Sports Illustrated Group Announces SI Swimsuit 24/7
A First of Its Kind Launch Initiative for the Annual Swimsuit Issue
Club SI Swimsuit presented by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to be held at LAX in Luxor Hotel and Casino
Southwest Airlines to unveil “SI One” a 737-700 wrapped in Swimsuit Imagery
The Sports Illustrated Group announced details for “SI Swimsuit 24/7, From New York to Las Vegas,” a groundbreaking experiential marketing initiative dedicated to the highly-anticipated 2009 Swimsuit Issue. “SI Swimsuit 24/7, From New York to Las Vegas” features the organization’s first Swimsuit launch event in Las Vegas and the first Swimsuit branded airplane.
“This is a signature moment for the Sports Illustrated Group as we embark on a new program to provide customers with opportunities to extend their message utilizing Sports Illustrated properties and events,” said Mark Ford, President of the Sports Illustrated Group. “The Swimsuit franchise is the perfect launch vehicle for this program and demonstrates how SI can create customizable solutions for our clients through any combination of print, digital, event marketing and property sales.”
Club SI Swimsuit, presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority (LVCVA) is scheduled for February 12 at LAX, Las Vegas’ hottest nightclub located in the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The party is the pinnacle event in a week of launch activities for the Swimsuit franchise. More than two dozen SI Swimsuit models featured in the acclaimed annual will be in Las Vegas for a day of autograph signings and events culminating with the launch party at LAX where guests will be treated to a live performance from six-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist John Legend.
“What better place to host the first ever consumer party for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition than fabulous Las Vegas,” said Terry Jicinsky, LVCVA’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Las Vegas is as vibrant as ever and the Sports Illustrated event will leverage the strength of both brands and provide a platform to showcase the destination’s many amenities. Now more than ever, Las Vegas is the ideal destination to ‘Take a Break.’”
The models will journey to Las Vegas aboard “SI One,” a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, which will be wrapped in SI Swimsuit imagery. Southwest Airlines, will unveil SI One at LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Wednesday, February 11. On the evening of the 11th, Southwest will take the Swimsuit models and a traveling party from New York to Las Vegas for the launch. Beginning February 11, SI One will fly throughout the Southwest route system for a limited time. This marks the first time that Southwest has wrapped a plane virtually nose-to-tail in imagery.
“Southwest is always open to innovative projects that showcase our fun-loving personality,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Communications and Strategic Outreach. “Partnering with Sports Illustrated to launch the 2009 Swimsuit Issue gives Southwest a larger-than-life opportunity to reach fans of the most well-known magazine issue in the world. It’s also a clever way to remind travelers we intend to serve New York City from LaGuardia Airport in 2009.”
SI Swimsuit 24/7 is the first official production for the Sports Illustrated Group’s new Experiential Marketing and Property Sales initiative. This enterprise will generate new Sports Illustrated, GOLF and SI Kids public and private events and properties. To support this vision, the SI Group has realigned internal resources and named Team Velocity AOR for property and experiential marketing asset development, production and sales. Additional programs and events will be announced later this year.
“SI Properties and Experiential Marketing will be focused on the development of franchise-wide, monetizeable property assets and work directly with clients to deliver a very customized solution,” said Andrew Judelson, Sports Illustrated Group CMO.
SI Swimsuit 24/7 will begin with a Bon Voyage event at New York’s Pranna Restaurant. A party of swimsuit models, VIPs and executives will be taken from the party to Las Vegas where sponsors will incorporate various levels of activation through events, contesting and presence at the launch party. For example:
- LVCVA proudly presents Club SI Swimsuit Las Vegas, an anchor event in a week of launch activities surrounding the launch of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. On Thursday, February 12, 2009, more than a dozen SI Swimsuit models featured in the acclaimed annual will descend upon Las Vegas for a day of autograph signings and photo opportunities at select resorts, all culminating with the first ever launch party in Las Vegas.
- SoBe Lifewater has teamed with Sports Illustrated to create a promotional sweepstakes through radio promotions and the SoBe Lifewater Facebook group page, (http://www.facebook.com/sobe). Each radio spot gives consumers a chance to attend the Club SI Swimsuit Las Vegas party. SoBe Lifewater product will also be served exclusively at both the NY event and the Las Vegas party, with custom bar displays for SoBe Lifewater at the Las Vegas event.
- For the first time ever, Nissan has exclusive ownership of the 2009 SI Swimsuit Cover model teaser campaign video with seven days of presence on the SI.com homepage. In addition to their Associate sponsorship of Club SI Swimsuit, Nissan is sponsoring the Z-List Sweepstakes with SI Swimsuit model Melissa Keller along with a downloadable calendar.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit franchise reaches more than 66 million adults (approximately one in three Americans over the age of 18). The Swimsuit Issue debuted in 1963 and has become a staple of American culture and has played an integral part in the careers of models such as Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, Tyra Banks, Elle MacPherson, Christie Brinkley and Heidi Klum. A digital powerhouse, SI.com/swimsuit drew more than 8 million visitors last year and 500 million page views. The 2009 Swimsuit Issue cover model was revealed on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, February 9.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Big Air in the Big Apple: Red Bull Snowscrapers Crowns Local Snowboard Champion in New York City
In New York City, 16 illustrious snowboarders from around the globe converged at the East River Park to fight for their share of the $100,000 Red Bull Snowscrapers prize purse.
The riders dropped in from a towering nine-story structure that mirrored the dramatic New York skyline. In front of 20,000 fans, athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and X Games Champion Travis Rice soared above the cityscape off a specially constructed ramp towards an immense 80-foot long landing area.
NEW JERSEY LOCAL TAKES FIRST AND $50K
New Jersey’s own Shayne Pospisil, who started the contest as an alternate after another competitor was unable to compete due to injury, ended up grabbing first place and $50,000 by landing a backside 900 with a clean grab. “It all came together tonight. I landed all my runs,” said Pospisil after being carried away on the shoulders of the crowd. “Having all of my friends and family here is amazing. It’s a dream come true.” Finland’s Torstein Horgmo stuck a frontside 900 tailgrab to steal second place and third place went to another east coaster, New Hampshire’s own Scotty Lago, as he landed a backside 900. Earlier in the evening, snowboarding icon Terje Haakonsen of Norway dropped into the 90-foot tall ramp with his back foot unstrapped from the binding, pulling off a one-footed method air as he kicked his rear foot out, much to the appreciation of the roaring crowd. For his difficult, throwback-style trick, Haakonsen earned Best Trick honors for the night.
BANG YOUR HEAD
NYC’s own Anthrax, known for being the first group to combine heavy metal with rap music and the thrash metal scene, headlined the music stage. They were joined by Brooklyn’s indie-pop artists Black Gold and self-proclaimed rock n’ roll saviors Valient Thorr, capping off a truly high-voltage evening.
FREE SKIING, SLEDDING AND SNOWBOARDING IN NYC
The fun doesn’t end here, because from February 16th-22nd (New York City’s public school vacation week), New York City residents can have their own opportunity to be a pro and ride the Red Bull Snowscrapers ramp. The ramp will be reconfigured into a 3-story skiing and snowboarding mountain right in the heart of NYC’s East River Park. Residents of all ages are welcome, and experts can bring their own equipment and shred on the freestyle features. An additional 150-foot long snow flume will also be on-site for sledding. Demo snowboards and sleds will be available on-site free of charge for beginners. Both the Red Bull Snowscrapers ramp and the snow flume will be open from 11:00am-4:00pm daily and are free to the public.
SWATCH TTR WORLD SNOWBOARD TOUR
Red Bull Snowscrapers joined the ranks of the most prestigious snowboard events on the planet as a 5-Star stop on the SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour. The TTR crowns a World Snowboard Tour Champion at the culmination of each season and pays out an end-of-season prize purse worth $200,000.
For more information please visit www.RedBullSnowscrapers.com.
SWATCH TTR:
Founded by Terje Haakonsen and industry innovators in 2002, the SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour is a non-profit, rider-driven organization with the mission to create the highest quality competitive snowboard environment in the world, using authenticity, accessibility and innovation as guiding principles. Since its foundation, the SWATCH TTR Tour has developed into the most exposed snowboard tour worldwide featuring global grass root and key independent freestyle snowboarding events over a ten-month period from Southern to Northern Hemisphere locations. Events are rated via a 1-through-6Star system, with points allocated accordingly, a 6Star event holding the highest (1000 SWATCH TTR points). Any rider participating in these events, from up-and-coming to professional talent, earns ranking points and a position on the SWATCH TTR World Ranking List. The top male and female rider based on an average of their best seven results of the season is crowned SWATCH TTR World Snowboard Tour Champion.
Results
#1 – Shayne Pospisil (bib#7)
#2 – Torstein Horgmo (bib#14)
#3 – Scotty Lago (bib#12)
#4 – Travis Rice (bib#10)
#5 – Daniel Ek (bib#9)
#6 – Shaun White (bib#13)
#7 – Bjorn Leines (bib#11)
#8 – Terje Haakonsen (bib#8)
#9 – Dustin Craven (bib#4)
#10 – Mikkel Bang (bib#15)
#11 – Heikki Sorsa (bib#16)
#12 – Pat Moore (bib#3)
#13 – Eero Ettala (bib#5)
#14 – Andreas Wiig (bib#6)
#15 – Jack Mitrani (bib#1)
#16 – JJ Thomas (bib#2)
Source: Red Bull
Sony Electronics Finalizes High-Definition Technology and Marketing Pact With New York Yankees for New Stadium
Another deal the New York Yankees solidified this off season — in addition to Sabathia, Burnett and Teixeira — is an agreement centering on a corporate marketing and high-definition (HD) technology relationship with Sony Electronics, which is sure to deliver a high-quality, HD experience for fans.
When the team opens the 2009 season in its new Stadium, there will be a Sony HD broadcast control room; more than 550 flat-panel BRAVIA(R) and professional LCD HD television sets in the luxury suites, lounges, concourses, restaurants and administrative offices; plus Sony HD branding elements featured prominently throughout the Stadium.
In addition, Sony PlayStation3(R) entertainment systems and VAIO(R) notebook computers will be available to fans in select locations throughout the Stadium.
“We are proud to continue our long-term relationship with Sony Electronics,” said Lonn Trost, chief operating officer for the New York Yankees. “Integrating Sony products into Yankee Stadium is very important to us as we near completion of what will certainly be among the most modern and technologically advanced sports venues in the world.”
Sony’s well-recognized “HDNA” campaign will be featured on a right-field wall sign, in addition to diorama ads in four concourse locations. Sony will also receive designations as the “Official LCD Television,” “Official HD Television,” and “Official Consumer Electronics Manufacturer” of the New York Yankees.
“The new home of the world’s most renowned sports franchise – with its storied history of leadership and excellence – is the perfect place to showcase all that is Sony,” said Sir Howard Stringer, chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Corporation. “It is thrilling for Sony to be playing a part in this new chapter in Yankee history.”
Professional HD studio cameras, production switchers and decks will be the centerpiece of the newly named “Sony Control Room.”
Prior to each home game, a 30-second Sony promotional segment will be displayed on the HD scoreboard, and the Yankees highlights feature will be presented by Sony.
Source: Sony Electronics
Red Bull Announces First Sky-High Urban Snowboard Event to Take Place in New York City
Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White to Compete Against 15 Top Professionals at Red Bull Snowscrapers
On Thursday, February 5, 2009, iconic snowboarders including Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, freestyle / backcountry legend Travis Rice, ultra-progressive phenomenon Pat Moore along with 13 other pro riders will compete against the majestic backdrop of the New York City skyline in a contest that will prove to be the biggest winter event to come to New York City.
Sixteen of the world’s best snowboarders will compete to own a piece of the $100,000 prize purse as Anthrax and other soon to be announced music acts perform live, giving the crowd a show they’ll never forget. Red Bull Snowscrapers marks the debut of the largest snowboarding contest held in an urban setting in North America, complete with music acts and a spectator village located in East River Park (corner of Houston Street and FDR).
BIG AIR IN THE BIG APPLE
OWNING THE MANHATTAN SKYLINE
For the first-time ever, Red Bull will create a towering 90-foot tall, state-of-the-art structure for top riders to own the iconic Manhattan skyline. The athletes will charge down the nine-story structure before flying off the specially constructed ramp toward an immense 80-foot long hip landing area. The innovative hip, built by world-renowned designers Frank Wells and Mike Bettera of Snow Park Technology, allows riders multiple angles of trajectory, landing on either the right or left side of the massive 45-degree spine. Additionally, the ramp design will allow spectators to get up close and personal, giving fans an opportunity to experience the action first hand as the riders spin roughly four stories into the sky.
A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
New York spectators may deem them insane, but for the competitors, pushing the limits is a constant frame of mind. Although both their skill and style will be put to the test, the challenge here lies in the Red Bull Snowscrapers unique double-sided pyramid landing that pushes the envelope of big-air competition and rider adaptability.
With so many angles of approach, options, and opportunity, the athlete who ultimately conquers the ramp may be determined by their creative state of mind. And that creativity will be rewarded handsomely with a hefty $50,000 awarded to the winner. With so much on the line, Red Bull left nothing to chance, and will be enlisting a panel of internationally licensed judges to score the event.
For more information please visit www.RedBullSnowscrapers.com.