Tyler Morant's blog

Rally Cross is the next big thing in motor sports, that's if you didn't already know. "Why?" you might ask. There are numerous reasons why this sport is going to grow tremendously in the next 5 years. I want to break down my favorite parts about the sport, in the hope I can relay to you my thoughts behind the title of this blog.

Constant excitement is something I crave. That's what Rally Cross provides; Endless excitement for a stadium audience or viewers at home. This constant excitement is created by the format of the event: four cars in a constricted course with a mandatory jump (known as the joker lap). Plus the event traditionally includes two surfaces the vehicles drive on, normally asphalt and dirt (additional surfaces, like gravel and ice, can be included). Basically you are making a driver experience every possible road condition less than a mile. It's the Mixed Martial art of the motor sports world! That means you are dealing with a different class of driver, a driver who understands more about the handling of the car than any other type of driver in the world. This is what makes the event the most attended and watched event at X Games. That brings me to my next reason of why I love the sport.

The sport is definitely in a growth phase, but it already has enormous popularity. The days of retired action sports stars dominating the event at X Games are well on their way to an end. Fans are interested in the sport and are looking to get to know the drivers. I know this because at this past X Games; I worked in conjunction with Mishi Moto to set up an autograph signing for it's team of privateer drivers in the festival village. In a 45 minute period, three athletes signed over 2,000 posters for fans. All of these athletes are top notch, but the highest finish at X Games by an athlete appearing was only 5th. Regardless the fans were still interested in associating themselves with the drivers. That is another reason why I love the sport, all the spectators are interested in getting to know even the least well known of the competitors. I believe the reason for this is simple, everyone knows what it's like to drive a car, and everyone has thought about jumping a car, cutting off other drivers and getting to there destination fast. It also helps that they are racing cars that look very similar to the one's people take home of the dealer lots.

These reason is why I love Rally Cross. The interest and ability of fans to relate to the sport set it apart from all other forms of competition. This is why marketers should take notice of Rally Cross, the "Next Big Thing!"

Athlete Marketing and It's role In a Corporate Marketing Strategy

By Tyler Morant

Being that I have been doing a lot of cold calling recently, I realized that a lot of people aren't entirely sure of the role athlete marketing plays in a corporations overall marketing strategies. The role of athlete marketing is simply, expand the story of your brand. But how can a corporation utilize an athlete to expand it's brand message, get an audience and turn them into customers?

Step one in athlete marketing is find an athlete(s) that speaks to your customers. Character is important. Remember these are brand representatives. Check that the athlete has the audience size you want; analyze their social media networks and the media they appear in. There must be a synergy with the athlete and the story of your business. Also don't be afraid to reach out side your comfort zone. Sports that you might not be familiar with might be to your customers. Owning a space where your competitors are not can be advantageous. You could be spreading your brand message to loyal fans, who are also loyal customers. It's a great way to expand your market share, without having to spend enormous dollars to be visible. Thinking outside of the box is something fans appreciate and they award companies who do this with fierce loyalty.

Step two is about using the athlete; which is the bulk of the work. Today's fan base is very intelligent and they do not like to see their athletes as sales man. So, I believe the best course of action is to utilize the athlete to generate content. It's great if you have an athlete that lands on the podium at every major competition they participate in. But that is only part of their story and your company's. Make sure you utilize their social media network to generate a dialogue between the corporation and the athlete. It's important that the dialogue includes key words (much like SEO) specific to the message and the products the corporation creates. When working with an athlete you want there to be an easily discoverable company web page where fans (current and future customers) can engage with you and the athlete at the same time. A sub page is best. This way you have a place where all of the content from social media to commercials can exist. Aflac does a tremendous job of this, in my opinion, with their relationship with NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards. It's integral to make sure the story is easily discoverable on the internet, since this is where the majority of research about athletes takes place.

I believe this is athlete marketing at it's most basic. But I hope this can give you some food for thought.

Professional skier David Wise launches his new website. The launch coincides with the announcement of the first ever U.S. Freeskiing Team, which David has been invited to be a member of. "It's a a huge honor to be a part of the team. This represents a historic occasion in halfpipe skiing history."

David's invite to join the team comes on the heels of a successful 2010/11 competitive season. David added to the pages of skiing history by winning half pipe events at The European Open, The Northface Open in Tahoe, the U.S. Freestyle Nationals, and by becoming the first skier ever to link Double Cork 1260's on two consecutive walls in half pipe competition at the Snowbasin Dew Tour. It was a banner season for the young, stylish skier. Now that half pipe skiing is an Olympic sport, David is one the U.S.A.'s greatest Olympic hopefuls for Sochi 2014.

The launch of David's new website will give his fans the opportunity to gain intimate access into the life of this rising star. The site will include media, blogs and information about how David prepares for competition, where he will be, and the success of his seasons. In addition to the website, David will interact with fans on the social media platforms of Facebook and Twitter.

So log on and get to know one of U.S.A.'s next Olympic stars! To learn more visit:
david-wise.com
facebook.com/mrDavidWise
twitter.com/mrDavidWise

Local Artists help raise funding for Elite Focus Snowboarding Program

Breckenridge, CO - December 1, 2010 - On Sunday December 12, 2010, Focus Elite Snowboarding will host a fundraiser to benefit students of it's program. Brooklyn's Tavern, on 520 South Main Street Breckenridge, will be hosting the event.

From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm there will be a silent auction and raffle. Prizes have been donated by local artists Anna Kleppe, Courtney Buckland, Brandon Ferrell, Brian Henry and Rory Kijas. Pro snowboarder Mike Casanova and snowboard companies Salomon, Bonfire and Role Model Productions will also be donating prizes. Following the raffle and auction will be and after party that will be hosted by MC Pump.

Focus Elite Snowboarding is a non-profit snowboard team. It's program focuses on athletic development as well as academic achievement. To learn more about the program please visit www.focuselite.com.

Please support this program by attending this event and having an awesome time.

Click http://www.outsidetelevision.com/shows/buzz/full-circle-project-chile see Taylor Felton and The FullCircle Project on Outside Television's show The Buzz.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrm6VKxIu8M for an interview with Michael Bailey!

The Morant Agency Signs skiers JF Houle and Mirjam Jaeger
Leading Ski Athletes gear up to take on the Winter Of 2010/2011



Hermosa Beach, CA (November 15, 2010) – Action Sports Marketing and Management company, The Morant Agency (TMA), signs professional skiers JF Houle and Mirjam Jaeger. TMA works with elite athletes to aide them in their business and athletic goals.

Quebecois JF Houle, 24, is one of the foremost slopestyle skiers in the world. His progressive take on urban features and his fluid airs have made him a stalwart of freeski competition. JF's 2010 results include 1st at the European Open Rail Jam, 1st at the LA Session Les Arcs Big Air, 3rd at the Austrian Open Slopestyle and 4th at the Mount Snow Dew Tour Slopestyle stop. He ended his season as 6th on the Winter Dew Tour Slopestyle rankings and 10th on the AFP Slopestyle rankings. Not only did JF have an impressive contest season, but he also made waves in the industry with a stellar performance in the Level 1 Production movie Eye Trip. Don't expect JF to slow down either! He has already started his 2010/2011 competition campaign with an impressive 3rd at the Monster Fridge Big Air in Budapest, Hungry.

Mirjam Jager, 28, is a Swiss born model and a leader in women's half pipe skiing. In 2010, Mirjam demonstrated she is a force to be reckoned with, by placing 3rd at the World Ski & Snowboard Invitational and 4th at the Winter X Games in Aspen. Her large airs and styled grabs put Mirjam at the top of her sport. Mirjam can be found modeling in the advertisements for Swatch, Bollé, Dalbello and Faction Ski . Balancing her time between competition and modeling, Mirjam is one of the hardest working girls in action sports. Mirjam is now busy training for her first event of the year, the Winter Dew Tour stop in Breckenridge; where she plans to continue to prevail over her competition.

“JF and Mirjam are extraordinary athletes and personalities,” declared Tyler Morant, TMA’s founder and Director of Athlete Relations. “They are great additions to our current team of athletes. We are stoked to be working with them. Keep your eyes out for these two, they will be gracing podiums, magazines and movies across the globe.”

About The Morant Agency
The Morant Agency is a full service talent agency for action sports athletes. We represent the most talented athletes and pair them with the right brands. www.themorantagency.com

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Tyler Morant (310) 429-9654 or email Tyler at Tyler@themorantagency.com.

Check out Taylor Felton and the Rest of The FullCircle crew interview on Powder Magazine http://www.powdermag.com/features/onlineexclusive/the-fullcircle-project/