Sports Media Challenge Adds Kaufman As Training Team Consultant

Long-time Sports PR Exec To Work Closely With Renowned Sports PR and Media Training Firm

CHARLOTTE, NC - October 4, 2005- Sports Media Challenge, a company that provides training and consulting to premiere professional and collegiate sports leagues, teams and individuals worldwide since 1988, has added Harold Kaufman, former Hornets Vice President of Public and Media Relations, to its team as a consultant, the company announced today.

Kathleen Hessert, founder and president of Sports Media Challenge, said she was pleased to add Kaufman, a 17-year public relations executive with the Hornets NBA franchise in Charlotte and now New Orleans. There has been an explosion of media attention on sports at all levels over the past several years. Whether it was the emergence of Internet sports or today's greater appreciation for the role media plays in building and sustaining sports careers, the company has long been poised to meet growing demand.

"Harold has helped the Hornets franchise through so many media relations challenges that he will immediately add 'real world' value to Sports Media Challenge and most importantly to our clients. It is rare to have the opportunity to add so seasoned a professional. Over the years we've worked together on many issues that had the potential to build a franchise or rip a club and community apart. I'm confident that his professional insight and integrity can't be matched and I'm pleased to have him at my side. " Hessert said.

In addition to serving as team spokesman, Kaufman oversaw all media and public relations aspects for the Hornets franchise. He will work with Hessert on media training aspects along with other current company projects.

"It's a privilege to work with someone like Kathleen who has established one of the best media and PR firms in the country," said Kaufman. "Having worked with her during my years with the Hornets, she is committed and capable of lifting the image of a team or an individual to another level. The lengthy list of high profile clients shows she's an impact player and I am proud to be on her team."

"I don't think there has been a coach or a coaching staff that hasn't benefited from Harold's professionalism," said former Hornets head coach and general manager Allan Bristow. "In this day and age, having a relationship with the media is a very vital part of the organization and Harold has always carried out those duties well with all different kinds of media."

Kaufman, 41, is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and was voted as runner-up for the Outstanding NBA Eastern Conference Public Relations Director award by writers and broadcasters nationwide in 1992. He also served as a press manager for the basketball venue at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA.

About Sports Media Challenge:
For the last 17 years Sports Media Challenge has built a track record of training and consulting with athletes, coaches and other sports professionals to maximize public exposure while minimizing its risks. Kathleen Hessert, a certified professional speaker, trainer and consultant helps sports clients identify their well-focused message, then communicate it to be understood, believed and remembered. In addition, our work with corporate America through its sister company, Communication Concepts with companies like KPMG, Milliken & Company, ESPN and Coke allows us to bring our sports clients professional business practices that are becoming crucial for today's athletics organizations.

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