Eliminating industry secrets

Good morning. Industry secrets shouldn't be a secret.

For some that may be a bold take, but for our team it makes sense. At the CG Sports Co, we want athletes to feel empowered and to thrive as they build their brand and forge their path in the world. 

Cejih Yung, our Founder and CEO, recently joined Laura Wilkinson on the Pursuit of Gold podcast to talk about the CG Sports Co, athlete branding, creativity, NIL, and much more. It is a genuinely powerful interview (and, no, that is not a biased opinion). Listening to Cejih discuss the inception of CG Sports Co is a powerful reminder to identify your "why" in anything you're doing and to not hold back. 

Helping our athletes develop their brand and present a full version of themselves to potential sponsors is just one why at the core of what we do. This is done in our brand camp, which is one element of athlete branding that Cejih breaks down in the podcast episode. 

If you've been curious about the CG Sports Co, athlete branding, or this guy we call "Uncle Yung," I hope you find some time to listen to this episode. 

Enjoy your Wednesday, folks. 

-- Taylor 

OTHER BIG NEWS THIS WEEK:

• Paige Madden has been named to Team USA's 2023 Pan American Games team. 

• Natalie Hinds hosted a sprint and explosive start clinic with Kingfish Swimming. 

P.S. Nervous about missing upcoming news from CG Sports? Follow us on Instagram (@cgsportsco), Facebook (CG Sports Management), and, of course, our weekly newsletter.

Elizabeth Beisel continues to make waves and spread positivity. Since launching her new line of Block Cancer merch, the company has raised more than $35,000 in sales. 

Beisel explained to People, "It’s really incredible to see the support that Block Cancer has gotten and how many people are ordering not just the hoodies and like everyday items, but also the porch shirts, the chemo caps, the blankets, the cancer care packages,” Beisel says. “It's been really beautiful to see the cancer community really lean into it — it's been wonderful.”

Weeks ago, James Green rocked the wrestling world when he announced that he was coming out of athletic retirement and would be training at the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center. But the excitement doesn't stop there... Last week, Green and the University of Nebraska announced that he would be joining the coaching staff as a full-time assistant coach, too. 

Read the full Corn Husker report here. 

Rosie Brennan has been a staple on the U.S. ski team for years and has been a regular resident on the points chase leaderboard for the International Ski Federation. Recently, she sat down for a feature FasterSkier, discussing her career struggles, goals, relationship with the media, and what the future holds. 

Read part one of Brennan's interview with FasterSkier online now. 

Ideas for marketing Olympic athletes 

This post is for sponsors and marketing folks who are beginning to work with athletes! Sponsoring an Olympian is exciting. To help, her are a few examples of what we have seen work over the years for successful ways to integrate an athlete into your marketing.

Below are examples of successful marketing activation campaigns that companies have used to integrate athletes into their brand.

Professional photography: Schedule a photoshoot with the athlete to capture professional photos that can be used by both Sponsor and athlete. These images will have a lengthy life span and can enhance the relationship between athlete and sponsor.

• Example 1: Olympian Elizabeth Beisel + Pentair

• Example 2: UCAN + Olympic Captain Maggie Steffens

Integrate athlete in “out of home” marketing: Out of home advertising (OOH) is a form of advertising that can be found outside of a consumer’s home. Traditionally this includes everything from billboards to bus shelters, benches, and everything in-between. OOH ads are difficult to avoid, and they can have a significant impact on consumers due to their size and contrast to the real-world environment. Alongside this, OOH has a positive effect as a complement to digital advertising. One study found that consumers are 48% more likely to interact with a digital ad after being exposed to an OOH ad first.

• Example 1: Natalie Hinds + City of Midland

• Example 2: Clear Channel Outdoor + Swim Across America (NYC times square)

Click here to view examples for in-person and community engagements! 

Not only is Lead Summit 2023 right around the corner, but McKenzie Coan was just announced as a speaker!

Lahaina Swim Club

On August 8, 2023, life changed forever for the members of the Lahaina Swim Club. Devastating fires ripped through Maui, destroying homes, businesses, historical landmarks, and more. 

Since its inception, the goal of Lahaina Swim Club has been to provide a safe and fun environment for young athletes of all skill levels. The club has maintained a positive and competitive environment throughout the years, with many former members going on to receive athletic scholarships. 

Any donations made to the Lahaina Swim Club will be distributed by the club to those members in need. The club is a 501(c)3 and any donation will be fully tax deductible. Click here to support the Lahaina Swim Club. 

Champion's Mojo, Episode #222: "Swim For Your Coach? Val Van Horn Pate's Success Unveiled" 

What would it feel like to swim the fastest time in the country in the 200 Fly at age 60-64? Discover the exhilarating journey with Val Van Horn Pate, an exceptional swimmer who just achieved this remarkable feat. She spills the beans about her experience, her mindset, and strategies that led to this triumph. Feel the thrill as she recounts the ups and downs of her ride, offering an honest insight into the ecstasy of reaching the end goal.

This episode takes a deep dive into Val's training schedule under the incredible guidance of her coach, Mark Kutz. She shares her unique perspective on swimming as a spiritual experience, a freeing sensation that provides an escape from everything else. Whether you're interested in swimming, sports psychology, or simply want to understand the drive to push one's boundaries, Val's story will inspire and motivate you! So, come onboard to uncover the secrets behind this swimming sensation's success.

Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.

Brendan Kaminsky (@bkaminsky), Founder of bknown Agency (@bknownagency)

Brendan Kaminsky (@bkaminsky), Founder of bknown Agency (@bknownagency), joins Sports Business Radio for a deep dive into the ever-changing world of social media and digital. How will each of the major social media platforms evolve over the next 5 years? How should you and your company be building your social media platforms? What digital platforms may emerge in the future?

Brendan, is a respected digital media executive with an extensive track record overseeing, managing and developing content creation across various digital media platforms in the sports, entertainment, and start up industries. bknown, launched in 2021, is a full-service branding and digital media agency focused on optimizing a brand’s strategy and online presence. Prior to launching bknown, Kaminsky managed the in-house social media for ESPN’s SportsCenter as well as various ESPN on-air talent such as Stephen A. Smith, Adrian Wojnarowski, Adam Schefter and Jalen Rose among others.
In our sports business headlines of the week, we discuss the continued fallout from the mass departures from the Pac-12 conference.

Catch up on EVERY episode online!