Monday January 25, 2021

Martinez on the importance of corporate citizenship: It is indeed imperative and to quote Jimmy, directly, corporate social responsibility “influences corporate culture, brand reputation, business continuity and innovation, and cannot be undervalued.” And in a year that was unlike any other, the pandemic and social justice movements, have only amplified our efforts to reimagine equity and fairness in our business processes and priorities.

Also, the generational shift happening with the employee base is very real — younger workers are demanding their companies be more than profit focused. And stockholders are now more educated than ever on the synergy and influence that CSR has on the business – especially as they see through the lens of crisis, social justice and the pandemic. Corporate leaders are now demanding a more proactive use of CSR assets including corporate giving, corporate foundations, volunteerism, diversity & inclusion, sustainability, cause marketing and public affairs to achieve more holistic strategies and shared purpose. The business of CSR is the business, and its purpose is to do no harm and build stronger, inclusive and equitable communities.

On key takeaways: The report highlights the way that the company has worked together to tackle systemic social issues. At ESPN, we are storytellers through and through, and that extends into our work to empower and inspire communities. One of our most powerful resources at ESPN is the ability to share impactful, inspiring stories with millions of people across the globe. In a world where “content is king,” casting light on social issues and providing in-kind value to our nonprofit partners via storytelling is one of the unique ways ESPN gives back.

So, during this difficult year, we continued to do what we’re best at and told stories that mattered. We highlight many of these impactful stories in the report, from the important work of social justice and racial equity through the work of The Undefeated to cross-platform initiatives such as Mental Health Awareness Month. But we tell stories in other ways too. For example, we combined the ESPYS and the Sports Humanitarian Awards this year to shine a light on all the ways the sports community gave back this year. We also launched several cause-marketing programs, such as Champion Black Businesses during the NBA Finals, to engage with our sports fans. And finally, we partnered with the sports leagues and our advertisers and business partners on programming that creates real change and highlighted that in game coverage and via commercial time.

On surprises: Like everyone else, as the pandemic first started to unfold, we transitioned to remote work and had to rethink how to engage with communities, with programs that were traditionally hands on. We saw that youth were particularly feeling the strain of not being able to be with their peers or play sports, so we launched several virtual initiatives to give kids some inspiration and optimism. This included hosting a special series with our NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski and several NBA players to talk to youth about how to stay active and connected. We also empowered kids to give back to their communities with ESPN #oneteam Challenge, engaging young people in a six-week, sports-themed challenge. And finally, we worked with Bank of America to host a conversation on racial equity for youth with several MLB greats. All of these programs had tremendous engagement, proving that we can still make difference … even virtually!

On pivoting: Well, I’m sure the one word we have all used recently is “pivot.” The direction of our strategy has not changed but the market pressures and instability in our society have demanded a more connected approach to create change and outcomes. And while integration throughout the business has been key to strategy for some time, this year it was particularly important as we responded to the effects of the pandemic and social unrest. From using our platforms to disseminate important public health information, to launching our first ever voting campaign in coordination with the other Disney networks, we remained nimble and flexible in our approach to CSR and learned that when we work together to face challenges, we can find solutions to once unimaginable obstacles.

On opportunity: As part of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we are doubling down on making change through our Access to Sports and Empowerment through Sports grants, and 60 percent will be directed to help Black and African American communities. Our strategy in these focus areas over the last five years has been working, particularly with helping more kids access sports, as seen in our award-winning Don’t Retire Kid campaign with the Aspen Institute. Now our efforts will prioritize the use of Empowerment through Sports grants, so that Black and African American youth have a level playing field to use sports to help them create the futures they imagine.

PROGRAMMING

Massive news on Friday as reports broke the NBC Sports Network would be shutting down by the end of the year. Certain key properties will shift to USA Network, including the NHL and NASCAR, while other programming will instead head to streaming service Peacock starting I 2022. “We’re all aware of how quickly the media landscape is evolving, and our company is taking thoughtful steps to stay ahead of these trends wherever possible and, in many instances, help set them,” read a memo from NBCUniversal announcing the decision.

Three-time Pro Bowler Greg Olsen is taking his talents to broadcast television. After announcing his retirement from the NFL, Olsen revealed that he would be joining the FOX NFL broadcast team.

Speaking of the NFL, the league is partnering with VERZUZ, the online series launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland to launch “NFL Pro Bowl VERZUZ presented by Verizon”. Every night from Jan. 26 – 29 at 8p across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more, there will be four days of competitive career highlight battles between NFL superstars, hosted by Deion Sanders and NFL Network host MJ Acosta-Ruiz. Pro Bowl players Deshaun Watson, Jamal Adams, Budda Baker, DeAndre Hopkins, Jalen Ramsey, Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett and more will go head-to-head in real-time to determine the winners of several entertaining categories, showcasing their talents on and off the field,

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL is inviting approximately 7,500 vaccinated health care workers to Super Bowl LV as guests of the NFL to thank and honor them for their continued extraordinary service during the pandemic. There will also be 14,500 additional fans in attendance at Raymond James Stadium. “These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude,” said Goodell. “We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings.”

ONE Championship announced its return to United States prime time on April 7, with a card available to fans on TNT. The April 7 event is headlined by a highly anticipated World Title showdown between reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.

Fan Controlled Football announced Infinite Energy Center as the official venue for its inaugural season. The FCF is pioneering a new category of fan engagement whereby the league’s interactive video overlay extension and mobile app will enable fans from around the world to call the plays in real time that their team will run on the field in the Infinite Energy Center. Taking the field on Saturday, Feb. 13, the FCF will be streamed live on Twitch, with games starting at 8p.

In international news, WWE Superstar Spectacle, a two-hour television special event for India featuring WWE’s Indian performers alongside Superstars will premiere exclusively on Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 3 and Sony MAX on India’s Republic Day tomorrow. “We love the passion and support from the huge WWE Universe in India so we’ve teamed up with SPN, the exclusive home of WWE in India, to surprise our fans with an incredible event to kick off 2021,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, GlobalTalent Strategy & Development. “WWE Superstar Spectacle will be an epic event with electrifying matches featuring some of the biggest names in WWE along with our incredible Indian performers, plus thrilling and authentic Indian-inspired entertainment.”

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DoorDash announced the launch of a multi-platform marketing campaign titled “The Neighborhood” and includes DoorDash’s first ever Super Bowl spot featuring Sesame Workshop and starring Daveed Diggs. DoorDash kicked off the campaign with a :30 teaser spot that ran in this Sunday’s AFC Championship game. The campaign is designed to reinforce “DoorDash’s mission to grow and empower local economies and unveils new brand messaging around deliveries of neighborhood favorites beyond food, highlighting the breadth of DoorDash use cases and platform categories like restaurants and convenience.”

The LA Galaxy and JLab Audio inked a new and expanded, multi-year agreement. As part of the renewal, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, the Carlsbad, CA-based company will remain the exclusive headphone and microphone partner of the LA Galaxy and will also become a new official partner of the Galaxy’s eMLS team. To kick things off, JLab Audio will donate over $100,000 worth of ear buds to the LA Galaxy Foundation.

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

DraftKings announced the launch of DraftKings Sportsbook in Virginia, marking the 12th state in which the top rated mobile and online sportsbook is available. Customers in Virginia will now be able to place bets on a number of markets across professional and collegiate sports using the DraftKings digital sportsbook app. “Just in time for Super Bowl LV, we are thrilled to bring the DraftKings sports betting experience to Virginia with an abundance of betting options for fans,” said Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO, DraftKings. “With our customer-first approach, we hope to be the sportsbook of choice for Virginians who enjoy having skin in the game.”

FanDuel Group, in collaboration with MotorCity Casino, launched a fully integrated gaming experience for residents and visitors to the state of Michigan. As a complement to FanDuel’s fantasy sports app, customers in Michigan can now use fantasy sports, sportsbook and casino winnings interchangeably between products. Michigan marks the tenth state where FanDuel offers mobile sports betting, joining New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee and Virginia.

Speaking of Michigan, William Hill US, partnered with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to launch its mobile and online Sports Book and Casino App in Michigan. “Michigan has a rich sports history and incredibly passionate fans. Together, William Hill and GTB are excited to deliver an engaging way to experience sports betting and gaming to customers all over the state,” said Ken Fuchs, President of Digital for William Hill US. “This comes at a fantastic time with the NFL playoffs, Pistons, Red Wings, a full slate of Michigan college basketball, and McGregor vs. Poirier on this weekend’s menu.”

In addition, BetMGM launched its sports betting and iGaming app in Michigan. “Reaction to the opening of MGM Grand Detroit’s BetMGM Sportsbook and Lounge has been incredible. We’re thrilled to complement our retail offering with the launch of the BetMGM mobile app in Michigan,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “Michigan sports fans can access our interactive sports betting platform and exclusive line of casino games directly from their phone. The Wolverine State now has new ways to engage with the teams they love, while earning rewards from their gameplay.”

ESPORTS

ESL Gaming struck a two-year partnership with Blizzard Entertainment to operate the esports ecosystem for Hearthstone. game title, impacting some of the largest Hearthstone tournaments like the Grandmasters and the Hearthstone Masters Tours and will entail a total prize pool of $3 million per calendar year. “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Blizzard through this two year Hearthstone partnership” said Michael Van Driel, Senior Vice President Game Management at ESL Gaming. “Operating the game ecosystem is a great move for ESL and Hearthstone, fans around the world can look forward to an exciting two years ahead.”

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Johnny Carson dubbed this sportscaster and actor as “Mr. Baseball.” Who was he? Answer: Bob Uecker. Kudos: Daniel Laub-Premion/NY; Barbara Capella Loehr-Equal Opportunity Publications/NY; Cindy O’Connor-CoxReps/NY; Brian Traynor-Endeavor/NY; Matt Sautter-WideOrbit/Harrisburg; Russ DelCore-a4media/Oakland; Mark Lehman-Braves/Atlanta; Rick Dascher-WarnerMedia Studios/Atlanta; Rick Alessandri-Turnkey Search/Haddonfield; Dory Petsrillo-CoxReps/Dallas; Creed Heilskov-ImOn Communications/Cedar Rapids; Jack Hodgson-Oklahoma State University/Stillwater; Barb Throm-Stealth Creative/Saint Louis; Greg Moloznik-GLM Media/Scottsdale; Bob Ramsey/Palm Springs; Jim Himmel-TCB Media/San Clemente; Larry Hutchings/San Luis Obispo; Dave Sikula-San Francisco State University/San Francisco