NATIONAL SPORTS MARKETING NETWORK (NSMN) HOSTS A SERIES OF GROUNDBREAKING B2B PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON THE STATE OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ENTITLED: “SPORTS AND SCANDAL: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW WE PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.”
The Sports Industry’s Leading Crisis Communications Experts, Agents, Marketers, Agencies, Former Players And News Media Engage In Frank Conversations About The Legacy Of Scandals On Fans And The Business
October 4, 2007 – The National Sports Marketing Network (NSMN), the single most influential networking organization for sports business professionals in the U.S will host a groundbreaking series of exclusive events for its members titled “Sports and Scandal: What we have learned and how we prepare for the future.” Over the course of the next several weeks, NSMN chapters in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco are engaging in an unprecedented open dialogue between the sports crisis communications experts, team representatives, former players, agents and executives who comprise NSMN and have first-hand experience with the problems touching sports business today.
During these town hall meetings, the nation’s most influential decision-makers will cover topics including: corporate social responsibility to young fans; the aftermath of scandal and how to better prepare for it; how these incidents impact relationships with sponsors and the bottom line; do the punishments fit the crimes, former player reactions, and the legal issues that teams, leagues and players encounter when good play goes bad.
“The ‘Sports and Scandal’ series is an opportunity unique to NSMN members to engage in an open dialogue with their industry peers about the strategies and best practices to handle these headline-grabbing crises,” said Jennifer Karpf, president and founder of NSMN. “NSMN is a network comprised of leaders. Our events address the most important sports issues of the day in an open format, and serve as a way for members to come together and meet their peers, discuss the key issues affecting sports business, and prepare for the future.”
NSMN, which lists among its ranks some of the most prominent executives in sports business, is the only organization in the industry to regularly produce dynamic, issue-oriented forums for its membership that provide critically-important insight into the breaking issues that affect the bottom line. “Sports and Scandal” builds upon that tradition with representatives from the foremost organizations in the sports industry initiating conversations in cities across the country
“Sports and Scandal” locations and speakers include:
New York City – September 28, AM, Dave & Busters
Vince Doria, Senior Vice President, Director of News, ESPN
Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal (panel moderator)
Jennifer McIntosh, Vice President, Media Relations, World Wrestling Entertainment
Scott Novak, Senior Vice President, Dan Klores Communications
Mike Paul, President & Senior Counselor, MGP & Associates PR
Lowell Taub, Athlete Marketing Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
San Francisco – October 10, PM, AT & T Park
Steve Baker, President, Baker Sports Management
Bob Dorfman, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Baker Street Partners
Joe Fonzi, KTVU Fox 2 Weekend Sports Anchor (panel moderator)
Ann Killion, Sports Columnist, San Jose Mercury News
Staci Slaughter, Senior Vice President, Communications, San Francisco Giants
Dr. Jamie Williams, Athletic Director, Academy of Art University, (Former NFL Player: San Francisco 49ers, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Raiders and St. Louis Cardinals; Member of the 49er's 1990 Super Bowl Championship Team)
Denver – October 16, AM, Invesco Field
Sam Adams, Reporter, Rocky Mountain News
Mark Bryant, Esq, Sports Attorney, Law Office of Mark L. Bryant, (Clients include: New Orleans Hornets forward Chris Andersen, among other NBA players)
Greg Carney, Vice President, Marketing, Denver Broncos
Dave Mellin, Director of Sports Sponsorships & Brand Communications, Sprint
Craig Miller, Assistant Executive Director, Communications, USA Basketball
Ken Reed, EdD., Professor, Sports Ethics and Distance Faculty, United States Sports Academy
Reggie Rivers, CBS4 Weekend Sports Anchor; Columnist, Pro Football Weekly (Former Fullback, Denver Broncos) (panel moderator)
Philadelphia – October 17, PM, Wachovia Center
Jerrold Colton, Esq, Sports Agent/Attorney, Agent for David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles), Tank Johnson (Dallas Cowboys), Dainius Zubrus (NJ Devils) and others
Jim Jenks, Sports Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer (panel moderator)
Melissa Mattilio, Customer Marketing Manager, Turkey Hill
Ray Pennacchia, Senior Vice President, NovaCare Rehabilitation
Lara Price, Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Philadelphia 76ers
Chicago – September 18, United Center
Stu Courtney, Sports Editor, Chicago Sun-Times
Luis Hernandez, Director of Public Relations, Chicago White Sox
Nova Lanktree, Executive Vice President, Marketing Services, CSMG International
Corey McPherrin, Sports Anchor, FOX News Chicago/FOX Kickoff Live (panel moderator)
Scott Novak, Senior Vice President, Dan Klores Communications
James "Big Cat" Williams, Color Commentator, Chicago Rush Arena Football (Former Lineman, Chicago Bears)
Alan Zucker, Senior Vice President, Athlete Marketing, IMG
Boston – Date & Location TBA
John Lynch, Vice President, Brand Communication, Reebok
Visit HYPERLINK www.sportsmarketingnetwork.com for information on how join NSMN and learn more about “Sports and Scandal: What we have learned and how we prepare for the future.”
About NSMN
Founded in 1998 by Karpf, NSMN represents more than 7,000 members with chapters in 11 major markets including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C. The membership includes the most influential sports business professionals representing a variety of areas such as professional sports leagues, sports marketing agencies, television networks, event companies and agents.
NSMN is dedicated to the advancement of the sports business industry through professional development counseling, networking, and the production of thought-provoking, issue-oriented seminars created to raise the level of discourse on critical sports industry issues. In addition to producing must-attend panel discussions in each market, NSMN produces the Sports Licensing Summit during Licensing Week in New York City each year. For information visit, HYPERLINK "http://www.sportsmarketingnetwork.com" http://www.sportsmarketingnetwork.com or call 212-227-1300.