Currently, I assist with strategic communications for ESPN’s MLB and NBA properties, as well as ESPN Corporate Outreach initiatives. I previously supported ESPN Ad Sales, Affiliate Sales, Marketing, Research and Digital teams from our New York office.
Prior to joining ESPN, I worked in digital strategy and online communications in Washington D.C., first with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and the Baltimore Orioles, and later with SB Nation. I also covered the Washington Nationals and visiting MLB clubs for MASNsports.com and MLB.com.
A Johnstown, Pa. native, I graduated from Mercyhurst College and earned my Master's degree from Catholic University. I cheer for the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pitt Panthers and Mercyhurst Lakers.
Today, ESPN begins a two-week tribute honoring NBA legend Michael Jordan leading up to his 50th birthday on Sunday, Feb. 17.
The multiplatform celebration includes vignettes on SportsCenter remembering Jordan’s legacy, a robust slate of Jordan’s greatest performances on ESPN Classic and SportsCenter’s Top 50 Jordan highlights with fan participation determining the Top 10.
Among the notable figures contributing to the project are NBA Commissioner David Stern, NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, Basketball Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Bobby Knight and Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist COMMON.
To light the first candle on the Jordan birthday cake, Front Row asked our NBA commentators, analysts and reporters one important question: If you could get Michael Jordan anything for his birthday, what would it be?
The ideas for the North Carolina grad, Chicago Bulls’ six-time NBA champion and Charlotte Bobcats chairman are both insightful and amusing.
Flip Saunders:
What do you get the greatest player to play in the NBA for his birthday, especially when he has all he wants? I decided to give Michael a Birthday Basket which includes the following:
• Two season tickets to the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball games
• A Duke, home jersey, No. 23
• A year’s supply of Powerade
• And, if it existed, a signed copy of former Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause’s book How Management Wins NBA Championships Year After Year, with a foreword by Phil Jackson.
Kurt Rambis:
If I could give Michael Jordan anything for his 50th birthday, I would give him back the game, Dec. 23, 1988, when I hit a buzzer beating shot over him and his Chicago Bulls for the expansion Charlotte Hornets. I’m sure that loss has haunted him his entire career.
Fans of ESPN’s NBA programming, including Coast to Coast and NBA Tonight, might have noticed some unique twists on the standard theme music throughout the season. Those versions were developed for ESPN by popular recording artists across a variety of different music genres.
Among them are three Grammy-winning artists: Ozomatli, a Latin rock band that fuses many different music genres; Humble Monsta/Mr. Bink, a Jay-Z producer; and the blues-inspired Robert Cray Band. Other participants include the California indie rock band The Mowgli’s, jazz artist John Pizzarelli and The Sweet Tea Project, a group led by Ed Roland of Collective Soul. Two British artists — electro-pop sensation Jacob Plant and rock band The Heavy — also joined the diverse lineup.
Beginning today and continuing through Friday, Feb. 8, fans can vote for their favorite version on the SportsNation section of ESPN.com. The winning version will be featured on ESPN’s telecast of the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 15.
Front Row caught up with ESPN music director Kevin Wilson to learn a little more about the contest.
How did you select the artists?
Basically, we decided the types of genres that we wanted to feature and then we just started identifying artists that fit into those genres. We came up with a list of really talented, unique artists and started to make our requests.
Why is it important to bring fans into the creative process?continue reading…
It is a well-known fact that Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has huge hands — “the largest hands the Celtics’ current training staff has ever measured,” according to Peter F. Stringer in an article for Celtics.com.
How large, you might ask?
Nine-and-a-half inches long and 10 inches wide, says ESPN’s Emmy-winning Sport Science, which also notes that Rondo’s larger-than-life hands make his wingspan 11 percent longer than Leonardo Da Vinci’s study of human proportions would predict.
Both factors help to explain why Rondo accumulates so many steals and assists each year, including an NBA-best 11.2 average assists per game this season.
Rondo’s huge hands inspired ESPN Marketing’s latest This is SportsCenter spot, which launched today on television and online.
In the spot, SportsCenter’sSteve Levy advises fellow anchor John Anderson not to look directly at Rondo’s hands. Anderson ignores the advice and quickly realizes just how small his own are in comparison.
Anderson said there was humor to be found off camera, too. continue reading…
ESPN’s Christmas Day action tips off at noon with the Boston Celtics at the Brooklyn Nets followed by ABC’s doubleheader — New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers at 3 p.m. ET and an NBA Finals rematch of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat at 5:30 p.m.
Fans can tune in to ABC at 2:30 p.m. to catch the first look at a new KIA NBA Countdown set featuring new automated, mobile video monitors, LED center displays and more studio space.
“The gadgets, man, it’s going to blow people away. I can’t wait for Christmas Day,” Countdown analyst Earvin “Magic” Johnson said earlier this week. The new set design is based on ESPN’s new KIA NBA Countdown open package, which features moving images of NBA players.
Billy Crystal and Jeff Van Gundy
Additionally, as part of ESPN’s blockbuster Christmas Day NBA coverage, ESPN3 will present a new take on the traditional holiday yulelog, but this one is designed for the avid NBA fan. At the conclusion of the Knicks/Lakers game, ESPN3 will place a static camera in the Staples Center to capture the venue’s transformation before the Nuggets/Clippers nightcap at 10:30 p.m.
Dubbed the #StaplesSwitch on social media platforms, viewers can tune in throughout the evening to catch the transition in action. The largest component is striking the Lakers floor and installing the Clippers floor, though signage throughout the entire venue will also be changed quickly.
While the staff and crew at the Staples Center prepares for double duty, ESPN’s lead NBA crew – Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy — also will be on hand for both games. Last year, the tireless duo traveled from Dallas, Texas to Oakland, Calif. on Christmas Day to work both games. This year, they’ll be treated to a special visit from Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor and Clippers fan Billy Crystal, who will join the booth for a portion of the Nuggets/Clippers matchup.
Editor’s Note: Fans with an affiliated internet or cable provider can watch the #StaplesSwitch on tablets, smartphones and computers via ESPN3. Select NBA Christmas Day games are available on ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and WatchESPN. The full schedule is available on ESPN Media Zone.
Marc Stein (R) with New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire.
Editor’s note: I Follow is all about ESPN employees on Twitter: what they tweet, whom they follow and how you can interact socially with anyone and everyone.
As ESPN and ABC’s robust lineup of Christmas Day NBA games tips off, ESPN senior NBA writer Marc Stein shares his take on social media including how it has changed his NBA coverage and how it improves interactions between athletes, fans and media.
ABC, ESPN and ESPN.com combine for wall-to-wall coverage of all five Christmas Day NBA games highlighted by ABC’s doubleheader — the New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers at 3 p.m. ET, and an NBA Finals rematch of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat at 5:30 p.m. ESPN.com will also have special editions of the Daily Dime and Five on Five features, as well as a day-long live chat.
Twitter handle: @ESPNSteinLine Followers: 226,472 Following: 1,324
*As of 12/24/12
What do you enjoy most about using Twitter?
I obviously love the immediacy and the ability to laser in on my favorite sports and subjects. I also can’t deny, as a lover of words, that I’ve grown to relish the challenge of trying to say something meaningful in a mere 140 characters. When I’m on the run, nothing is faster to me than cranking up a quick Twitter search on my handheld to find the answer to almost any question that invades my brain. I simply can’t imagine life without Twitter now and can’t wait to see what comes next that changes the media world.
Kevin Preston speaks to a group of ESPN employees. (Hannah Worster/ESPN)
Editor’s note: In March, the Walt Disney Company and President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger announced an important new initiative to recruit and hire military veterans across all segments of the company.
“Heroes Work Here. Employ excellence. Hire veterans” is Disney’s pledge to find career opportunities for 1,000 veterans over the next three years. The company has launched a national campaign to encourage all employers to hire veterans. Additionally, employees will be encouraged to serve veterans organizations through Disney’s VoluntEARS program.
As part of the Heroes Work Here initiative, ESPN has engaged in a series of presentations to familiarize staff with military culture and experiences. Led by Kevin Preston, Director of Human Resources, Veterans Initiative for Heroes Work Here, these presentations help hiring managers translate military tasks and responsibilities into corporate language and learn more about military values and behaviors.
Front Row sat in on a presentation and then asked Preston for some insight on the program, which will continue to be offered to the ESPN team throughout 2013.
What is the purpose of your presentations?
There are three different classes that we teach: one for leaders, one for recruiters and one for the college program around internships. But they all have the same purpose — to familiarize the non-military person with the offerings and potential of veterans.
What’s the most helpful thing managers take away from these sessions?continue reading…
On Wednesday evening during the telecast of the Los Angeles Clippers’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN Marketing debuted the latest spot in the ESPN NBA RV campaign.
In the commercial, Clippers point guard Chris Paul joins ESPN commentators Magic Johnson, Mike Breen and Jon Barry in a decoy RV to avoid the relentless “LA paparazzi.”
Their plan goes smoothly until they realize that one analyst boarded the wrong vehicle. In the second RV, Jeff Van Gundy is surrounded by look-alikes representing each of his commentator counterparts, as well as Paul.
ESPN Marketing worked with Wieden + Kennedy New York on the creative process, including the incredible casting.
Front Row spoke to a few of the doubles to learn a little more about their experience:
Actor Willy Rosner, who doubled for Van Gundy:
The wardrobe person gave me my clothes to try on and showed me to the changing room on the set. I started to get undressed when Magic walked in with his wardrobe to try on. Never in a million years would I have ever thought I’d be standing in my underwear next to Magic Johnson. It was very surreal. Standing next to Magic made me feel like Danny Devito in Twins.
Actor Darryl Dunning II, who doubled for Paul:
I grew up watching Magic with my Pops, so I snapped a photo & showed my Dad. It made his day. I resemble Chris in both stature and look so I knew it was only a matter of time before we would work together. continue reading…
With the start of ESPN’s sixth annual Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research, ESPN announced a donation of $1 million to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The donation will support The V Foundation’s endowment fund, which helps cover operating costs of the foundation, enabling 100 percent of cash donations to go directly to research.
Viewers and fans can join ESPN and The V Foundation in the fight against cancer by calling 1-800-4-JIMMY-V, visiting jimmyv.org or texting JimmyV to #80888 throughout Jimmy V Week to make a donation toward cancer research.
“It’s fitting for ESPN to make this commitment as we begin Jimmy V Week, when our employees and sports fans are passionate in joining together to make a difference to beat this disease,” said George Bodenheimer, ESPN Executive Chairman.
Jimmy V Week tips off tonight at 7 p.m. ET with a simulcast of former N.C. State coach Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPYs speech across ESPN domestic media networks, as well as on the ABC SuperSign in Times Square.
The 13-minute speech will air simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN3, ESPN Deportes, Longhorn Network and ESPN 3D. Fans also can watch on ESPN.com, ESPN3, WatchESPN and jimmyv.org throughout the week.
The simulcast of the speech on all platforms includes an introduction by two cancer survivors, SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott and New York Giants linebacker Mark Herzlich.
The week will conclude with the Jimmy V Women’s and Men’s Basketball Classics Presented by Corona Extra on Monday, Dec. 3 and Tuesday, Dec. 4.
As part of ESPN’s Salute to Veterans Week, Team ESPN volunteers have expressed support for troops, veterans and military families in a variety of ways.
Earlier this week, ESPN employees in Bristol, Conn. and in New York City assembled more than 1,200 USO deployment kits for troops. The kits included basic necessities — toothpaste, razors and deodorant — as well as snacks, games, VIA coffee packets donated by Starbucks and copies of ESPN The Magazine. Many of those kits will be sent to active military from Connecticut as well as to first responders in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.
“We wanted to provide opportunities for our employees to directly impact the lives of servicemen and women and veterans here at home,” said Kevin Martinez, senior director, Corporate Outreach. “This is an important way for the entire ESPN community to express our support and gratitude.”
ESPN also teamed up with the USO to drive sports fans and viewers to donate a gift to troops and their families through the USO Wishbook at USO.org/ESPN. Items include a phone call home, a family fun day or football and baseball equipment for pick-up games overseas. ESPN will run unique USO PSAs to promote the campaign across select ESPN media platforms.
Additionally, dozens of ESPN volunteers will team up with The Mission Continues on Friday, Nov. 9 for a day of service in Bridgeport, Conn. at ABRI/Homes for the Brave, a transitional housing facility for homeless veterans. Joined by volunteers from The Home Depot — sponsor of ESPN’s College GameDay — Team ESPN will work alongside veterans to remodel, paint and upgrade the facility.
With the tip-off of a new NBA season on ESPN, the ESPN Marketing team has been busy developing an all new RV Tour campaign. Now six seasons strong, the RV campaign has featured ESPN talent and NBA superstars driving around the country to promote NBA on ESPN coverage.
This year spots showcase ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Breen, Magic Johnson, Doris Burke and Jon Barry on various cross-country adventures with Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.
Front Row spoke to ESPN’s A.J. Mazza, manager, Marketing, about the evolution of the campaign over the years and what fans can expect to see this season.
Can you talk a little bit about the evolution of the RV campaign?
With Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays being the destination for NBA games on ESPN, the idea of a season-long road trip was a natural fit. The campaign has become one of ESPN’s most beloved and our fans really look forward to it each year.
How do you keep a campaign like this fresh?
It’s not always easy, as there are only so many “road trip” type jokes. However, our creative agency, Wieden + Kennedy, has done a fantastic job keeping it fresh every year. They use insights and storylines from the past or upcoming season, and build a unique concept around it that fits into the RV campaign. Russell Westbrook and his fashionable glasses are a perfect example.
Jeff Van Gundy (top) and Mike Breen
What did you enjoy most about this year’s campaign?continue reading…
