PR Real World Conference: Part Four.

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Session Four: Focus on Sports

During this session, Matt Garvey discussed what goes on behind-the-scenes when promoting sports teams and events.

Matt Garvey from the Chick-fil-A Bowl:

• Know about the Graphic Design and Printing Industry. Also know about the Photography Industry to help you hire people.
• There are 4-5 people who run just the events for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
• Work on the Chick-fil-A Bowl happens year-round for just three events. They have a $20 million dollar budget!
• Garvey says, “Plan now to develop skill sets for later on.”
• Event Management: Press Conference, Satellite Video Tour, News Release. Learn logistics and time management. You need to know every side of PR.
• “Must be able to build relationships.” PR is about relationships (writers, editors, etc.). You need face time with these people.
• You have got to be able to write! He says:

9 out of 10 professionals can’t write that are out there.

You need to be able to incorporate message into the press release. Weave message (this is more of an art then a science- Garvey).

You need to be creative!

• RESEARCH!
• Garvey says hours are terrible with Sports PR. “I worked 93 days without a day off one season.” (9am- Midnight is common for hours with baseball when the team is on tour).
• Another key point he made was the number one factor in the Bowl Game:

“#1 factor in Bowl Game= TEAMS! How highly ranked they are.”

They have to have money to get better teams.

All in all, I had an amazing experience at PR Real World Conference 2010. I learned many valuable things about the profession I am going into that I will definitely take with me wherever I may end up. If this conference happens again next year, count me in! I will definitely encourage everyone to attend.

Sky, Amanda, Lauren, Me