Gaming With The Pols…Obama Gets There First

October 16, 2008 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

As he was first to attract attention to the casual sports fan by playing hoops, Senator Barack Obama has now gone another step to reach the younger casual fan, by integrating ads into online video games, as reported today on gamespot.com and in the Sports Business Daily. As the tight election continues to try and cultivate the undecided or the apathetic votes (witness Sarah Palen’s hockey puck drop last week in Philly) the Obama campaign always looks first to the young and hip and the water cooler talk, areas which sometimes went unaddressed in previous elections.  This will probably be the first step in much-talked about web 2.0 marketing as it involves sports and gaming going forward…the  ablility to imbed online images in games  for download immediately, thus reaching a non traditional audience or growing an existing audience that used to take weeks and months to activate with.  Now whether it will engage the gamer or annoy him or her remains to be seen as there is always pushback when the mainstream comes calling.  One thing is clear though…the move, like the Senator’s ability to play hoops, generates buzz and makes him a little more relevant in a different demo.  Great placement in a space where equal time doesn’t apply yet. 

Browns Raise Interesting Questions With Regard To Political Activism

October 11, 2008 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

With Sara Palin set for Saturday’s puck drop in Philly, and NBA players like LeBron James, Greg Oden and Alonzo Mourning all speaking publicly in support of Senator Barack Obama this past week, it was interesting and noteworthy see the way the Cleveland Browns addressed the issue and opportunity of athletes in a football-crazed and swing state stepping up to support some candidates.  This week Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas took the big step to address the crowd in support of Senators McCain and Palin at an Ohio rally, and the opportunity that was seized could become a national play when the Browns and Giants meet this Monday night.  Even more interesting was the look inside the lockerroom that Brown coach Romeo Crennel and kicker Lin Dawson offered up in this week’s Akron Beacon Journal.   While Crennel in no way criticized his players, he did warn the team about letting political debates in the lockerroom being a distraction, and Dawson chimed in about this election being “quiter” than the past two in the lockerroom.  With such a close election it is more and more apparant that those who can move the casual voter…athletes, entertainers…may become more and more of a factor.  As we have said before, athletes should be supported for using their position of leadership to influence social change so long as they act responsible and are informed on their decisions by those who they trust.  It is not for everyone, as it is not for everyone in sociaty, to take a leadership stand.  However those who choose to do so should be supported for thier interest…it makes the athletes more interesting and more understood which will help build fan interest and can find ways to build brand and keep brand relevant.  The worry about political debate in the lockerroom also raises another question, as those who are in and around the athletic world see contstant debates over clothes, music, movies etc., all elements of intetest to the general public, yet those debates are rarely cautioned by those in authority.  It is interesting to see debate of the political or social nature singled out as being distracting in the lockerroom, as those kind of debates are probably the healthiest and probably the least volatile.  Kudos to the Browns players for stepping up responsibility and to the organization for addressing the issue publicly. 

Sarah Palin, NHL Combine To Grab The Casual Fan…

October 10, 2008 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

The NHL has come out firing and grabbed the attention of the casual sports fan and the business partner through a successful “NHL Rocks” campaign, well attended and competitive games in Europe, a sensational centennial campaign by the Canadiens and a rebirth of the Blackhawks brand in Chicago, all of which is overshadowing problems in small markets like Nashville.  The league will take another step to grab the casual viewer again Saturday night in Philly, when Governor Sarah Palin attends the Rangers-Flyers game and drops the first puck as part of a promotion to find the “Ultimate Hockey Mom.”  The move is a solid one for both sides…the Flyers get tremendous added exposure, as does the league and regardless of the reception the Governor gets, will now be tied to a potential Vice President for future endeavors.  The Republican ticket then gets to play the card that Senator Obama has played so well early on in the campaign, that of showing a solid connection to the average sports fan, so often a skeptical and reticent voter.  Should Governor Palin come off well Saturday it could score points and votes as well as buzz.  Who knows, with a Flyers win and a successful season (for her and the Flyers) she could become the good luck charm Philly has lacked since the late Kate Smith used to come in to sing “God Bless America” at the Spectrum in the ’70’s.  Well timed and solid play by both sides….smart for the NHL to pitch, smart for Palin to connect.

Hoopin It Up…Sarah Palin vs. Barack Obama

August 31, 2008 by Joe Favorito · Leave a Comment 

We have made mention and cited examples over the last few months as to how Senator Obama has made some very smart moves accentuating his athletic background, which will help the casual sports fan, not usually a group that rushes to the polls, identify with him.  It started with Scott Price of Sports Illustrated and has played out on numerous occasions during the primaries.  Ironically, Senator McCain, also quite a sportsman, although more an outdoorsman than a player, has not really played the athletic card to try and match the interest among sports fans, as he concentrates on other demos.  So along comes Governor Sarah Palin…sportscaster, basketball player and hockey mom…the answer to so many of the demos that have an interest in sports and had not seen any casual reasons to perhaps support Senator McCain.  Although obviously qualified in so many ways for the role, it will be interesting to see how the casual fan can react to a choice, even a subliminal one, with two sports-minded candidates on tickets now.  Newsday’s Neil Best has a good look at the Palin vs. Obama hoops “rivalry.”