Posts Tagged ‘Sports’

A Healthy Outlook

Posted by Michael Murphy

Happy Monday. I know I promised a post-Oscar analysis today, but I am so depressed about the show itself that I can't even begin to put my thoughts on electronic paper. This was a career first for me– going to bed before it was even over. It was a predictable snooze fest, though I did enjoy seeing all of those 1980s icons dragged out of the closet for a random tribute to John Hughes.

Before he jetted off to vacation bliss, Bryan shared an interesting blog post which made me smile that Ohio smile. Ohio State football is a religion here in Ohio…in fact in the Midwest. Weekend games are apparently an event not to be missed. If I followed organized athletics, I am sure I'd be all up in that Buckeye grill.

So the coach of the team gave a recent interview to our local LGBT outlet Outlook. Described in the piece as a conservative Christian and Bush supporter, Coach Jim Tressel was asked about how he would handle a situation where one of his players came out to him. To quote:

"We strive to teach and model appreciation for everyone. One, we are a family. If you haven't learned form your family at home that people have differences and those strengthen the whole, then you are hopefully going to learn it as a part of the Ohio State football family.

Two, every part of our team is important and every role has value – no job is too small and no person is irrelevant – that's a great lesson that transcends society. When I think of the diversity on our team the past few years, it goes way beyond just a racial, sexual or ethnic mix…Whatever a young man feels called to express, I hope we will help him do it in a supportive environment."

Wow. Kudos to Ohio State University for participating in this media opportunity for two reasons. One, it's a smart, and progressive, recruiting strategy to target LGBT athletes by engaging in a space that they know and trust. Two, according to the outlet, it's the first time a coach of a Division 1 football team has been interviewed in the LGBT space.

I'm certain that the Coach, and the school, will receive some negative pushback both internally and externally for participating in the interview and for being so open and inclusive of athletes. However, I think this article does more good than harm, and I applaud the University and its media relations team for recognizing a valuable marketing strategy when they see one.

What do you think about the article? Would you be more likely to go to a game knowing that the coach was an honorary member of "the team"?

Have a good week. 

| March 8th, 2010 No Comments »
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An Amazing Race/Marketing Missing a Face

Posted by Michael Murphy

Happy Monday, all. Not sure about you, but I spent the weekend shoveling, followed by retail therapy, followed by more shoveling. Methinks I need to move to a warmer climate ASAP. Speaking of shoveling, could the actual shovels themselves BE more bland? At least they could kick up the design a bit because when you shovel, all you do is stare at the ground.

Anywho…I've promised to give regular updates on the Gay Games here in Cleveland. Today, I'll focus on the next Gay Games, which are being held in Cologne in July-August 2010. One week ago, the official countdown to Cologne kicked off with the "International Memorial Rainbow Run," a celebration of previous Gay Games host cities which commemorates the historic journey of the Gay Games movement. The Run started at the birthplace of the Gay Games–San Francisco– where about 50 people braved a cold rain Sunday to attend the run's inaugural leg, including openly gay California State Senator Mark Leno and Gay Games founder Dr. Tom Waddell's wife Sara Waddell Lewinstein and daughter Jessica Waddell Lewinstein.

New York activist Brent Nicholson Earle (pictured) carried a rainbow flag on a symbolic run from the AIDS Memorial Grove located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to Kezar Stadium, home of the first Gay Games in 1982. At the event, FGG Co-presidents Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt remarked that the International Memorial Rainbow Run not only launches the Games, but "reminds us of the relevance of our movement in a world that still makes it difficult to compete and be openly gay or lesbian."

Next stop for the Run is Sydney, where the event will be held in conjunction with the city's giant Gay Mardi Gras Parade. Sydney's gay & lesbian running club the Frontrunners will carry the flag in the parade.

These events are not only great reminders of the FGG movement, but also a powerful marketing tool to get athletes registered for the upcoming Games. Right now, Cologne has about 5,500 registered participants– the hope is to double that by Opening Ceremonies on July 31. We're not scheduled to get the Run here in Cleveland, but I know that the team is working hard to generate interest here to participate in Germany.

Now, for an awkward transition– did anyone go see the movie Valentine's Day? I didn't — the reviews were awful– but apparently there is a gay storyline in the film, and Web sites and bloggers are pretty outraged that this has been left out of all marketing/promotions. Have to admit, I would have not known there was a gay couple featured in this film. I too was misled to think that Bradley Cooper was with Julia Roberts, just based on the preview alone. 

The gay storyline isn't the only one being slighted– Shirley MacLaine is also fuming that she and her co-star Hector Elizondo are left out of the poster for the film, calling it "age discrimination."

Now granted, a movie can't be all things to all people, and that it has to be challenging to capture so many plotlines in a 30-second preview, but this goes back to marketing 101– create specific marketing plans to target each potential audience. Especially when your film is getting some of the worst reviews this year.

What do you think about this marketing pushback?  

Enjoy the week.

| March 1st, 2010 No Comments »
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Olympic Victory?

Posted by Michael Murphy

Happy President's Day.

If you've been following our blog, you know that I have been writing about Pride House Vancouver, the first venue in the history of the Olympics focused on LGBT athletes and their allies. While most of the world was watching the Opening Ceremony of the actual Winter Olympics, I watched the opening ceremony of Pride House. Take a look at some of the highlights:

Providing a welcoming home to LGBT athletes is crucial for the International Olympics Committee to stay relevant in today's society. The inherent fear that goes with being Out and being in the Olympics can be paralyzing to some athletes. This safe haven is just the first step in what needs to be a large scale overhaul of inclusiveness in the Games. 

It will be interesting to see how much mainstream media coverage this gets now that the Olympics is up and running, but also, how much the corporate world gets behind it. This can't be just a Vancouver initiative– it will be imperative that Pride Houses exist at all Olympic Games, because not all countries are as inclusive as Canada.

The Olympics are about bringing the world together– but let's make sure that the entire world is represented and respected. 

If you were in Vancouver, would you visit Pride House?

| February 15th, 2010 1 Comment »
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CBS Fouls Before the Big Game?

Posted by Bryan Blaise

Footbal Contrary to what those who know me personally may think, I do like college football — especially my USF Bulls and the Gators from childhood. I don't however though like that every year the biggest sports day of the year falls on or near my birthday. Talk about a dichotomy! I'm always aware of the Super Bowl and it's coverage, as I successfully try to plan my annual celebration of drinks, shopping and showtunes around the hyper-masculine festivities of food, football and friends.

Needless to say, the past few days I've been closely following the story of CBS's decision to largely approve conservative advocacy group Focus on the Family's (with its typically audience polarizing leader Dr. James Dobson) ad for the Super Bowl with UF star quarterback Tim Tebow. CBS came under fire from LGBT organizations and women's advocacy groups because many believe the ad will advocate pro-life beliefs, as Tebow's mother ignored doctors' recommendations to abort her pregnancy despite having contracted a serious infection.

While a definite proponent of the first amendment (we couldn't have the Out Front Blog without it), a marketplace of multiple and at times conflicting opinions, and the UF Gators, this issue gets stickier because in 2004 CBS denied the United Church of Christ's advertisement on tolerance, which included visual nods to gay couples, interracial couples and other marginalized communities.

Until today, CBS had been quiet on the issueand one LGBT blog noted Tebow's comments on always standing up for what he believes in. Today though CBS told the Los Angeles Times that it had eased the restrictions on advocacy ads, allowing those that are "responsibly produced." The network also noted that they would allow other advocacy groups to purchase the few remaining $2.5 million and $2.8 million ad spots if interested.

Only February 7 will tell whether Focus on the Family's ad with Tebow is responsible — both in it's production and message. We definitely will cover the ads, and who got things right and wrong from an LGBT communications perspective here on the blog. However, the stories and actions thus far raise some critical communication questions:

  1. Is the United Church of Christ ad (seen here) from six years ago produced responsibly? I think so, as it's addressing tolerance — and not just for a particular marginalized group. So why then was this ad denied then and Focus on the Family's yet-to-be-seen ad accepted today?
  2. Was the ease in CBS's restrictions communicated broadly to all organizations in advance of this year's game? If not, why so and how did Focus on the Family hear about the news?
  3. What message is Focus on the Family sending to its employees who were laid off this past year due to financial issues when it purchases a Super Bowl ad with a top sports athlete spokesperson? The organization has stated the ad is made possible from significant donations separate from its operating fund.
  4. Finally, is the Super Bowl a place for advocacy or politically-charged advertisements? I really like CBS Sports Columnist Gregg Doyel's column last week on the topic.

I guess if we're moving to this new era of Super Bowl ads, I hope LGBT advocacy organizations consider, and if appropriate, purchase an ad to get our messages out in front of a large audience. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Doyel? Do you not care and just want to see the game? Let us know in the comments below.

| January 27th, 2010 No Comments »
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The Monday Marriage Edition (and other musings)

Posted by Michael Murphy

Marriage Hello friends! Our apologies that we bloggers have been absent. Alas, holidays/New Year's/first week back at work got the better of us.

But, we're back and ready to blog. Couple of news items (and other random thoughts) that crossed my radar whilst away:

  • Today marks the start of the debate in the California Supreme Court about Proposition 8. This morning, I heard that the Court would be broadcasting trial on YouTube–which is unprecedented. Imagine that millions around the country will have an opportunity to witness history live and uncensored. What a fantastic embrace of technology to truly reach the community which is impacted. Unfortunately, news just broke that the first few days will be blocked, as some fear witness testimony may be affected if cameras are present. I hope that the ban is lifted and that we will be able to watch this debate live. If so, will you watch?
  • Last week across the Atlantic, Portugal's parliament passed a bill that allows gay marriage in the country, making it the sixth country in Europe to do so. Congrats to the LGBT community in Portugal for making this happen.
  • On the Gay Games front, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the Federation of Gay Games finalized negotiations for the 2014 Games to be held in Ohio. I had the opportunity to be a part of these negotiations, and I was impressed by the collaborative spirit of all involved to ensure that the 2014 Gay Games will be a memorable experience for all. Speaking of Cleveland and the Gay Games, the Windy City Times named the 2014 victory for Cleveland among the top 20 LGBT sporting moments in 2009. Woo-hoo!
  • Speaking of the Gay Games, Cologne 2010 seems to be coming along great. Looks like already 5,000 people have registered to participate. Are you planning to go?

Thanks for coming back to our blog in 2010. We hope to bring you fresh ideas and perspective over the coming months, and hope that you continue to give us your feedback. Let's blog again soon.  

| January 11th, 2010 1 Comment »
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