This is My Town

In 2009, the Dodgers organization released the marketing campaign “This is my Town” and has been very successful ever since. The campaign brought many changes to Dodger Stadium and created many new ads seen through billboards all over Los Angeles. The campaign was organized to promote and honor fans from all different cultures and the community on selected nights. The Dodgers released a statement saying, “From Taiwan to Ireland, USC to UCLA, and even to a Galaxy Far, Far Away; My Town will serve as host to a unique mix of baseball fans to celebrate their diversity and the Dodgers.The section will serve as host to a unique mix of baseball fans to celebrate their diversity and the Dodgers.”

For the price of forty-five dollars dodger fans can choose to sit in the lower reserve which is actually the highest place to sit in and receive a free Dodgertown t-shirt and an all-inclusive themed menu serving food from the place being honored and will also include dodger dogs, popcorn and nachos.

The Dodger organization has recognized finally found a way to reach out to the diversity amongst their fans in Los Angeles and is successfully creating more sold out games throughout the season. The lower reserve, now known as Dodgertown has become a lot more crowded on game nights, since more people our attending these themed nights based on their culture. By raising the price of the ticket to sit there from twenty-five to forty-five dollars they are paying off the free shirt they give away and not only making the fans feel appreciated but also successfully selling more tickets in a section where rarely anyone sat.

Run Hanley Run

In a nation where baseball is “American’s pastime” it is clear how much Americans value these athletes through the importance we give to them. While athletes are paid to publicly play a sport they are good at on national TV, it is our expectation that these players will always go above and beyond, give one hundred and ten percent in every second and every play.

On May 17, 2010 in a game between the Florida Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Hanley Ramirez accidently kicked a ball hit by Diamondback’s Tony Abreu and then slowly jogged for it allowing two runs to score in a 5-1 loss. The following inning, Manager Fredi Gonazalez took Ramirez out of the game and also benched him the following night for not hustling.

Since Monday nights game Sportscenter has covered this story and it seems they will not put the issue to rest until an apology from Ramirez is heard. It’s very unlikely that the public will here any remorse from Ramirez or hear him own up to his mistake let alone an apology as he commented,”We got a lot of people dogging it after ground balls, they don’t apologize.”

The last thing I expect is for this athlete or any athlete to say sorry to the public. After all then you’d have thousands of players having to ask for forgiveness every time they committed an error. All that seems right is Hanley Ramirez owed an apology to his teammates for not going hard after the ball. Veteran Infielder and fellow teammate Wes Helms said he hoped to hear an apology because, “We want him to be that guy that goes out there every day … and does anything he can for his this team. That right there will earn the respect of not only his teammates, but everybody in the league.”

Afterall he is the highest paid athlete on the Florida Marlins the least he can do is hustle for the ball during every play.

He is the Most Interesting Man in the World

Dos Equis, an imported beer from Mexico, has found a way to uniquely separate themselves from all other beer companies. They have created the ad campaign known as the Most interesting Man in the World that has effectively grabbed the attention of many. Actor Johnathan Goldsmith has become the face of the Dos Equis commercials and finishes each commercial with the catchy phrase, “I don’t always drink beer my friends, but when I do I prefer Dos Equis. Stay thirsty my friends.”

Its interesting that in this beer commercial this older male in his sixties is the face for an audience targeted to younger adults twenty-one and over. The commercial never really sells the product rather the image and self concept of this interesting man.

Throughout the entire commercial it’s almost like you get to know the man and become attached to him through the variety of quotes describing his personal life. Different commercials include comic lines like, “He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels and even his enemy’s list him as their emergency contact.” The commercial ends with the line stay thirsty my friends because it seals the new found friendship between the most interesting man in the world and his audience where somehow the audience will choose to drink Dos Equis the next time they want to drink beer.

The Lady at the Laker Game

Game two of the western conference semi finals between the  Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz took place on Tuesday May 4th and was televised on TNT. While watching the game with my brother there was something a little different that kept coming up. Every time the camera was pointed to Phil Jackson there was a woman sitting right behind him with her cleavage practically hanging out of her shirt. It was kind of hard not to notice her because all you could see right next to Phil Jackson’s head was the ladies cleavage. After about twenty times of seeing the same picture in just the first half, my brother joked about how unfortunately for the lady thousands of people tuned in were probably noticing it too.

While thinking of this situation I came across the idea that basketball is one of the few sports where you don’t see much advertising while you’re watching the game. Unlike baseball where you can be sitting on your couch focused on the game your attention might also be at all of the different advertisements around the ballpark. Watching a Dodger game for example while your waiting for Clayton Kershaw to pitch the ball your eyes might wander around the ballpark to see advertisements everywhere from Bank of America to Panda Express to Bud Light, to US bank and the list goes on and on. The same can be said about soccer games. While you’re watching the game there are advertisements all over the walls that separates the field from the stands. In the Home Depot Center, home of the LA Galaxy, there are advertisements going around the field that include everything from Honda, to Budweiser to Panasonic and so on.

Advertisements in sport venues are amazing for these companies because not only do people who are at the actual event become forced to see it, but it is also strategically placed so people watching it on TV will not miss it. Basketball on the other hand does not have much advertisements around the court. Advertisers should think about placing some right above Phil Jackson’s head if they’re constantly going to be shooting his every reaction.

Obama Welcomes the Yankees

On Monday, April 26, 2010 the Yankees visited the White House as one of there many events celebrating their 27th world series win.  Since the beginning of his presidential campaign Obama has not hesitated to make his love for the Chicago White Sox and his loyalty for them over the Chicago Cubs, who are both Illinois teams, clear to the nation.

While watching Sportscenter Tuesday morning, ESPN showed clips of the Yankees trip to the White House as current defending champs. All of the Yankees roster and Manager Joe Giradi brought along their trophy and were congratulated by the president for their hard work and character.

I found it interesting that a couple of times throughout the press conference, President Obama brought up the White Sox. “It’s been nine years since your last title — which must have felt like eternity for Yankee fans. I think other teams would be just fine with a spell like that. The Cubs, for example,” Obama joked. For some reason he decided to mention the White Sox hadn’t got close to another world series title since 2005, and “for a White Sox fan like me, it’s painful to watch Mariano’s cutter when it’s against my team, or to see the Yankees wrap up the pennant while the Sox are struggling on the South Side.“

President Obama has brought his hometown loyalty for the White Sox to the White House and it is clear that no matter what baseball game he attends he will always will be seen wearing his White Sox cap. A president who actually publicly roots for his team. Amazingggg.

HBO 24/7: Boxings New Best Friend

With only 10 days left until the fight, like many other boxers Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Sugar Shane Mosley are being showcased over a four week period on HBO’s television series 24/7.

24/ 7 is an all access, four episode series that follows the two boxers weekly schedule, including training, family time, and interviews of constant trash talking of there opponent. Three Saturdays and the Friday night before the fight an episode airs, leading up to the day of the fight. It has become the greatest marketing technique for boxing, since over time boxing has greatly lost it’s popularity and viewership with less and less great fighters emerging into the sport. The show 24/ 7 provides more access into the boxers mind and has made current boxers like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao household names.

HBO has come up with a way not only to bring more fans and interest to the sport of boxing, but most importantly increase their pay-per-view sales. The series is only aired on their channel. Ultimately it helps build up suspense for the fight so come fight day more viewers will order the fight also only on HBO.

Big Papi Says it Best

The media has always portrayed Boston Red Sox David Ortiz as a friendly, patient,  fun-loving guy who since his arrival to Boston in 2003 has become a fan-favorite, specifically due to his power hitting and his numerous success as DH. For the first time a different side of Ortiz, a more loud and aggressive side was heard all over the media, specifically reported on Sportscenter.

After just two games of the 2010 season at Fenway Park, Ortiz went 0-7 and left many runners in scoring position facing the Yankees. Of course the so-called loyal fans, were quick to doubt and boo Ortiz at the plate. Following the game reporters joined the bashing on Ortiz by reminding him of his six-week homerless drought ending the 2009 season, asking him about his steroid use speculation, and asked him if he carried this into his first seven hitless at bats.

Ortiz spoke out saying, “You guys wait ’till beep happens, then you can talk beep. Two beep games, and already you beep are going crazy. What’s up with that, man? beep. beep 160 games left. That’s a beep. One of you beep got to go ahead and hit for me.“

That’s a whole lot of beeps just for one question, but I believe Ortiz ultimatelty got his frustration and point across. Reporters are quick to cover the downfalls of players and that’s pretty much what they’re getting paid to do, but after just two games?? I guess all the pressure finally got to Ortiz and he finally lashed out against the media afterall Big Papi is human and there’s still 158 games left. And until he starts hitting again reporters will continue to get paid to publicly remind him about his ongoing slump.

The End of Hannah Montana

See you later Hannah Montana its been okay knowing you.

Miley Cyrus has announced she has just finished recording her last season on Hannah Montana. Yesterday she appeared on Ellen Degeneres to promote her new film The Last Song. As she discussed her future plans she announced, she was currently recording the last episodes of the fourth and final season on Hannah Montana. Like many other teenage celebrities, TV shows like these on the Disney channel and Nickelodeon pave the way for these upcoming celebrities. Miley Cyrus became famous thanks to the popularity of the show and through the show guaranteed her success among children of all ages. The show and all its advertising sales were a stepping stone for Miley Cyrus’ fame and promised her a stable fan base among kids. Thanks to the show she has now moved on to recording many albums and starring in movies.

Hannah Montana’s popularity has provided pretty much all of Cyrus’ career and without it who knows if she would have ever been discovered as a recording artist and movie star. Stations like the Disney channel and Nickelodeon will keep creating more and more teenage celebrities who will use the show to get their foot into the entertainment world, then be able to leave the show whenever they want.

Were gonna miss you Hannah Montana.

Notttt, unfortunately there will be endless reruns and will continue to make money out of them.

Orkin: Keeping Pests in their Place

Tv commercials are the most visual and powerful methods of advertising that can be used by companies, who for under a minute can promote their product in a funny, serious, effective and ultimately entertaining matter. Currently one of the commercials that has grabbed my attention is the Orkin commercial that apparently has been out since March 2008 but I just have noticed it on a variety of TV channels. 

The message was created by Orkin, a company which can be contracted to come to your home for any type of pest control and termite inspection. The concept of the commercial is that a large bug the size of a human unexpectedly knocks at a person’s front door with the excuse that his car has broken down and he needs to get in the house to use the phone. After the bug sees a Orkin truck pulling up he quickly leaves and tries to come back later but is stared away by the Orkin man. The commercial’s most powerful technique is the large funny looking bugs and the fact that they talk and act like humans. It’s a hilarious concept for me and I believe is very effective. Since I’ve seen it I’ve talked about it to almost everyone I know and coincidently have even noticed the Orkin inspection stickers around SMC.

Orkin has created a succesful and effective ad that is funny to all types of audiences from kids to adults and for once has created a memorable ad that will be remembered next time someone is looking for some type of pest control services.

Just Another Meaningless Story for the MLB

Over the last couple of hours Texas Ranger Manager, Ron Washington, testing positive for cocaine during the 2009 major league baseball season has made headlines all over Sportscenter. In the world of major league baseball there have been many outrageous stories coming from the 2009 season alone, like Yankees’ A-rod and Madonna’s romance, Dodger’s pitcher Ronald Belisario’s DUI charges, and Giants’ pitcher Tim Lyncecum’s arrest for possession of marijuana. This story is just another to be added to that list.

This message was first released and reported to the public by Sports Ilustrated where Washington has done much of his explanations to the public. Washington was randomly selected for a drug test before the all-star break last summer in an attempt by MLB to keep everyone involved in the game clean. This story was reported on ESPN throughout the entire day as just another typical segment following basketball coverage. This message is regarded different by many. Those who are Ranger fans who followed much of Washington’s career as a one-time baseball player and current manager will probably pay more attention to the story then to someone who had never even heard his name.

Growing up in a family full of baseball fans this is just another meaningless story that takes away from the actual game. People’s mistakes should not be given much importance if it is not affecting a player’s performance in the baseball games.