Live sports: Better at the stadium or with VR?

I came across an article this week highlighting the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in sports. A company called LiveLikeVR is said to be building the worlds first VR stadium. CEO Andre Lorenceau explains his goals for this new technology "Sports is not about being ‘on the field’ for the whole game, it’s about being able to hang with your friends, doing stuff while there’s a two-minute timeout, seeing replays, stats, and more.”

VR has always seemed weird to me. Mainly because I don't understand it. I often give funny looks to people as they step into VR booths to try it out for the first time. 

So my goal here is to objectively break down this new venture by looking at each aspect of a sporting experience to see who has the advantage: VR or the Stadium.

The Cost 

Factbook reports that the average family of four will spend at least $650 to attend a live sporting event in 2015. That includes tickets, parking, food, and souvenirs. Here lies an opportunity for VR. A Samsung Gear VR will costs only $150, even if you have to buy four to outfit the entire family, it’s still cheaper than attending one game. AND. You can use the VR’s over and over again. 

Edge: VR

Watching the Game

While I have never used VR, I can almost guarantee you that it doesn’t come close to replicating the stadium experience. Sitting in Kauffman or Arrowhead, two of the loudest stadiums in the country, has to be close to impossible to replicate. Not to mention the entire gameday experience that is nothing short of amazing. Walking to the stadium with the smell of juicy hotdogs filling the fresh air, giving high-fives to random people and then sharing the victory with 40K of your newest friends are what makes the stadium experience irreplaceable. 

Edge: Stadium

Social 

One of the benefits that was touted in this article was being able to connect online with friends while watching the game. This sounds great in theory. Being able to partake in the same experience with people across the world is something the stadium experience can’t beat. But for me, I’m usually so engrained in the game that I’m not worrying about posting pictures or videos to social during the game. I’m there to take in the play-by-play experience, yelling at the umpire from the upper deck and filling out a scorecard as if were a traveling scout. For the average fan though, social media is more important. I can attest to the fact that often at a stadium my service is slow and data is spotty. So, if constant updating social media is your thang, VR is the smart choice.

Advantage: VR

Game Stats

This is a no brainer. With multiple screens the user can toggle through, VR gives a more immersive game experience. If I can switch between batting stats, fielding stats, replays, highlights and player content all while the game is still going on and I don’t miss any game action, then I’m in heaven. Many stadiums have failed to provide this type of access for fans. Yes, some stadiums have increased their Wi-Fi and also offer tablets and apps for a better in-game experiences, but nothing comes close to what this VR experience could be. 

Advantage: VR

Down Time

When you're at the stadium there is not much to occupy yourself with in-between game action. Maybe a few vendors dance on the dugout or two fans do the bat race, but for the most part you’re kinda stuck twiddling your thumbs or trying to find a cell signal. If you're like me, most of your down-time is spent waiting in the beer, hotdog or bathroom line. As VR opens to advertising, brands will have to create content that fits with the medium. You will probably see more tech companies advertising as VR is a platform filled heavily with early adopters. One can hope that the ads will be more engaging and immersive than the crap filling our TV's these days. On the down side, since the platform is new there will be major growing pains. Cheap buys will bring many low-budget brands into the fold, lots of experimentation, trial and error. Is the VR experience worth that?

Advantage: Stadium

If you've been keeping score, it looks like VR comes out a winner. But at the end of the day, the idea of sitting in a room with a headset on to watch the big game just doesn’t feel right. 

This story spurs my fascination with technology. It's creeping into every experience we have ever known. That may not be a bad thing but we need to be careful that it doesn’t ruin human interactions. Sports are the one experience where complete strangers get along for a few hours and can become instant friends. That can’t happen with VR. Because of that, I’m still on the fence. But I’m eager to watch this innovation take off and see how brands use it as a new advertising platform. 

Jordan gets his own store in Chicago

My passion for Chicago goes back to my days as a young kid. I remember sitting in front of the TV watching MJ go off. There was the flu game, the buzzerbeater in the finals vs. the Jazz and the shrug against the Blazers. Those and many more endeared me to the Bulls. 

MJ's motley crew was fun to watch as well. You had those centers, Longley, Wennington and Cartwright and who could forget Dennis Rodman, aka "The Worm". The Bulls were my team in the 90’s.

I also have a passion for sneakers, and come to think of it, I can probably thank MJ for sparking that love. 

I bring all this up because of my nearly uncontainable excitement for Saturday. 11/24/2015 marks the grand opening of the Jordan store here in Chicago. 

There are reports that people have been lining up since Monday to buy some signature heat and maybe, just maybe, get a glimpse of MJ in person. Word on the street is "His Airness" is not planning on attending but they can always hope. 

So, what's inside? The first floor is dedicated to sales. From shoes to clothing to memorabilia - all Jordan. That’s cool. But what really gets me amped is what lies on the second floor. 

Known as Station 23. A 3,400 sq. ft gym dedicated to helping kids and teens become better ballers. Not with shoes, shorts or dri-fit tanks but through technology. 

This area is for serious hoopers, with rumors saying that taking the court will be "by invite only". I have a pretty sweet 3 point shot. Problem is, I may be a bit past my prime. 

Included at Station 23 is a training lab with the Noah system. Technology that analysis the shooters arc angle and provides feedback if it's too short, too long or just right. 

I’ve seen a lot of these gadgets pop up lately. Many promise improvements passed your wildest dreams. Most fall short because they just track the number of shots made. Digital stat boys. After reading a bit about Noah, it seems legit. It's more than a stat tracker as it uses sensors and technology passed my understanding to analyze the shooters technique. Helping to perfect their form. 

Here lies an opportunity for Station 23. Pair this system with employees who understand the game, who are not high-school drop outs that couldn’t get a job at Footlocker, and this could be a game changer in the hoops world. We could be witness to the lasting legacy MJ has on the youth. Not only outfitting them with the best gear but also bringing in technology and skills training to help young people reach their full basketball potential. 

Other elements of Station 23 include a digital training screen. Now when I first heard about this I thought this is another stupid screen put in the middle of the store enticing people to show of their skills, or lack of, and embarrass themselves in front of shoppers. But from the looks of it, this training area is legit. Kids can learn dribbling and footwork skills from CP3, Westbrook and Melo. This is where teens with talent go to amplify their skills. 

As you might be able to tell, I’m stoked about this store. Could we be seeing a new retail trend emerge where technology truly enhances the shoppers experience with the product passed the window shopping and buying experience. I'm not surprised Nike, er Jordan, is the first to do this. Don't be surprised if you see brands like Apple, AT&T and LEGO follow suit. 

Husband duties will keep me from attending the grand opening but you can bet your balls, basketballs that is, that I will be taking a stroll down State street next week to check out the environment. Succezz, watch out. You have sneaker competition in the Chicago.

A new direction for Flying Reddog

Don't be confused, it's not the band One Direction.

It's been almost two years since I last put key to keyboard on this blog-o-mine. I've done a lot of soul searching. Wait what? Who does that? This is real life. Basically, I got bored with the one-off stories and rando posts I was producing. I wish I could tell you over the last two years I have found my purpose and am now ready to write.

But it doesn't work like that. At least for me. The good news is I have found a new fresh, hopefully enjoyable topic to write about.

As a strategist at R/GA I'm constantly working on projects that integrate technology and with people who are sups talented in the tech field. Their smarts amaze me as I lack a good understanding of how technology works. What I do know is sports and many people who know tech don't know sports. Interesting huh. So, the point of me writing here is to share my thoughts, opinions, hopes and dreams about products, brands and stories that merge technology with sports.

My hope is that by writing this I learn more about technology and you learn more about both.

But don't expect me to stay 100% true to this new direction. If the mood hits me right, like a fall breeze in Chicago, I may write about anything. I'm sure it will still have a sports angle to it.

So. Stay tuned. Stick around. Comment. Agree. Disagree. And enjoy!

Track the social pulse of the Super Bowl

It's a common misperception that only B2C brands can make an impact on a consumers life. I think it stems from the fact that few B2B brands have been able to create meaningful content that highlights their brand promise and why it's important to people in society.
(See - Dow Chemical and their human element campaign)

Yesterday I found one B2B brand that is already making an impact on the Super Bowl conversation, an impact that is gaining steam every day.

SAP, a leader in software solutions (whatever that means), is using it's expertise and advanced visualized social media solution to give fans a new way to experience the Super Bowl.

With a partnership with Netbase, SAP is giving fans an inside look at the nationwide pulse of each teams fan base on social media. Their site called Super Bowl Stats Zone delivers an easy to follow data map of the US where a colored circle represents the amount of social chatter and the team that is dominating this chatter in each state. SAP has been recording this data since the first Sunday of the playoffs and will be continuing through the end of Super Bowl Sunday.

Although the site is not as robust as I anticipated, especially coming from a brand that is a global leader in data solutions, it does give NFL fans a fresh look at how each team dominates the nationwide social landscape. From their news press SAP says it's expecting to visualize and highlight the real time effects that big plays have on Super Bowl Sunday. For example: how will the games first interception affect the social chatter, how about the first TD or what if there's another episode like last year where the entire stadium goes dark? Fans who are second screen mavens will be able to follow the national chatter during every pivotal moment of the game.

What I learned from the data:
1. Most states, besides a teams home state, root for the underdog
2. The midwest has a lot to say about the Seattle Seahawks
3. Colorado is the only state where the Denver Broncos dominate the social chatter

What I'm missing from the data:

• I don't know if these mentions of teams are positive or negative. Were people rooting for or against the Seahawks? Yea, they dominated the conversation but what was being said?

• I would love to see this data broken down even deeper by time of day or milestone in the game such as each quarter. To see how each pivotal play changed the conversation.

• It could be more robust. I wish they would have a variety of maps depending on what the conversations were. Maybe segmenting the data by age or by social channel. It would be awesome to know if people are using Twitter to post their hate for a team and then using Facebook to post their love? We know each social site builds upon different user motivations.

Data visualization is a huge opportunity for all types of brands, especially when it comes to highlighting the nuances of social media. I'm just waiting for a brand like Google, a social media brand or even a mobile carrier like Sprint to jump on this bandwagon. These brands know how to take content and create emotional connections with people and they also have access to data to bring this kind of insight to life in a more impactful way.

Although this site and experience could be better, I will still be on the couch come Super Bowl Sunday with this site up and running. Eager to watch the nation converse about the memorable moments of the game.

Jaguar's innovative approach to branded content

The landscape of Super Bowl ads has changed. Gone are the days when commercials were first seen during the game. In today's world of instant gratification brands leak teasers of their spots and in many cases unveil the entire spot weeks before the game. All done to gain more attention and increase the bang for the buck.

One brand has already caught my attention even though the game is still 17 days away. And it's not because the teaser for their ad is really conceptual or funny but because they found a new way to keep the momentum going up until the day of the game, engaging a new audience without giving away those precious sixty seconds of the TV spot.

On Super Bowl Sunday Jaguar will unveil a spot for its new lineup titled "British Villains  with the concept of "it's good to be bad." It's not the spot that is so smart, it's how they draw attention to it that I find brilliant  They partnered with Gawker to create a surplus of digital content that will live on the Gawker site (click on the blue link to check out the site). This content will lead up to the debut in the game. Gawkers strategy was to celebrate the Villains by creating original stories, life hacks, videos and opinions.
My two favorite so far are:

What makes this campaign and digital extension so smart is that Jaguar solved a problem. They realized that their brand was viewed as old and un-hip by the precious 18-34 y/o target market. So in order to
re-invent their brand they built more than just a super bowl spot. They created a place where young people could go and learn about what makes Brit's different, unique and revered. They capitalized on the love that young people have for villans and risky behavior. By giving this younger demographic the opportunity to act more like their favorite british bad-asses they created a connection that is much deeper than the color, design and price of a car. They have also set themselves apart from their competition and filled the white space in the luxury car market. A white space that I believe no other vehicle brand even thought existed. 

It even got me to like the brand and I live in Chicago and don't plan on ever buying a car. Yet I still see the brand as innovative, relevant and very interesting. Mainly because they have provided me with valuable and entertaining content that is beyond what I would think to be their expertise.
Too often brands are one and done with their Super Bowl spot. $4 million for 24 hours of buzz. Here, Jaguar has successfully and strategically found a way to extend the buzz around their Super Bowl commercial while engaging and converting a group of people to be brand fans that had previously seen the brand as bland and outdated. 

The NFL goes full fashion for Super Bowl XLVIII

The NFL helmet, a piece of equipment some have called a weapon of deadly force, has received a make-over just in time for the Super Bowl.

For Super Bowl XLVIII (that's 48 for those who don't know roman numerals) the NFL has partnered with Bloomingdales and the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) to commission 48 couture helmets from designers such as Alice+Olivia, Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole.

Now this wasn't some small publicity stunt. It has true merit as it's part of a continued push by the NFL to be more inclusive and reach a more feminine audience. As one NFL marketing executive said "It gives the NFL a softer touch." This goal of reaching more women has been one that previously the NFL has been very successful at. From their newly designed more feminine fitted jerseys to the adoption of breast cancer awareness month covering the field and players in pink, the NFL has garnered more attention from an audience that previously saw the sport as grotesk and barbaric.

What the NFL has done here with the fashion helmets may garner them more attention in the short term and some guaranteed publicity. I mean look at me, I'm no where near the target audience for these helmets and I'm writing about them on my blog.

BUT

I don't see this stunt working in the long term to deliver a new set of passionate fans to the NFL. The game is still a sport dominated by men with extreme strength and skill where brute force wins the day. That just isn't inherently a game or event that high fashion and style conscious people are looking to gravitate towards. You won't ever see women in fur coats and high heels tailgating in the parking lot, slamming vodka martini's and then heading into the stadium to cheer with a foam finger. It's just not their style and that is perfectly fine.

These helmets are very cool and unique for sure. I definitely applaud the NFL for going outside the box trying to garner attention from a new audience. But if they really want to bring in a more feminine fan base they need to focus on creating more experiences surrounding the game that align with the desires and motivations of these fashionistas.

My wife came home one night with a great idea her and a co-worker came up with. And I think it just might work. It's fantasy football for females. This is not the fantasy football that most people think of. Gone are the points for TD's, yards, and field goals. In this league fantasy players get points based on a different criteria. This is how you bring in a new audience who has different motivations for watching the game. Points will be awarded for:

• How the athlete fills in his uniform - the tighter the better
• Size of muscles - the more ripped the better
• Post game attire - suit and skinny tie are a plus
• Sportsmanship - negative points for taunting
• The rhythm of his TD dance - more points for slow jams and hip circles
• Good job butt slaps - big point getters

Well I've ended on a random note. But seriously, this was a really interesting idea that was pulled off well by the NFL. I can't wait to see what I find tomorrow. Let me know your thoughts, do you think this will be successful in attracting a more feminine audience or was it just a stunt?

Here are a couple other unique helmets. They are all on showcase at Bloomindales till Feb 4th and then will be sold at auction. Would you bid on one?

Tracking brands as they prepare for the Super Bowl

I'm undertaking a side project to keep up with the breaking advertising, brand and tech news that leads up to the Super Bowl.

As a strategist and passionate sports fan I'm eager to dive into the sports biggest event of the year. I will writing about topics that affects the Super Bowl from many different angles. It may be a brand event, a digital experience, a unique story about a team or player or the introduction of a new technology. Whatever it is, it has to play a role in the lead up to or playing of Super Bowl 48.

Come back and look for something new. I hope you enjoy.

NFL Team Logo's Re-Imagined

As I was wondering the internet last night I came across a great blog post that re-imagined all the NFL team logo's as if they were hipster brands. When you see these you just have to laugh.

It sounds funny to imagine the NFL as a bunch of hipsters but in reality it's in the process of happening. We are witness to the softening and de-manning (not peyton or eli) of the NFL. Wether it's the concussions, the subjective penalties for hits on receivers & QB's,  record fines for repeat offenders or the continuation by a select few in the media to get rid of the Washington Redskins name. There has been a push by people, not to mention names or groups, to make the NFL something that it's not.

For pete's sake, it's a game played by men with superior athleticism and strength. With the goal to take out the opponent at it's core. Any more softening of the game and we might as well put flags on their belts and call it touch football.

Below are a few of my favorite logo's.
Check out the blog, it's called Kissing Suzy Kolber. Now on my favorites list.

Miami Dolphins: Too good for land.  Gotta love the beanie.

Detroit Lions: Shout out to a city in disarray and full of abandoned buildings. 

NY Giants: So hipster it uses helvetica font. True to NYC.

Chicago Bears: They got the wind right. Not sure about looking in the mirror for 2+ hrs.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The glasses and the wavy hear. Turtlenecks are cool in FL, right?

Sneaker Trends 2014

As a self-described sneakerhead I want to share and comment on the article from SoleCollector that highlights the 8 Emerging Trends in Sneakers for 2014. Below are the trends and my comments.

1. Retro Running
What it means: Asics and New Balance will not only be for true runners but will be necessary for sneaker collectors.
Pros: More comfortable shoes for sneakerheads to wear around town. Dual use (casual + sport).
Cons: There aren't unique stories that define these two brands. Stories about sneakers are what attracts people to purchase and collect them. (Air Jordans - I remember watching him play in certain shoes - those are the sneakers that I buy)

2. Kobe Retros
What it means: Versions of his old sneakers are coming back to life due to the popularity of the Prelude Pack and his highly anticipated '97 slam dunk shoe. This is crazy, Kobe is only 35 and they are already retro'ing his shoes.
Pros: Kobe shoes have unique images on the back (rabbit, turtle, frog) and come in crazy colors. Also these Kobe retros will be in high-top as well.
Cons: I own a pair of Kobe 8's and they are not comfortable. You won't find me buying another pair of Kobe's.

3. Retailer Changes
What it means: Less products sold at mom and pop shops and more sneakers sold from company owned retail ie: Nike Store. There is rumor about the introduction of a Jordan Brand retail store in NYC - Flight 23.
Pros: Easier access to shoes for all levels of sneakerheads. Better regulation of sales and less price hikes. More inventory. FINALLY a Jordan Brand store.
Cons: Big box stores make sneaker finds less unique. For many sneakerheads The Nike store is not a huge destination as the store is too mainstream. Sneakerheads have a special connection to the small businesses strive as they offer special sets of sneakers giving the owner social currency for the purchase. Also the smaller sneaker stores have a more devoted and dedicated sales force ie: people at foot locker don't give a shit about the shoes.

4. Running Technology in Basketball
What it means: Flyknit technology infused in the Kobe 9's. Adidas is introducing boost cushioning and Lunarlon is now a mainstay in Nike basketball shoes.
Pros: Many basketball shoes, especially Jordan's, are not comfortable to wear on the court. Maybe this will help.
Cons: These advances in running technology might hinder the design concepts of classic basketball shoes. Or at least anger and annoy sneaker enthusiasts/purists.

5. High-End Footwear by Performance Brands
What it means: High-end shoes from Nike and Adidas. Not really sure what that means as Nike has recently sold off it's failed venture with Cole Hann. Kayne and Rick Owens are rumored to be working with Adidas Originals and Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci is working with Nike.
Pros: Sneakerheads will be able to branch out to new styles and fits. More unique colors, styles and most importantly fabrics.
Cons: Even more overpriced shoes flood the market. High design is not a staple of sneakers and these designers are pretty much foreign to the average sneakerhead - Me.

6. Running Tech in Skate Shoes
What it means: Nike Skateboarding has been stuck in the same style look ever since its inception  THis  infusion of tech may gives Nike SB a chance to compete in the performance arena. Nike Air Bags are now in SB shoes and many have Lunarlon cushioning.
Pros: More dynamic shoes for actual perfomance. Possible opportunity to take it further and bring in Nike+ to track movements and air time of skateboarders.
Cons: Do skateboarders care? They are traditionally anti-corportaion and may not look to Nike as the authority on SB shoes.

7. Retros Worn w/ On Court Styling
What it means: Sneakers will now come with accessories that mimicked exactly how the player wore them on the court. From the way Jordan tied his laces, the white tube socks he wore or the black socks worn by the Fab Five with their Nike Force shoes. There is also rumors about matching shorts and tops to go with these on court classics.
Pros: More stuff to cop. Gets the sneakerhead closer to the authentic version of the shoe. The kit is most important and details matter.
Cons: When is too much stuff really too much? People may not be interested in wearing white tube socks like MJ, that style just may never come back. This is definitly for a niche group of sneakerheads.

8. Classic Tennis Footwear
What it means: The return of the classic on court swoosh models such as Nike Agassi, Huarache and Air Tech Challenge. Also the return of color palletes like neon, pastel and hot lava.
Pros: Tennis is a sport that hasn't had much exposure to the sneakerhead culture. Might be ripe for the taking. Tennis also has had some of the most famous and polarizing figures of all time. Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Boris Becker and Timmy Chang. Many people would want to be rocking sneakers from those one of a kind athletes.
Cons: Tennis is still a very niche sport. It would be similar to having a signature off the course golf shoe, just not much desire for it. This could be a wild swing-and-miss if these classics are not adopted and translated into lifestyle shoes.

Basketball uniforms DIY

Part of the allure of college sports is the yearly emergence of a new style of uniforms and gear that the athletes wear. Yesterday I wrote about the Nike gear that now has fur and fleece lining. And along those lines, here today I found that a college basketball program allowed their players to design their own uniforms.

Northwestern University, in accordance I'm sure with Under Armour has created a player DIY alternate uniform for a game this season. I know what your thinking, did they add an alternate color palate or are they wearing long sleeves or maybe even pants? No, not even close. This player design resembles what a little kid would do to his dads really important autographed jersey- write all over it with a sharpie (not writing from experience here). It really looks like the players took a black marker and drew their favorite things on the shorts. As you can see below the images include but are not limited to....

HEADPHONES
A POKER CHIP
A HASHTAG
WORDS OF MOTIVATION
A HEART SHAPED BASKETBALL
A CLINCHED FIST
THE WORD BRO
A SPATULA
AND A KITCHEN ROLLING PIN










I wonder at what point Under Armour and the University looked at each other and thought this idea wasn't as good as it looked on paper. Obviously this crossed their minds when it became too late to back out.

I guess the moral of the story is you never know what ideas, utensils, words, images, songs or stories will motivate a team to win. And a win is what Northwestern needs as they are winless so far in the Big 10.

I sure can't wait to see what the next evolution of sports apparearl is going to be. Until then below is my top four favorite NCAA uniforms from 2013.

Northwestern: Love the Wounded Warrior Uni's. Gotta give props to our soldiers. 

Fighting Irish: White, green and gold. Simple and clean. 

Oklahoma State: Rockin the sweet matte black pistol pete helmets

Baylor: Black with gold chrome helmets

U of Oregon: Not a uniform but a crazy designed basketball court.  

Toughness: Redefined

Now that we are in the process of thawing out from "ChiBeria" I thought it would be interesting to look at how this cold weather is affecting athletes, more specifically football players.

Football fans know that the players pride themselves on being tough. Playing through injuries, ignoring concussion symptoms and not wearing sleeves during games played in frigid temperatures. It's been a staple of the game since the early days of the NFL going back to the Ice Bowl in 1967 when the high temp was -15 degrees. Guys were out there playing in sleeveless jerseys and fingerless gloves.

Today toughness has become more of a rhetoric for most players. Injuries have become more acceptable and cold weather games are more anticipated and prepared for.

Take for example this years Super Bowl. The first Super Bowl to be played outdoors at MetLife stadium in New Jersey. Countless stories have been told that highlight the possibility of a Super Bowl played in blizzard-like conditions. SportsCenter has gone as far as interviewing people from the farmers almanac who say that Feb 2nd is supposed to be a day of snow and bitter cold wind.

Unlike in years past where players were on their own to battle the elements, teams are more prepared than ever. This year the sidelines for the Super Bowl will be equipped with commercial heaters,
seat and leg warmers and players will have access to heavy jackets, beanies and endless amounts of soup at halftime. Going further, Nike has unveiled their winter gear for the Super Bowl that includes fleece lined gloves — gloves lined with fur. Now these aren't the type of gloves you and I wear. These are the super sticky-tacky gloves that allow receivers to catch rocket passes and allow linebackers to hold on to shifty running backs without any problem.

No longer do I want to hear about how tough it is out there for these players when they play in cold weather. And just to my surprise, there's more. Brandon Marshall, WR for the hopeless Chicago Bears, wore a pair of slipper cleats during a game in Cleveland this year. Cleats that are lined with a warm layer of animal fur.


So next time you see these players out there battling each other in the tundra, don't be impressed by their cold breath and steam coming off their heads. Look to see if you can spot the players wearing the furry cleats and fur lined gloves. This is the new toughness.

Strategy is imperative

Leadership is quickly becoming a commodity. Look at every job posting and somewhere in the qualifications you will find a bullet point about effective leadership and or team management. The more this notion of leadership is being cooked into every job qualification, the less it becomes a personal quality worth hiring for. Soon leadership will be minimized as an effective tool for change and growth inside a corporation. 


In order to stand out among the vanilla leaders among a company's corporate structure, we must redefine what it means to be a leader and truly bring value to the company we represent. 


Therefore leadership must be rooted in these strategic principles. 


Anticipation: Look for game changing ways to improve the business or the way the company operates and search beyond the scope of the business for different ways of solving problems. 


Critical Thinking: Re-frame problems, a different way of thinking about some issue may bring a whole new set of answers. Critical thinking will also destroy any political game that is being played inside the organization. 


Decide: As a leader, many fail when it comes to pouncing on an opportunity or making a risky decision when the outcome may be unknown. Understanding the risks yet being able to go with gut instinct is one thing Steve Jobs did that made Apple a leader in the business world. 


Learn: A pitfall of leaders today is that many think their way is always the right way. Great opportunities can come from taking a step back and 
re-evaluating the options. Accepting failure and learning from it by researching why and how the failure occurred can have more of an impact than any successful outcome. 


These principles of strategic leadership are invaluable for anyone who has the goal of inciting action within the walls of an organization. 

NBA Pen Palls

I found this story today as I perused my long list of sports blogs. As a fan of the NBA and someone who always roots for the underdog, this story caught my attention. Word has it that the newly appointed coach of the Portland Trailblazers, Kaleb Canales, wrote a letter to a tenured NBA coach once a week for an entire year asking for an opportunity. If you need an example of perseverance and doing whatever it takes to reach dreams, this is it.

Turns out that Kaleb never got that opportunity to intern with the Heat but by never giving up and waking up each morning with a goal to achieve, he is now living out his dream of coaching an NBA team.

Unfortunately, his tenure won't last long as the Blazers are one of the worst teams in the NBA and just dumped a crap load of talent at the trade deadline. Along with the fact that it appears as though giant big man Greg Oden will never don a Blazers uniform again. Swing and miss on that draft choice.

But you must give credit to the coach. If he showed that much effort just to get an internship with a team imagine the work and heart he will give to the Blazers as they finish out the season. Hopefully he can get the players to buy into his system and play for the pride of the Rose City.

Hoop it up with.....Nautica?

If you haven't noticed yet, my favorite topics to write about are at the intersection of advertising and sports. Today I came across a vintage hoops ad from the late 90's that sparked my interest. Anyone remember Glen Rice? The stealthy three point shooter from the now defunct Charlotte Hornets? Fresh off his All-Star game MVP selection he inked a lucrative deal with a apparel company to promote their new line of hoop kicks. What makes this so fascinating is that the deal was with Nautica. When I think of Nautica I think of white men sailing the rough sees with water spraying their face all while they enjoy a nice glass of champagne. Not helping basketball players with a killer crossover.

I am sure wherever Glen Rice is, hopefully enjoying the fruits of his labor and not broke, he can look back at this part of his life and laugh. Because that's what I am doing.

A few thoughts on the clothing. Looks like they ripped the design straight from FILA. How original. I can't take Glen seriously as he poses in the Nautica tank trying to be a hard ass. Just imagine all the heckling he got when he showed up to the Hornets locker room wearing his Nautica Kicks. I bet gold tooth Larry Johnson and shorty Muggsy Bogues went to town. 

Add Nautica Competition to the list of apparel brands that tried to enter the sports category and completely whiffed. I am surprised they didn't try and outfit the entire NBA with warm-up jerseys. More like warm up khakis and sweaters tied around the neck.


Check it out yourself and let me know what you think.

A man with a true passion

I came across this article today while reading the NYT and wanted to share about it. A lot of times I discount people who chose to be homeless or nomads by calling them crazy or whack jobs. But this man is neither. He could be the most passionate sports fan and calls himself by one name only, Sabas. Watch out Dos Equis, I think Sabas could be in the running for the most interesting man in the world.

Not only does this man live off the land and sleep in the caves of upper Manhattan but he can talk with you for hours about sports. He may not have a home but he would be damned if he missed the BCS Title game. Among his prized possessions are his sleeping bag, a few necessities and his small transistor radio which is always turned to ESPN/Sports Talk radio.

As a passionate sports fan myself, I find this man very intriguing. His love for sport outweighs everything else in his life and he won't let anything get in the way of missing the game. A brave and unpretentious bar in the NYC area should adopt this man and do what they can to make sure he doesn't miss the games. Maybe give him a free meal when he shows up once in a while.

You show me Sabas sitting next to a beautiful girl at the bar and guess who I would rather talk to? You got it, Sabas all the way. I am sure we could all learn a thing or two about living life to the fullest as well as what it is like to devote your life to a passion, sports that is. O yea and I forgot to mention this guy is 79 years old. Awesome.

NYT Link

Bringing Sexy Back.....to the course

Is there anything this man can't do or won't try?

Justin Timberlake is at it again, trying to revitalize a brand that is slowly becoming background noise in the market. This time, he is taking the post of Creative Director for the Callaway Golf Company to revitalize the Big Bertha RAZR line.

Ever since Tiger Woods stepped foot on the silky greens at Augusta more than ten years ago backed by a Nike endorsement, Callaway has been losing ground in the golf game. Less and less pros are playing exclusively with Callaway clubs and even less are using their golf ball. As I see it, Callaway has become more of an amateurs brand. There is nothing wrong with that but in a game where aspiration is key, you want to be and play with the best equipment. Justin has a difficult task ahead of him but from seeing his other ventures he has the will, desire and most importantly the talent to pull this off.

If he can make Callaway relevant again in the golf world while bringing back the much loathed MySpace, we should start referring to him as the Frank Sinatra of the 21st century.

As an avid golfer and a style junkie, I am very excited about this and just may be in the need for some new clubs in the next year. Those of you with your precious million dollar homes on the side of the fairway watch out, I will soon be back to break your windows and dent your front doors.

One last thing, JT should start his own advertising agency. I will be in need of a job come May 2012 and would gladly work for him.

Dip in Congress

Leave it to capital hill to try and dictate sports and how it affects our lives. A recent article on ESPN.com discussed the efforts some US Senators are going to to try and ban smokeless tobacco from major league baseball games, most notably the World Series. First off, I want you to know that I am not a smoker and think tobacco is a nasty habit but I don't see the value in our elected officials trying to ban it from a professional sport. 


This ideal defines the argument that government has too much control over our lives. We elect these officials to go to Washington and work to improve the economy, decide on taxes and promote the welfare of our entire nation. Not hold meetings about how fat of a dip a ballplayer has in his lip while sitting in the dugout. DON'T REGULATE FATTIES.


Dipping is a rampant habit in the game and is not attractive to the eye but I can't wrap my head around the connection that if a kid watches the World Series he will start dipping. How about we educate the parents and show them how to influence their kids? That's a novel idea. Dip is part of the game, albeit not the best part but the players should have the right to put whatever they want in their mouth. It is not like the tobacco companies are sponsoring the teams or there is  a huge dip can logo shaved into center field. 


Like previously stated, elected officials should stick to doing what they do best and that is finding ways to help our economy, fighting wars and protecting the people of the US. Stay out of baseball. 


Here is an idea, why don't we all write letters to our elected officials to tell them to get back to work and quit worrying about the World Series. On the other hand our economy is miserable. FIND A WAY TO FIX THAT.  
Click on this link to read more

More sneakers

You all know by now, and if you don't know you will, that I love sneakers. I'm not 100% loyal to any sneaker brand as I buy based on design and colors. My favorite brands are Nike, Jordan, Onitsuka Tiger and Puma. Today I found how sneaker design can be put to other uses. Specifically a dog sculpted out of Nike shoes. How badass is this? A Japanese website called Beams is responsible for creating these dog sculptures. I would love to get one of these in my house, would definitely be a talking point for people when they visit.

Gone are the days of stuffed animals for kids, I will be giving my kids animals made out of sneakers. This is how you build a creative mind. Check them out. Beams

Premature celebration

I used all day Sunday to try and calm down from the rage that ensued on Saturday afternoon while I was watched the Oklahoma State - Texas A&M football game. As glad as I was to see the Pokes actually hold on for a much needed victory, I could not help but turn the channel with such a bad taste in my mouth. If you didn't watch the game you probably are thinking I am 100% crazy so I will describe the situation for you in detail. It was in the 3rd quarter and OSU was losing yet driving for a much needed score. Justin Blackmon, quite possibly the best receiver the in country, had been complaining all game due to a lack of catches and receiving yards. He got his opportunity to make a play and as he was running uncontested into the opponents endzone he held the ball with one hand and started to celebrate prematurely. Well, as hard to believe as this sounds it is actually true, the ball hit his leg and he fumbled it into and out of the back of the endzone causing a touchback and loss of the ball to A&M. Undoubtedly the most embarrassing celebration play I have ever seen on a football field. Luckily OSU played well the rest of the game and held on to a narrow margin for victory.

Lets examine Justin's mindset. What the hell happened to holding the ball with two hands or at least in the appropriate football position and running over the goal line waiting to celebrate until the touchdown had been confirmed on the field. Now I am not saying players shouldn't get excited when they score but give me a break, enough of the showboating and bragging. If I were a referee on that field I would have thrown a flag on that play for unsportsmanlike conduct just because he was TRYING to showboat.

This should be a lesson to all you kids out there who watch and admire college players. Be the guy who's play speaks for itself on the field. You can do all the bragging you want in the locker room and back at home but there is no place for it on the college field. Instead be like the great OSU Heisman trophy winning RB Barry Sanders who even when he was in the NFL would graciously hand the ball to the referee after he scored a touchdown. Humility makes you an MVP.

Here is a shutout to head coach Gundy, you should make Justin Blackmon carry a girls backpack around campus this week so he never forgets what an idiot he made of himself.

Click on the link to check out the video clip.
http://newsok.com/justin-blackmons-goal-line-fumble-an-embarrassing-situation/article/3607489?custom_click=headlines_widget

NFL Success

Finally a success story from the NFL that envolves a player retiring and actually making wise decisions with money and his career. Jason Wright, special teams captain for the Arizona Cardinals, had money and was a few pen strokes away from being able to provide for his grandchildren someday. Instead he and his wife decided to walk away from the game in order to reach his goal of helping inner city and underprivileged youth in and around the Chicago area.

Jason is no dummie, he received a scholarship to the U of Chicago to pursue an MBA, which puts him in elite company to begin with. He and his wife understood that the only reason to keep playing football was to achieve more fame and fortune, not a eternal goal. His motivation came from a higher calling and was rooted in making sure others have the same opportunities that he had as a child and student.

I applaud Jason and his wife for their decision. I know it must have been tough to walk away from the money and from a sport that he has dedicated more than half of his life to. That makes the story that much more special.

The NFL should be applauding this guy and have him come talk to all incoming players at the Rookie Symposium  Players and fans hear too much about ex players with money problems. Just last week we read that a defensive back from the Ravens was completely broke and living at home with his parents after he had squandered ALL of his $45 million dollar career earnings.

To wrap this up, Jason is a true source of inspiration for those of us that battle to do the right things in life and are called away by a true conviction. GOD SPEED SIR.