The Sports Info Business

comScore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, released statistics of U.S. Web activity for July based on data from the comScore Media Metrix service.

Here is a quick look at some of the numbers, including how influential the sports scene is on the web in the last 30 days.

Before I get there though, the company also revealed the top 50 properties were reviewed and I have included  a short list of the top five destinations, measured in millions:

Rank       Destination   Visitors

#1  Google Sites       178 million visitors

#2 Yahoo! Sites       174 million visitors

#3 Microsoft Sites  165 million visitors

#4 Facebook.com   145 million visitors

#5 AOL.com            107 million visitors

For the entire rankings, you can click here for additional information.

——–

As I mentioned above, sports sites were part of the top 50 properties, although no one individual team made the cut.  While Bank of America and Twitter finished 49th and 50th respectively with nearly 50 million visitors, every sports team would be the envy of the business if they could reach this number.  Although I mention three below, only one is truly a sports-only property (ESPN).  The others, Fox interactive media and CBS interactive include non sports traffic, I am sure. Remember, this is U.S. traffic only.  For the last 30 days however, here are the three sports related groups and their ranking.

#9 Fox Interactive Media 82 million visitors

#11 CBS Interactive 75 million visitors

#44 ESPN 27 million visitors

This is one of those stories that I never thought I’d be writing about today.  At least I didn’t think I would be putting into words for another 40 or 50 years.

It started with an email from a graduate of the Long Beach State Sport Management program who I stay in touch with via emails and phone calls.  It was short, to the point and very said.  Here is what it said:

Hello Charles —

I’m not sure you remember Alan Flores from my learning team.  He was the guy who worked with Scott Boras.  Sadly, I write to inform you he unexpectedly passed away. His wife found him passed out Tuesday, and rushed him to emergency where he died from a brain aneurysm. At the young age of 30…he will be missed.

I thought I would share –

I not only remember him but I just saw him about a month ago.  We normally spoke by email and it had been a while since we chatted so he suggested we get together in Newport Beach for lunch.  He wanted to share what was going on in his life and also wanted to pick my brain.  I was more than happy to do so.  It was great to see him and stay connected with an alum of the program.

Since the lunch we spoke by email a few times, but while on vacation I learned that he had passed away.

Alan attended Pamona college and was a Math/Econ major.  For Alan, getting a master’s degree was “part of the big picture,” he wrote in his one page bio for a class I taught him.  ”It was something good to have in my back pocket.  It allowed me to keep my current job.”

I ran into Scott Boras at this year’s Major League Baseball All Star game and Scott had nothing but good things to say about Alan.

For those of you that never met Alan, he was a smart, kind man.  For those in his learning team, you may remember that he once shared that he worked closely with a boxer named Javier Castillejo, during a title fight that Oscar De Le Hoya won.  Alan was in charge of Javier’s camp during the fight week.

Friends from his learning team would know this because I asked each student to share something special about themselves.  I also told that learning team as I tell all learning teams that they would have to rely on each other as they made their way in the sport management world.  No question he will be missed forever by his family and friends.  Now, there is a big hole in a learning team that can’t be filled.  We will miss you Alan.

This morning, I read a story on Forbes.com that chronicled the 20 best-ever social media campaigns.

You can click through all 20 companies but to save you time, here are the following top three campaigns.

1. Blair Witch Project

2. Blendtec

3. Old Spice

In a different but related report, two sports-themed videos made the list of  the top 10 viral videos for July 2010 according to video content distributor goviral.

After dominating the top 10 lists for much of the first half of the year in 2010, sports-themed videos only snared three spots on goviral’s top 10 viral video list for June 2010. In July 2010, only two of the top 10 videos could be considered primarily sports-themed. Both videos, a promotion for the Coca-Cola energy drink Burn and a video of a wipeout by the owner of California Skateparks, focused on the sport of skateboarding.

Here’s the catch.  The sports themed videos are been driving by consumer products, not from a specific team or organization.  This is telling in that teams have a lot to learn in this area to drive buzz online.  Popular Twitter chatter has proven that specific sports events drive buzz.  For example, the Super Bowl, World Series or LeBron’s “Decision” have all generated a lot of interest. Specific social media videos for a team or sports organization however, are still missing.

Sounds like an opportunity to me.

According to Goviral, humor was the dominant theme in July. Videos of the “Old Spice guy” performing impossible feats, nerds engaging in a rap battle, a dimwitted redneck hunter, friendship among rival Pepsi and Coke delivery drivers, and a spoof of the “Old Spice Guy” with a studious star all relied on humor to get their message across.

The top 10 picks for July, with links to view on YouTube:

1. Old Spice – Questions (and Responses), agency: Wieden-Kennedy;
2. Levi’s – Walk Across America, agency: Conscious Minds;
3. Dentyne Pure: Epic Rap Battle, agency: Rhett & Link / Platinum Rye / PainePR;
4. Burn (Coca-Cola) – Ride, agency: Publicis Mojo;
5. Samsung – Redneck Hunter Goes to Jail, agency: Cheil Worldwide;
6. Domino’s Pizza – Domino’s Pulling the Cheese; agency: Crispin Porter & Bogusky;
7. PepsiMax – Diner 2PointZero, agency:TBWA/Chiat/Day;
8. California Skateparks – World’s Largest Skateboard Disaster, agency: N/A;
9. Harold B. Lee Library – New Spice/Study Like a Scholar, agency: N/A;
10. HP – Hit Print, agency: N/A

This is one of my shots of Lyon, France. It was the firs time I ever shot at night.

Sometimes, you just need a break.  It happens to all of  us.  I experienced this recently when I packed my bags and headed off to France for a vacation.  I was not running away from anything in particular.  I love to write this blog and I sincerely hope that what is published here helps people who either want to make sports management a career and/or assists veterans by providing important links to industry resources and information.

However, every so often we all need to clear our heads and this is just what I did.  Instead of taking my computer with me to write, I put down the computer (for the most part) and picked up my Cannon camera.  What a pleasure it was to be able to concentrate on taking great photographs and do something different.  I have always enjoyed traveling the world.  When I was single, I covered most of the United States, part of Canada, Mexico, Caribbean (Club Med), Great Britain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan and Japan.  Might be missing a few places but you get the idea.

When you work in sports, vacation is limited to the off-season.  It is rather limited and you always take time off in the same season (football is spring, baseball is winter and so on…)

I know I missed a few things while I was away.  A-Rod blasted his 600th home run, Lou Pinella announced he is retiring at the end of the season, a plethora of deadline-based baseball trades, the start of the football pre-season… only to name a few.

Boats lined up in a canal in Annecy, France

In France, there was no English TV  available for me to watch, I was not attached to a computer hours on end and I did not buy a newspaper every day.  So what did I do?  I strolled the city of Lyon, France, best known for its food.  One day I hopped on a train and headed out for a two hour day trip to Geneva, Switzerland.  Another afternoon, I arrived at the train station and made my way to a small French village called Perouges, where 75 people call home.  Though hundreds come every day to see this old city, take photographs, buy a few trinkets and eat their famous Galettes (I got there late and they stopped serving by 1:00 p.m.)  Finally, I spent one other afternoon in a resort town of Annecy, France.

I took more than a thousand photographs and I used a computer to post some of the best on Flickr for others to see.  I wanted to improve a different skill, that of my photographic eye.  Here is what I discovered.  I really enjoy being outside, taking photographs and I think there is some potential here.

Back home in California, I now feel refreshed and ready to roll.  Lots happening and lots to write about.  Baseball pennant races are heating up, the NFL season is around the corner, the 2010 US Open tennis championships begin two weeks from today and on and on it goes.

From Annecy, France

Enjoy the photographs posted above and below on this blog or you can go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/sportsinfo101/ and enjoy some of the other shots from my journey.  You can click on the individual shots or go the link I just mentioned.

Conferences are a great way to learn new skills, brush up on old ones and of course, network.  It has been a while since I researched and published a list of upcoming events so I thought I’d take this Monday to see what is coming up on different topics.  The order if each event is based on a calendar listing.

8th Annual IMG Sports Marketing Symposium

September 21-22, 2010
Marriott Marquis, New York City
Since its debut in 2003, the Sports Marketing Symposium has become the “must-attend” event for executives at every level of sports sponsorship. With an unrivaled speaker faculty of top corporate sponsors and advertisers, the Sports Marketing Symposium delivers the latest sports marketing trends from the perspective of brand-side marketers.

30th Anniversary Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association Conference

The 30th Anniversary Conference will be held October 20 -24, 2010 in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles/West Indies. Anticipated attendance – up to 400 professionals representing the legal, entertainment, sport and other related industries. Networking, continuing legal education (CLE) credits and a host of other activities will be offered to celebrate the founding of the organization.

12th Annual FSA Sports Media & Technology

November 16-17
Marriott Marquis, New York City
This conference gathers the executives who are shaping the future of sports media and distribution. Issues discussed include new technology, revenue models, audience measurement, behaviors and preferences of fans and the integration of media into the fan base. Featured speakers come from every area of this industry including properties, sponsors, media, agencies, technology providers and marketing.

11th Annual Motorsports Marketing Forum

November 30-December 1
The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada
The prime gathering of the sponsorship and advertising community in motorsports, this forum is the platform for sponsors, league officials, teams, track owners and ad agencies to present their ideas on sponsorship, the future of racing and the driver-fan relationship. With featured speakers from sanctioning bodies, media, team management and sponsors, this forum has become an indispensable stop on the motorsports circuit for more than a decade.

9th Annual IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum

December 8-9
The W Hotel, Lexington Avenue, New York City
This program brings together athletic directors, university presidents, media and sponsors to examine the issues surrounding present-day college sports. With speakers from the ranks of academia, marketing firms, media and corporate sponsors, this event is the one time of the year when these constituencies meet to discuss their mutual issues and opportunities.

Annual COSIDA Conference

Scheduled for June 27-30, 2011 in Marco Island, Fla.

I learned about this event in the last week or so and I must say, I am only writing about it since I did some research about the event.  True confessions:  I am not an action sports affianado and the folks at the Maloof Money Cup certainly did not approach me to do a blog about the event.  I just learned about it from surfing the web.

That said, Vans shoes has gotten behind to sponsor the Maloof Money Cup when it comes to Orange County, CA starting tomorrow,  The event is scheduled to run from August 4-8 and will feature some of the best skateboarders around.  Brands that target the action sports industry are also a sponsor or advertising.

According to a press release, there is nearly $450,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.  The world’s greatest skateboarding event will feature the VOLCOM Street Pro, Carl’s Jr. Pro Vert Championships, World Industries Amateur Championships, Women’s Pro Street, Tech Deck Best Trick Contest, Masters of Street and Vert, and a 50,000-square-foot Festival Village featuring skateboarding activities for all ages, autograph signings and live music.

Before coming to Orange County, the tour stopped in New York and as part of their promotion for the event created the World’s Largest Skateboard which was displayed in Times Square.  Many companies, when opting for attention grabbing promotions, go right to Times Square to call attention to a product, company or special event.  The display made the local news in New York.

As part of the 2010 OC Fair, the Maloof Money Cup is part of the OC Fair, recently named the No. 11 top U.S. fair in attendance. Last year, the OC Fair saw 1,072,018 visitors through its gates during its 23-day run. The OC Fair is poised to break into the Top 10 in 2010, which will mark its 120th year. The 2010 OC Fair opened on July 16 and runs through August 15.

If you recognize the Maloof name but do not know where from, the family owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and the Palms Resort in Las Vegas.

This shot I took is not from Trabuco but from another course in southern california

I recently played a round of golf with my friend and sports columnist Randy Youngman.  Over the years, he has become a golf aficionado and invited me to play at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

I do not know if you play or where you play, but traditionally golf play over the years in Southern California has been extremely slow.  The folks at Arroyo Trabuco have come up with an innovative way to battle slow play.  It’s called Fast Play Thursday.  Here is how the course management positions it:

Fast Play Thursday (FPT) is designed to increase the enjoyment of the golfing experience by offering a shorter time commitment for an 18-hole round of golf.  FPT focuses on the starting six holes of its golf course to help improve the pace of play.  As an incentive for agreeing to play those holes in 90 minutes, they offer $5 in Trabuco Bucks that are good towards purchases at Arroyo Trabuco Golf club.

The club printed out a sheet that was placed on each golf cart.  It had our starting time (10:06 a.m.) and then suggested times that we should be finishing each hole. For example:  Hole #1 (10:20) hole #2 (10:37) hole #3 (10:55) and so on.  We were able to meet the targeted deadline by the club and a designated employee met us on the course

Here is why it works:

1) The players are incentivized to play at a brisk speed.

2) By keeping the game moving, golfers enjoy the experience more and limit wait times.

3) The course is happy they have satisfied guests.  I am sure it also enables the management team to maximize revenues by adding additional tee times.

In the end, we finished the round in approximately four hours and two minutes.  While I enjoyed the pace, I liked my 94 even more.  Even had a birdie.  I will be coming back more more.

Today I am pleased to offer a guest blog post to Dedan Brozino, the Director of Marketing & Corporate Partnerships for Long Beach State Athletics.

Seeing the Big Picture:

The recession and plight of the economy has hit the sport industry just as hard as Evan Longoria’s maple bat in a slow-pitch home run derby.  Okay, okay… I’m partial to Evan since he’s one of the many proud MLB stars that have proudly worn the Dirtbags uniform.

Now, more than ever, relationships – both professional and personal – have become the do or die component for revenue retention and generation at the mid-major level of college athletics. It’s time to sink or swim and treading water just won’t cut it when you’re competing against the big boys.  Like an athlete that is facing elimination in a playoff series, learned procedures and techniques are typically thrown out the window, while survival instinct and intangibles take control during crunch time.  In our haste to gain visibility and earn revenue through marketing and advertising, we sometimes lose sight of what is arguably our most important marketing resource – the personal relationships we hold with our consumers.

Relationship marketing and management is a technique I’ve firmly believed in since I began in the college sports landscape over six years ago.  This attribute, much like that of networking, is an acquired taste yet has been a lost art, not only in sports, but in life.  This marketing technique recognizes the value of consumer relationships, making it vastly different from traditional forms of marketing and advertising.  Social mediums, like this blog, and other forms of technology have pushed the envelope and forced business professionals to take a more personal approach – talking to friends on Facebook or establishing a professional account on LinkedIn.  This, for some, results in a factor of uncomfortability that many avoid.  Embrace it.  Pick up the phone.  Schedule the face-to-face.  Go outside of your box.

Building stronger relationships with consumers during these tough times – and they’re tough for everyone – may seem like a short-term fix, but will result in long-term gain.  Development of consumer relationships emphasizes the retention and satisfaction, rather than solely focusing on sales and the bottom line.  At the same time, it offers you as a  professional to better tweak your social skills while learning to communicate and speak a more fluent language about your own brand to your consumers.  Your professional morale speaks volumes to your consumers and translates directly to the confidence you have in the strength of your own brand.

When you meet someone new, do you play the geography game?  It usually goes something like this.

Nice to meet you.

You too.

Where do you work?

Typical Answer:  Company:  xxxx

Oh, do you know so and so?

It happened to me several times last night at the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year dinner honoring Jets QB Mark Sanchez.

Playing this geography game is often the easiest way to connect with other people and expand your business netowrk.  Finding someone in common is a great first step.

However, I would not expect to immediately add this person to my LinkedIn network based on a brief meeting or conversation.

Here are my personal rules.

1. I invest in networking and I invest in the people I meet.

2.  Take the time to form a follow up visit.  Coffee, lunch or just find time to chat and find more things in common.  I make the offer and if people are really interested in getting to know me, they make the effort or offer another option.

3. Network for the right reasons.  Invest time in good people.  Just adding names by meeting random people is just plain superficial.

4. When it comes to business conversations, show the value of your experience.

5. Ask lots of questions or other people.  Get them talking about themselves to know them better.

At some point in your business career, you will need your business network.  Maybe it is for new business opportunities, a new job or something we cannot predict right now.  Invest in it the right way and it will pay dividends for years to come.

Lots of new open positings being listed today.  I do not think I have ever seen so many open hockey jobs since I started writing this blog a year and a half ago.

Hope it helps you live your dream.

Coordinator, Interactive Marketing – Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)

The Coordinator, Interactive Marketing is responsible for supporting the team’s interactive marketing activity and will be instrumental in helping to deliver best-in-class content, maximize promotional messaging and enhance traffic growth and conversation within various digital channels. He/She will also contribute to and assist in the development and execution of the team’s overall interactive marketing strategy as it relates to the website and social media outlets.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:
• Works directly with Interactive Marketing Manager to provide editorial coverage and technical support on various website initiatives
• Helps execute team social media strategy, with heaviest focus on Facebook, Twitter and emerging top social media outlets
• Supports mobile marketing initiatives
• Assists with Game Night web responsibilities during the season for both home and road games
• Contributes to the team’s online coverage of team practices, community initiatives and special events
• Coordinates with the Broadcasting and Graphics departments on deadlines for video and graphic elements that enhance marketing and promotional efforts
• Serves as a liaison with the Sales and Corporate Partnership teams to ensure online participation, activation and close coordination of ticketing and sponsorship programs

Minimum Requirements:
• B.A. Degree
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of related work experience???
• Excellent communicator with strong writing skills
• Immersed in social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and others), blog reader/writer/publisher
• Must be detailed-oriented, self-motivated, organized and possess the ability perform under tight deadlines and pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Must possess a professional attitude and a desire to learn from a talented team
• Experience in multitasking with multiple work-intensive projects
• Proactive planner with a sense of urgency, creativity, style and attention to detail
• The ability to work well with people in a team environment

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY
UNLV is a comprehensive research university of approximately 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff dedicated to teaching, research, and service. The university has internationally recognized programs in hotel administration and creative writing; professional degrees in law, architecture, and dental medicine; and leading programs in fine arts, sciences and education. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in dynamic Southern Nevada. For more information, visit us on-line at: http://www.unlv.edu.

ROLE of the POSITION
This position is responsible assisting the assistant athletics director for media relations and communications, along with the director of athletics media relations, with the development and operation of media and public relations for 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics programs. Primary sport assignments are TBD. The assistant director may also serve as the secondary contact for football and men’s basketball. This position demands an individual who must be flexible to work weekends, nights and/or holidays as required. Some travel with teams for competitions is also required. Position will perform duties relating to providing a consistent and continuing public relations program for assigned areas. Duties also include the development and preparation of information releases, establishing relationships with print and electronic media sources, compilation and reporting of results and statistics and maintenance of statistical and historical data. The position will also be heavily involved in web-based content and will assist in various other projects.

QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required (preferred in the field of mass communications) and a minimum of two years experience in intercollegiate athletics media relations or related field. The candidate must possess excellent writing and communication skills as well as the ability to layout and design content for print purposes and for the athletics department’s website. Candidate must be well versed in Adobe Creative Suite, statistical software, website skills and social media. Also must be capable of working effectively with a diverse group of student-athletes, coaches, staff, media and visitors on a daily basis. Strong knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations is also important.

SALARY RANGE
Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. Position is contingent upon funding.

APPLICATION DETAILS
Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, physical addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. The review of materials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Materials should be addressed to Andy Grossman, Search Committee Chair, and are to be submitted via on-line application athttps://hrsearch.unlv.edu. For assistance with UNLV’s on-line applicant portal, contact Jen Martens at (702) 895-2894 or hrsearch@unlv.edu.

Massive listing of NHL Hockey Jobs

Manager-Corporate Partnership Sales – Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club (Anaheim, CA)

Database Manager – Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club (Anaheim, CA)

Fan Development Coordinator – Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club (Anaheim, CA)

Part-Time Game Night Staff – Boston Bruins (Boston, MA)

Ticket Sales Representative – Boston Bruins (Boston, MA)

Corporate Sales Executive – Carolina Hurricanes (Raleigh, NC)

Business Development Account Executive – Carolina Hurricanes (Raleigh, NC)

Database Marketing Manager – Columbus Blue Jackets (Columbus, OH)

Season Ticket Service Coordinator – Columbus Blue Jackets (Columbus, OH)

Group Event Specialist – Columbus Blue Jackets (Columbus, OH)

Season Ticket Account Executive – Columbus Blue Jackets (Columbus, OH)

Manager, Ticket Operations – Dallas Stars Hockey Club (Frisco, TX)

Ticket Sales and Service Account Executive – Detroit Red Wings (Detroit, MI)

Manager, Database Marketing & Analysis – Devils Arena Entertainment (Newark, NJ)

Marketing Manager – Dr Pepper Arena – Dr Pepper Arena/Dallas Stars (Frisco, TX)

Ticket Event Administrator – Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club (Edmonton, AB)

Ticket Account Executive – Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club (Edmonton, AB)

Supervisor, Ticket Services – Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team (Edmonton, AB)

Energy/Street Team – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Event & Group Sales Coordinator – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Premium Seating Account Executive – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

New Business Development Account Executive – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Inside Sales Representative – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Group Sales Account Executive – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Director of Client Services and Retention – Florida Panthers (Sunrise, FL)

Coordinator, Interactive Marketing – Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)

Coordinator, Database Marketing – Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)

Senior Manager, Marketing – Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)

Inside Sales Representative – Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)

Manager, Social Media Business Development – National Hockey League (New York, NY)

Coordinator, Ad Traffic – National Hockey League (New York, NY)

Technical Coordinator – National Hockey League (New York, NY)

Director, Digital Business – National Hockey League (New York, NY)

Group Sales and Inside Sales Representative – New York Islanders (Uniondale, NY)

Creative Director – Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Red Wings (Detroit, MI)

Director of Customer Relationship Management – Olympia Entertainment/Detroit Red Wings (Detroit, MI)

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE – Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia, PA)

Field Producer – Phoenix Coyotes (Glendale, AZ)

Ticket Sales Customer Service Representative – Phoenix Coyotes (Glendale, AZ)

Account Executive – Phoenix Coyotes (Phoenix, AZ)

Suite Sale Account Executive – Phoenix Coyotes (Phoenix, AZ)

Client Service Account Manager – Pittsburgh Penguins (Pittsburgh, PA)

Guest Services Specialist – Washington Capitals (Arlington, VA)

Regional Sales Manager – Washington Capitals (Arlington, VA)