Riddell helmets

Running head: PRELIMINARY RESEARCH 1

Week 1

Calvin Cunningham

Liberty University

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH 2

References

Concussion Brain games: What cavitation and SmartFoam could mean for football players." UWIRE

Text, 9 Oct. 2017, p. 1. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA508747894&it=r&asid=56d7525c6b629fed81c726acfc98e17b.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

Fall Sports Issue: Football -- Studies reveal link between football and brain damage." UWIRE Text, 5

Sept. 2017, p. 1. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA503463435&it=r&asid=bb098d1cfbeba97ddad13e833a5cb786.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017

Former Player Exposes NFL's Efforts to Sideline Science." PR Newswire, 3 Nov. 2017. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA513094938&it=r&asid=2406a16e9fe7c99893b750e8526d9770.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

INJURIES INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, AN IN DEPTH LOOK." UWIRE Text, 26 Oct. 2017, p.

1. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH 3

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA511449851&it=r&asid=bc65fdd9a9a890b30634c46af597bb61.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017. In New PSA,

O'Connor, Kathryn L., et al. "Head-impact-measurement devices: a systematic review." Journal of

Athletic Training, vol. 52, no. 3, 2017, p. 206+. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA493989525&it=r&asid=a1379ba8c1b89d1b77919d0c95d6698e.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

Ryan, Kevin J. "Tackling concussions: in the competition to field a safer football helmet, a startup from

Seattle is the first to score." Inc., Oct. 2017, p. 34+. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA507185406&it=r&asid=57f8429856a701a259268b56c1ef3e43.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

Would you let your child play football?" CNN Wire, 2 Nov. 2017. Academic

OneFile, ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=vic_li

berty&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA512826289&it=r&asid=c01dc6b4a65222d3aca32f7c223853b2.

Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.

Running head: PRICES 1

Market Mix

Calvin C. Cunningham

Liberty University

PRICES 2

One of the four major components of the marketing are pricing and a vital key

component of a business. The pricing strategies impinge on featuring products, channel

decisions, and promotions and help marketers set prices. (Pride, Hughes, & Kapoor, 2011) There

are numerous ways to price a product. Most commonly pricing strategies are skimming and

penetration. Elite Sports Equipment is expected to use penetration pricing to distribute their

product because most of the time their product will be bought in bulk by organizations, coaches,

and parents for their perspective teams. Penetration pricing includes the setting of lower, as

opposed the higher cost for a new product. The Elite Sports Equipment wants to reduce

competitors from entering the market by building a large market share quickly. With their

football equipment the price of the product depends on size and sort of gear utilized. Pricing is a

key power that is very key and it grabs management attention.

PRICES 3

References

Pride W., Hughes, R., Kapoor, J. (2011). Business: 2011 8th edition. Cengage Learning

SMGT 502

MARKETING PLAN: DRAFTS GRADING RUBRIC Student:

Criteria Points Possible Points Earned Instructor’s Comments

It is very evident by the answers the writer has viewed/read the required videos/articles. 5

The answer explains all key components of the question. 5

Strong subject evidence with obvious understanding of subject matter 7.5

Complete, yet concise, discussion of the issue. 7.5

Assignment parameters (length, subject, objectives) are observed; focus is clear and coherent (good sense of audience); obvious understanding of subject; orderly development;

5

Assertions are clearly supported with at least 1 formal citation of an external (to the course) source.

5

Sentence fluency coherent, unified, varied; sentence structure complete; correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization; varied diction, word choices.

5

Flow of ideas; paragraphs build upon each other. 5

Appearance is readable and neat; correct use of current APA, margins, font size/ style, pagination, reference page correctly formatted, double-spaced, alphabetized; sources correctly cited.

5

Total 50

SMGT 502

MARKETING PLAN: FINAL MARKETING PLAN INSTRUCTIONS Throughout this course, you have been submitting weekly assignments that are draft sections of your final marketing plan. The final plan must be a professionally written narrative that serves as an executive summary of your overall marketing plan (i.e., it must NOT simply be weekly assignments tacked together).

The final product must consist of:

• An introduction and overview of the plan and the structure of the paper • Identification of a product or service and target market segment including rationale and

research supporting your points • Treatment of the marketing mix, including rationale and research support. The 4 Ps of

your marketing plan must be consistent and integrated as part of a coherent plan. It must be clear how all P’s are a good fit for the market segment you are targeting.

• Promotional objectives must be explained and treated similarly to the draft assignment. You are required to address social media promotion, which you can do in its own section or you can mix it in with the overall promotional objectives.

• You must address an effort to promote your good or service via media exposure that incorporates your press release. There are many simple ways to get free media, so you do not have to limit yourself to sending out a press release. A good format is to describe your free media promotion effort and refer to your press release (which you must include as an appendix).

• You must address endorsements and/or sponsor partnerships that can help in your marketing effort. Like all items, this must be well developed with a clear connection between the endorsement and/or sponsor and your target segment.

*Note that the assignment calls for 10–12 pages of text. If you were thorough in your previous assignments, meeting the minimum length should not be a problem. With a proper introduction and coherent narrative, you might have to edit to meet the maximum page requirement.

**Note that the assignment calls for a minimum of 10 sources utilized. Each draft item required external support and research, so if you were keeping up with that, minimum sources should not be a problem.

Important: It is a violation of the academic honor code you read as part of course check in to list sources that are not cited in your writing. If you do this, you will receive a “0” for the assignment (and potential further sanctions).

The Marketing Plan: Final Marketing Plan is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.

Running head: MEDIA RELATIONS 1

Media Relations

Calvin C. Cunningham

Liberty University

MEDIA REALTIONS 2

10TH May 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Riddell and USA Football Extend Partnership Through 2022

Rosemont, Illinois

media@riddlesports.com

818-902-5818

Riddell and USA Football are happy to announce their continuous partnership with

another six-year agreement, promising greater integration serving the football community. As

the official shielding equipment partner of USA Football, Riddell will keep on assisting in

fulfilling the organization’s yearly grant program, which will grant almost $ 2 million of every

2017 to academic and youth football teams.

Riddell also will become a sponsor of USA Football’s Head Up Football program,

utilized by high schools, middle schools and youth sports associations across the country to

educate coaches utilizing materials substantial for nearly every sport young athletes love to play.

Riddell’s participation will be instrumental in propelling Heads up Football’s message of better

and more secure play.

“We’re pleased to further our commitment to grow and improve the game throughout

expanded partnership with USA Football,” said Dan Arment, President and CEO of Riddell.

“Their influence in footballs is wide ranging as they have continued to create expanded

programming designed to reach athletes, their parents and coaches in new ways. Together we

can broaden awareness around innovation in protective equipment and monitoring technologies,

MEDIA REALTIONS 3

inspire participation and understanding of the game, and enhance the overall football experience

for athletes and their families.”(Newsroom, R, 2017)

Continuous support from Riddell will also come through numerous other USA Football

programs intended to advance coach education, player skill development and safer play. These

contain USA Football’s 7on7 and Protection Tour programs as well as the U.S. Men’s and

Women’s National Teams. Riddell and USA Football will team up to benefit young athletes

across the sport through the production and distribution of educational content and joined

campaigns to best practices.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Riddell,” said Scott Hallenback, USA

Football CEO and executive director. “Innovation is an inherent value of our sport. Riddell

reflects this exceptional quality in its commitment to athletes and its industry-leading

equipment.” (Newsroom, R, 2017)

About USA Football: USA Football summaries and provide the best educational,

developmental, competitive curriculums to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national

governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National

Team for international competition, USA Football associates with leaders in medicine, child

advocacy and athletics to support encouraging football experiences for youth, collegiate, and

other amateur players. Follow their USA Football on Facebook or on Twitter.

About Riddell: Riddell is a top designer and developer of football helmets, protective

sports equipment, and cranium impact monitoring technologies, apparel, and related accessories.

A notorious leader in helmet equipment and revolution, Riddell is the leading producer of

football helmets and shoulder pads, and a top supplier of reconditioning services (cleaning,

MEDIA REALTIONS 4

repairing, repainting, and recertifying existing equipment). For more information, visit their

website at http://www.riddell.com, like their Riddell Facebook page, or follow Riddell on

Instagram and Twitter @Riddell Sports.

MEDIA REALTIONS 5

References

Newsroom, R. (May 10, 2017.). RIDDELL AND USA FOOTBALL EXTEND

PARTNERSHIP THROUGH 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2017, from

http://news.riddell.com/info/releases/releases-20170509

Running head: SOCIAL MEDIA 1

Social Media in Sport Marketing

Calvin C. Cunningham

Liberty University

SOCIAL MEDIA 2

Social Media in Sport Marketing

Riddell number one goal is athlete’s safety. With concussion occurring so much more

often, they are designing their helmets to prevent concussion as much as possible. There are

1,696 players in the NFL (Nation, 2016), and in 2015 alone there were 271 diagnosed

concussions (Nation, 2016). This indicates that nearly 16% of the National Football League had

a concussion in 2015. Remember this number does not include undiagnosed concussions.

Over the course of three to five years, social media networks to include Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, and other outlets have provided general public direct access to players,

coaches, and other leagues officials. The web based social network systems provide the players,

coaches, and league officials the ability to share with the public. However, unlike professional

news outlets, web based social networking is an immediate line to people in public without the

benefit of an editor prior to release. The mainstream of social media posts from players in the

National Football league are positive and without controversy. Be that as it may, there are the

occasional unfiltered controversial comments posted, which once made cannot be removed

Currently, the National Football League maintains social media statements “should be

professional, accurate and consistent with the National Football League’s and clubs mission

values should not be reveal game strategy, injury information or personal information about a

player.” (Kanno-Youngs, 06c).

Their market includes different athletes in general but mainly football players and most

definitely players in the National Football League. They want their athletes who compete at such

a high capacity to feel safe on the football field. Nevertheless, with their new design, they are

also hoping to secure a deal with collegiate teams as well. Through this their helmets would get

more television time from these nationally televise games.

SOCIAL MEDIA 3

To the extent corporate sponsorships, they are planning to contact different organizations

that would not be competitors in their industry. So mostly anyone that is not in sportwear. Their

main target would be Gatorade, or brand of water that athletes drink. This would be useful to the

different organizations as well because they would be getting free advertisement and marketing

when their logo is seen all over the National Football Player’s helmets and also college football

helmets as well.

They intend to reach out to Gatorade with different types of activities. Their main plan of

attack will be social media and word of mouth. When they talk about their new helmets begins,

it will catch the interest of those in the sports industry. As a result, there will be tweeting ,

writing articles and doing interview regarding their helmet.

SOCIAL MEDIA 4

References

Nation, K. S. (2016, January 29). NFL to study why diagnosed concussions rose

significantly in '15. Retrieved December 17, 2017, from

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14672860/nfl-says-diagnosed-concussions-way-season

Zolan V, Kanno-Youngs, @Kanno Youngs and TODAY USA. ‘Social media rules are

hazy.” USA Today n.d.: Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Dec. 2017

Running head: PLAN 1

Pricing Objectives

Calvin C. Cunningham

Liberty University

PLAN 2

Product

Riddell has been leading the helmet industry in football since 1990, when it turn into

official product of the National Football League. From youth football all the way to the college

level started wearing Riddell helmets. Approximately 70% of the National Football League

wore Riddell helmets however since the new found knowledge of concussions players and

parents want change. Due to the lawsuits against Riddell up and coming helmet maker Xenith

and its shock absorbing technology has become gradually popular. The helmet has air capsules

strung in a bonnet attached to shell interior which helps decrease on impact.

Price

Xenith’s X Protech Helmet is the most creative and educational product on the market.

There will be distinctive costs for the different models that the company will present to the

customer. The professional’s helmet will cost $500.95. The teen’s helmet will cost $400.95.

This will include middle and high school students. The kid’s helmet will be priced at $399.95

Place

The organization has its own distribution center and will make product on site. At

Xenith, the plan is to target indirect channels through resellers like Dick’s Sporting Goods,

Academy Sports, and Sport Authority. These three companies are in the top six retailers for

sporting goods. Xenith does not plan to target bigger sport retailers like Wal-Mart and Target

due to the fear they will try to drive market pricing down dramatically.

Promotion

PLAN 3

The marketing team is expected to attended workshops and events to present their

product and give out promotional products for feedback. This will educate customers on how the

products are top notch best in the market. Growth will be judged through survey and customer

feedback. The promotions team of marketing group will take on a promotional campaign.

Xenith want to add a sales promotion of leagues and teams that purchase products in bulk.

PLAN 4

References

New Football Helmet Could Save the Sport. (2012, December 18). Retrieved November 26,

2017, from https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-08/helmet-wars-and-new-helmet-

could-protect-us-all

Running head: OBJECTIVES 1

Promotion Objectives

Calvin C. Cunningham

Liberty University

Promotion 2

Promotion Objectives

Elite Sport Equipment, Inc. mission is to be the leading pioneer of youth football

equipment to enable youth athletes to defend themselves and compete in the great game of

football. Elite Sports is focused on developing high quality products inspired by the needs of

their potential customers. Elite Sports will approach each customer with respect and dignity will

stand behind every product produced. The reason for their organization is to give customers with

an affordable but effect football products.

One of their promoting procedures is to continue progressing and visit communication

with their present and potential customers through lots of publicizing to build up their name

acknowledgment, credibility, and a decent strong reputation in the neighborhood. They will

build relationship over time, using advertising in addition to all other communications, including

safety seminars and equipment workshops and demonstrations. Elite Sports will concentrate on

the organization's objectives by building a customer base and getting the word out about their

services. They want to tell customer that they can leave their store and realize that they will have

a top of the line quality product to keep their young competitors protected and safeguarded.

Another type of promotion will be contributed to the internet. They will promote on a

noteworthy site and web-based social networking, for example, Facebook, Twitter and Vine.

Utilizing the web as an advancement device they will be able to contact a bigger crowd outside

their area that they are serving. That will bring them new customers and enable them to build

new deals. The following special apparatus they will utilize is daily papers and neighborhood

magazine productions. They will have their commercial in the sports segment of the daily papers

and neighborhood magazines.

Promotion 3

At Elite Sports Equipment they will place all of their product under one brand name

which is known as umbrella marking. A n umbrella marking technique is a promoting practice

that includes offering many related items under a single brand name. Dissimilar to singular item

marking, which utilizes diverse brand names for various items, umbrella marking utilizes a

single brand name and a similar logo for various items. Umbrella marking offers a few

advantages to advertisers, for example, single spend on promoting (for all items), dependent

perception, easier launch of new items, and better reaction to new items when contrasted with

singular marking. Since the item they are putting forth is interesting and the just a single of its

kind available, their image name will be all around and recognized in due time.

Promotion 4

References

Ayling, Stuart, July 6, 2004. “7 Ways to Evaluate Your Marketing Plan” This article can

be accessed at: http://www.webpronews.com/ways-to-evaluate-your-marketing-plan-2004-07

Sports and Technology Helping American Football

American tackle football has always been a dangerous sport with an ever present risk for injuries. One of the most common injuries sustained by football players were concussion. Football technologies has helped the game of football by finding out what causes concussions and setting regulations to prevent those instances from happening. I understand as parent that American Football, in general, is a dangerous sport due to the ever present danger of concussions, with innovations in sports technologies have progressively made the game safer. American football has made drastic changes to safety standards by begin introduced into the game of football more and more advance technologies were integrated into helmets. Now that the effects of concussions is more mainstream helmet manufactures are more and more trying develop helmets that will reduce or eliminate the risk of concussions.