The Seahawks Mascot Goes Skydiving to Promote Halftime...

Are you looking for new ways to drive buzz and awareness for an upcoming halftime performance? Are you looking for new ways to integrate corporate partners in halftime festivities?

During their upcoming game against the Oakland Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks are set to feature the Red Bull Air Force skydive team landing on the field during halftime. The 12-man skydiving team, who have performed 13K jumps together, will be making a stadium appearance to the tune of a live concert by the band The Presidents of the United States.

In an effort to promote the upcoming halftime festivities, the Seahawks sent their mascot, Blitz, last week to Pugent Sound to jump with the Red Bull Skydive team as a promotional stunt. The video, shown below, will be featured on the video board in the stadium for all fans in attendance to see while The Presidents of the United States perform a song about the mascot called "This is a Blitz". 

Hats off to the Seahawks organization for working with the Red Bull Air Force to create a captivating piece that truly shows the team's Seahawks mascot in flight. Check it out below:

LSU Promotes Facilities with Cribs Segment...

Are you looking for new ways to promote collegiate facilities to potential student athlete recruits? Are you looking for new ways to subtly showcase corporate partners in the collegiate space?

LSU Athletics recently released a tremendous "Cribs" segment that showcases the athletic department's premier facilities. With assistance from senior guard Lyle Hitt, the segment takes fans and student athlete recruits behind the scenes of the Charles McClendon Practice Facility, consisting of:

• The weight room
• Training room
• Rehabilitation pools
• Indoor practice facility
• Equipment room
• Bowl Game banners
• The locker room
• The student athlete lounge
• The computer lab
• Meeting and film rooms
• LSU coaches offices
• Trophy cabinets

The segment even includes Muscle Milk product placement, glimpses of Nike team footwear and apparel, and an Everlast punching bag.

But what separates this piece from most others?

The segment, produced internally by LSU Athletics, is extremely well done. Viewers are provided a glimpse of the facilities from a student athlete's point of view in a very professional manner. The segment is currently being featured on LSUSports.net and www.LesMiles.net. The clip has generated 150K hits since it was posted less than two (2) weeks ago - a testament to the effectiveness of the high quality video production.

Yet the question remains whether this video will raise some concerns amongst members of the NCAA:

• With the video focusing on the "student-athlete experience", shouldn't LSU Athletics have at least included a feature/mention of the Academic Center (even if it is not a part of the practice facility)?
• Will the NCAA soon put an end to athletic departments/collegiate coaches posting content clearly student-athletes on their official websites (to drive more web traffic)?

Check out the 2009 LSU Cribs Edition below:

Nike Connects with Consumers Through Passion...

Are you looking to connect with consumers by focusing on the passion that fans and athletes have for the game? Are you looking for new viral ideas?

Over the past week, Nike has released two (2) tremendous ad campaigns that do a tremendous job promoting the passion that both fans and athletes share for their favorite sports. It is amazing to see Nike continuously create ads that blow consumers away (and subtly ingrain their brand along the way).

Nike - "Force Fate"

In support of its Nike training hockey apparel (particularly Team Canada hockey apparel), Nike created a captivating piece that features Canadien hockey players and supporters making their claim that their success is earned, not bred. The piece has the feel of Gatorade's recent "G" campaign and does an excellent job playing off the passion Canadiens have for the game of hockey. Not to mention, plenty of terrific subtle branding plays... Check it out below:

Nike - "Fast is Never Enough"

Nike recently released "Fast is Never Enough" a captivating soccer piece that profiles the 20-year old English sensation Theo Walcott. The viral, in support of Nike's football partnership with Arsenal FC and its global football apparel, is a heart-thumping advert designed to get soccer fans around the globe excited for another year of the English Premier League. The piece does an excellent job mixing game highlights and slow motion tricks with the sound of an adrenaline-filled pep talk. Check it out below: