A Better Cleveland

This next post is dedicated to Randy Newman.  Every time I hear Randy Newman's song or see Major League, I listen to "Burn On," and get mixed feelings. When I first hear the chorus it makes me think of my younger days when the Indians were as awful as an MLB team could be (hopefully we don't return there).  I add to that all of the public's nasty opinions of Cleveland. Of the burning river, the mistake on the lake, the multitudes of corrupt government officials, Art Modell, the drive, the shot, etc. (I gotta stop before I have to throw on my Bernie jersey to feel better). 

Yet, from those same feelings I remember my first game at Municipal Stadium, my first ballpark dog with stadium mustard, my first high five with a complete stranger, my first downtown for the lighting of the Christmas lights, and my first feeling of being a part of something bigger. Though I may have been the 768th person through the gates with only a hundred or so others at the ballpark,  whether I had to deal with my past girlfriends who are Steelers fans laughing in my face after another loss to them, I still get that sense of community, of kinsmanship, with my friends back home that though we're on the ropes, we are ready to bounce off of them at any moment. 

To this day I have the opinion, that what is being seen by the public, is not the the all of it.  Cleveland is my home no matter how far I go or how others may diss it.  While I was looking for upcoming events in Cleveland, I came upon a site with a catchy homepage and the potential to influence the masses.  At YourChangingCleveland.com the viewer is updated with projects within Cleveland and the opportunity to voice their own opinions.  Though the site seems to be in its initial phases I believe that it has great potential. 

This site allows the public to become integrated within its own efforts to promote a better Cleveland.  It informs the public of the projects trying to re-build Cleveland and welcomes those who wish to be a part of it.  Newspapers are becoming a thing of the past and vehicles of communication are becoming more and more a part of the digital age.  Sites like these are advantageous to the city such as Cleveland who is trying day in and day out to improve its credibility and growth.  So set aside your previous opinions and jokes of Cleveland because we are on the move and have been on the move.  It may not be quick and it may not be soon, but as long as people are still giving high fives to strangers at games and songs are being written about Cleveland, good or bad, this city will carry on.  So burn onnnnnnnnnnnnnn big river . . . burn on!

The Future of Magazines

Being an avid Sports Illustrated reader and long time subscriber, I was recently asked to subscribe to SI's iPad application. Though I don't have an iPad, yet, I still wanted to check it out. After reading the consumer reports and viewing countless tutorials such as the one above, I am quite impressed at its potential, reader interactions and user friendly simplicities.

Now to be honest, I have owned enough video games and seen enough movie previews to know that preview will never match up to the real thing (if only I would have had this knowledge before seeing Kazaam) however, this presentation of Sport Illustrated's application on YouTube has to be the exception.

This tutorial was easy to follow.  It showed different features associated with its application very well and after viewing this tutorial, I viewed a few issues via the iPad and am a firm believer that future magazine applications like this will be huge hits with subscribers. Not only is there limitless potentials in mixing videos with text and countless other mediums but advertisements within magazines are multi-dimensional as well. For instance, Milk had an add with a basketball player, whom shall remain nameless, and on the iPad application you can click on the ad and view the actual shoot behind the scenes and interviews with producers.

What used to be a simple magazine with text and pictures has now become an interactive medium loaded with a digital library of photos and videos. Subscribers are able to organize the contents and pages of the magazine accordingly and can basically personalize the entire format.

Newspapers and magazines have been trying to transition to the Internet for years now but after seeing the applications on the iPad and their potential, it looks like advertising needs to make a sharp turn in this direction. Applications are the new thing and if I were the head of a magazine, I would be talking with my creative department and starting up its iPad application ASAP!

Importance of an Education

My next post is one of the most powerful messages I have read, seen or heard no matter what the vehicle of communication.  The subject and practice of education is one that hits home for me.  I come from a family of teachers as well as graduating from Ohio University with a degree in Integrated Language Arts. 

It just so happens that this post uses innovation and creativity to turn a great lecturer into a phenomenal visual aide that should be heard, seen and appreciated by all.  Below is the video by RSAnimate.



For those of you unfamiliar with Sir Ken Robinson, like I was until viewing this, he speaks to audiences throughout the world on the creative challenges facing businesses and education in the new global economies. 

I could go on for quite a bit upon his credentials and background however, for the purpose of this blog I will inform you all that he is someone that I have come to highly regard and recommend everyone learn for themselves.  Again, my blogs are meant to be educational, not preachy.  Everyone must find their own education.  Teaching is the hardest profession and one that requires sincere dedication and patience.  Whenever I can help spread the importance of education I will be most welcome to do so and this example is no exception. 

I also want to thank RSAnimate for their continued creativity and ingenuity.  This is not their only post to say the least.  They have many, many more along with a wealth of knowledge to be learned.  RSA Home
Until next time . . . .

Bobcat on the Prowl



For my next post I would like to give major credit to a fellow OU Bobcat, Brian Gainor. I have recently been researching potential concepts and advertising campaigns and was recommend this site, Partnership Activation. Brian is the creator and innovator for this site. As the site's quote states at its top, "it connects brands with fans." In my recent past, I worked for the Cleveland Indians where I helped brainstorm ideas and initiatives for new and exciting ways to help out ticket sales and experiences. If I would have been privy to this site during that time . . . it would have been a major help to say the least.

This site has a wealth of knowledge and insight into what other teams and venues are thinking up. For example, you can see the newest post from Oct. 30th which gives a synopsis from Boston College's Ice Jam event. Though it's not a professional sports team's promotion it is still an extremely exciting and "outside the box" approach to spreading Eagle pride throughout the campus.

Brian's site has everything from Burger King's Lebron James Welcome to South Beach billboard, the Dodger's Journey singer, the Converse Ambush promotion, to his informative and exciting newsletters that are a wealth of knowledge. A special kudos on Brian's piece on the St. Louis Rams Online Community Relations effort. Community relations and outreach is close to my heart and such recognition is always appreciated and never given its full due.

I can't begin to explain or try to convey the depth of knowledge one can receive from viewing this site. This is why I highly recommend this site for all those who are reading my blog right now. Brian's site is a must read for anyone who is in advertising, marketing, or sports field. Heck, if you simply enjoy new and fun ways to engage fans with brands READ HIS SITE! Since he first began, each post gets more detailed and relevant to its purpose and I look forward to reading it in the future. So join me in my own education as I learn more and more from such informative and rewarding sites as this one.