ATLANTA—Through the years, Southeastern Conference football fans traditionally have spent their summers on the white-sand beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and their falls cheering on their favorite college teams in stadiums around the Southeast. This season, the SEC and new corporate sponsor Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism are combining the two favorite pastimes via an advertising campaign—featuring some of the league’s most legendary football coaches—that will air during game-day television broadcasts this fall.

Launched August 27 during the SEC Network’s college football pre-game shows and airing on regional game broadcasts throughout the 2011 college football season, the 30-second spots will showcase the destination beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala., as well as some of the attractions along Alabama’s scenic Gulf Coast. The television ad campaign is one of the premier components of the SEC sponsorship that was negotiated by SEC multimedia rights holder IMG College, sports marketing consultant Fishbait Marketing, Shaul Zislin, a prominent local business leader in Gulf Shores, and Atlanta-based sports and entertainment marketing agency MELT, in collaboration with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.

Former SEC head football coaches Gene Stallings (Alabama), Frank Broyles (Arkansas), Pat Dye (Auburn), Jerry Stovall (LSU) and Phil Fulmer (Tennessee) serve as celebrity tour guides in the lineup of commercials, incorporating their former occupations into the mix to point out just some of reasons why fans should plan a getaway to the 32 miles of sugar-white sand and sparkling emerald waters along Alabama’s Gulf Coast region. The commercials will incorporate the tagline: “Gulf Shores and Orange Beach … Where SEC Families Come to Play.”

“The partnership of our destination and the SEC has resulted in a multifaceted activation and marketing plan that will allow us to reach millions of potential guests throughout the Southeast,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “Perfectly complementing our existing marketing efforts, this campaign utilizes legendary coaches on our beach, and we are very grateful that they took time out of their busy schedules to lend their support to our destination.”

Conceptualized, produced and distributed by MELT (Marketing Entertainment Lifestyle and Trends), the multi-spot TV campaign was filmed during two production shoots over the summer at popular locales such as Craft Farms Golf Course and The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach’s Cobalt restaurant, the Gulf State Pier and area beaches. Viewers will be treated to scenes that include a couple of the SEC’s all-time greatest football coaches buried up to their necks in the sand, as well as other conference legends participating in some of the numerous activities the region has to offer.

According to MELT CEO Vince Thompson, the partnership reportedly is the first time a destination has used a conference sponsorship to promote a tourism strategy.
“MELT is thrilled to be able to showcase these legendary coaches in this beautiful setting,” said Thompson. “Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are two truly pristine beachfront communities, and MELT couldn’t be happier to work with a finer group of legendary coaches to bring this region to life in front of millions of SEC fans each week during the college football season.”

The commercials, as well as the official corporate sponsorship of the SEC, are part of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism’s ongoing efforts to restore the region to a prominent vacation destination following last year’s oil spill. Authorities from Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism reported a record $54.7 million in lodging revenue in June—reflecting an 8.4 percent increase over the previous record set in June 2007—as well as $82.2 million in retail sales that month.

The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism ad campaign is targeted toward the SEC’s expansive football fan base. With 6,521,151 fans attending football games in 2010, the SEC once again was the NCAA’s top conference in attendance for the 13th straight season.

Announced during the SEC’s Football Media Days in July, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism’s sponsorship agreement with the Southeastern Conference will run through June 2014 and will incorporate other activations, such as an interactive presence before the LSU-Oregon football game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, during Labor Day weekend, the Dr Pepper SEC FanFare during the conference’s annual football championship weekend, the SEC men’s basketball tournament and a football kickoff weekend, set to take place in August 2012.

ATLANTA, Ga., (July 20, 2011) – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism today announced it has become an official corporate sponsor of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

By entering into this non-exclusive sponsorship with the SEC, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism will receive official corporate sponsor status including use of conference logos, marketing rights, SEC television and web presence, event signage, and merchandise. Additionally, the company will have an interactive presence at the Dr Pepper SEC FanFare during the Conference’s annual football championship weekend and men’s basketball tournament. These two events, held in conjunction with the respective SEC Championships, draw more than 60,000 SEC fans each year. The sponsorship will also include a football kickoff weekend, which is set to take place in August 2012.

“We are pleased to welcome Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism as a new Conference sponsor,” said Mike Slive, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference. “We are confident in the tourism bureau’s ability to make a positive impact on our fans and anticipate a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

The unique sponsorship initiative, which was created as a result of the efforts to overcome the 2010 oil spill, will allow the Tourism bureau to use the SEC as vehicle to restore the region to a prominent vacation destination for families across the southeast.

“This Official SEC Corporate Sponsorship is an exciting new avenue for us to begin engaging our core market of potential and repeat guests,” said Herb Malone, President/CEO of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. “We are extremely grateful and humbled to have our family-oriented beach destination mentioned alongside such a strong and well recognized institution, especially as we continue to make positive steps for our destination. This sponsorship solidifies our position as a vacation and beach destination for SEC fans.”

The agreement, which will run through June 2014, was negotiated by IMG College, the SEC’s multimedia rights partner, in conjunction with Atlanta-based MELT (Marketing Entertainment Lifestyle and Trends), Fishbait Marketing, and Shaul Zislin, a prominent local business leader in Gulf Shores.

“This is a great program for everyone involved and one that will have tremendous impact for a region whose natural beauty has never been in doubt,” said Vince Thompson, President/CEO of MELT. “The opportunity to shoot a groundbreaking ad campaign with SEC football legends and to host the 2012 kickoff weekend, will help bring positive exposure to a truly pristine region.”

“We are grateful for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism’s decision to join the SEC Sponsorship program in what is a ground-breaking opportunity,” said Ben May, General Manager, IMG-SEC Sports Marketing. “We look forward to working with the bureau to connect SEC fans to the many available recreation options in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area.”

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism’s sponsorship marks the seventh new agreement in nine months for the SEC through its partnership with IMG College.

About the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
The Southeastern Conference was formed in 1933 and consists of 12 member institutions: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The league currently sanctions championship play in nine men's sports and 11 women's sports. Its headquarters has been located in Birmingham, Ala., since 1948. For more on the conference, visit secsports.

About Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about Alabama’s 32 miles of sugar white sand, visit either gulfshores or orangebeach. The convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization, 2008-2012.

(Gulf Shores)

For many years I have wondered where does all of the NCAA money come from and go.  The Hundreds of millions generated yearly.  A friend of mine emailed this video to me.  Check out this PBS Story.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/money-and-march-madness/?utm_campaign=viewpage&utm_medium=grid&utm_source=grid I included a preview below.

(Orange Beach)

Tacky Jack's in Orange Beach is hosting a Super Bowl Party featuring free finger foods and happy hour prices Sunday beginning at 4:30.

(Gulf Shores)

Here is a good preview of this afternoons Chicago/Green Bay game.

ARA) - When the best two professional football teams square off at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on Feb. 6, party goers in parking lots and homes across the United States will expect their hosts to put on the ultimate football party. Last year's Saints vs. Colts game had a record breaking audience of more than 106 million viewers, and this year's big game is bound to have just as many people gathering to watch. But watching the game is only part of the fun. It's the food, the camaraderie and fun that needs to measure up with fans to truly make it the biggest football party of the year.

Joe Cahn, widely known as the Commissioner of Tailgating, has spent 14 years on the road, tailgating with football fans across the country. "Oh, I love a great football party - the fans in team colors, the grills smokin' and the good times for all."

This season, Joe is sharing his party tips and watching tailgating teams compete for a spot in the Bing National Tailgating Championship (www.bingfootball.com) in Fort Worth, Texas on Feb. 3. Cahn is overseeing the final competition, which will decide the nation's top tailgating team, and will offer his top 10 football party planning tips to ensure a fantastic game day for all football fans.

1. Show team pride. Your local fabric store can be a great resource for finding a budget-friendly way to display your team's colors and set the tone for your party. A few yards of fabric can easily become a table cloth or a flag signaling to your guests they're at the right address.

2. Four quarters to feast. Your party is going to be an all-day event - like a Texas-style rodeo. Don't plan anything formal. Instead offer items that allow people to graze while they're standing, cheering and chatting before, during and after the game. And don't forget to recycle at all times during the event.

Go online to find recipes for the fixings that will keep your guests wanting more. Go to Bing.com, and search for football party food like "buffalo wings" or "chili." You'll find recipes, photos and nutritional facts in an instant to help finalize party menus.

3. Corral the grub. By keeping the food in a separate room from the TV, guests won't inadvertently block someone's view of the action. Placing the food in another room also allows people who may want a break from the game to socialize without distracting hard core fans. And if the favorite team isn't playing so well, it also serves as a place to escape and nurse broken hearts.

4. Hydrate the hootin' and hollerin'. Have plenty of ice and water on hand. Yes, water is an "adult" beverage and should be readily available to your guests to keep them going.

5. Bring the party to people who can't make it. Encourage people to use their cell phones to capture video and photos that can be uploaded to Facebook to keep the party with other friends online.

6. Prepare a take-home menu. Create a menu that people can take home to remind them of the great food prepared. Break it up into quarters - what was served 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, etc. - and leave some room for people to jot notes. Be creative and make it feel like a game program and something that your guests will enjoy looking at long after the game is over.

7. Know the game. Make sure you're up to speed on the game's most decisive players. Prep in advance and compare sports stats on the game's opposing players - helping you to secure information to help you win any friendly debate. Just go to Bing and search for "player x vs. player y" to get informed and impress everyone with your game day knowledge.

8. Safety first. If there's drinking involved, always make sure there are designated drivers among your guests or help schedule cab rides.

9. Take care of your host. This tip is actually for the guest - make a party MVP ball. Buy an official game ball, grab a couple of markers and ask everyone at the party to sign it. Then, present it to your host at the end of the game with a "Most Valuable Party Thrower" award. He or she will greatly appreciate it and have something to remember their role in making game day history.

10. Football is a team sport - Just because you're a guest, doesn't mean you shouldn't chip in and help. Play offense and assist in set up and serving food or hold off for defense and handle clean up duties after the game. Also, feel free to contribute one of your football party specialties - just remember to give the host the heads up to make sure you're not doubling up on anything.

Check out www.bingfootball.com to follow the action in the Bing National Tailgating Championship and get some additional ideas and inspiration from the best tailgating teams in the country.

January 13, 2011

Divisional playoff football is upon us and this week we will be looking at Green Bay and Atlanta.  In the words of Bob Jenz.....

(SEC Football)

Former LSU, Auburn and current Texas coach in waiting takes the coaching vacancy at Florida.  Will Muschamp who is best known as the defensive coordinator for Auburn University in their undefeated season, has left his job as "Coach in Waiting" at Texas for the Sunshine State.  At this point, we know he was the only coach interviewed by athletic director  Jeremy Foley.  A news conference has been scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to introduce Muschamp.  More information to come.

(Gulf Shores)

From the couch of FES.

(Gulf Shores)

From the couch of our "Football Blogger" FES.