The "branding" of ESPN is examined by Tim Jones in the
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, who notes, "ESPN has become to the sports world
what CNN is to news. Because of its never-ending coverage of
sports, it is widely perceived to always be there, even when it
is not." Pilson Communication's Exec Neal Pilson: "I think
their brand is even larger than their actual level of
participation. They have done such a good job that people are
saying they saw it on ESPN when, in fact, they saw it on another
network." ESPN President Steve Bornstein, on the future of the
network after the launch of ESPNEWS on Friday: "Every one of
these is like birthing a child. I have no idea now" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 10/27).
NEWS & NOTES: ESPN and its ad agency Weiden & Kennedy have
brought back Robert Goulet for a second year of college
basketball promos (Richard Sandomir, N.Y. TIMES, 10/28).
...Former Bruin Cam Neely has filmed an ad for ESPNEWS in which
he appears in his new life as a "power gardener." Neely
"laments" that ESPN picked this year, the year he retires, to
begin its news network. Neely asks, "You want to kick my dog
while you're here?" as a dachshund looks on (BOSTON GLOBE,
10/27)....Bob Raissman looks at the launches of ESPNEWS and
CNN/SI. ESPNEWS Assistant Managing Editor Vince Doria on
ESPNEWS' effect on "SportsCenter": "If we see there is some kind
of detrimental effect on SportsCenter, in terms of how we are
allocating manpower, we'll take steps to address that" (N.Y.
DAILY NEWS, 10/27).
