Hot Stove, Heating Up

Hot Stove, Heating Up

Top MLB Free Agents

 As baseball season came to a close and the Giants celebrated in San Francisco, the focus has turned to the competitive offseason where some big names are on the table and ready to hear offers.  Turn that stove up to high heat, because the baseball offseason is officially underway.  Players hit the market bright and early on Sunday, Nov. 7th at 12:01 AM.  This year's crop is especially rich, as some of the best players in the game are up for grabs. 

Top 5 Free Agents in 2010

 1. Cliff Lee - P  Coming off another World Series appearance, Cliff Lee is the hottest pitcher on the market.  The Yankees have expressed serious interest in him moving forward, dropping out of other bidding wars to solely focus on the Lefty.  He's been a dominate pitcher over the past three seasons, and it's no surprise he's the top free agent this offseason.  

2. Carl Crawford - LF  The speed of Crawford makes him a dangerous asset for any team.  He lead the American League in stolen bases for the fourth season in a row in 2010.  Of course, he's strong at the place with solid numbers.  His age gives him the boost, sitting at 29, so he can expect a large, multiyear contract.

3. Adrian Beltre - 3B  He's considered one of the best on the hot corner, and topped that off with great offensive year with the Red Sox.  He carried the team when other big names couldn't hold up.  Reports are that he will test the market and deny his player option for 2011.  

 4. Jayson Werth - RF  A star on the rise, Werth has solidified his

 position as one of the best Right Fielders in the game.  Just three years ago, he never thought he would play again due to a broken wrist, but the Phillies offered him another shot and he worked his way up to a starter for the playoff  contenders.  A rare five-tool player is hard to find, but expect Werth to look for a long-term contract.  

 5. Victor Martinez - C  Martinez is seen as one of the few catchers that can deliver at the plate, driving in over 100 runs this year.  Although he is on the older side of baseball, but supposedly is willing to move to 1B if necessary.  A team may pick him up for the short term in order to protect the plate. 

Lots of factors play a role in the value of a player, both on and off the field. Effective branding throughout the season can help increase the value of a player's identity.  All in all, sports is a business and we look forward to seeing where these assets end up in 2011. 

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How To Be A Media Darling

How To Be A Media Darling

Athletes and celebrities that are comfortable dealing with media are often the ones that will be targeted by blue-chip companies for endorsement and marketing deals. It’s a simple equation; companies want someone that they know is able to represent their product well. Therefore it is in the best interest of athletes/other celebrities to develop great relationships with reporters and journalists so that they are presented in the best light possible. 

So how does one go about doing this? Of course it starts with getting the interview (something which a qualified publicist can help with if interview requests aren’t flowing in). Once an interview is secured, it’s up to the individual to make a good impression.

•  Remember the reporter or interviewer’s name and use it during the interview. Psychologists have shown that when you use someone’s name in conversation, their overall impression of you will be improved.

•  Human beings are drawn in by stories. Telling a story in your interview about a situation that occurred behind the scenes or in the locker room is one way to make your interview more interesting.

• As much as possible, interviewees should try to mimic normal conversation. It’s ok to ask the interviewer questions if that’s your personality.  Media darling Shaquille O’Neal is famous for doing this.

These are just a few ways that public figures can endear themselves to reporters and audiences reading/viewing their interviews.  It’s important to remember that how one individual conducts an interview may not be the magic formula for everyone. By practicing with a media coach, athletes and other celebrities can determine what works for them and start the process of becoming a media darling that companies would love to have as their spokesperson.

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Tips on How to Protect Endorsements

Tips on How to Protect Endorsements

Endorsements are a staple in the sports business world, but that does not mean they come easy for athletes.  It is up to the client to uphold their public image in order to protect their product deals.  Companies are going to look out for their brands in the same manner and need some sort of insurance policy and sometimes more importantly, an exit strategy.  Morality clauses are becoming increasingly popular. These are agreements that allow companies to end a deal due to a scandal or indiscretion by direct involvement of the athlete.  Unfortunately for them, athletes are on a main stage for scrutiny, they have to be prepared.  Indeed all clients are different, but all effective crisis communication requires management before, during, and after any crisis.

Here are some tips for dealing with crisis communications:

1. All communication after a crisis has to be fast-paced.  Always respond in a timely manner. Stalling gives the illusion of not being sure of oneself. This can cause an audience to question the validity of statements. 

2. Correct all inaccurate information quickly. Never allow 24 hours to pass without addressing errors in any statement. With new media, not correcting immediately, causes a domino effect. At that point your responses are at a disadvantage.

3. Never lie, without having a justified reason to do so. This tip is probably the trickiest. A general rule of thumb is that if your statements cannot be justified by someone else, do not do it. It will probably come back to hurt your credibility.

4. Any cooperation on your part helps resolve things quickly. Especially in matters of the law, always abide by the rules of law enforcement.

5. Ride it out and focus on your sport. Everything in media is a phase. The first phase is the hardest to go through. Stick to your plan and follow it through. After all, that’s why crisis plans are created in the first place.

6. Use media attention to your advantage. Always try to spin a negative into a positive. Divert the topic of the crisis by interjecting additional stories that represent good references to combat the bad.

- Amira 

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Managing the LeBron brand

Managing the LeBron brand

In what may be seen by some folks in Cleveland as a further slap in the face to the city by LeBron James, the new Miami Heat star took out a full page ad in the Akron Beacon Journal today, thanking his fans and friends in Akron (read 'not Cleveland') The ad reads:



To My Family, Friends and Fans in Akron:

For all my life, I have lived in Akron — and for that, I am truly a lucky man. It was here where I first learned how to play basketball, and where I met the people who would become my lifelong friends and mentors. Their guidance, encouragement and support will always be with me. Akron is my home, and the central focus of my life. It’s where I started, and it’s where I will always come back to. You can be sure that I will continue to do everything I can for this city, which is so important to my family and me. Thank you for your love and support. You mean everything to me.

LeBron

In all fairness, LeBron is probably feeling a little miffed at Cleveland and in particular Dan Gilbert after that letter-heard-around-the-world, but was this ad the right road to take? When you have a brand like LeBron it is inevitable that you can enjoy a long career without some controversy to mar your legacy, Kobe Bryant, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods can certainly attest. But it's what you do in the face of the controversy that determines how you are remembered. And this is a lesson that LeBron could stand to revisit. Whether or not this was a childish shun on his part or an innocent omission on the part of his team or the ad buyer, taking the high road should have been the preferred response in this situation. The fact that this letter was issued almost a full month after The Decision, also calls into question its true intent and his team's preparedness to deal with the the aftermath of what they should have known would be a controversial decision.


The lesson here for athletes and entertainers alike is to think long-term about how you want your brand to be remembered and to plan in advance for the aftermath of crises. Proactive vs. reactive should be the route athletes strive to take unless circumstances don't allow.


We'd love to hear your thoughts on whether your perception of LeBron has diminished since The Decision.


~Khaila

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