Lance's Blogger

2006-04-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

State of Michigan Sports

I wanted to comment on the collection of sports, at the collegiate and professional level in the state of Michigan. The amount of good teams and name recognition is great for marketers and advertisers. First, the University of Michigan not only is state recognized, but nationally. The ability of the university to market itself, which leads to better athletes, is remarkable. Next, on a lower lever, but rapidly moving... Grand Valley State University. The amount of possibilities here are endless. Our school is the best athletic school, BY FAR, in Division II, and pound-for-pound maybe the best in the United States. What a chance for marketers within the university and community of Grand Rapids.
Professionally, Michigan (Detroit) has some of the best, most loyal fans of all. Of course, being good and winning helps. For the Red Wings and Pistons... it's easy. Wins=fan base=money! Which is what advertisers and marketers look for. The "Hockeytown" signature will forever be, and the Pistons are everywhere. What is remarkable though is the loyalty and fan base to the Tigers and Lions. The Tigers can still be marketed through "up and coming" and from their rich history. The Lions are a bit tougher. No other city/franchise has been through the pain of the Detroit Lions. As bad as they have been for so long, Ford Field will still sell out, and fans will continue to tune in on Sundays (NO MATTER WHAT!!!).
Basically what I'm trying to say is that the possibilities for marketers and advertisment in the state of Michigan is great. Money is to be made here, and with the fans in Michigan, this is something that will carry on.

2006-04-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Condom Commercial

I wanted to comment on the condom commercial we all watched in class this semester. Of all the ad and commercials we watched, I found this to be the best. Not for just the humor, rather for the message trying to get across to its audience. This commercials wasn't for a certain brand, rather more of a public service ad. Today, condom commercials use sexual wording and seductive messages to sell their product. I do agree with the message of "use a condom", but the way in which our class commercials used it was great. It took a child and father at the grocery store, and turned in into a disaster. The child threw the worst temper-tantrum imaginable... Screaming, yelling, kicking, sprawling on the ground... Only to be interrupted by a "next time use a condom" message. This manner, highlighted less of pleasure and more of pain of unexpected pregnancy. In all, I feel it touched the whole class. With all of us at the age were sex seems to be of great importance, it always good to have a reminder of the consequence of not being responsible.

2006-04-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

Croc Hunter

As previously stated, I've always been a fan of ESPN's Sportscenter commercials. They have that dry, realistic comedy in them. Recently, Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter has appeared. In this commercial, Steve is waiting for the elevator with Scott VanPelt in ESPN Headquarters. Scott is asking Steve about hunting and all when all the sudden the elevator doors open. Out comes the Florida U. maskot (which is a gator). Steve tells Scott to stand back, as he admires the beauty of the animal. Then, as on TV, he jumps and wrestles down the gator.
This is just one example how ESPN incorporates it's athletes and anchors into real things going on in the world. The dry humor is what sets them apart, and the acting in these commericials are great. Once again why I think these are some of the best commercials on TV.

2006-04-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Nike and Tiger

I chose to my in class advertising project on the relationship between sports’ giant Nike Co. and sports hero Tiger Woods. This interested me for a variety of reasons. One, everyone relates and knows about Nike. Whether it is shoes or apparel of any sport on the planet, Nike has you covered. Second, Tiger is a role-model of mine, for the professionalism he exudes and the intelligence he posses.
Nike first endorsed Tiger in 1996. This was a $40 million endorsement deal. In 2001, Tiger resigned for the largest endorsement contract in sports history, $105 million dollars. Nike’s main strategy is to use such a large icon to sell their product, whether it be golf shoes, apparel, club, or balls. Since Tiger has been with Nike, annual sales are up 24% annually. Nike now is a brand leader in the sport.
The marketing mix for Nike, as relates to Tiger, is simple. The product is Tiger, the placement is on TV, radio, magazines, etc. The price today is the $105 million, and Nike promotes in order to sell all of their golfing accessories. Tiger is the second largest celebrity endorser (behind Oprah) and is the richest athlete in sports. Most impressively is that when one thinks of Tiger they think of what is good in sports, not greed and selfishness… Nike couldn’t ask for anything better.

2006-03-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Jordan Commercial

I just wanted to comment on the new Nike commercial, and the presentation on the Jordan XXI. First, I thought the presentation was well done, short and sweet. Great photos and explaination of Nike and the Jordan relationship. What made the presentation great though was the inset of the commercial. This commercial encompasses some of Jordan's greatest moments. What's even cooler is that 13 different people of race, color, and basketball level performed Jordan's 13 most recognized moves & moments. The inspirational music in the background of the commercial gives it that extra touch. It makes goosebumps stand and momories surface of Jordan's whole spectrum. In all, great commercial and presentation (stole my idea, haha!).

2006-03-06T22:32:00.000-08:00

GVSU Basketball

How can a school with so many good athletes, so many good coaches, and so many good teams, seem to only get good turn-outs at football games? Maybe this is just the nature of the beast here at GV, but it seems to be a slow process. Football games attract over 10,000 fans at times, yet basketball games (where our guys are #6 in the nation, and women are #13) average less than 1000. I realize football is what GV is known for, and seemd to put us on the map, but our studnet body needs to realize what is helping our school so much, not just football, it ALL athletics!!! I know that this "problem is being looked at intently by the athletic office, and hopefully can be resolved. At the final home game, the girls had over 2200 fans, and the men over 3200 fans, if we at GV could do this, or close to this every night, who known even how much better our basketball players would play!

2006-03-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

Sex and Ads

I love how nearly everything today revolves around sex or sex-appeal. You can be talking about a children's cereal, and still have a hot mom dressed with her cleavage showing, or have something like what "godaddy.com" does and straight-up use sex appeal to sell. What the most amusing is the shear amount of commercials that use this strategy, yet really their produst has absolutely no sexiness at all. Not that many men tend to care about this, but it is funny to think about. Oh well, sex sells!

2006-03-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

ESPN Sportscenter Commercials

One who I have always thought have awesome commercials, are the one's for sportscenter. The old ones with Kenny Mayne all the way up to today are hilarious. The best about these are how they incorporate professional athletes into them. These commercials allow us "common people" to see another side of our heroes. Dwane Wade, LeBron James, Tiger Woods to name a few, we get to see with the anchors. What makes these funny aren't the slap-you-in-the-face humor, but rather the ironic, "oh, that makes sense" humor. This is why ESPN's Sportscenter commercials are some of my favorite.

2006-02-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

Ted Ferguson: Bud Light Daredevil

How great is Bud Light's commercials with Ted Ferguson. These have got to be the best on T.V. right now. Budweiser thought always seems to have the best commercials. With the Budwesier "True" commercials, and noone can ever forget the classic frogs (Bud... Wei... Ser...). These Ted Ferguson ones are hilarious. Not only that, but so true! Staying 2 minutes after 5 o'clock (on a Friday!), not looking at the table full of hot chicks at dinner with your girl, and the shoping with your GF during a playoff football game. I think just about everyone can realte to these, which is probably what makes them so funny!

2006-02-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

Super?bowl Ads...

What a joke this years advertisements were. No classics and few funnies, but much stupidity. Burger King's dance commercial. Though dumb and embarrassing, it did leave you remembering it. Not to mention, if Brooke Burke is in it, it's fine with me! One who did do OK was Bud Light. The bear and the friend who stole the beer was quite funny. Other than these, I can't think of really any that were that funny, or I can remember. Weak performance by all!

2005-12-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

GV Volleyball National Champions!

Gotta give a shout out to the National Championship Volleyball team here at Grand Valley State University! This not only was a first for women's volleyball, but the first ever national championship for a women's sport at Grand Valley. What better way to win than in front of the largest crowd ever at a D2 volleyball match. Not only that, but winning against the #1 team in the nation (not any more), and at their home place. Not bad ladies.
Laker sports thus far 2005... women's soccer 3rd nationally, Men's CC 4th nationally, Women's CC 2nd nationally, volleyball national champs, and football heading to the national championship next week!!! Oh ya, even a club national championship in water polo last week, DAMN! Is this not the best sporting school in the national... over all right now?!?! Only better things to come this winter and spring!

2005-12-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Sweet Home Alabama!

Back to 'Bama we go. What a joke this past game was. It was lovely to jump on East Stroudsburgs 34-0... oh ya, this was the end of the first quarter! Through this playoffs, and at times throughout the year, GV's offense has looked suspect. The play calling had been too conservative, and many still want the good ol' days of 50, 60, and 70 points. Maybe it was the fact we prolly played the two other best teams in the nation in out first two playoff games, but Saturday was back to business... unstopable offensive mixed in with a fast as hell, dominating defense. Offensive stats at the end of the first quater: GV 278 yds. ES 50 yds. Langstong had a quarter better than most players best of best GAMES, and Cullen was dead on, not to mention Aston's hard-nosed, run over and past people style! It was just fun to watch this highly touted East Stroudsburg offense, and Harlin Hill QB finalist come into Lubbers and get a taste of real football. Their QB Terwilliger was sacked 10 times, but of course left in throughout the game to get those stats up (sorry buddy, you just lost your trophy this game). Well, now that the goal posts are done, it's on the Florence, Alabama... our home away from home! NW Missouri State, be ready... Laker Nation is coming to town! Go Lakers!!!

2005-11-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

Michigan-Ohio State Weekend

Another year, another last week showdown than means something. On Saturday, Michigan will battle Ohio State in Ann Arbor for the 102nd time. The Wolverines hold a 57-38-6 series lead, but have lost three out of the last four years. Ohio State is ranked #9 in the country, only loosing to Penn State, and Michigan is ranked #17 coming on strong late in the season. The weather doesn't look the greatest as of right now, which puts even more emphasis on the running game, and defenses. Offensively, it's a toss-up on who holds the advantage. Can Michigan's D stop Troy smith or Ted Ginn? Which Michigan offense will show up? How healthy is Mike Hart? This will be interesting on how each defense plans to stop the other. On defense, even though I'm a Michigan fan, Ohio State holds the edge here. Michigan has some promising young players, but Ohio State is obvioulsy tested and has much leadership behing A.J. Hawk. Special teams is a push. Michigan doens't want to kick to Ginn, and Ohio State doesn't want to kick to Breaston. On paper, and by public opinion, Ohio State will win, but with home field advantage, healty roster, momentum, and a little Big House Magic... Michigan will triumph!

2005-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

Back to the Playoffs

Grand Valley's football team is back in the playoffs this year. Ranked #2 for most of the year, GVSU took over the #1 National Ranking two weeks ago. This has led to a #1 seed of the 24 teams in the Division II football playoff field. Along with the #1 seed comes a couple of things... 1, an opening round bye... 2, rest... and most importantly 3, all games played at Lubbers Field throughout the playoffs until the National Title game in Florence, AL. Grand Valley will meet the winner of the #4 seeded (and national rival) North Dakota vs. #5 seeded Minnesota-Duluth. On the other side of the Northewest bracket stand #2 seed Nebraska-Omaha (with an opening round bye), awating the winner of the #3 seed Saginaw Valley State vs. #6 seed Northwood University. Let's just hope GVSU can continue its winning ways, along with some playoff MAGIC... and get back to Alabama... Where GVSU knows how to party along with knowing how to win a football game!!!

2005-10-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

Red Wings Rollin'

Off to a franchise best 11-1 start, the Detroit Red Wings are on fire. Legace has been more than great in the early-going. Recently, he tied the mark for most wins by a goalie in a month with 10. Osgood stepped in last game for the first time of the year, getting the win over Chicago. The only thing that may be making the Wings' start not so impressive, is the competition. Weak teams have filled the schedule for Detroit thus far. A combined record of 34-43-7 is what Detroit has faced. The only good team they have faced, Vancouver at 8-3-1, beat the Wings. Either way, things are looking good for the pre-season, about-to-fall-apart, Detroit Red Wings. For all the haters out there, would you like to face these names.. Yzerman, Shanahan, Lindstrom, Chelios, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lang, Maltby, Samuelsson, and Zetterberg, along with the 1-2 punch of Osgood and Legace... 4 "for-sure" Hall of Famers, 2 of the best young stars in the game, and a core of been-there-before Red Wings... STILL the class of the NHL! 62 wins in a season, 1997 Wings... WATCH OUT!!!

2005-10-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

Northwestern: Where'd They Come From?

Suddenly the Northwestern Widcats are in the race for the Big Ten Title. Led by stud quarterback Brett Basanez, the 'cats sit at 3-1 in the Conference. After loosing its Big Ten opener (which they should have beat Penn State), Northwestern has pulled off impressive wins versus Wisconsin, Purdue, and last week dismantled Michigan State, in Lansing, 49-14. They have rolled into a #21 ranking, and take on the #25 Wolverines Saturday night in prime time. Michigan has had its share of heartache and heart-pounding moments this year, having every game but 2 come down basically to the last posession. Can the Wildcats pull off the "upset", or will it be another case of a sub-par team in the Big Ten overachieveing for a few games, only to lose to Michigan or Ohio State in the title run? Remember, Michigan State was the talk of the nation at #11... three weeks later... same 'ol Spartans. We'll have to see with Northwestern still having both Michigan and Ohio State left on the schedule, along with Iowa. As I believe though, Michigan will take care of business in Evanston, and once again the title will be determined in another Ohio State-Michigan Battle.

2005-10-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Heisman Watch

Matt Leinart
QB- Senior 6'5" 225 lbs.
233-351 66.4% 3217 yds. 24 TDs 7 INTs
31 rush yds. 6 TDs

Vince Young
QB- Junior 6'5" 230 lbs.
168-268 62.7% 2576 yds. 23 TDs 9 INTs
793 rush yds. 8 TDs

Reggie Bush
RB- Junior 6'0" 200 lbs.
163-1398 yds. 13 TDs
31 receptions 383 yds. 2 TDs

Brady Quinn
QB- Junior 6'4" 232 lbs.
263-405 64.9% 3633 yds 32 TDs 7 INTs
122 rush yds. 1 TDs

2005-10-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

Weekend Lives up to Hype

What a great weekend for college football... especially if you were a Michigan Fan. A weekend full of three great games, including two of the best endings ever in college football, maybe the greatest game ever played, and a stomping by the #1 team in the nation (Division II). Notre Dame vs. USC was one for the ages. Coming down to the last 7 seconds, Leihart's gutsy QB sneak from a yard out wins the historic battle. U of M freshman catches a bullet pass from Henne with no time left on the clock to beat PSU. The day was capped off with GVSU showing "Sag-nasty" who's the real valley, winning 31-10. GVSU dominated pretty much the whole game after Saginaw started hot and scored an early field goal. Though I still believe the offensive play calling is a bit conservative, cannot complain with winning. Time to hit the road and play the tough Northwood next Saturday night.

2005-10-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

Strike 3, your... Safe!?!?

What a horrible call on Wednesday night, in the White Sox - Angels Series. I realize that an umpire can make a mistake, especially in this case where he cannot really see the ball, but for cryin' out loud... don't make this mistake in the bottom on the ninth in a playoff game. After calling strike three, and make the fist pump to again signal strike three... how can the umpire allow still allow the play to move on? If anything, make the mistake the other way, and have the game be in the hands of the players (the way it should be). What's so bad about this call, is that it could drastically determine the series, or even the World Series. Everyone knew that the Sox would win after the inning continued, I mean its just the nature of the game, which is sad. This will be talked about throughout the whole series, but hopefully the rest of the games are settled with little to no controversy like this.

2005-10-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Huge College Football Weekend

What a weekend ahead of us for college football. Obviously the big game in Division I is Notre Dame vs. USC in South Bend. I think this game will go one of two ways... ND wins in a tight one, or USC blows out the Irish. Everyone has been noticing USC's first halfs the last couple weeks, and this could come back to haunt the Trojans. If USC brings it for 48 minutes, good night ND, but if ND can stick around and have the confidence to beat the USC (plus the home-field advantage), than watch out Trojans. Other big games include #24 Colorado at #2 Texas, #11 Florida at #10 LSU, and in the Big Ten #16 Michigan State at #15 Ohio State, #23 Wisconsin at #22 Minnesota, plus can Michigan upset the big suprise #8 Penn State in Ann Arbor?

Of course everyone in Allendale is talking about #1 GVSU vs. #4 Saginaw Valley State, in the Battle of the Valleys. It's time for GVSU to beat a big team in a big game this year. Lets take this win, move on, and get some more home games in the playoffs. Go Lakers!!!

2005-10-11T22:49:00.000-07:00

Chicago Marathon

This past Sunday my friend and neighbor Liz Bauer ran in the Chicago Marathon. After seven months of training, the day of the race finially came. Saturday she left for Chicago to complete sign-in and get information about race-day. The race began at 8 am... following opening ceremonies. After 5 hrs. 11min. and 23 seconds, she comleted the 26.2 mile romp. I'm writing this blog to show how proud I am and how even thinking about running for an hour makes me sick. What is even more unbelievable is how she is already planning another marathon down in Florida... I don't get it... how can you WANT to run for 5-plus hours??? Maybe I should learn from this and test myself, then again my professors do enough of that. Anyway, good job Liz... maybe I'll start training with you.... ummm...NO!

2005-10-11T01:28:00.000-07:00

Yanks Out!

Once again, the Yanks are out earlier than expected, at least from my vantage point. The by far highest payed team in baseball cannot pull together and play to what they should. From loosing four games in a row last year to the Red Sox, to loosing game five this year to the Angles... A-Rod, Jeter, Giambi, Randy Johnson and so on, really just get under my skin. I mean, when you have the best player in baseball (A-Rod), the best playoff player (Jeter), sluggers like Matsui, Giambi, and Sheffield, and a vetern, "been there before" pitching staff, these guys need to go farther. I'm not just hating to hate, I am a Yankees fan, and it's easy to complain because of the talent and payroll, but PLEASE, this is too good of a team to lose this early. Better luck next year... I guess...

2005-10-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

Lakers Roll

Last night the GVSU football team rolled to an easy victory over Hillsdale. Personally, I think the 1st half was their best of the year, maybe even the best game of the year thus far. Astin Martin rushed for 169 yards, including a 54 yards scamper. Total yards was best of the year. GV is finailly meshing together, which could be dangerous for the remaining opponets. We're gonna need it too, next up Saginaw Valley State, who is ranked #4 nationally, and actually ahead of Grand Valley in the regional rankings. The regional ranking are huge too, due to Division II playoffs and home field advantage. This game should be a great one... Also, in two weeks we play at Northwood who's ranked #7, and near the end of the season Michigan Tech, who's also in the top 15 nationally. Guess, this is just really starting to show the level and quality of competition in the GLIAC. Go Lakers!

2005-10-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Flying Start

Opening night was great for the Wings. The Wings killed St. Louis 5-1, in a game that was even worse than the final score. Datsyuk scored 1:35 into the game, and the rout was on. Detroit knocked out the Blues' starting goalie, Lalime, a little over midway through the 2nd period. Detroit also out-shot the Blues 37-14. Other wings to score were: Mathieu Schneider, Mikael Samuelsson, Robert Lang, and Wing rookie Brett Labda. Finially, the NHL is back... Go Wings!

2005-10-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Lowly Lions

Well... Another game over, another loss. This one (as if any different) really got to me. How can we draft basically the top receiver in each of the last 3 drafts, and NOT GET THEM THE BALL!?!? Not only this, but we may have, what I believe, the best young running back in the NFL. Give him the ball, let him run over safeties, throw the ball deep, let our FAST, BIG, ATHLETIC boys go get it! The Lions 9 times outta 10 have a 2nd and 7 or 8. Do we not have any plays that can get a 7-8 yards on 1st down? I haven't been a Joey hater, but am quickly becoming one. But more than being a Joey hater, I am the "Offensive Coordinator Hater." I sat with my roomates and literally called all 3 plays, on a 3-and-out possesion. How can this happen! You have a job, DO IT! Currently, Detroit stands second to last in the NFL in yards/game. How is this with the weapons we have, and talent we have, and coach who has experience with Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and T.O to name a few. The sad thing is... I'll still tune in on Sunday.