass TV campaigns, Mr. Riccitiello said. "That's when it turned from a niche into something short of a mass market," he said. "It felt like a real industry, something that really mattered."
But that growth is skyrocketing now, largely thanks to exploding smartphone sales, which put a gaming platform in millions more consumers' pockets. "Anyone with a phone can play a game," he said. Gaming is the No. 1 category in the iPhone, iPad and Android app stores. It's also the top app category on Facebook. Even the first game offered on the grey-screened Kindle outsold the top book.
Watch live streaming video from adage at livestream.com
"Where we were once an industry that talked about having attention and lacking reach, we now have that attention and staggering reach," he added.
EA is now trying to figure out how to be both a major entertainment marketer -- keep an eye out for $100 million-plus campaign for the "Call of Duty" competitor "Battlefield 3.0" this holiday season -- and a major media company.
"We're at the very early stage as gaming as a media," Mr. Riccitiello said. "The numbers support that it should be, but frankly we've been more focused on selling our apps than our audience."
Barack Obama, when he was a distant third in the primaries during the last presidential election, took out ads in EA games such as the "Madden" and "NHL" franchises to reach youth. "That obviously worked out for him," said Mr. Riccitiello. EA is also using its own properties to promote its own brands, which will see 25 new products introduced in the next year.
But EA is still working on how best to work with advertisers, Mr. Riccitiello admitted, which means advertisers can enjoy bargains on new programs.
"It's not easy -- it's not selling a commercial on TV or fashion ads in a magazine," he said. "At this point in time, you can do really unique things. But those opportunities are going to be bloody expensive in three years. We don't know how to price them now. If you want to make a name for yourself to doing something bigger and better, you can make an impact here."
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
MLB 2K11 brings back million dollar challenge despite money woes & First Look At Game
Back in May 2010, 2K Sports awarded $1 million to Wade McGilberry from Alabama for being the first player to pitch a perfect game in MLB 2K10.
Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick has been telling anyone who will listen that 2K Sports is losing money with the Major League Baseball license. Keeping Zelnick’s words in mind, I was wondering if 2K Sports would bring the $1 million contest back.
2K Sports has announced the contest will return in 2011.
From an advertising standpoint, Zelnick may consider the million dollar prize cost effective. Numerous gaming sites and publications spread word of the contest and, as such, MLB 2K10. Mainstream media outlets including ESPN covered the contest and interviewed the eventual winner. He pitched a perfect virtual game the first day MLB 2K10 released.
One million dollars for a full-length interview on every major sports network and ample product placement is a lot less than prime time commercials during sporting events would cost. Other companies go to even greater length to get a movie hero to drive one of its cars or drink one of its sodas for a few seconds. One of 2K Sports’ chief rivals, EA, is well-versed in video game advertising. Games as far back as Need for Speed:Most Wanted featured in-game ads for everything from Verizon phones to Burger King Whoppers.
Zelnick has talked about the pro baseball license not being as lucrative as it once was. That is true, TV ratings back him up. Baseball is behind both the National Football League and the National Basketball Association in terms of ratings and merchandise sales. Even if baseball were still the national pastime, 2K Sports has another huge problem: Sony’s MLB The Show series has gained most of the critical acclaim in recent years. The gap between the two games is so big that The Show has been outselling MLB 2K even though The Show is only available on Sony systems.
2K Sports’ losses might not stand out at a company where everything is going well. Gamertell has reported that, at Take-Two, that’s anything but the case. Take-Two did turn a $42.6 million profit in 2010, but would still love to solve its baseball problems. If a million dollar prize can help turn MLB 2K’s fortunes around, it will be money well spent for Take-Two Interactive. MLB 2K11 releases March 8, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, PC and PSP. There is a slight change in the contest, as it does not begin until April 1, 2011.
Posted By Matt "The Mayor" Verden
Thursday, October 14, 2010
NIKE TACKLES NFL'S APPAREL CONTRACT
Replaces Reebok as Official Uniform Supplier in Deal Worth $175 Million
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Nike has come up with a huge interception.
The world's biggest sports-apparel company is throttling its closest competitor when it comes to America's most popular sport, as Nike will replace Adidas AG's Reebok as the official uniform supplier for the National Football League starting in 2012.
The NFL made the announcement this morning in Chicago.
Reebok's 10-year, $250 million deal expires in April of 2012. Executives close to the league say the new five-year deal with Nike is in the $35 million range, annually. Nike will be the official uniform provider and will produce all on-field apparel including game uniforms and base layer, as well as sideline personnel apparel and fan gear.
Both Under Armour and Adidas/Reebok were battling Nike for the coveted game-uniform contract, and while it made sense for Under Armour to try to get in on the deal -- Baltimore-based UA is already heavily associated with the league due to its workout gear and commercials that featured Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis -- it probably made more sense for Reebok to get out.
Adidas, which took over the National Basketball Association uniform deal from Reebok after acquiring the company in 2006, has been repositioning Reebok as more of a fitness apparel and shoe company. Canton, Mass.-based Reebok recently made its first foray back into the sneaker-endorsement business by signing University of Kentucky star and Washington Wizards draftee John Wall to a five-year, $25 million deal. And it nearly tripled its market share in women's footwear in the last year with its ZigTech training line and the Easy Tone sneaker brand for women that the company says tones legs and buttocks while walking.
Adidas AG CEO Herbert Hainer told CNBC on Sept. 29 that "If we lose the NFL, it won't make or break our company."
That remains to be seen. Bloomberg News reported that Citigroup analyst Kate McShane wrote in an investor's note that Reebok's NFL license represents about $350 million of its $565 million U.S. apparel revenue.
The league also announced new deals and renewals with six other apparel sponsors.
New Era will be the official on-field headwear supplier and will produce headwear for the sidelines and for fans.
Under Armour will continue as the official sponsor of the NFL Scouting Combine. Under Armour will outfit combine participants and also offer combine apparel beginning in 2012.
GIII will continue as a key apparel partner manufacturing fan gear, including outerwear and lifestyle collections for men and women.
VF will continue as a key apparel partner manufacturing fan gear, including T-shirts and fleece.
Outerstuff will continue as the NFL's youth apparel provider.
And '47 Brand will produce headwear for fans.
"We have spent considerable time the past few years rigorously evaluating our apparel business," Eric Grubman, the NFL's exec VP-ventures and business operations, said in a statement. "The new framework will provide fans with a wider breadth of merchandise from global category leaders in the sports licensed apparel industry."
Nike's stock briefly traded at an all-time high of $83.40 a share this morning following the news.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
IF ENGLISH SOCCER CAN TAKE IN $155M FROM SPONSORED JERSEYS, WHAT ABOUT NBA, NFL?
Mark Cuban: Ads on Uniforms a Matter of 'How Much' Not 'If'
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- It was just a small blurb in Sports Illustrated magazine's "By the Numbers" section two weeks ago: "$155 million -- Income generated by the 20 English Premier League soccer teams this season by selling ad space on their jerseys."
But those 21 words are causing the four major American sports leagues, its corporate partners and even fans to rethink the idea of sponsor patches on team uniforms.
"It's definitely on the horizon," Mark Cuban, owner of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks, said in an exchange of e-mails with Advertising Age. "I think it's more an issue of 'how much' rather than 'if' [it happens]."
If the English Premier League can generate $155 million, imagine what the National Football League or the NBA can do. Those are the two sports leagues that have already dipped their respective toes into the sponsorship-on-jerseys debate.
The NBA has been the most aggressive in pushing the agenda, hence Mr. Cuban's opinion that it could be sooner than later for sponsor patches. The league-backed NBA Development League and its Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) both allow teams to sell jersey sponsorships. That exposure has even led some brands not normally associated with sports marketing to put its patch on the coveted uniform. Microsoft, for instance, placed its Bing search engine logo on the front of the WNBA's Seattle Storm's jerseys.
"We are always watching the WNBA and the NBA Development League to see what works and what may be an applicable business practice, and we fully recognize that the presence of corporate branding on game uniforms is a widely accepted practice on the global sports landscape, particularly in soccer," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. "That being said, the value proposition to include branding on the NBA game uniforms has not yet presented itself."
Mr. Cuban agreed, saying "Find me a multi-year deal at $10 million or more per year and I will make it happen."
The NFL allows teams to sell advertising on practice jerseys, and more than half of the 32 franchises have already done so. The New York Jets signed a deal last year with Atlantic Health to sponsor their practice jerseys as well as their New Jersey-based practice facility. According to Joyce Julius & Associations, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based company that evaluates sports sponsorships, Atlantic Health received nearly $200,000 in free exposure during HBO's four-week telecast of its popular "Hard Knocks" series, which chronicles an NFL team each summer during training camp.
"We are approached annually by major companies who say that NFL jerseys represent the most valuable real estate in sports and inquire about placement of their logos," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "But we do not have any plans to do so with game jerseys."
Parity would be an issue, of course. While that $155 million for the 20 English Premier League teams sounds great, the disparity between the top teams and the bottom is wide, just as it likely would be in American sports between franchises in New York and, say, San Jose or Oklahoma City. The EPL's two biggest clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, take up 40% of that ad revenue -- $31 million a year for Liverpool's deal with British financial services company Standard Chartered, and $30 million annually for Man-U's agreement with insurance carrier Aon. Seven clubs in the EPL earn less than $1 million annually for shirt sponsorship deals.
This isn't a recent issue, either. As leagues and teams have struggled to find new sources of revenue, the idea of putting sponsor patches on uniforms has simmered on the back burner, with an occasional switch to a front burner boil.
In 2009, MLB allowed sponsor patches on team USA jerseys at the World Baseball Classic.
In 2004, MLB tried to put the logo for the film "Spider-Man 2" on the bases as a promotion tool for the film, until a public outcry over the sanctity of the game and the field forced the league to rethink that decision.
As far back as 1999, Howard Smith, then VP-marketing for MLB, told The New York Times that the league was "talking from A to Z about our on-field programs, and bringing in additional sponsors in other formats than we have now. We've talked about everything. But we're not close to anything."
And they're still not.
In a statement emailed to Advertising Age, an MLB spokesman wrote: "Baseball has a longstanding policy of not allowing corporate advertising on our uniforms for non-international competitions. We are continuing to monitor what appears to be an increase in the trend that places non-manufacturer corporate marks on uniforms."
National Hockey League spokesman Kerry McGovern said, "At this time, we'd prefer not to comment."
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- It was just a small blurb in Sports Illustrated magazine's "By the Numbers" section two weeks ago: "$155 million -- Income generated by the 20 English Premier League soccer teams this season by selling ad space on their jerseys."
"It's definitely on the horizon," Mark Cuban, owner of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks, said in an exchange of e-mails with Advertising Age. "I think it's more an issue of 'how much' rather than 'if' [it happens]."
If the English Premier League can generate $155 million, imagine what the National Football League or the NBA can do. Those are the two sports leagues that have already dipped their respective toes into the sponsorship-on-jerseys debate.
The NBA has been the most aggressive in pushing the agenda, hence Mr. Cuban's opinion that it could be sooner than later for sponsor patches. The league-backed NBA Development League and its Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) both allow teams to sell jersey sponsorships. That exposure has even led some brands not normally associated with sports marketing to put its patch on the coveted uniform. Microsoft, for instance, placed its Bing search engine logo on the front of the WNBA's Seattle Storm's jerseys.
"We are always watching the WNBA and the NBA Development League to see what works and what may be an applicable business practice, and we fully recognize that the presence of corporate branding on game uniforms is a widely accepted practice on the global sports landscape, particularly in soccer," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. "That being said, the value proposition to include branding on the NBA game uniforms has not yet presented itself."
Mr. Cuban agreed, saying "Find me a multi-year deal at $10 million or more per year and I will make it happen."
The NFL allows teams to sell advertising on practice jerseys, and more than half of the 32 franchises have already done so. The New York Jets signed a deal last year with Atlantic Health to sponsor their practice jerseys as well as their New Jersey-based practice facility. According to Joyce Julius & Associations, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based company that evaluates sports sponsorships, Atlantic Health received nearly $200,000 in free exposure during HBO's four-week telecast of its popular "Hard Knocks" series, which chronicles an NFL team each summer during training camp.
"We are approached annually by major companies who say that NFL jerseys represent the most valuable real estate in sports and inquire about placement of their logos," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "But we do not have any plans to do so with game jerseys."
Parity would be an issue, of course. While that $155 million for the 20 English Premier League teams sounds great, the disparity between the top teams and the bottom is wide, just as it likely would be in American sports between franchises in New York and, say, San Jose or Oklahoma City. The EPL's two biggest clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, take up 40% of that ad revenue -- $31 million a year for Liverpool's deal with British financial services company Standard Chartered, and $30 million annually for Man-U's agreement with insurance carrier Aon. Seven clubs in the EPL earn less than $1 million annually for shirt sponsorship deals.
This isn't a recent issue, either. As leagues and teams have struggled to find new sources of revenue, the idea of putting sponsor patches on uniforms has simmered on the back burner, with an occasional switch to a front burner boil.
In 2009, MLB allowed sponsor patches on team USA jerseys at the World Baseball Classic.
In 2004, MLB tried to put the logo for the film "Spider-Man 2" on the bases as a promotion tool for the film, until a public outcry over the sanctity of the game and the field forced the league to rethink that decision.
As far back as 1999, Howard Smith, then VP-marketing for MLB, told The New York Times that the league was "talking from A to Z about our on-field programs, and bringing in additional sponsors in other formats than we have now. We've talked about everything. But we're not close to anything."
And they're still not.
In a statement emailed to Advertising Age, an MLB spokesman wrote: "Baseball has a longstanding policy of not allowing corporate advertising on our uniforms for non-international competitions. We are continuing to monitor what appears to be an increase in the trend that places non-manufacturer corporate marks on uniforms."
National Hockey League spokesman Kerry McGovern said, "At this time, we'd prefer not to comment."
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
SPORTS TOP SELLING JERSEYS
In 2004 the NBA estimated its merchandising revenues would rise to at least $3.3 billion in gross sales, which could mark the first time that the NBA surpasses the NFL in licensed product sales thanks to the entry of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. In 2003, NFL-licensed items grossed $3.2 billion, with the NBA and Major League Baseball pulling in $3 billion, according to issue of License! Magazine.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
VERIZON WIRELESS PRESENTS NFL DRAFT DAY CAMPAIGN
Song: "HELLO GOODMORNING"
Artist: DIDDY FT. DIRTY MONEY
Album: Last Train To Paris
Label: Bad Boy/Interscope
MATT "THE MAYOR" VERDEN JOINS "THE DEAN'S LIST"
Matthew Verden, CEO of VSMG, LLC. has over 10 years of marketing, management, and promotions experience. Verden started the Verden Sports Management Group in an attempt to provide a sense of ease to an athlete's already busy life and schedule. With a vast knowledge of the sports industry, marketing, and management skills, Verden leads his staff in ensuring all client's needs (whether big or small) are met, and often times exceeded.
Verden has worked with some of the most elite names in sports including multiple professional teams and athletes including the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats. He also has deep rooted ties with elite highschool basketball players and collegiate basketball programs including Duke University, University of Arizona, Georgia Tech and more.
The Dean's Notes: Matthew will bring his behind the scenes hands-on insight to "The Dean's List" readers.
Contact:
matthew@deanbrandmarketing.com
twitter.com/vsmgllc
Contact:
matthew@deanbrandmarketing.com
twitter.com/vsmgllc
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