Like the circus, or really any “touring” sports brand from tennis to golf to the PBR…or even an annual “show” like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the Harlem Globetrotters must find new and innovative ways to engage fans, find new audiences and keep their brand top of mind when one of their teams makes their annual city by city stops.Media Post on Friday, was the announcement that the entire team will wear 44 jerseys on Tuesday as a tribute to President-elect Obama being the 44th President. The second, as reported in NY Sports Journalism.com, is their partnership with IHOP which will give them great promotional exposure and provide added value for all attendees. Do either of these come across as game changers for the bran.? Well as stand-alone events, no. However they continue to give people reasons to identify with the Globies when they are not in market, whil.showing business partners and all in the sports and entertainment world that even in a slow economy, they are finding ways to be progressive and keep looking forward. In a marketplace where today many feel that cutbacks and inertia are a sign of progress, the Globetrotters are spinning forward, and thats a good thing.
Some other good reads…on the blog side, David Schwab has a great piece on the value of “Dancing with the Stars” on his First Call blog…one that is always fun to read by a GOOD WRITER is the KC Star/Si.com's Joe Posnanski…if you are looking for a blog that focuses on the lighter side of sports and mixes in some personal thoughts, its worth checking out…also my longtime friend Lisa Wilentz always has some good minor league baseball features on her got MIL. blog…the New York Times has a good feature on former West Virginia star Kevin Pittsnogle and where life has taken him after a standout collegiate career….
