Hello, Newman

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

If the Mets feel the need to go around branding themselves, they have to a better job than they have in the last few years, so FWIW, I think the below hiring is a good idea.

Also, the new TV network gets a logo & name unveiled today at a Press event starring Pedro Martinez.

If I'm new marketing whiz David Newman I have Pedro say: "I want my MTV."

******
MLB.com --

Mets hire marketing exec: The Mets announced Wednesday that they have hired David Newman to the newly created position of senior vice president, marketing and communications.

Newman will join the Mets next month from the United States Tennis Association, where he was the managing director of marketing and communications, and he will be responsible for the strategic development and management of the Mets' branding, image building, marketing and business communications initiatives to drive and support ticket sales, sponsorship activation, and fan value -- including advertising, promotion, advanced media, publishing, research, broadcasting, events and in-game entertainment.

"The Mets as a young and competitive club, and as a brand, are on the rise -- with a new network partner and stadium on deck," said Newman. "Joining the team at this juncture is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a role in diversifying and growing the connection of the Mets to current fans, new fans and partners."

Additionally, the Mets announced the promotions of two other senior executives: David Cohen, who was promoted to executive vice president and general counsel, and Paul Danforth, who was promoted to senior vice president, corporate sales and services.

[Guest Edgy DC]

They should hire away the guy or chick who conceived the Mr. Met commercials and make him/her their director of marketing.

[HahnSolo]

Is Newman the guy who thought we'd all care where Andy Roddick's Mojo was?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Let's hope not. I usually enjoy the 7 train ads at US Open time but this year was a huge disappointment.

[Guest KC]

Hey Newmie, let's start working on making sure the new network will be on
every cable, internet, and satelite system NOW so we don't get dicked around
in last minute negotiations in April.

[Elster88]

What was Newman's first name?

[Guest KC]

I always thought it was Johnathon or Paulie, but I never rose that high on
old mofo depth chart to be privey to such info lololol. Oh you mean on
Seinfeld? I'm not so sure they ever used it. Good trivia question.

[MFS62]

Mr. Newman's first official act will probably be to steal the name from New England Sports Network and name it New York Sports Network.

Mr Cohen's first official act will be to defend against the NESN infringement lawsuit.

Later

[metirish]

Any word on this, what time wa the press conference set for?It will be interesting to see how the play by play guys shake out,Dave O'Brien according to guys that follow this stuff in the papers is the lead candidate for the top job, where does that lead Ted,Fran and Keith, my guess is that Fran and his production company will probably produce original shows for the network.

[Guest cooby]

I think my Mets watching days are over.

[Elster88]

I've never been a huge Fran fan, of course the rest of the broadcasters around the country suck, we've been spoiled by New York announcers, anytime I listen to a Brave game on TBS/TNT I'm shocked at how bad they are, but then I like to watch TNT for drama and TBS for comedy, those commercials are getting annoying though even though I liked them at first, the ones I'm referring to are "We know drama", and the ones where they rate how funny something is, anyway I'm also curious how this will work out, I'm terrified that DISH network won't carry the Mets' station and I'll be stuck listening to the radio and watching in bars.

[MFS62]

The official name is SportsNet New York.

Later

[Guest cooby]

Elster, hail. And also, I have already cancelled my DISHnetwork service starting next Friday, I don't figure they will carry it either, since they don't carry YES.

The Mets are the only reason I had a dish
Now DISHNetwork has to suffer.
The pain just ripples outward...

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Just for fun I tried the url newyorksportsnet and got Fred's web page!

http://www.sportsnetnewyork.com/

Here's the press release. Sounds thrilling.

SportsNet New York To Telecast Mets Games and Emphasize Sports News

NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- SportsNet New York (SNY), New York's new regional sports network, backed by Time Warner, Comcast and Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, was introduced today by Jon Litner, president of the network. SNY will telecast up to 125 regular season games of the New York Mets in 2006.

Litner unveiled the logo, location and studio designs at the new SportsNet New York studios (the former CNN studios) located in the heart
of midtown Manhattan in the TimeLife building at Avenue of the Americas and 51st Street. Time Warner Cable, Comcast Corporation and Sterling
Entertainment Enterprises are the owners of SNY.

The network will be launched in Spring 2006. In addition to telecasting
125 regular season games of the New York Mets, SNY will also telecast
pre-season games and have a full winter schedule. Starting in the fall of
2006, SNY will be the home for up to 30 college football games and up to 85 college basketball games featuring teams from the nation's leading
conferences, including The Big East and Big Ten.

SportsNet New York will offer a full sports news and information
operation. The heart of the operation will be in a state-of-the-art multiple
studio facility in midtown Manhattan. The network will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In making the announcement, Mr. Litner said, "We are committed to becoming the first place that New Yorkers go for their sports news. SportsNet New York will be the destination network for sports fans in New York and the Tri-State area. The network will reach out to all New Yorkers and we will cover all of their teams and the events that are important to them." Mr. Litner emphasized, "We are fortunate to have some very strong partners in our network -- Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, as well as Time Warner and Comcast, two premier media and technology companies who bring us outstanding leadership,operational expertise and very strong distribution."

The program lineup will include three nightly "SportsNite" shows, followed by a daily "SportsRise" show throughout the morning with each show originating from the studio. Mr. Litner stated he expects the network to take full advantage of the news-gathering resources available through other Comcast Sportsnet affiliates to give New York sports fan in-depth, objective news coverage that they can count on.

All programming from the studio will be shot exclusively in high
definition (HDTV). All home games of the Mets, and select away games, will be shot in HD with the highest picture resolution in the industry. For the 125 regular season Mets games, game productions will include dedicated pre and post-game shows and a "baseball central" studio with in-game updates from around the league. The network will emphasize player access and personalities and incorporate fan interaction, as well as cover breaking news.

SportsNet New York will be available throughout the Tri-State area and
parts of Pennsylvania, as well as upstate New York.

Members of the SNY management team were introduced at a press conference at SportsNet New York's studios. Curt Gowdy, Jr., Vice President of Production and Executive Producer, is a 15-time Emmy Award Winner during a 27-year career at ABC Sports. Steve Raab, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, had been a longtime executive at Turner Broadcasting where he helped launch the Turner South regional network. Gary Morgenstern, Director of Programming, is a 16-year veteran of ESPN where he managed several of ESPN's marquee properties and was part of the launch team for ESPN 2, and
most recently ESPN Outdoors.

Mr. Litner indicated that announcements regarding talent, including
broadcasters as well as production assignments, will be made over the next few months.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Hey - something about Comcast that doesn't suck (for a change).

[metirish]

Well I'm excited, now I have find out if SusCom will carry it, I'm sure they will, certainly SNY woulid seem to have top notch people in place to make this work, from reading the press release they want it to be more than just a Mets channel but a sports reporting channel...sounds great.

[Guest ABG]

Any word on whether Direct TV will carry it?

[MFS62]

Gee, I used to work in the building right next door.

Later

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Athlete suck-ups:

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

***
Acting quickly, Fred spots Carl Icahn approaching behind Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons. "Hey! No activist shareholders allowed here!"

[metirish]

Is that Jon Litner in the middle?

[Elster88]

HD will be nice.