March 13th, 2009

AdWeek Likes ESPN Baseball Spot

Friday, March 13th, 2009

From the poster: “I don’t play fantasy baseball and rarely even watch a game, but I can appreciate a good commercial about how ESPN can help those who do.”

If you haven’t seen it before, it’s worth sticking around until the end.

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… Where Everybody Knows Your Draft Tendencies

Friday, March 13th, 2009

If Adrian Glass were a woman, his new concept might be met with a flood of marriage proposals.

The former accountant quit his job a little more than two years ago and will soon open a sports bar in Maplewood, Mo., designed for fantasy players.

A growing number of adult-beverage establishments have begun marketing to fantasy folks in the late summer, when many are looking for a place to fill their football rosters and add a few wing-sauce stains to their favorite jersey. Glass’ place, however, will go a few steps further.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “The Post will feature a draft room with a 60-inch TV where leagues can hold drafts and meetings … two computers for public use and $900 worth of high-end wireless routers to make sure any number of players can jump on their laptops … (and) a fantasy guru to talk patrons through trades and other draft issues.”

The Post is also reportedly working out a deal with Fanball — now based in the St. Louis area — whereby the company will provide custom software and fantasy games for the bar.

Glass aims to not only draw the draft-time fantasy crowds but extend its fantasy hospitality by catering to the growing market of weekly fantasy games.

Count Fantasy Sports Association president Greg Ambrosius among those who like the concept.

“They’re doing something that should have been done years ago,” he told the Post-Dispatch. “This guy may have a chance to be ahead of the curve.”

Of course, non-fantasy players won’t be turned away at the door (just snickered at).

“We’re a sports bar,” Glass told the Post-Dispatch. “If you’re not into fantasy sports, you won’t notice that we’re different.”

No details yet on how to apply for the position of bar fantasy guru, but you can bet that when I hear them, I’ll be keeping them a secret.

Talk about a dream job.

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