Convergence of Relevant Stuff

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong missed out on taking the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey by a fraction of a second after his Astana team won the fourth stage time trial on   a  Tuesday.  More On Armstrong at Tour de France.

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The advertising landscape is changing with myriad marketing opportunities that are available. The problem of how to navigate through the confusing network of choices remains ever present. It is a situation that offers both challenges and the prospect of gains for companies and business owners who seek to grow market share in a challenging business environment. How do you deliver customers and solutions that effectively work together?

Many mature companies have firmly developed a segment of the market that they feel comfortable talking to. It is a landscape and typography that is familiar and one that companies in general have felt good about. What has changed is the business climate and the business environment. With the added pressure of layoffs and the squeeze on the consumer’s wallet; it is no small wonder that companies are challenged to find creative ways to reach their ever changing marketing segment without breaking the bank.

Safeguards must be in place to insure consumer marketing is cost effective and produce a sustainable return on investment. The final marketing plan must be clearly defined in order to meet today challenges. Diverse strategies should be developed and implemented in order to effectively go to market at any given time. This will take research and thought in order to gauge the best course of action. Pro-Active measures must be put into effect in order to realize market share gains in a difficult business climate.

Today there is no shortage of companies who are primed to take the lead in obtaining market share. The challenge in the sports marketing industry is how do you tie branding platforms to the marketing goals of individual companies? The second challenge is how do you effectively measure results? There are many companies who are saddled with terrible internal systems. Such as bad customer service, an inadequate product, and a host of remaining issues, that cause these companies to remain stagnant. Marketing and advertising programs, no matter how effective, are only as good as the product and the people behind it. For instance an adverting/marketing program may work to bring customers through the door, but poor quality and bad customer service can drive these customer away.

We in the Sports Marketing Industry, must be diligent in reminding companies that they must be diligent in stressing the importance of developing superior products and that employees are committed to the companies success. Marketing program will fail without this commitment.

Greg Monroe is mature beyond his years and it shows at Georgetown. He has already made his presence noticed and appears to be headed for a banner season. Monroe may be a one and done freshman. He is just that good. Last Monday, He led Georgetown to a defeat of UCONN, primarily because he out scored 7-foot-3 UCONN junior Hasheem Thabeet 16-4.

Monroe is the first NBA ready player Georgetown has had since Allen Iverson. It is not clear whether Monroe will stick around or not. But he appears to be in no hurry to leave. We will see where and how he play this year and just like every other NBA ready prospect it is a wait and see game.

New York Jets management decided to part ways with Eric Mangini today and fired him as coach.  Owner Woody Johnson said the decision  was in the works for a long time.  The Jets, also expressed an interest in Brett Favre returning for the final year of his contract.  It is general conscientious of the team owners, that Favre did not have enough time to prepare and learn the offense.  With  an entire off season of preparation, they feel Farve could be a valuable asset for them in the 2009 season.

Many names have surface in speculation to fill the position. Among the front runners are former Pittsburgh Steeler head coach, Bill Cowher, who many feel would be an excellent edition to  the Jets.  He is a Super Bowl winner and  could lead the Jets to respectability quickly.

Brett Favre made his debut tonight against the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, Farve went  5 of 6 for 47 yards and a  4 yard touchdown pass which put the Jets up at the end of the first quarter 7-0 over the Redskins.  Favre certainly looked sharp in his passing and it is obvious that Favre will help the Jets this year. and he most certainly would have helped the Packers.

The Jet simply wanted to get Favre some reps in the game to test his arm and get him acclimated with the offense.  This was Favre first game ever as a Jet, so it was important that he get  a feel for his new teammates in a game situation.  Favre was sharp in his Jet debut.  We are in for an exciting run this season with New York and look for great thing form Favre.  Favre sat out the remainder of the game.

Favre retired in March and decided a few months later that the still wanted to play football, but the Packers had another thought in mind; they wanted to move on. Favre was traded to the Jets less than three weeks ago and since it has been a world wind of activity.

It official, Bret Favre is no longer a Packer. He’s a New York Jet. He’s going to the Big Apple, which has not seen a player of this magnitude since, well, Broadway Joe. Although Favre is somewhat reluctant, this will be a great move for him. He will literally own New York. The entire state will be focused on the Jets. Make no mistake this is a big time, high profile market.

The elevation of the Jets to the big time is evident with Farve. They now become meaningful in a town the the Giants owned with their Super Bowl victory this year. The Big Apple will be rocking with this trade. Favre probably isn’t aware of it now, but life just changed for him. The move to New York will test Favre. The fans there will not tolerate mistakes and they will let him know it. So he will be challenged by two things; carrying a team on his back to the playoffs, and pleasing demanding New York Jets Fans.

But Favre is a great quarterback and he is up to the challenge. He also has an awful lot to prove. Perhaps hoping against hope that he will meet the Packers in the playoffs. This season will be fun to watch. A high profile quarterback in New York with a chip on his shoulders; a great combination. More to Come.

Well here’s the latest in the Brett Favre situation. Mike McCarthy has made it clear, that Favre is not wanted. And Favre has made it clear that he does not want to be in Green Bay if he’s not wanted. While the Packer faithful are busy saying in unison: “Say it ain’t so”. But guess what, ‘it is so”. Mike McCarthy made it clear the Brett Favre would never again appear in a Packer uniform.

McCarthy said he and Brett Favre said that they both agreed to disagree. Favre said that he was not ready to play for the Packers. So it appears that a trade is eminent or a release from the team. The entire situation is in a word; regretful. That the Packers would carry this situation to this point. It appears that Tampa Bay, Chicago or Minnesota may be trade possibilities. The next couple of days will determine what happens.

LeBron James has a stated goal to become the richest man ever. Lofty goals for some one who will probably achieve it within the next two year. James will become a unrestricted free agent and a number of suiters will come calling for his services with bags and bags of money. Top suiters will be a team from the European Basketball league who reportedly can offer James at least $50 Million dollars per year, to come play basketball in Europe.

It appears to be an ambitious proposition, but it is one that James would consider, because, he does, after all, wish to be the richest man ever. James it seems would not stay in Europe long term; maybe for one year and then return to the NBA.

If Europe does not break the bank on James there is someone else who will. The New York Nets are removing players and dead weight from their roster in hopes of freeing up enough salary cap room to offer James the world to come play for them. After all James has designated Brooklyn as his favorite Borough in New York. So james has his eye of his future, no matter what.

If James elected to go to Europe, it would be a devastating blow to the NBA, one which they would not take lying down. The NBA would probably find a away to match the European offer. Brooklyn would spare no expenses in trying to land James. in the works are plans to build a new arena for the Nets in Brooklyn called Atlantic Yards. James would not only have a huge salary more than $50 million dollars per years, and a new home to play basketball. Both are intriguing possibilities.

On Monday night Brett Favre and Packer coach, Mike McCarthy, met for almost four hours discussing his future with the Packers, no one knows what was said, but it was reported by NFL TV that Brett Favre said he did not know if he would be allowed to compete. One thing is certain, someone related to the Packers, better get their house in order and resolve this situation before the season starts or they can kiss championship aspirations goodbye. It is entirely too much of distraction to deal with at this late date. But this soap opera can continue and both sides look like they cannot possibly have a clue. Perhaps some mediation is in order.