Yardbarker Promises to Connect The World of Sportsfans

I've sometimes wondered about the need for special interest communities -- as in, do we need them when we all have a profile on FaceBook and MySpace and Bebo and and and.

But there are passions that perhaps cannot be satisfied in general purpose social worlds. And a love of pro sports is most assuredly one of them. Is there anything...anything at all...that so captivates so many people. Well, OK, in American, religion probably outranks it, not so in the EU or Asia. But you get the point.

As you know, I am a believer in sports passion as a surrogate indicator of life passion, despite the fact that I myself am not overly interested in pro sports myself. But I see its relevance, and I see how caring about one thing probably translates into caring bigtime for other things. Which is why I like the Sportgenic network so much.

But this is a post about Yardbarker, a site the promises to connect fans and athletes alike in a freeform community that collects the best web content about sports and parses in ways that let you see the most relevant info and really participate in the conversation.

Here's their bark from their site:

About Yardbarker

Yardbarker breaks down traditional barriers, allowing fans and athletes to debate sports, read and write articles, and watch videos. In the Yard, even the famous athletes are treated like fans.

We feature thousands of sports websites and blogs, so you'll get news, rumors, photos and videos that you won't find elsewhere. We make it easier to follow your favorite teams, talk sports, and submit links to interesting articles found elsewhere on the web.

You don't need your own sports blog to join the discussion on Yardbarker. All you need is an opinion. But if you do have your own blog, join the Yardbarker Network. We will promote your site, increase your traffic, and put money in your pocket.

This is an ad network play targeting MEN ONLY that promises to offer sports fans with media presences, as well as niche sites, the opportunity to monetize their content and earn more money. Additionally, they offer ways for publishers to get publicity and traffic in addition to revenue.

The tough bit for them is that on the pro sports side there are already some very entrenched players like ESPN and SI, and Sportgenic, with its 20MM reach. Others have definitely struggled. They are trying to break down the walls between web properties, which makes sense in a world which is increasingly about bringing content to the user instead of making them come to you.

Sports is a tough slog for all the media players. But the site is growing, and is worth watching to see if they continue to grow eyeballs and keep them around for the long haul. Their secret sauce is the involvement of pro players. Which may be compelling, if they really participate.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.

Sportgenic's Robert Tas - Article on iMediaConnection

Great post from Robert Tas on iMediaConnection on selecting an ad network. Check it out.

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White Paper Thursdays: HOW TO CHOOSE AN AD NETWORK

Another plug for Robert Tas's ad network paper. Download it here.

Phenom New White Paper From Robert Tas: How To Choose An Ad Network

Sportgenic is a client of ours, so I have a little advance notice that their Founder, President, and CEO Robert Tas just issued a white paper about how to choose an ad network. It's a good paper WITHOUT a suspiciously large amount of stuff about SG -- actually its virtually free of references to Sportgenic, and it has a number of things I think you will find rather interesting, including a checklist of what to look for when shopping for a new ad network for your plan.

Whether you are a seasoned media pro or a brilliant neophyte, I think you'll like it loads.

Make sure you grab it over at www.Sportgenic.com. There's a link to it from page one of their site.

While you are there, check out some of the info on their site -- SG is a really cool network, one of the clear winners in the vertical side of the business. It is obviously ideal for sports products but also for any brand that wants to reach a pasisonate, active audience.

iMedia: Sportgenic

OK, so I am very biased for this company. First, because they are our client, and second because Marti Funk works there. Robert and TJ should note that I love them too, but I have known Marti for a long time, and she’s such a joy from both intellectual and personal perspectives. If there were a Funk religion, I would tithe.

What I like most about Sportgenic the property is that it really provides value as a vertical that packages up an audience that is passionate about life – The blasé make for lousy customers, but the sort of people who get out there and run in the snow, or paint their faces Steelers colors are the kind that can drive amazing results for your brand.

I love energy in people and genuinely believe that SG packages that up in a large and loyal audience that is appropriate for any brand except perhaps for Popeye’s.

I think SG is the perfect company to do one of these presentations because so few people know the full story. Especially brands that are not related directly to sports. And Robert wowed his audience, involving whole tables in the concept while also delivering all of the critical information necessary to convince a bank, or a car manufacturer, or a packaged good to join SG’s pages.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to write.

iMedia: One Minute MatchUps

iMedia takes an hour and half of the conference to have each “buyer” and “seller” meet 60 people that can make a difference for their businesses. I loved this aspect of the conference for three reasons:

1. I learned about 7 companies I knew nothing about.
2. I got to see 60 people pitch. There is NOTHING I appreciate more than hearing a good salesperson sell. For me it is art just as much as Mapplethorpe’s flower photos. (Check those out, BTW, the man did a lot more than take shocking pics of crosses in pee.)
3. I got to meet people who generally have to focus on buyers that have loads more cash than I do to throw around.

Special props to the people I thought delivered the best 90 second intros. Topix, Brightroll, Sportgenic, Tacoda/Platform A, National Geographic, and ValueClick. Not to say that the other pitchers weren’t awesome, but I like a certain style, and these folks got it. Many other presenters were also great!

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to write.