Steve Bonsignore's blog

Americans Get Hockey Fever; Unfortunately, It Likely Won’t Last Through Spring

Posted By: Steve Bonsignore Posted on: March 2nd, 2010

It’s hard to argue that, for the better part of a week, America got its worst case of hockey fever in…well, maybe forever. While the relative influence the blogosphere and social media played in the rampant spread of hockey fever is difficult to definitively gauge, those channels undoubtedly served as testament to the afflicted. ‘USA! USA!’ bellowed out across blog comments sections, ‘gold medal game’ and ‘USA Hockey’ hash tags torched Twitter and TV sets tuned in at record numbers.

The power of a 'thank you' note

Posted By: Steve Bonsignore Posted on: December 29th, 2009

Sadly, extended middle fingers, temper tantrums and mindless Twitter taunts are becoming more and more “par for the course” with today’s professional athletes. It’s against this dreary backdrop that last week’s communication from Roy Halladay to the fans of Toronto stands in blinding contrast.

"Starbury TV": A PR Slam Dunk

Posted By: Steve Bonsignore Posted on: July 27th, 2009

I sat at my desk this past Friday and marveled as Stephon “Starbury” Marbury approached the double-digit mark. I’m not talking about points, rebounds or assists. I’m talking about hours. As in hours of all-access, unedited, filter-free Starbury coming to hundreds of thousands via live streaming video. Welcome to the “new world,” non-digital believers exit stage right. A soon-to-be-retired NBA point guard was giving a lesson in modern-day publicity, and everyone I know was tuning in to bear witness.

Shaq to Cleveland opens up marketing playbook for Cavs

Posted By: Steve Bonsignore Posted on: June 30th, 2009

The Phoenix Suns never achieved what they’d envisioned when the franchise traded for Shaquille O’Neal two seasons ago. They accomplished so much more. Sure, the Suns never made it to the NBA Finals (or the conference finals for that matter) during Shaq’s brief two-year stint in Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean his absence won’t be immensely felt within the organization. Shaq was an undeniable force in the valley of the Sun – a 300-plus pound marketing machine.

Worship at the temple of ideas

Posted By: Steve Bonsignore Posted on: April 15th, 2009

At times, we use the terms “media agnosticism,” “cross-channel creative” or “non-traditional” to convey the notion that ideas brought to the table by public relations need not be “standard” PR tactics. The concept is a good one and warrants repeating – particularly today. These catch phrases serve to articulate an even simpler truth – ideas rule.