Memphis Times

"Freak Week: Blowing Smoke"

2010-11-22T18:04:00.000-06:00

Freak Week: Blowing Smoke; The FDA's supposedly tougher warning labels for cigarette packs are just a total drag

Original author: Tim Nudd

Original article link

I'm just going to give you straight opinion on this one. These proposed graphic cigarette "warning labels" are ridiculous with a capital 'R.'

That doesn't mean I'm an advocate for smoking--far from it, in fact. I freely admit that I was a former smoker, though only for about a year, and since I've quit, I'm adamant that others should do the same.

But, these proposed labels make me laugh more than they discourage me from smoking. The ads are almost comical. One depicts a woman blowing smoke into her baby's face. Clearly, that's not accepted, but, I mean, really? Who does that?

It's nonsensical and just downright dumb. Nearly one in five Americans today smokes, and that's not okay. Nearly 500,000 Americans die from Tobacco related deaths each year--also not okay.

I'm happy the FDA is attempting to do something to curb smoking in America. But, this isn't the right approach. These so-called "graphic" ads aren't going to deter a 17-year old from trying to be cool.

Graphic ads need to be just that. Show the real, genuine horrors that smoking cigarettes causes, not a lame, nearly unrealistic, picture.

Why not just put pictures of actual cancers cause on the cartons as the rest of the world does?

- Preston McClellan

No. 19 Memphis Defeats LSU, 70-61

2010-11-22T11:49:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

No. 19 Memphis Defeats LSU, 70-61; Tigers Continue Win Streak, Move to 4-0 on SeasonBy: Preston McClellan

TUPELO, Miss. - Behind 20 points from Wesley Witherspoon, the Memphis Tigers (4-0)showed grit and tenacity on their way to a 70-61 victory over LSU (2-2) in front of a record 7,941 fans at BancorpSouth Arena in the Global Sports Challenge.

"It's a great win for us,"Memphis head coach Josh Pastner said. "We didn't play really well to be honest with you, but we got the 'W'."

Memphis found itself in a first-half hole for the first time this season as LSU took a 34-33 lead into the break behind 12 first-half points from Aaron Dotson. Witherspoon led the way for Memphis in the opening half, scoring 13 points in 17 minutes.

In a game that lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours and saw 54 total fouls, Memphis outlasted LSU, which saw Malcolm White, Storm Warren, and Garrett Green--all post players--foul out in the second half.

"It's frustrating for me," LSU head coach Trent Johnson said. "I have to do a better job of adjusting to how the game is being officiated."

Memphis came out of the locker room firing and used a 6-0 early second half run to regain the lead 39-34 at the 17:23 mark after a steal and coast-to-coast finish from Joe Jackson. LSU responded, however, as the Tigers narrowed the gap to 41-40 on a contested triple from Andre Stringer, who finished with a team-high 13 points.

Chris Crawford answered on the ensuing possession for Memphis, driving through the left side of the lane and using the backboard to go up and under for an and-one layup that keyed a 9-0 run. That run was capped by a NBA-range triple from Angel Garcia at the top of the key, and Memphis looked poised to put the game out of reach.

LSU again responded, however, with a 12-4 run of its own to climb within one at the 5:39 mark. An old fashioned three-point play by Jackson put Memphis ahead 55-52 before LSU answered with a trifecta from Ralston Turner and a layup by Stringer to take the lead 57-56.

After Tarik Black, who made the first start of his career, split a pair of free throws to notch the game at 57, Jackson found Crawford alone in the corner. Crawford, who had struggled finding his range throughout the game, calmly received the pass and swished home the three-ball to put Memphis back in front 60-57, this time for good. An emphatic dunk by Witherspoon on the next Tiger possession gave Memphis a 62-57 lead with less than three minutes to play.

Another triple from Crawford at the 1:02 mark extended the Tiger lead to eight and Jackson would make three-of-four free throws in the last minute to ice the game.

Black finished with nine points and nine rebounds to lead the Tiger big men. Jackson and Crawford joined Witherspoon in double figures with 12 points apiece. Will Barton, who battled foul trouble throughout the game after picking up his third foul with four minutes to go in the first half, finished with eight points and three steals in 23 minutes of action.

Dotson and Turner were the only other LSU players to join Stringer in double digits, netting 12 and 11 points, respectively. Green added eight, all in the first half before fouling out.

Memphis' defense again stepped up, holding LSU to just 18-of-52 (34.6 percent) shooting from the floor, including just 5-of-15 from beyond the arc. The Tigers also forced 13 turnovers which they converted into 15 points. Memphis held LSU to without a field goal in the final 4:48.

With the victory, Memphis extends its winning streak to four and improves to a perfect 4-0 on the season, matching the mark of 2008-09 campaign.

Memphis continues the 2010-11 campaign Tuesday, Nov. 23 when it returns to the friendly confines of FedExForum to take on the Skyhawks of UT-Martin.

Original article url: http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112110aaa.html

"Jury's Out on Sarah Palin's Alaska"

2010-11-14T14:54:00.000-06:00

"Jury's Out on Sarah Palin's Alaska"

Original article link
Original article author: Anthony Crupi, Mediaweek

In the world of television advertising, how big of a role does content of a particular show play in driving which brands choose to advertise during that show?

Clearly, sports companies are more likely to spend advertising dollars to show off their product during relevant events. The same is true for fashion and food.

But, with a show like "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which features perhaps the most polarizing figure in America, how many companies are willing to spend the dollars on advertising with this show?

If a company advertises on the show, will viewers associate Palin's politics with that company? Is that a risk or reward, depending on where those companies fall on certain issues, that's worth it?

TLC, the network the show airs on, has been seeing the answers to these questions. For the most part, companies don't care about the politics associated with the show--they just see the sheer numbers. Over four million people are expected to tune into the 9 p.m. primetime premiere. That means companies will be willing to pony up the dollars.

I think it will be extremely interesting to see what kind of advertising shows up during this show and how the viewers associate those companies and Sarah Palin, if at all.

- Preston McClellan

Memphis Food: Arcade Restaurant

2010-11-14T14:40:00.000-06:00

Friday marked the start of both the men's and women's hoops seasons at the University of Memphis as the teams played a back-to-back double header at FedExForum at 5 and 8 p.m., respectively.

For our office, the start of the season means it's time for some good 'ole Gus's Fried Chicken. So, as per usual, we took off from work early and headed downtown to savor some of the world famous chicken. Unfortunately, when we arrived at 1:30, the place was still absolutely packed.

Both of my bosses had to get back to the Forum in a timely manner, so we had to make a change of plans--something none of us were happy about. Yet, it turned out to be a great thing, as we went to the Arcade Restaurant, a Memphis relic that I had somehow never had the pleasure of trying.

The Arcade is absolutely phenomenal. It's a very cool atmosphere, and is the oldest cafe in Memphis, dating back to 1919. Speros Zepatos founded the restaurant after emigrating from Greece and built the Arcade building in a traditional Greek style in the same location the cafe sits today.

The cafe was transformed into the hip and trendy restaurant that can still be seen today to attract visitors at one of the most popular Memphis intersection in the 1960's. According to reports, the intersection stayed so busy due to the train station and multitude of area shops that policeman had to direct traffic 24 hours a day.

The Arcade became a pop culture icon, showing up in nearly every major feature film that was shot in the Bluff City. Scenes from Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire, The Client, The Firm, 21 Grams, Elizabethtown, Walk the Line, and My Blueberry Nights, just to name a few, have all been filmed in the restaurant.

Business declined as the railroad fell as a popular form of travel and as people began the suburban craze, moving as far away from the city as possible. The downtown area started undergoing a revitalization in the 1980's that still continues today, but the Arcade has nonetheless been a constant throughout all the economic uncertainties the area has had to endure.

Today, the restaurant carries an eclectic menu with down home hearty breakfast food to good ole fashioned country fried stake. Featured on two different shows on the Travel Channel, the arcade also boast world famous sweet potato pancakes that will make you salivate.

So, take some time one weekend afternoon and explore the historic South Main district and top it all off with a delicious meal at the Arcade.

The Arcade official website

Memphis Falls to Marshall 28-13

2010-11-13T17:55:00.000-06:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Memphis Falls to Marshall 28-13; The Tigers sprinted out to a 10-0 lead, but 28 second half points by the Thundering Herd proved too much for the Tigers.

By: Preston McClellan

Original article link

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - Memphis scored on its first drive of the game on a 43-yard pass from Ryan Williams to Jermaine McKenzie and took a 10-0 advantage into the half, but it wasn't enough as the Marshall Thundering Herd used four second half scores to pull away 28-13.

McKenzie finished with career highs in both catches (six) and yards (109) to go along with one touchdown, while Williams finished 14-of-32 for 201 yards and one touchdown.

After gaining 124 yards in the opening quarter, the Tigers managed just 117 yards for the remainder of the game. Marshall scored 28 second half points behind quarterback Brian Anderson, who finished with 251 yards on 20-of-28 passing, three touchdowns, and one interception.

A Dontari Poe sack on the first defensive series of the game forced a Marshall punt, giving Memphis a chance to draw first blood. The Tigers would do just that, marching 82 yards in six plays and 3:02 on a drive that was capped by Williams finding McKenzie down the right sideline to take a early 7-0 lead.

DeRon Furr intercepted an Anderson pass on the next Marshall possession and returned it to midfield.

The Tigers capitalized and extended their advantage to 10-0 with 10:26 left in the second quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Paulo Henriques that finished off an 11-play, 41-yard drive that spanned 3:25. Neither team could get anything going on offense for the rest of the half, and Memphis preserved its 10-0 margin going into the break.

It didn't take Marshall long to get on the board once the second half started. After a stalled Memphis drive, Tom Hornsey kicked a 28-yard punt, allowing Marshall to take over at its own 40-yard line. The Thundering Herd marched 60 yards in eight plays and 3:10 and scored on a 13-yard run by Troy Evans to cut the Tiger lead to 10-7 at the 9:05 mark.

A fumble by Williams on the ensuing possession gave the Herd the ball on the Tiger 24-yard line. Marshall capitalized as Anderson tossed the first of his three second-half touchdown passes to Courtney Edmonson to give the Thundering Herd its first lead of the game, 14-10.

Marshall extended its advantage to 21-10 less than 15 seconds into the fourth quarter. After an offside penalty on 4th-and-one gave Marshall a first down, Anderson found Brian Lee on the next play for a 32-yard score at the 14:43 mark.

After each team failed to get anything going on their next two drives, Memphis got the ball back with 11:19 to play and good field possession at the Marshall 44-yard line. The Tigers used five plays and 15 yards to set up a 45-yard field goal by Henriques to pull within 21-13 at the 8:41 mark.

Marshall effectively put the game out of reach on its next drive as Anderson threw the final of his three touchdown passes, this one for 62 yards to Troy Evans. Evans finished with three catches, 81 yards, and a touchdown receiving in addition to 28 yards and a score on the ground.

The Tigers were hindered once again by self inflicted wounds as they were whistled for 11 penalties which cost them 95 total yards.

Memphis did force two turnovers, however, as DeRon Furr registered a second quarter interception which led to Henriques' first field goal. Corey Jones also recorded a forced fumble when he sacked Anderson in the second quarter. Frank Trotter recovered for the Tigers.

Memphis plays its final road game of the season when it travels to Birmingham, Ala. next Saturday, Nov. 20 to take on UAB in the annual "Battle for the Bones" matchup. The game is slated for 3 p.m. (CT).

Memphis Blows Past Centenary 104-40

2010-11-13T10:03:00.000-06:00

Nov. 12, 2010

By: Preston McClellan

MEMPHIS - In a game that it dominated throughout, Memphis used scoring from 10 different players and a deluge of trifectas to down Centenary College 104-40 in front of 17,792 fans Friday night at FedExForum in the regular season opener.

The Tigers were led by freshman Antonio Barton, who scored 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, to go along with five steals and four assists in 23 minutes of action.

"No one can say our effort isn't there every single possession," Memphis head coach Josh Pastner said. "Our guys just want to ball."

Fellow freshman Chris Crawford was also perfect from the field, finishing with 16 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in just 13 minutes. Angel Garcia netted 14 points and five rebonds on 3-of-6 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Drew Barham finished with a career-highs in both points (13) and rebounds (nine) in 19 minutes. Charles Carmouche finished with five steals to complement 13 points.

The Tigers sprinted out to a 31-6 advantage with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half behind Garcia, who finished with 10 first half points. Memphis started its downpour of threes quickly, as Joe Jackson connected on a corner trey to give Memphis a 3-0 advantage. Carmouche and Antonio Barton followed suit, and Memphis found itself with an early 9-4 advantage.

Memphis would finish the game with 14 three-point baskets, shooting 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) from beyond the arc. The Tigers shot an impressive 55 percent (33-of-60) from the field and followed the Pastner philosophy of "the go to man is the open man" by assisting on 25 of 33 field goals.

The Tigers' defense was also in full force, holding the Gentleman of Centenary to a 26.1 shooting percentage for the contest, including just 2-of-15 from beyond the arc. Memphis also forced 28 turnovers, converting them into 37 points. The biggest difference in the game for Memphis was its bench, which scored 63 of the Tigers' 104 points, led by Crawford's 16 in the second half.

None of the Gents managed double figures, with a trio of players finishing with six points (Jeron Trotman, Aaron Harwell, and Logan Lowery.) Trotman led Centenary with five rebounds, while Harwell added three steals.

Next up for Memphis is an 11 p.m. tilt Monday against Miami at FedExForum. The game is the kick-off for ESPN's 24 Hours of Hoops marathon, and the game will be televised immediately following Monday Night Football.

"Miami is a good team. They're a top-four team in the ACC," Pastner said. "We need to have a sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10th man in the stands Monday."

Centenary will play at UT Martin, Monday, in its second game of the Global Sports Challenge.

- This story was written for and published by Preston McClellan for use by www.gotigersgo.com and can be found in its original form here.

2010 Memphis Golf Information Guide

2010-11-12T18:19:00.003-06:00

This is the 2010 Memphis Golf Information guide that I designed with the assistance of Brandon Kolditz.

Open publication - Free publishing - More tigers

Editor: Preston McClellan

Graphic Designer: Brandon Kolditz

Diamond in the Rough

2010-11-12T17:22:00.000-06:00

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

At a tournament in Houston nearly five years ago, University of Memphis women’s soccer head coach Brooks Monaghan was scouting players on one field when he decided to make a food run. As he passed by another field on his way to a hot dog stand, something caught his eye: a player that he knew relatively little about “did something special,” he recalls.

That player was senior midfielder Vendula Strnadova, a soccer diamond in the rough. Now in her senior season as one of Memphis’ most productive players, Strnadova has earned many national and conference honors in addition to being a model for excellence off the field.

"She has put together a great career in her three years and we expect the same this year. She is the complete package when you look for a soccer student-athlete," said Head Coach Brooks Monaghan.

A six-time Dean’s List honoree, Strnadova has been awarded the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal all three seasons while also being named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2008-10. In 2009, Strnadova was honored as a Second Team NSCAA/Adidas Scholar All-American and Third Team CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-American.

"We're here to do school first," said Strnadova. "It’s hard to balance the lifestyle of being a student-athlete, but our team uses the resources available and just gets it done."

As a leader of the three-time C-USA Champions, Strnadova leads by example with her extraordinary work ethic on and off the field. Shy and unassuming, Strnadova would rather let her game do the talking on the field and carry her through conference championships and nationally prominent matchups, earning nine game-winning goals.

"She has the mentality of a pro," said Monaghan. "She works her tail off. She's a quiet kid, but she leads by example day in and day out and she's been a big reason this program has reached the heights it has."

In the community, Strnadova has assisted the Habitat for Humanity in the greater Memphis area as well as at sites of past Conference USA Tournaments. While in Houston, Texas for the 2008 C-USA Tournament, Strnadova took time to volunteer at Texas Children’s Hospital.

On the field, Strnadova has produced record setting numbers and is in position to topple several school records by the end of her final season. The 2008 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, Strnadova has posted 19 career goals and 10 career assists in 64 career starts to accompany the second-most shots in school history with 181.

She is a two-time NSCAA All-Central Region First Team selection (2008-09). In her three seasons donning the Blue and Gray, Strnadova has earned first team All-C-USA honors each season. A three-time C-USA Champion, Strnadova was selected as Soccer Buzz Central Region first team in 2007 and 2008, Soccer Buzz Freshman All-America second team and was the Soccer Buzz Central Region Freshman of the Year in 2007.

As a member of the winningest class in program history with over 50 wins, Strnadova eyes a fourth-straight C-USA Championship ring and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time.

The Las Cruces, N.M. native became Memphis’ first Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award nominee in the preseason. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.

Strnadova and the Lady Tigers are Back 4 More in 2010 as they seek their fourth straight Conference USA Championship. The goals don't stop there, however.

"I really want to win more games than my freshman year when we won 17 games," said Strnadova. "Getting farther into the NCAA's is definitely a team goal, too."

- This story originally appeared in the Sept. 24 edition of the Memphis football Gameday program.

Gettin' Dirty with Darius Davis

2010-11-12T16:08:00.000-06:00

By: Preston McClellan

When Darius Davis peers into the future, he can see himself wearing a suit and tie to work each day. He doesn’t think he would mind doing that.

For those who cross his path these days on the football field, the sooner Davis dons that suit, the better. That’s because he knows only one way to play the game and those who have felt his intensity understand his approach.

Darius Davis likes to get ‘wild’ on the field.

"I'm vocal out there, " Davis said. "At times you just have to get wild."

His on-the-field antics and breakneck pace of play have led Coach Larry Porter to start referring to him as the "energizer bunny."

That's a far cry from the nickname amongst his teammates and opponents.

"They call me Dirty D," Davis said.

Davis was dubbed with that handle after coming back from a devastating elbow injury prior to his freshman year at Whitehaven High School.

"Towards the end of my eighth grade year at Havenview (Middle School), I dislocated my elbow," Davis recalled.

Davis is reminded every day of the pain and recovery he went through by a massive scar on his elbow.

The injury sidelined Davis for most of his eighth grade season, but after surgery and rehab, Davis was ready to get "wild."

He entered fall football camp at Whitehaven High School and began competing against all the upperclassmen.

"I was out there being aggressive, physical, even reckless," Davis said. "I just didn't care--I was going all out."

From that point on, Davis has been known as "Dirty D," a moniker he uses as fuel for hitting people on the field.

"I get out on the field and I get into that style of play--that Dirty D style," Davis said.

Davis quickly backed up his nickname with his physicality and effectiveness on the gridiron. He was named the captain of the Whitehaven High squad his junior and senior seasons and was selected as the top defensive player at WHS.

Davis' style translated to the Division One level as well, and he has become a fixture in the Tiger secondary over the past four seasons.

Though naturally more comfortable playing cornerback, Davis has found himself at safety most of the past two seasons. Davis started the 2010 season opener against Mississippi State at cornerback, recording five total tackles and an assist on a tackle for a loss.

An injury the following week in practice sidelined Davis for three games, however, and when he came back, the team's needs had shifted.

"It's a bittersweet situation," Davis explained. "Your heart is one spot, but you have to make sacrifices to help the team. I've been doing it since I've been here."

In the past three plus seasons donning the blue and gray, Davis has seen action in 36 games, making 13 starts. Last season, Davis was fifth on the team in tackles (54) and tied for third in pass breakups (5).

Off the field, Davis is more reserved and relishes his down time with family and friends.

"If I'm not doing something with football, I'm just relaxing," Davis said. "Football and school take so much out of you that it's nice to have some time to relax."

Davis will graduate this year with a degree in Communications, and plans to pursue a career professionally. If that doesn't work out, Davis wants to put that degree to work.

"I could see myself in a nine-to-five business man style job," Davis said. "I wouldn't mind putting on a suit everyday and being behind the scenes."

-This article appeared in the Nov. 6 edition of the Memphis football gameday program.

"AutoZone Latest to Demand Ownership of Pitches"

2010-11-07T12:58:00.000-06:00

Original article url: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i472af4f084a4fdefb4e072d893760637

Original author: Andrew McMains

In today's world, business are seeking to own and control as many portions of their respective trades as possible. AutoZone may the first of many companies to extend that demand of control to creative aspects.

Basically, they want to own ideas of the creative companies they contract out to do advertising and marketing campaigns--meaning those creative agencies could never use similar campaigns for other clients in the future. To me, that is a ridiculous concept and far over controlling.

Creative agencies are just that. If a business like AutoZone is willing to contract work out to them and buy its pitch, then let the creative agency retain control.

- Preston McClellan

Playing with Picasa

2010-11-04T12:05:00.002-05:00

"Univision Steps Up Brand Integration"

2010-10-29T15:23:00.000-05:00

Original article url: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3if5ddbe1f0bbd42ec200354f13c25dd9c

Author: Georg Szalai, THR

Brand integration is something that is becoming very common in the world of advertising and marketing. The latest example is Univison Communications, which is taking it to new heights with the Spanish prime-time novella Eva Luna that launches Monday.

The show will feature three General Motors vehicles and also weave Domino's Pizza and T-Mobile into the show. All three companies are paying real dollars to have their brands inserted cleverly into the storyline.

It's a concept that's quickly catching on--and not just with television. Video games, movies, and online video sites all now seemingly contain product placement.

If you're a company trying to reach a broad consumer base, what better opportunity would there be? It's essentially the same as paying to have your logo stamped on a basketball court or on the wall of a stadium--both are methods to get your company's name in as many people's minds as possible.

This latest form of brand integration by Univision is taking it to a new level, and I'm very interested to see what kinds of returns the companies receive from this marketing strategy.

- Preston McClellan

"Dangling Incentives on Facebook"

2010-10-22T13:51:00.002-05:00

Original Article url:

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/strategy/e3i1c1499752deb3a608788007617303c72

Author: Elaine Wong, Brandweek

Fan pages on Facebook are quickly becoming some of the easiest and best ways for companies to connect with potential customers and supporters.

Elaine Wong points that out in this article, citing ConAgra foods as one example. ConAgra, manufacturer of the Healthy Choice brand, created an online coupon incentive aimed at increasing traffic to its Facebook page.

The campaign was designed to do more than just attract new fans and followers, however.

It’s a unique way to engage the fans, and it’s an idea I think will catch on. ConAgra hopes that by putting the coupon on Facbook instead of its general site, it will start a better and more open dialogue between the company and its clientele.

So far, the plan seems to be a booming success. The Healthy Choice Facebook page has seen its number of fans triple in just over 24 hours.

Jack in the Box, a fast-food restaurant, is using Facebook incentives in another, inventive manner. The company is depositing a virtual nickel into a “jar” each time a new person “likes” its Facebook page.

At the conclusion of the sweepstakes, one person will collect the value of the pot in real dollars.

I love the new campaigns by Jack in the Box and ConAgra—it’s something new and inventive. It’s 2010, and it always pleases me to see companies embrace that fact.

These types of ad campaigns offer a great way for people to engage in dialogue about the company and its products, and even offer opinions on how to improve things. It will be interesting to see how many other marketers—particularly those in the food industry—roll with this.

- Preston McClellan

Sports: The Only Game on TV

2010-10-18T15:58:00.000-05:00

Original Article url:
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3i11445c48b917e5f170a49115f3b214b3

Author: Anthony Crupi, Mediaweek

Sports: The Only Game on TV

Sports and Money.

Those two words go hand in hand—they always have, and they always will. It’s never been more apparent than it is today.

With the ever expanding cable network and more people able to watch games, the market and advertising world in sports is nearly getting out of hand. Conference are launching their own cable networks and making boatloads of money from it.

Take the Big Ten Network for example. It’s a cable television station that contracts with companies like Comcast, Dish Network, and Direct TV, to allow those providers to “sell” its channel to consumers. In return, the Big Ten Conference writes a check to each member school, with each university receving over $20 million last year alone.

With those kind of dollars rolling in through cable television, how does network TV keep up? That’s a key question Anthony Crupi brings up in this article. Right now, NBC is staying afloat with its Sunday Night Football broadcast. But, what happens when a cable station makes the NFL a sweeter offer?

It’s an interesting trend and something certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Image via Wikipedia

"Kmart Eyes Social Media Xmas"

2010-10-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

Image via CrunchBase

Original article author: Elaine Wong, Brandweek

url: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/strategy/e3i6bc2dd0e5ce14ff296f83a10ebe5d93b

With the holiday season fast approaching, companies are entering crunch time for deciding what type of public relations and advertising campaigns to use this year.

Like most other companies, Kmart has decided to utilize social media as one of its mediums for reaching customers. I find this interesting because of the social media aspect.

A year ago, only a small sect in the world even knew what sites like Twitter, Digg, LinkdIn, etc. were.

Now, they seemingly dominate the immediate news world. Companies have entire social media departments, and television shows along with newspapers and magazines all attempt to connect with views through social medium's like Twitter or Facebook.

I think it's going to be really interesting to see where Social Media goes in the coming years. Most sites seem to have a lifespan. Take MySpace for example.

Can Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. continue to evolve and be competitive? Or will they succumb to the next version of themselves?

-Preston McClellan

"Sonic Creative, Media Go Into Play"

2010-10-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Sonic Creative, Media Go Into Play; The client spent $185 mil. in measured media last year

Original author: David Gianatasio

Link to original article: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/account-activity/e3i4d1f1410bfbda62624127a23d588b69a

The business of fast food has been hit hard by the recession. No one knows that better than Sonic.

With sales down 35 percent from the same quarter in 2009, the fast food mega giant is being forced to rethink its spending, particularly in advertising. Sonic has been know for its quirky, funny ads featuring two men arguing over food items.

That ad, along with all others over the past 17 years, were designed by the company Barkley. Well, now Sonic Corp. has placed its creative and media assignments into review.

Sonic went from a $700 million, mostly regional company into a $3.5 billion mega-conglomerate under Barkley's watch, so it will be interesting to see how things go from here. Like every company, Sonic has to evaluate its expenditures on advertising versus its returns.

If sales really are down the estimated 35 percent, it is very likely that the company will have to change its marketing strategy so that it can still profit.

-Preston McClellan

"MySpace Taps New Content Chief"

2010-09-24T15:08:00.000-05:00

Image via CrunchBase

"MySpace Taps New Content Chief"

Original author: Andrew Wallenstein, THR

link: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i0121638c1a14264a924c2c12940a517b

Various social media outlets are always competing to stay relevant and overtake one another. With Facebook, Twitter, and blogging sites taking off, how does a site like MySpace stay relevant?

Predating Twitter and sites such as Digg, MySpace was once the epicenter of social media. I remember creating my page on MySpace my freshman year in high school, before I had even heard of MySpace.

MySpace has announced Any Marcus will take over the company's entertainment efforts. Since the explosion of Facebook and Twitter, MySpace has morphed into a more entertainment and music driven site.

Last year, the site hosted a digital and virtual version of tryouts for Glee, a popular television series. Marcus now has his sites on securing a partnership with American Idol, which would allow contestants to audition virtually for the show through MySpace.

It will be interesting to see if MySpace can remain relevant in today's social media world.

-Preston McClellan

Montague, Ryan Launch Shop

2010-09-17T14:20:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Montague, Ryan Launch Shop

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i188fd3103facd85e5dcfa5b8be8aed3a
Original author: Andrew McMains

Rosemarie Ryan and Ty Montague have started their own agency, after parting ways with JWT, the largest US agency network. This article interest me because agencies are something that impact the world of public relations in a very large way.

In fact, these days, agencies seem to be taking over a large portion of the public relations business. Agencies are always evolving, and this is a perfect example. People are different, and people's creative visions often clash.

In the world of public relations, people often have two options: fall in line, or start your own. Montague and Ryan have decided to open up their own show now, so that they can have their own creative visions and do projects their own way. It will be interesting to see if the former executives of the largest U.S. agency can build their newest endeavor into a competitor in the agency world.

"Facebook Doubles Down on Social Actions"

2010-09-10T13:34:00.000-05:00

Image via CrunchBase

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i01b6a2dad021a54537846c89e117ffca

Author of Original article- Brian Morrissey (linked to his twitter account)

Found in the digital news section of adweek.com

The industry of social media has become one of the biggest sources of advertising revenue in the world. With a database of users that grows larger everyday, Facebook is at the forefront of the Social Media world.

That's why the developers at Facebook have come up with a way to make the ads on its site even more effective, thereby making affiliate markers even more money. Ad managers can now track a particular ad's effectiveness through rates, total clicks and impressions.

This article is very interesting to me because I use social media at my job. We all have to have Facebook and Twitter pages for the respective sports that we cover, so I manage a Facebook page and Twitter account for Memphis golf.

The fact that people are making money through advertising on Facebook and other programs such as Google AdSense is a really interesting concept.

For example, I registered this blog with Google AdSense and placed a few ads on it based on the HTML code given to me by Google. This blog has been up for about three weeks now, and I have about 20 posts.

I'm certainly not a dedicated poster, yet I have made almost $15 through people clicking on the ads on my site. The fact that I can make money simply by posting my thoughts to a free blog website is a concept with limitless possibilities, and Facebook is on the forefront of making it even easier to do.

Starkville Trip

2010-09-05T00:13:00.000-05:00

It's been quite some time since I've posted here, mostly due to classes and athletics starting up again. It's been an incredibly long week, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

In my previous post, I talked about how busy I'm going to be this year and this semester. Well, I still could not have predicted the first week would hit me like a ton of bricks as it has.

As I write this, I'm riding back from working the Memphis vs. Mississippi State football game in Starkville, Miss. Memphis lost 49-7, in case you were wondering. (Check out my post game story here).

Though it will be after 2 once I get home, which means my Saturday night is effectively over, it's all worth it. Not only is it rewarding to see your name in print on a story, or to know you helped produce a video, but I also know that it will help me in the future.

Late nights like these are no fun when you're in the midst of one. Yet, think back a few years and you'll probably recall late night work sessions that have paid great dividends--I know I have.

Starting next week, I'll be adding an additional component to this blog: school. For my Public Relations writing class, we are required to start a blog or begin to update a pre-existing one.

So, I'll be reading article found at www.adweek.com and posting my reviews of those articles here. I'll also continue to post my thoughts and opinions about the sports world as I have time.

Hope everyone is having a great start to the new semester. Goodnight world.

College Athletics Season

2010-08-22T15:32:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, it's a week before the end before the end of August, and for me that means the start of 9 4 solid months of being busy working various Memphis Tiger athletic events.

It all gets underway this evening at Mike Rose Soccer Complex when the Lady Tiger soccer squad takes on Samford.

In the business of media relations, once the season starts, it seems that you only get busier until a slight break when football is over around Christmas. Other than that, it's pretty hectic from August to the end of April.

As busy as I know I'm going to be this fall between athletic events, school, friends and fraternity stuff, I can't wait to get things started. By nature, I prefer to be extremely busy. When I have nothing to do, I go stir crazy pretty quickly.

So, here's to the 2010-11 Tiger Atheltics season. Let's make it a good one.

Healthy Living

2010-08-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

Image by compujeramey via Flickr

The past month and a half has seen a lot of changes from me, both in lifestyle and mindset.

One of the main things I have dedicated the latter half of my summer to is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Now, I'm not the most unhealthy person by any means.

However, I had let myself fall into a bit of a trap, eating out all the time and not getting ample portions of fresh, healthy food.

Believe it or not, eating poorly for an extended period of time really will make you feel unhealthy, negative, and unhappy.

That's where I found myself, deciding that I needed to start getting used to being healthy and making my habits more healthy.

We all know that habits are hard to break, so I knew I needed to make my habits, especially ones regarding my personal health, good ones. With the school year approaching, I knew I needed to get into some sort of health food and fitness routine before classes got started.

I'm happy to say it's been about a month and a half now, and I am still fast-food free (with the exception of a grilled chicken salad or two from Wendy's). I've dedicated myself not only to grocery shopping, but to shopping for groceries properly

I've forced myself to learn to like fruits like blueberries and grapes, so that my body will crave those kinds of foods when I'm hungry rather than a McDouble from McDonald's or a chicken burrito from Taco Bell.

It hasn't been easy, but it certainly wasn't incredibly difficult, either. Once you start making healthy choices, it becomes easier and easier. Now, I buy whole grain pasta and bread instead of the normal stuff.

Simple choices like that make a world of difference.

Now, along with any diet should come some sort of physical activity. Working out has never been something I have been able to maintain and be consistent with.Yet, I've been able to keep up with it this time.

As simple as it sounds, eating healthy makes working out easier. It's a system that builds off itself and gets easier to maintain.

A month ago I hated running and wouldn't touch a blueberry or grape. Now, I'm active and working out a few times a week and eating better than I have since college started.

I guess the point of this post is just to point out that changes can be made in your life. Don't tell yourself you can't do it and never try. It can be done. It just takes a little dedication.

Conference Expansion

2010-08-18T18:59:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Earlier this summer, a seismic shift in the conference makeup of NCAA Sports was thought to be right around the corner.

Unfortunately, Texas decided to stay put and the Big 10 and Big 12 switched numbers. Oh, and Colorado and Utah went to the Pac-10.

Utah going to the Pac-10 didn't seem like a monumental shift at the time, other than increasing the odds against the Mountain West Conference getting an automatic qualifier in a BCS bowl game--something which was a previous stated goal of the MWC and the reason many schools such as TCU originally joined the conference.

News began to break yesterday that BYU was considering going independent in football and rejoining the Western Athletic Conference in all other sports.

With that, the MWC officially had no more chances at earning at automatic qualifier into a BCS game. Therefore, the only loyalty to the MWC for many of its members was broken.

With that. it seems likely that the MWC will battle with Conference USA for a lot of schools. There are so many different options that it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

It was also announced earlier today that the MWC had extended invitations to California State University, Fresno and the University of Nevada, Reno.

That, it seems, is the start of some sort of shift in the landscape of conferences. It will be interesting to see how C-USA plays from here.

Memphis Blues

2010-08-17T09:17:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Memphis isn't exactly the most positive place in the world. Ask anyone that has lived in Memphis, and they will agree Memphians tend to focus on the negative things going on in the city rather than the positive.

For whatever reason, the city of Memphis and the people living in it have developed a self-pity type of attitude.

I wish that people that live in Memphis and go to school here would take some time to step back and look at all the wonderful things this city has to offer.

Sure, I'm guilty of it sometimes, too. I've had my times when I've been completely fed up with Memphis. And, though I may leave someday, this place has been pretty good to me.

So, when people say that Memphis is boring, or that there's nothing to do here, or that it's nothing but crime and unkempt properties, it really irks me.

We have the University of Memphis, a rapidly growing and developing metropolitan research university with a burgeoning athletic program. Just in the two years I've been at school in Memphis, the new University Center has opened, the Living Learning Complex Dorms.

Tiger Lane opens this fall, which will be a serious improvement in aesthetics and gameday atmosphere around the Liberty Bowl.

And, of course there's Tiger basketball, which is one thing that always unites this city like nothing else.

Aside from the University, there are tons of other great things. There's Cooper Young, Jerry's Sno Cones, Harbor Town, Mud Island, The Peabody, Main Street, Central Gardens, Botanic Gardens.

The list could go on forever. And, since Mayor Wharton has taken office, a couple of ambitious redevelopment projects have taken place in the Vance neighborhood near FedExForum and in the heart of South Memphis.

The point of this post is just to say that people, myself included, should try to focus more on the positives that Memphis has. It's a good place to live, and if we work together, we can continue to make it better.

PGA Championship

2010-08-15T23:38:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

What a day it was at the PGA Championship with the players vying for the Wanamaker trophy in "Glory's Last Shot" (At least, that's what Jim Nantz likes to call it.)

Even with Tiger out of the picture, there were still great story lines in play--something the PGA Tour needs in the wake of Tiger's off the course issues.

Everything seemed to be going well.

Dustin Johnson coming back after shooting himself out of the U.S. Open with a final round 82 and hitting shots from all over the course.

Bubba Watson making all the 'good ole boys' back home feel like it was their time to shine.

Rory McIlroy reminding us of the iconic Danny Noonan from Caddyshack with the mop top and picture-perfect follow through.

Australian Steve Elkington thinking it was 1995 again and trying to become the second oldest major champion in history.

Martin Kaymer making us all figure out just who the heck he is and then becoming only the second German ever to win a PGA Championship (Bernhard Langer being the other).

Then, the tour decided to make what should have been a three-way playoff between Watson, Kaymer, and Johnson into a duet because of a somewhat questionable ruling.

Johnson hit his tee shot on number 18 wide right. When he approached his ball, the marshals and fans alike all crowded around like normal in order to get a glimpse of the man who could win the PGA Championship.

Apparently, that bit of barren sand that everyone was standing in (while Johnson was preparing for the shot, mind you) was actually intended to be a sand trap, thereby categorizing it as a hazard.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11

In golf, hazards have special rules, and one of those rules is that you cannot ground you club under any circumstance. Unfortunately for Johnson, he did just that.

After missing a put that he thought would have given him the victory, he headed into the tent to sign his card and prepare for a playoff or so he thought. Instead, tour officials questioned him about his approach shot on 18 and ultimately decided that it was necessary to asses the two stroke penalty.

I know the tour was in a tough spot here, considering that you can't just arbitrarily decide not asses a penalty because a tough break. Yet, I do think the marshals and event management people should have done a better job Sunday and throughout the week on keeping fans out of that bunker.

If it's supposed to be a sand trap, treat it like that. Rake it, and don't allow spectators to walk through it.

I feel horrible for Johnson, especially after his well-noted struggles at this year's U.S. Open. Hopefully, he is strong enough to shrug it off and use it as a positive experience. He certainly has the game to be something special one day.

Now, despite all the hoopla surrounding the Johnson situation, good signs for the future of professional golf could be found all around Whistling Straights.

The PGA Tour should have been taking a collective breath of relief in knowing that it could still generate great entertainment even without Tiger in contention on Sunday.

It didn't matter that Tiger fell out of contention while still trying to figure out his swing amidst his widely noted off the course issues. Prior to the PGA Championship today, golf had seemingly taken a backstage in the sports world as a result of Tiger's troubles.

Ratings at the British Open were nowhere near as good as they would have been had Tiger been around on Sunday.

The PGA Championship had a bunch of guys out there winging it. Mostly players who had something to prove, playing to win the tournament that could define their respective careers.

So, despite Tiger's struggles on and off the course, the PGA Tour is finding out that it can succeed through other means.

Another thing to keep in mind--all these guys are getting great experience while Tiger is struggling. When he comes back and is ready to compete, these young guns won't be afraid of him and Y.E. Yang-esque comebacks won't be a shock to the system.

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