Jimmy’s Blog

What a fantasic sports experience today at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC! The Washington Capitals hosted the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Red Wings, in a much-anticipated afternoon matinee.   The Caps haven’t defeated the legendary Red Wings at home in a long time.

As my buddy, Kurt, and I approached the VC, you could feel the electricity and buzz in the air … over 50% of the fans, maybe more like 75%, were wearing red (the Caps now wear red uniforms at home and their theme is “Rock the Red”), but the Red Wings fans were also sporting red colors. But, unlike the Stanley Cup Finals in ’98 when over the half of the crowd were Red Wings Fans, today’s sell-out crowd clearly was 80% Caps’ fans.

The first period good, clean hockey.   Neither team took many chances … in the final minutes of the first period, each team tallied a goal it make it 1 – 1 after 1 period (you have to you-tube the goal by Leino’s goal — wow, what a tricky maneuver to score the goal).  The second period also featured good, clean action and both teams each tallied one more goal each to make it 2 – 2 after 2 periods.

I turned to my buddy at the beginning of the third period and remarked “big players like to step up in big situations in big games to try to make things happen …”   I was referring to the great and dynamic Alex Ovechkin.

Fortunately, he proved me right as he scored twice in the third period — his league-leading 32nd and 33rd goals to help lead the  Caps to an important and convincing 4 – 2 win!

It was great to see Penn Quarter rocking as we headed to our car — what a great win by the hometown Caps.  Let’s go, Caps!

Today was one of those “special days.”  Why?  Because today was the graduation luncheon for the “Year Up” apprentices in the greater Washington, DC area.

Held at the Capitol Hilton (near the White House), this was the fourth graduation luncheon I’ve attended over the past two years.  And, we need to keep getting bigger and bigger ballrooms since each class keeps getting larger.

What is “Year Up?”  Per their website, “Year Up is a one-year, intensive training program that provides urban young adults 18-24, with a unique combination of technical and professional skills, college credits, an educational stipend and corporate apprenticeship.Our success is our graduates — enabling them to move on to full-time employment and higher education. Year Up is about providing opportunities for urban young adults to demonstrate their true potential.”

I’ve been a strong supporter of AOL’s efforts of this terrific organization, led by the brilliant Tynesia Boyea Robinson.  I was fortunate enough to be an “Urban Empowerment” award winner last year — but I share this award with the many terrific AOL co-workers who have helped build this into a terrific partnership.  In fact, we’ve been told we’re the “model DC organization” for the Year Up students.

My congratulations go to this semester’s AOL apprentices — Eric, Ahmed, Jose and Melinda.   To see their growth, maturity and increase in confidence has been remarkable.   Ahmed delivered one of the three student speeches today that drew standing ovations and tears of happiness and joy (I’m not ashamed to admit that the tears flow).

On a personal note, late last February, my beloved Father passed away.  I was out of the office for a few days to tend to personal matters as well as going through a grieving process.   My first day back to work was the following Monday … I wasn’t sure how I would feel about being back in the office.  But, the first two people I saw that day were two Year Up apprentices in our HQ lobby — they were there because it was Orientation Day and it was their first day as a new full-time employee.  So, right away, they brightened my day and made me glad and proud to be back at work.  It showed we could make a strong, positive difference in their lives.  And, they in turn gave me back so much more … an eagerness to grow and learn.

Thank you, Year Up.  Thanks to the staff, apprentices and supporters.

We had another great class tonight … I love teaching at Georgetown University …. especially when the students are engaged, attentive and interactive.   This is the fourth year of teaching the Sports Marketing Strategy class to seniors in the McDonough School of Business.

The focus of the first half of tonight’s class was a discussion of Super Bowl commercials.   We showed a number of the best and most classic spots of all time, including the Apple McIntosh commercial (which many experts consider the greatest TV commercial of all time) and the Coca Cola / Mean Joe Greene spot (which might be the most popular commercial of all time).  I asked the class to intently watch the commercial spots of this coming Sunday’s Super Bowl (so we can drill down on the marketing and branding messages behind the spots).

Then we went through our expectations for the HBS case studies for the semester.  The first one we will review is the Real Madrid case, which will be due next Monday.

For the second half of the class, the guest speaker was one of my best friends in the sports business, Billy Stone of CBS Sports.  He was outstanding in tonight’s class!  His enthusiasm, professionalism and thorough presentation on how to build and program an event was superb.  In this instance, he discussed how they developed the “Collegiate Nationals,” the X Games version for college athletics for College Sports TV / CBS Sports.

Then, as is the usual tradition with the guest speakers, we headed over to the legendary Tombs for a quick meal and catch-up.   Mondays are long days … I leave the house at 7:30 am and don’t get home till past 10:00 pm … but it’s well worth it, especially when you have a class of outstanding students.

Wow, what an amazing day it has been.   Although I was out fairly late last night, I’ve been up since 7:30 am — riveted to the news coverage of today’s Inauguration.   I did not venture out to the Mall for the Inauguration Ceremony nor the Parade primarily due to the frigid weather and the mass of people.

As noted earlier, I’ve been to many Super Bowls, Olympics and NBA All-Star Weekends — which also have massive crowds.   I’m at the point in my life where I don’t want to be slammed around … and would prefer the comfort of my home.  Plus, I wanted to intently be able to focus on hearing President Obama’s speech as well as the news commentary.   And, I was still getting a feel for the Inaugural Celebration via the many activities at night.

One of the primary reasons I’m excited about President Obama and the change coming is that I can relate where he came from since I’m also from a mixed-race background.   I’m half Japanese / half Irish-American.  Although I lived on American military bases when growing up in Japan, I was always in the minority there since I’m half-Caucasian.  Then, when I moved to the DC area when I was 16, I was again in the minority since I’m half-Asian.

I’m not complaining about being from a mixed background, but I didn’t really start to “get it” and “appreciate” until my junior year at AU when one of my classmates from NY told me how lucky and fortunate I am to be from two distinct cultural backgrounds.  The light bulb went off … and I embraced the idea of being proud to be both Japanese and Irish-American.

Tiger Woods says something similar — to quote him directly …”I am the product of two great cultures.  On my father’s side I am African American.  On my mother’s side, I am Thai.   My parents taught me to always be proud of my ethnic background.  That will always be the case, past, present, and future.  I feel very fortunate and equally proud to be both African American and Asian.”

I can totally relate to those feelings … and so does President Obama.  He’s proud of his mixed-race background.   And, these past few days, I’ve met even more and more people of mixed races.   The times are indeed changing.  In fact, the Hispanic, African-American and Asian demographics are continuing to increase … which will continue to lead to more mixed-race children.

So, change can be good.  And, along with so many, many others … not just in the US, but throughout the world, I’m going to embrace this change and continue to do what I / we can to create a more level playing field and to help any and all.  Peace.

Another amazing day yesterday … first, it was so special since it was Martin Luther King Day … which fit so perfectly since it was the day before the U.S. was going to welcome the first-ever African-American president (for that matter, the first person of color to ever take office).   Many people thought they’d never see that occur in their life.

Last night and tonight are the nights most of the best parties of the week are going to take place.   We first went to a fantastic party at Cafe Milano in Georgetown.  It was the “Athletes and Artists Alliance” gig.  I’m on their advisory committee … and was glad we attended.   Many of DC’s best influencers and top people were there.  Then, of course, there was the list of celebs, including J-Lo and Marc Anthony; Tobey Maguire; a few of the Redskins stars (Jason Campbell, Shawn Springs and Chris Cooley), etc.

Then, it was on to what many people billed as the hippest party of the weekend … it was the Manifest Hope: DC Gallery party in Georgetown, featuring great Obama-related art pieces throughout the two floors.  The star artist of the evening was Shepard Fairey, who made the brilliant and iconic Barack Obama “Hope” poster.   The entertainment was also terrific, featuring a live performance from the legendary De La Soul and music spun by DJ Moby.

What a great day yesterday, but today is the day that will electrify our Nation’s Capital!

Although I only live 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial, I wussed out and didn’t venture there for the Inauguration Concert.   But, the primary reason was I attended a reunion luncheon in Fairfax, VA.

I spent 13 of my first 16 years of my life living in Japan.  I went to American schools on various US Military bases, including Zama High School in Camp Zama, Japan.  It was a special place and we made many life-long friendships.

A number of my classmates connected in the past year thru Facebook.  And, a number of them decided to travel to Washington, DC for the historic celebration.  It was absolutely great to connect with so many long-lost friends … the funniest part was when they brought out the old yearbooks … and we laughed hard at the pics of me w/ long, curly surfer hair in 9th and 10th grade (much different than my shaved head look now – lol).

But, I did make it back to my house by 3:00 pm and watched the entire Inauguration Concert on HBO.   Although I’m an avid NFL fan – I missed much of the first half of the Cards – Eagles game to watch the concert.  I was amazed at the many brilliant performances, including ones by Bono and U2; Beyonce; Springsteen; John Legend; Stevie Wonder; Usher, etc.  I must admit I got chills when Bono sang “Pride (In The Name of Love)”.  And, “American Pie” is one of my fav all-time songs so I loved it when they crowd sang along w/ Garth Brooks.

I loved the concert … it was terrific and memorable … then I got to watch the 2nd half of the exciting Cards comeback over the Eagles … then, the thrilling and hard-hitting Steelers – Ravens bash.  Man, there was some wicked hitting going on in that game!

What a day – it don’t get much better!  (I used “don’t” on purpose since I was using football dude-speak).  🙂

The huge crowds expected in Washington, DC are starting to roll in for the Inauguration.   Many of the restaurants and clubs are booked solid for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.   The city is as electric as I’ve ever seen it.

After attending 12 Super Bowl Weekends and 10 NBA All-Star Weekends as well as a couple of Olympics, I know first-hand what happens when a large-scale event comes to town.  But, this will be different since the theme and focus is on the incoming Obama administration.

Fortunately, I live 1/4 mile outside of DC in Rosslyn, VA …  so I can easily walk into town across Key Bridge or jump on the metro.   They’re going to be closing a lot of the bridges,

Earlier this morning, I drove to downtown DC to pick up tickets to one of the Inauguration parties.  Normally, it’s a 25 – 30 minute round-trip, but it took 1 hour, 15 minutes.   The police and security organizations have already closed off many of the downtown streets to prepare for the huge Inaugural Concert celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.

But, I have a feeling most people will be patient and realize the simple fact that there’s going to be a massive amount of people in town for this historic celebration.  Can’t wait!

A very good friend of ours from Washington, DC, Billy Campbell, was on the plane that crashed in NY on Thursday afternoon.   What a miraculous landing by that tremendous pilot, Sully Sullenberger.   The stories and interviews from the passengers are riveting.

A transportation expert said the odds of both engines being damaged by birds plus a landing on the water is a one-a-billion occurrence.   Wow, just think of that.

In today’s troubled economic times, we’re in the need of good news.   We’re sick of tired the negativity in the air.   The nation is electrified with the new Obama administration coming on board.   Washington, DC is at fever-pitch right now.

A tragic plane accident would have definitely been bad on so many counts.  But, instead, thanks to the brilliance of Sully and his flight crew, this turned out be a miracle.   We are all so grateful.

My friends and I have seen too many people in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s pass away over the last couple of years from illnesses, accidents, etc.   That’s way too young.  So, the adage of “living life to the fullest”, since one never knows when life can be taken away in a flash, is definitely one that we subscribe to.

We all count our blessings for the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

I had a a great meeting this week with our good friends from Under Armour.  I’ve been a long-time fan and supporter of this terrific sports retail brand.  Plus, I love their products.  I was a Nike guy for a long, long time but I’ve made the switch to Under Armour gear.

I was on a panel with the head of marketing for Under Armour, Steve Battista, a couple of years ago for an Ad Club of Washington, DC conference.   I remember making an analogy three years ago and I think it continues to be true.

I compared Under Armour to where AOL was in ’95 when I started working for the company.  We were the #3 online service, trailing the CompuServ and Prodigy, who were both owned by large corporate giants.  Similarly, Under Armour is the underdog, much like we were, in their battle against Nike, adidas and Reebok.

And, just as AOL executed on its’ well-executed strategies back then — and clearly become a househould brand name and the leading online service in the world — Under Armour is executing well on their strategies and they’re continuing to become more and more of a major player in the sports retail space.    They are the “it” brand with the high school and college age crowd.

I’ll be keenly watching their growth over the coming years as they continue to expand their product lines (they just launched their new line of running shoes) as well as global expansion into Asia, Europe and South America.

And, maybe someday we’ll be going over a case study in my Sports Marketing class about how Under Armour became the world’s leading sports retailer!