Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ Post

As we approach the crescendo of sportsmanship, the Super Bowl, seasoned professionals know the value of preparation. Have you, like myself, secured your base of operations in Las Vegas? This event, much like consulting, requires strategic foresight. Always aim for excellence, whether in business or the big game. #BusinessStrategy #SuperBowl #LasVegasLeadership

On August 29th, 2023 our Dream organization President & COO Morgan Shaw Parker will join an amazing lineup of leaders in sports representing the Braves, Falcons, Atlanta United and the Hawks for a discussion entitled "Marketing Is A Team Sport"; where the worlds of sports and marketing collide! Discover how assembling a winning team in marketing, just like in sports, is crucial for success. Marketing executives from Atlanta's top sports teams will share invaluable insights and strategies. See you there! #atlantadream #marketingpanel #marketingdiscussion #sportsmarketing #sportsmarketingpanel #wnba

I truly believe that decades from now the story of the Savannah Bananas will hold a special place in the rich history of America's pastime. The team will prove to be a case study in guest experience, incredibly savvy social marketing, and making dreams a reality. The Bananas might be seen by some as a disruptor to the many years of baseball tradition. However, I see the Bananas as a gift to the game. This past summer, people all across the US came out in droves to catch a game of Bananaball, and next summer's tour promises to be even bigger. This brand of baseball has people excited, and for a sport that has seen stagnant attendance figures at the major league level for quite some time, excitement is good for the game. The Bananas "Fans First" concept will also be a game changer. Deliberately making business decisions, from ticket sales to the final out, though the eyes of a customer is a huge part of what will help keep people hyped for the Bananas and ultimately for the game. How many businesses put up fancy words and quotes on office walls and websites promising to put the customer first? How many businesses actually follow through on those promises? Finances are extremely important to long-term sustainability, but financial success is only as good as the product being offered. If the product stinks or there isn't value added, people simply aren't going to buy it. The Bananas seem to understand this and I hope it catches on in other business sectors beyond sports and entertainment. This organization is off to a tremendous start with a brilliant future ahead. I'm eagerly looking forward to catching Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas out in Bananaland next summer! #entertainment #baseball #sports #business

🏈✨ The Power of the Super Bowl Ring: A Symbol of Excellence and Recognition ✨🏆 The Super Bowl is the most-watched sporting event in the US, and the Super Bowl ring is an iconic symbol that transcends the game itself. In a world where gift cards often dominate recognition, the Super Bowl ring stands out as a beacon of achievement. 💪 Imagine the impact of receiving a tangible, timeless token of success. A Super Bowl ring isn't just an accessory; it's a testament to the countless hours of hard work, the sacrifices made, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. It symbolizes the culmination of a season's worth of blood, sweat, and tears. 🎉 The Super Bowl ring becomes a lifelong reminder of a historic moment, a physical manifestation of one's dedication to a common goal. It's a symbol that echoes through the corridors of sports history, creating a connection between the past, present, and future. 🏆 The power of recognition lies in the ability to commemorate achievements with something significant and symbolic. The Super Bowl ring isn't just a trophy; it's a legacy. It inspires not only those who wear it but also those who aspire to reach the same heights. As we celebrate the champions and marvel at the spectacle of the Super Bowl, let's acknowledge the unique power of the Super Bowl ring - a tangible manifestation of success, teamwork, and the indomitable spirit of the game. 🚀🌟 #SuperBowlRing #Recognition #Legacy #Champions #TangibleRecognition

Sports Industry Quick Hitters for Wednesday, August 30, 2023: ● San Francisco Giants hurler Alex Cobb last night came within one out of pitching the season’s fifth no-hitter. Cincinnati Reds 1B Spencer Steer notched a two-out double in the ninth inning. Cobb ended up with a one-hitter in the 6-1 win over the Reds. ● American captain Zach Johnson finalized his 12-man roster for the upcoming Ryder Cup yesterday. Here’s the team that the United States will put up against Europe at the end of September: -Automatic entries Patrick Cantlay Wyndham Clark Brian Harman Max Homa Xander Schauffele Scottie Scheffler -Johnson’s Wild Card selections Sam Burns Rickie Fowler Brooks Koepka Collin Morikawa Jordan Spieth Justin Thomas ● College football leaders will meet in Dallas today to discuss unresolved questions around the College Football Playoff’s transition from a four-team to twelve-team model. The Atlantic Coast Conference could make a final decision on adding California, Southern Methodist, and Stanford this week. Financial concessions by the three potential new additions could be enough to get at least one of the four schools that have been set against expansion (Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, North Carolina State) to flip. ACC bylaws require at least 12 of the conference’s 15 members to approve the addition of any new schools. ● A five-year permit allowing Madison Square Garden to continue operating above Penn Station has been approved, according to Front Office Sports. Madison Square Garden has sat at its current location above Penn Station since opening in 1968, but the city of New York has plans to expand the nation’s busiest passenger train station. MSG’s current location may hinder the city’s plans for expansion, which may necessitate the relocation of the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” MSG was hoping for a permanent extension of its permit. Have a great day! #sportsbiz #mlb #rydercup #cfp #collegesports #nyc #msg #stadiumbiz

Star baseball player Corey Seager reinvents his swing everyday... everyday! "Past results don’t mean anything when it comes to future success." How often do all of us in the agency business (me included) get it in auto-pilot mode and are surprised when things don't work out? The marketing world is anything but static, kinda like hitters vs. pitchers. Maybe we should all try to reinvent ourselves and our agencies just a little bit everyday, rather than trying to swing for the fences when it's too late - when the count is no balls, 2 strikes. (Yea, I like sports analogies. Corny, but they work because great athletes work their butts off when no one is watching to stay one step ahead of the competition and to continue to elevate to new heights.)

Some do it successfully and some do not. I get so inspired to see the innovative work #experientialmarketers are doing. What's even more exciting, is to see the creativity successfully translated through impactful #visualcontent, because then their incredible work is not only influencing the people lucky enough to experience the activation in person; but it now influences those of us who weren't there who now get to "see it" come to life through #photo and #video. Unfortunately, all too often, the #visuals fall flat. So what works? It could have been wildly beneficial to me when I was producing experiential activations to better understand how to guide my #photographers & #videographers to capture more effectively and with greater impact (no surprises why I started O Hello Media then 😉) So I'm going to start breaking down some images to show what was beautifully and effectively captured through the lens of a brand activation,  and also point out a few areas for improvement with tips that you can store in your toolbox as well. Kicking it off with this great recap of the brand experiences at this year's College Football Playoff National Championship Game by BizBash and shared by Kristyna Nedele (thank you!) who produced the Modelo activation on site. 💡 Check out the breakdown with tips & ideas here: https://lnkd.in/dAZ_wDec P.S. - A big #GOBLUE from this University of Michigan alum ;) #tipsandtricks #eventphotography #brandexperience

Every time I watch the March Madness tournament basketball games, I get so inspired… by the coaches! Take LSU's Kim Mulkey. She took the Lady Tigers to a new record her first year and the NCAA Championship win the next. How? Team alignment. A shared vision, clear goals, and knowing how and when to utilize each member’s strengths – these are the defining attributes of an aligned team. Without it, chaos, conflict, and confusion ensues. When you’re looking to grow your business or execute a strategy, pulling together talented individuals is only half the battle. It’s equally important to make sure your team is ALIGNED. So, where does your team stand? Madness or Magic? Share your business framework for keeping everyone focused and on track in the comments! Let's learn from each other's successes.

Sports and concert venue investors and franchise owners will recognize incremental sales (not cannibalization) if they take the courage to offer more of these options. So many captive consumers are relegated to soft pretzels and french fries when they attend events at these venues. That’s a big miss. Obviously it is important to consider lifestyle demographics and other regional consumption data that should inform specific channel strategies for each market. Certainly, some of that regional market data will not justify investment in specific markets. There are eager consumers out here and these venues offer brands exceptional opportunities to establish massive product trial and to mine data. That said, the product offerings must live up to their hype by delivering on an overall positive sensory experience. If brands want to establish and hold a listed menu position and remain relevant the product must deliver.

The Detroit Lions haven't won any kind of Championship since 1957. In that time span, they were never projected to win anything 95% of the time. They have had stars retire early because they weren't winning but they didn't feel the need to put their bodies through the ringer of more football seasons. This is an amazing interview about inclusion from game day staff to the front office and everyone in between, buying into a culture of grit. Shiela Hamp has taken a male dominant role, flipped it on its head and changed a very much losing culture into an amazing thing to watch and for outsiders to visibly see. The Ford family did not sell the Lions but they put ownership in the hands of someone who is competitive, surrounded herself with winning inclusive people and turned the team around in three years. Hamp in 2021 was booed but today she is leading a team of young men who believe in each other and who makes everyone else believe. Leaders matter and being visible matters when owning a team. Nothing says you don't care than by hiding away in some huge office and not being visible to your fans. What struck me most is Chris Spielman, Special Assistant to the owner and CEO, having football 101s with anyone who wants them. This is huge because the frontline staff feels more included. When Hamp said the Allen Park staff and Ford Field staff were disconnected. I feel all the communication that goes on between everyone is better for it. I hopped on the bandwagon, a little while ago. Yesterday in Detroit, in frigid temperatures, you couldn't get close to any bar downtown and some weren't serving food. Little Caesars Arena put the game on and had an impromptu viewing party before they took the ice against Tampa Bay as well. Both Detroit teams won! Culture and who you pick to lead your organization matters and this is proof. Unified communication matters, being visible and repping your team matters. When your owners choose to include and aren't afraid of saying too much to your entire company. It matters. When winning is part of why you want things to change and people buy in at every level. When you share the dream with your fans, workers from all levels, it creates a culture shift. Great things happen. Go Lions!! #sportsbiz #employerbrand #culturetransformation #culture #NFL