FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sports Media Challenge adds Ford as Special Projects Media Analyst
(Renowned Sports PR and Media Training Firm Hires New Talent to Expand Upon Outreach Initiatives)
CHARLOTTE, NC – October 19, 2007 – Sports Media Challenge, an industry leader in communication training and consulting to premiere professional and collegiate sports leagues, teams and individuals worldwide since 1988, has made a strategic hire. The company announced today that Luke Ford has joined the ranks as a Media Analyst for Sports Media Challenge.
Kathleen Hessert, founder and president of Sports Media Challenge, said "We're constantly on the lookout for creative, hard charging talent to fill our ranks and provide the service our premiere clients have learned to expect from us. Luke knows public relations and brings a contagious energy and flow of ideas that will help us continue to build our core business as well as our exploding new media/fan engagement division."
Ford, a Charlotte NC native received his B.A. in Communication Studies from UNC-Charlotte. He gained a firm understanding in industry nuances by working with clients in areas ranging from Corporate Social Responsibility, to Consumer Technology and Financial Products & Services. He entered the entertainment arena making a name for himself around the Regional Charlotte music scene by providing publicity, management, and creative direction to aspiring local talent. He transitioned to the SMC team after a short stint working in Basketball Communications/Media Relations with the Charlotte Bobcats, where he worked closely with the players, executives, and media outlets.
"I'm really excited to work with a communications firm of this caliber," said Ford. "It's difficult to break in to the sports branding industry, but having the opportunity to work with industry leaders like NBC and, icons like Peyton Manning, is an honor. I'm just glad to be a part of the company's growth."
Ford joined SMC in an attempt to build upon the team's already impressive list of clients as well as to develop new strategic outreach initiatives. His primary focus is on the management of Buzz ManagerTM, a proprietary software application that mines, monitors, and analyzes online word of mouth following brands and issues for marketing and PR purposes.
His hire coincides with the Sept. 14 launch of their NFL Blog Buzz on NBCSports.com. Blog Buzz identifies and analyzes the Top 5 stories of the week on the most influential fan blogs covering the NFL.
About Sports Media Challenge (www.sportsmediachallenge.com)
Since 1988, Sports Media Challenge has helped more than 100 leading university Athletic Departments, professional leagues, teams and world-class sports personalities protect and enhance their brands through strategic communications, consulting and training. Some of the more prominent clients to use PR and marketing tools both proactively and reactively include The Universities of Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, NCAA Football, ESPN, THE PGA TOUR, The NFL, MLB and NBA teams as well as NFL MVP Peyton Manning, and NBA great Shaquille O'Neal.
Media Contact
Harold Kaufman
Senior Analyst and Consultant
Sports Media Challenge
704-451-8938
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