Sterling Promotions
House Of Hoops Is Unique Basketball Retail Experience
NIKE and Foot Locker have opened the doors to House of Hoops by Foot Locker on Harlem's 125th Street, a first-of-its-kind basketball retail experience with Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse exclusively under one roof.
“House of Hoops is a hub for all things basketball and a new home for consumers who live and breathe the game,” said Charlie Denson, President of the Nike Brand. "It's the ultimate basketball store. House of Hoops offers a stellar line-up of performance and basketball inspired footwear, apparel and equipment from the game's biggest names, meeting the needs of the every day player."
As the ultimate consumer experience, House of Hoops flagship stores will feature basketball product available nowhere else in the U.S., including coveted player exclusive footwear. These limited edition personalized performance shoes include the embellishments that All-Star players like Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd and rookie Kevin Durant have on the shoes they lace up on court each night. These styles will be made available for the first time at House of Hoops. At House of Hoops, the Hoops Essentials area gives players the chance to hook up their look from head to toe in the colors of their choice. The VIP Area allows them to read magazines, or check out commercials and behind the scenes interviews with top players-all from leather chairs in front of a 65-inch TV screen. House of Hoops also introduces the Scorer's Table, with special touches like customized t-
shirts and a specialized electronic community board with a ticker posting real-time scores from local high school basketball games, relevant basketball news, and information about upcoming store events.
Under Armour Opens First Retail Store
Under Armour, Inc. has opened its first full-line retail store built to enable consumers to immerse themselves in Under Armour's brand and performance products.
The 4,500 sq. ft. retail space at the Westfield Mall in Annapolis, Maryland, features an immense bronze statue of brand ambassador “Big E,” a “stadium tunnel” entryway, a 120-inch rear projection HD television screen, a 32-inch multi-media touch-screen kiosk containing branded interactive content and educational elements, and a look and feel that represents the collision of athletics, science, industry and performance. Once inside the tunnel entryway, visitors will be engaged by a state-of-the-art and bigger-than-life audio visual experience and will be able to shop a full range of Under Armour performance apparel and footwear.
The Annapolis store marks Under Armour's entry into the branded retail space. Located in close proximity to the Under Armour world headquarters in Baltimore, the new store will serve as a brand touch point with the performance athlete as well as a retail and merchandising pilot center for new brand campaigns to be rolled out to a larger retailer partner community.
“We want the consumer to experience what it feels like to be in an Under Armour commercial,” said Kevin Plank, CEO, Under Armour, Inc. “We’ve built the physical manifestation of the Under Armour Brand. From our perspective, we look to this store to make us a better retail partner, merchandiser and listener to our consumer. As for our consumers, we hope they see the store as an extraordinary and authentic Under Armour experience. It will be like nothing they’ve ever experienced.”
Under Armour selected PlayNetwork Inc., headquartered in Redmond, WA, as the provider of custom music, video and systems integration for the store. “We are thrilled to have PlayNetwork as the integrated media provider for the company’s first store,” said Christopher Hufnagel, Senior Director of Retail, Under Armour.
Two American Original Brands Unite To Release Jordan Levi’s Collection
Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co., have jointly-developed the Jordan Levi’s Collection, which will unite classic style with urban design flair. The men’s only, specially designed, co-branded product will be named the 23/501 collection.
As part of the project, the two global icons created an exclusive collection pairing the Air Jordan Retro 1 style sneakers with a pair of exclusive, co-branded Levi’s Original 501 jeans and a signature tee shirt featuring graphic artwork taken from both brands.
Fran Boller, Business Director, Apparel for Jordan Brand. “This collaboration with Levi’s is an opportunity to offer this exclusive package to consumers looking for something original and authentic.” Doug Sweeny, Director, Brand Marketing, Levi’s Jeanswear added, “Both brands share a kinship given the role each play within their respective categories.”
Bennigan’s Opens Bennigan’s SPORT
Bennigan’s SPORT, the first sports bar concept from Metromedia Restaurant Group (MRG), opened its second U.S. location in Merriville, Ind. The restaurant features free WiFi, 28 Plasma TVs, a lounge area, 20 beers on tap, signature beer blends, 25 bottle label beers and 12 classic canned labels. The interior has been updated with stonework and steel touches.
Flynn Dekker, Sr. V.P., Marketing for MRG, said, “We wanted this restaurant to reflect the feel of the area, so we chose décor and photography that pays homage to local sports favorites like the Chicago Bears, Bulls and Cubs.”
Golf Shop Uses Latest Technology To Ensure Golfers Get Clubs That Fit
Golf Etc. in Charlotte, NC is using TrackMan to measure various aspects of each player's swing and ensure the best possible club fitting.
TrackMan uses Doppler radar technology to provide precise data on the angle, path and speed of a players swing. The results are displayed in a three-dimensional computer simulation that can be viewed from multiple angles. PGA players use the tool to improve their technique.
The device even features game-improvement capabilities that will help golfers hone their skills, taking golf to a whole new level.
Golfsmith's New Raleigh Store Raises The Bar On Activity Based Retail
Golfsmith is unveiling the largest addition to its 74-store chain: a 60,000-sq. ft playground for Raleigh, NC-area golfers and tennis enthusiasts. The store features an interactive 9-bay, indoor driving range complete with state-of-the-art launch monitors as well as an indoor tennis court and dedicated racquet demo areas. The new store also includes a large putting green and Golfsmith’s first-ever dedicated chipping and pitching area with a real sand bunker.
“Our new store raises the bar on activity-based retail and gives our guests an entertaining and educational experience,” said Jim Thompson, CEO of Golfsmith. “We are confident that golfers and tennis players will continue to appreciate the difference in Golfsmith's guest services, specialty retail offerings and activity-based stores that allow our guests the ability to try out the latest golf and tennis gear in a comfortable and fun environment.”
Gatorade & Tiger Woods To Develop Sports Performance Beverages
Gatorade and Tiger Woods are collaborating to develop Tiger-inspired sports performance beverages.
Gatorade Tiger is the first-ever licensing deal for the brand and Tiger Woods’ first-ever endorsed sports beverage.
Marv-o-lus Mfg. Co., Inc., offers the CapTower, its fashionable tower of caps, which attracts customers, and saves precious floor space. Customers can easily see the logos they’re looking for and can easily access caps. 12 cap shelves are spaced 5½" apart. A weighted base prevents the tower from tipping over. The CapTower is available in a black finish with dimensions of 78"H x 10"W x 15-1/2" Deep. For more information, contact Mav-o-lus Mfg. Co., Inc., 220 North Wastenaw Ave., Chicago, IL 60612; (Tel) 800-236-0553, 773-826-1717, (Fax) 773-265-1800, (Web Site) www.marvolus.com.
BIC Comfort 3 Advance Ties In With College Basketball Season
BIC has launched the Comfort 3 Advance Limited Edition College Basketball Licensed Product Program. The promotion, which features high impact p.o.p. displays, offers consumers a college-branded folding sports chair with the purchase of two packages of the Limited Edition Comfort 3 Advance Shaver. Consumers will have 30 team logos to choose from including Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and UCONN.
“College Basketball enthusiasts will enjoy the Comfort 3 Advance Limited Edition shaver. Not only are they getting an excellent shave, they can also receive a chair with their favorite college basketball team’s logo on it,” said Jamie Kistner, Brand Manager- Shavers, BIC.
Sitour Expands Digital Media Signs
Sitour is expanding its digital media signage to ski resorts nationwide. Sitour is upgrading its wireless LED signs to all feature full-color displays.
“We are seeing very strong interest from advertisers using this new media to reach the resort consumer,” said Monte Rios, President & CEO of Sitour USA.
These large-screen, full-color LED signs, which work with schedule-based software linked to the Internet, can display text messages, logos and animated video, and are easily viewed in direct sunlight and at great distances. Messages can be updated in real-time.
Bass Pro Shops Mobile Aquarium Promotes Fishing
Bass Pro Shops recently took a mobile, 53-foot, 6,000 gallon aquarium to the middle of New York City to promote National Hunting and Fishing Day. The aquarium display featured more than 100 native game fish from New York.
Visitors could try their hand at casting at a target or could give fly fishing.
The acquarium travels to Hunting and Fishing Day events during the year, providing Bass Pro Shops with a unique way to introduce fishing to new consumers.
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