Can MMA Grow In The Garden? State, That Is.

January 7, 2010 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

There is still more than a little contention over how “hot” professional Mixed Martial Arts is as a sport.  One thing is for sure, the UFC as an experiential brand, is certainly very hot and very active for the men’s demo, and that experience was again in full force for their New Year’s weekend card, which again saw a sold out crowd in Las Vegas and put a cap on a record year for pay-per-view sales.

A Devil of a Branding Problem…

October 12, 2009 by Joe Favorito · 1 Comment 

There is arguably no team in the NHL that has produced a higher quality on ice product over the last 15 years than the New Jersey Devils. The level of play and professionalism in the business of hockey that the team has displayed is arguably second to none not just in hockey for that matter, but in all of team sports.

Racing To Find Answers To Economic Issues…

May 25, 2008 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

As gas prices soar, business looks for ways to use economies of scale and look for even bigger bank for a more limited dollar, brands, teams and athletes have to be more conscious than ever to look ahead for the clouds on the horizon and address the very real concerns of their fans and partners BEFORE they become a major issue.  Now more than ever, being creative and proactive can be most important.  With two mega races this weekend, NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte and the IRL’s Indianapolis 500, there were a few pieces that showed that proactivty and perhaps some answers to the real concerns of fans and brands that are worth a read.  On the NASCAR front, there have been several pieces in recent days on how the gas crunch is beginning to effect fans attendance and spending patterns, and some of the measures that tracks are taking to help ease that burden, while on the Open wheel side, there was a great piece in the New York Times on Indy driver Sarah Fisher and her real issues when sponsors depart and how her team can compensate.  These pieces show both sides of the economic equation…how the athlete can be effected by the economy and what he/she has to do to address it, and what the league or brand has to do when the fan is being so adversely effected.  Both show insight, give solutions and have the opportunity to spin so that all see the brands are thinking proactively in a looming crisis situation.  Good lessons for all.  Also on the ROI front, the data company Joyce Julius released a solid piece of info this week on which sponsors are getting the most return from spending on drivers with TV exposure, with Dale Jr. leading the way.  Good read for all those who often wonder how to correctly monitize brand exposure through TV.