Bridging the divide

For those of you who are purists, you might enjoy this. These are newly designed NFL football jerseys replicated as if they were futbol jerseys. This is a very smart idea, for both the teams and sponsors. Especially since the NFL has very strict rules regarding the placement of logo's on players uniforms. Actually, strict doesn't come close to describing it. Many players have been fined for uniform infractions including Chad Ochocinco who had to pay $20K for wearing gold cleats during a game.

Hopefully these jerseys will be available to fans. They are more likely to respond to the advertising messages anyways as opposed to the players. As our world changes and media messages are ever more present in places we are not use to, companies will try and logo up every possible square inch of an athletes uniform.

The main benefit for the official sponsor is that their logo has the prime real estate on the jersey, where the team logo is not as easily recognizable. Seems like a no brainer in terms of brand building for both the team and the company.

As an aspiring brand strategist, I see the value that comes with reaching out to a sceptical audience and meeting them more than half way. The conversation between the NFL and futbol purists has to start somewhere and what better way then by creating team apparel that the fans are comfortable with and more importantly can identify with. I wouldn't be surprised if a few futbol fans wear these jerseys into their local pubs as the watch the weekly match. Question is, will anyone notice?

Chicago Bears, represent?

Click the title and let me know which is your favorite.

Where encouragement happens

Finally an ad done for the NBA that had a creative concept behind it and not just a video of guys making last second shots or ridiculous dunks. Goodby,Silverstein & Partners is the NBA's agency of record and with this ad may be able to build more of a younger fan base for the NBA.

These three ad's feature NBA superstars Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Kevin Durant as teenagers, shooting hoops in a what looks like a high school gym. It's like something from a Back to the Future movie where a fan is trying to have a conversation with the young kid telling him how in a few years he will be a superstar in the NBA. You can see the teenage innocence in the players face, they have the desire to be the best but I am sure none of them could ever imagine to what heights this game would take them.

Creatively, these ads are so simple, yet they show the emotion that is the NBA and allow the fans to see these now NBA superstars as young kids. The writing for these ads are what make them so special. We as the audience are able to understand the hard work and amazing talent of these superstars. For most of us, we have no understanding of what it is like to be Steve Nash or Kevin Durant, but these short thirty second clips give us a glimpse into what they were like as teenagers before they gained wealth and fame. For what it is worth, I feel now that I know Steve Nash on a more personal level and although that seems trivial, sometimes that is all it takes to get me to watch the NBA.

As far as sports ads go, these have to be some of the best I have seen. I am not a huge fan of the NBA and know a lot of people that feel the same way but with these new spots I can see young kids who idol these players becoming even more interested in the NBA.

Brain Protection

I came across this post today and found it very timely as we approach the Super Bowl. An industrial design engineer has designed a new prototype helmet that is said to significantly reduce concussions. Many attempts at this have been made but the players just refuse to wear the helmets because they are so ugly. As an outsider this seems ridiculous that a player would choose his looks over protecting his brain but you have to understand these are FOOTBALL players and they have "reputation" of badassness to keep up.

Unlike others, this helmet looks legit and has panels where different colors can be swapped out. The design idea came from the old helmets of the 40's and 50's called MacGregor. That was back in the day where you kept playing as long as you could run and run straight. Safety of the brain ranked last in importance behind making sure the kickers shoelaces stayed tied.

Fans who have had their fantasy seasons ruined due to concussions from their players need to contain their excitement, this helmet is only in the design phase and has a lot of hurdles to navigate before it becomes field ready. But, this is the best designed helmet that has come along in the last ten years. If anyone is out there who works for Riddell or Schutt, give this guy a call ASAP.

The faster this helmet is put on the field the less we will see QB's and WR's walking off the field dazed and confused. Maybe then we can get rid of some of the ridiculous rules the NFL has for protecting the QB's. Or on a negative note, if Brett Favre gets a hold of one of these helmets he may play till he is 50. Watch out Jenn Sterger.

Gooday Power Balance

So the day has finally come. Power Balance, the maker of those rubber wristbands that are all the craze has finally admitted that their bands are a fraud. I am not surprised that the bracelets don't work, but what does surprise me is that they fooled people like myself for so long. They not only fooled the amateur athlete but many professionals such as Shaq and the rest of the Boston Celtics. That takes brains and a great sales pitch.

There are so many impostors out there as well, just last night I watched an infomercial for another wristband that claimed to increase balance and overall health. Sure looked like a scam but I am sure many people immediately called to order. What is unbelievable is the price for these rubber bracelets, $29.95, I mean are you kidding me? I can't even comprehend how much money this company made on this fraudulent product. They fooled so many consumers that even many sports stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods and Sports Authority were carrying the brand.

I have to admit that I did buy one. After wearing it for a week I couldn't tell a difference with my balance and assumed it was a fraud but I continued to wear it because it looked cool and I wanted to give it a chance. So I am writing this as a duped customer, not someone who is bragging about not falling for the gimmick. Please don't judge me.

What I am still puzzled about is those thick necklaces that MLB players were wearing this past year. Are they the same product and if so, when will the truth come out that they don't provide any added benefit. I guess only time will tell, if you don't see any players wearing those hideous necklaces this season then we can be sure that the entire category was a fraud.

What I won't forget about Power Balance is the image of two men pushing on each other while the man wearing the power balance stands on one leg. PRICELESS.

Logo competition

If you thought the competition on the field was going to be intense for tonight's BCS National Championship game, then buckle up because the most intense fighting is going on between two sporting rivals. Both Phil Knight and Kevin Plank have built giants from the ground, these two are pitting themselves against each other in the football gear war.

This past week it has been evident that both Under Armour and Nike are using the BCS festivities to promote their product and give fans an awesome experience. Under Armour, which represents Auburn and nine other teams needs to be more effective with these efforts because of the wide reach of Nike which outfits over 300 colleges and universities.

It's my opinion that Under Armour's football products are more superior than Nike. Clothing wise, UA cold gear is by far a better product but Nike has a strong hold on the shoe category. When talking about promotional material and advertising, there is no comparison between the two. Nike and W+K have done amazing work, some of my most favorite and inspiring ads have been for Nike. On the other hand Under Armour, which has done a good portion of their work in house, is less known in the advertising world and that I think keeps their brand less mainstream.

If Auburn is able to win the game tonight, UA should push all their marketing efforts towards a campaign that highlights the victory and how UA was a major part of the teams success. What a way to get right in the face of Nike with a message that is true and full of emotion.

As for me, I will continue to buy Nike clothing and equipment because like previously said, they have been able to speak to me directly with their ad campaigns and for that, I am loyal.

Let me know what you think. Can the BCS winner effect sales of Nike and Under Armour or is this pure hype?