Press Kits - Know Your Audience

There has been a lot of talk over the last year about all of the new technologies available to marketing and media folks. Yes, we seem to be headed towards using more and more technology to communicate, but sometimes going 'back to basics' is the best way to get your message across. It all depends on who your audience is.

For example, when I create a press kits for trade shows now, we use the cute little CDs. They hold all of the information I want the media to have yet they are so compact the writer/editor can put them in his or her pocket and take it home without wondering how to lug it on to the plane. They then have all of the latest product and company information at their fingertips when they get back to their office.

However, this past weekend at the Falmouth Road Race, media folks were given the traditional paper press kit folder. You know - when you open the folder there are pockets on both sides filled with informational sheets. The media folks prefer this kit type at the race and wouldn't have it any other way. Why? Again, it's all about knowing the audience.

The press kit at the road race includes sponsor info as well as press releases and fact sheets. Pretty standard stuff - some of which was already emailed or faxed to the correspondents. Yes, faxed -- Again, knowing your audience...assignment editors prefer faxes. Email them until your fingers fall off to no avail, but fax them and you might just get a call!

A bib number list is also included in the race press kit along with biographies of the elite runners and photos of the runners. This is an invaluable tool for the writers and on-air talent to have as they are riding the press truck in front of the men's lead pack. Each writer has the bib number sheet with notations on it, folded in their own special way, that they take from the truck to the press tent after the race and then back to the office that afternoon.

Sure, you could do the press kit on a CD and just print out the bib number sheet, but I'll pretty much guarantee that the CD would not get looked at. This way, they need to open the press kit to get the bib number list and, inevitably, they will flip through the rest of the paper in there catching some of the tidbits you want them to see.

Yes, there will probably be a new technology in the future that will make the bib number list obsolete, but until that time this 'audience' will continue to get the paper press kit. It's what they want and what they need to do their job the most effectively. Ultimately, it's our job to make their job easier and this accomplishes that goal in this setting.

Just a little tidbit for tonight. Thanks for stopping by.

Faces in Falmouth

This year's race had the largest number of finishers in race history! 8,256 people finished the race today. Wow! Congratulations one and all!

We've seen some of the folks that make the race happen, but there are thousands more that work so hard to make sure the runners have a fun, safe race. There is no way to take photos of them all and this won't do justice to all of them, but here are just a few faces in the crowd.

Jen, James and Ali (not pictured) have worked hard all summer helping to organize the race.

Betty has been a fixture at this race for longer than I have been coming here. I can't imagine coming to Falmouth and not seeing her.

Co-director Kathy Sherman (second from right) and the team that works tirelessly with her all weekend at the Friday supper and on the ballfield at the finish line.

Mary has been greeting me at 6:30am at the press area for years. She works security for the press tent and then continues to work for the rest of the day at the beaches. I don't know where she gets all the energy.

Tom and Brian survey the finish line and make a plan. They both work all weekend to make sure everything is set up exactly how it needs to be.

Betsy and Alissa (mother & daughter) are the driving forces behind the success of the press tent. Betsy is also in charge of all the volunteers at number pick-up. She's been going and going for days. Husband, Bill, daughter Julie and son-in-law Chris have all been recruited to work during race weekend, too. Alissa is also the artist that created the event poster this year. Another 'family affair'.

Last, but far from least, is Matt Auger. If I had a penny for every time someone walked in the office this weekend saying, "I was told to see Matt" I'd be a rich, rich person! Matt has every single entry at his finger tips and can change incorrect information or make a missing entry happen (not new entries - entries that didn't print correctly or some other technical glitch). He's the guru of the details pre-and post-race (when he's working with the timing folks to get results up and running for everyone to see). Matt is priceless.

Tidbits from Falmouth. Thanks for stopping by.

Phil's Birthday Run

Today was a special day for one runner we know. Phil Smith of Celebration, Florida returns to Falmouth each and every year, usually taking care of every little detail in the press tent. He's done it all and is invaluable. This year the race fell on his birthday and he decided to let us fend for ourselves in the tent and have some fun running the race. Although I don't know his time yet he had a great run along this scenic course.

Happy Birthday, Phil!

Just a birthday tidbit from Falmouth. Thanks for stopping by.

Fabulous in Falmouth!

It was an absolutely perfect day for the 34th Annual Falmouth Road Race this year presented by CIGNA. The weather couldn't have been more perfect - cool, clear and not that windy. I'd guesstimate that is was about 70 degrees and no humidity.

Here are some of the photos from before (Friday morning) and after (this morning) on the ballfield as well as some random shots from the day. Enjoy!

The calm before the storm. Nothing happening on this ballfield at 7am on Friday morning.

This is the same area (from a different angle) at the same time on race morning.

The crowd awaits on the finishing downhill for the raising of the flag

It's such a spectacular sight when it goes up. Gives you goose bumps...

Just the first tidbits from Falmouth. Thanks for stopping by.

Herbie in Falmouth!

A world-class race needs many, many sponsors and supporting companies to make it run as smoothly as it does. This year there will be Volkswagons at the front of the field including the Herbie car!

Capt. John Carroll III may be driving Herbie out on the course tomorrow.

Just a fun tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Runners Everywhere!

This was the scene here in Falmouth this morning right before the Runners' Expo and number pick-up opened for the last day before the Falmouth Road Race presented by CIGNA.

The balloons are up and ready to greet the runners.

The volunteers and exhibitors are putting the finishing touches on the Expo area.

The line of runners went up the hill and out to the parking lot.

Why is this man smiling? Because it's a gorgeous day here and he's third in line to get into the expo!

Just a little tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Families All Around Falmouth

The "Family Affair" doesn't just extend to the road race organizers, it also includes the runners. Many runners will bring their significant others, kids and even siblings to Falmouth after experiencing the fun. For example, past champion Colleen De Reuck has been bringing her husband and daughter to Falmouth for 11 years.

This year we have a new family connection. Multi-time winner Catherine Ndereba has brought her brother, Samuel, to run his first Falmouth Road Race. We all welcome him for his first experience here on Cape Cod!

Sue Smith welcomes old friend Catherine Ndereba and

her brother Samuel to Falmouth on Friday.

Just a little afternoon tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Falmouth - A Family Affair

The Falmouth Road Race is organized by 4 co-directors, John & Lucia Carroll and Rich and Kathy Sherman. They are amazing organizers and have more energy than I-don't-know-what.

Over the years, their children have all become involved in the race and are important parts of the race in many different ways.

Patriotic co-director John Carroll discusses the race with his daughter, Christine Berndt, after the Friday night supper. Christine is doing 'double duty' this weekend. She's not only helping out in the office and put her husband, Mark to work parking cars, she's also Vice President Sales & Customer Relations at CIGNA Healthcare, the presenting sponsor.

Co-Director, Rich Sherman, and his daughter Elizabeth chat about number pick-up before opening on Friday. Elizabeth has been working the race for more years than she can count and is now in charge of the Saturday Expo. Co-director Kathy Sherman was busy all day setting up the Friday supper. We'll get a picture of her later....

Co-director Lucia Carroll is happy to have both of her kids back for the race on the same year. Her daughter Christine is based in Denver while her son, Capt. John Carroll III, is based in Georgia. John has worked in the office many, many summers and now comes in for race weekend, when his schedule allows, and pitches in everywhere.

Neice, Andrea, was too busy running around hauling boxes back and forth from the expo to the office to slow her down for a photo. We'll capture her later....

It's truly a family affair here at Falmouth, which is part of its infinite charm.

Just a morning tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Falmouth Eats

Two stops that are necessities during Falmouth Road Race Weekend are Cape Cod Bagels and The Box Lunch.

The signage needs a little help, but the bagels are just yummy!

Box Lunch has the best wraps around. A must for lunch.

Supper is always whatever you can find as you continue to work. Tonight it was a slice of pizza and homemade Italian cookies. Yea...not bad. The office staff needs the cookies to keep going until just about 1am when the last of today's athletes arrives. They are a hard-working group of people, that's for sure.

Just a yummy tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Falmouth Number Pick-Up

Here's what runners see on the way in to pick up their bib number at Falmouth Academy.

Volunteers wait for the crush of runners to come get their numbers. Saturday there won't be any space at the table - it will be a sea of people!

Each runner gets a race mug, poster and program when they pick up their number. Yes, many volunteers spend hours and hours rolling the posters and putting them in the mugs for the runners.

The color of the mugs are really pretty this year. The photo doesn't do it justice.

This year's poster is my favorite of all time. The painting was done by local artist Alissa Hike Harris, who is a Falmouth resident. I heard one of the elite runners day today, "who hasn't put their feet in the water, at one time or another, after the race." It's a hit!

Here are some runners leaving the gym after getting their numbers. It's such a nice setting over here - so Cape Cod!

More later on athletes and other goings on at the road race office!

Just a little tidbit for this afternoon. Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to Falmouth, CIGNA!

Falmouth Road Race Finish Line in Falmouth Heights

It's a beautiful morning in Falmouth, Massachusetts and it's time for the 34th running of the Falmouth Road Race presented by CIGNA HealthCare! Cigna is a first year sponsor and they have jumped in everywhere, ready to help in anyway they can. They are a perfect fit for this race because their marketing concepts aren't to tout their insurance programs as much as reaching out to communities to teach about healthy living. What a concept - teach people preventive 'medicine'! Bravo! I wish more companies thought like they do.

The race will be on Sunday, but people are streaming into town ready for a weekend of walking, biking and beaching before tackling the 7-mile race. Throughout the weekend, I'll show you a behind the scenes look at how a world-class race runs. When the runners arrive on the starting line a year of detailed planning has already taken place. That's something most people never see - they just hear the starting gun and head for the finish line. But...let's take a look at how the race, at least race weekend, is organized, who makes it all happen and some of the surrounding atmosphere. There truly is nothing like "Falmouth." I wouldn't be anywhere else this weekend in August.
Just a morning tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Congratulations Dave Perewitz!

Dave Perewitz has won the 2006 Biker Build Off -Sturgis! The voting happened all day yesterday in Sturgis and around 4pm local time, Dave was announced as the winner!
Here's the winning custom motorcycle....(not the best photos but you'll get the idea)

Congratulations to Dave, Susan, Jody, Jesse, Jaren, Kory, Scott and everyone else at Perewitz Cycle Fabrications! Bravo!

Just a fast tidbit for you today. Thanks for stopping by.

Travis Pastrana's Double Backflip!

If you haven't seen the X-Games video of Travis Pastrana's double backflip, it's a must see. Yes, I said 'double backflip' -- on a motorcycle. When you click on the video link you'll need to click into the video site and then watch a 30-second commercial (of course), but it is well worth the wait.

I am in complete awe. Way to go Travis!

Then, he came back the next day to win the first-ever X-Games rally - but only because rally legend Colin McRae flipped the car on the final jump right in front of the crowd. He landed on all four wheels and drove to the finish line, just missing the gold. Pastrana's run was a good one, but McRae put on a clinic of how to drive a rally car.

Even Travis was amazed by Colin's run telling the cameras, "Dude, Colin McRae is a god. He rolled the car and I don't think he lost any time. The guy's amazing."

But Colin did lose time during the roll so instead of winning by a second or so, he got the silver medal by fractions of a second. But, that is why you have the event, because anything can happen - and it did. It was certainly a thrill for everyone watching.

X-Games continue today, but I'm not sure anything will be able to top Travis' double backflip. Then again, he's going for 2 more medals so you never know.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Perewitz Team Leaves for Sturgis

The 66th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, best known simply as "Sturgis" will kick off August 7 and run through August 13. This week attendees will start packing up and hitting the road on their way to the biggest rally of the year.

However, if you are Dave Perewitz and his team you are packing up and hitting the road a little early this year. Dave was chosen to build a custom motorcycle for Discovery Channel's Biker Build Off Series again this year. As part of the show he will meet up with the Discovery film crew and the competing builder in Iowa and then ride the rest of the way to Sturgis. Filming all the while. Each builder will have 5-10 people riding with him, followed by the caravan of trucks, trailers and film crew. What a sight it will be rolling down the highways.

So, while the Discovery bike has been kept under wraps for the last few weeks since it has been completed, it will be unveiled to some lucky folks along the way next week starting in Iowa.

But, what goes into getting the bike out there? I stopped by today and saw some of what goes on to load 23 motorcyles into trucks and trailers. It's more of a process than you'd think, especially when there is a new trailer involved. There is plating (for lack of the proper word) to install so the tie-downs have somewhere to attach to. And there are tie-downs all over the place there today. When you are transporting these motorcycles you don't want one little scratch on them so there is a lot of care and effort that goes into the loading and securing of the bikes.

Then there fitting all of the motorcycles they need to take into the trucks and trailers. One motorcycle might be slated for the back of a truck, but be too long and need to go to a trailer. Maybe it is too wide to fit next to the bike it was slated to go next to and need to be moved. Like any event, it is more time consuming than you'd think. And then there is all of the extra things that need to go - like t-shirts, hats etc and, oh yea, the people and their gear for 2 weeks on the road! Some expert packing is going on right now, that's for sure.

The new trailer is sweet! Dave had it wrapped with some cool graphics. So...I took a look around it hoping to see the Discovery bike....

Here's the front of the trailer. What great advertising, huh? Master Builder is Dave's series done for iTunes about how to build your own custom bike. I'm not sure if it is available on iTunes yet, but I hear that the series will be released on DVD in mid-August. I've seen the first couple of episodes and they are very good. I'll keep you posted as to when it hits stores.

But that doesn't show me the Discovery bike....so around to the back I went....

Wow! I really like the rear door of the trailer! Dave, larger than life with a very cool product. Ok, I'm a little biased, but it is a great door and, like the front, a great promotional spot! Think of how many people are going to see this going down the highway in the next couple of years.

Well, this still didn't give me a glimpse of the Discovery bike....so I asked Dave's son, Jesse, to open the door for me. And he did...

Where is the Discovery Bike?! Still under wraps until it's time to load it. I couldn't hang around for that so I'll have to settle for the tease on Dave's site. I have no doubt that it is a really cool bike with a fantastic paint job worthy of the win.

Voting will take place on Monday, August 7 and we'll know that night who wins when Dave's daughter, Jody, gives me a ring. I'll make sure to post the results here for those of you who can't make it out there (myself included...bummer!). If you are going get to the voting on the 7th!

The caravan of trucks and trailers will be leaving Perewitz' tomorrow morning, headed for Iowa. If you live between Massachusetts and there you never know...you might just see them rolling down the highway. Would be fun to know if you do.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Masiguy's Opinion

After reading my post last night Tim said, "...I feel a post coming on." Boy did he ever! His take on the current Floyd Landis situation is well worth the read right down to the firehose.

Just a tiny tidbit this morning. Thanks for stopping by.

News on Floyd Landis

Well, today was surprising in one way and in another completely not so. I was surprised that there is something 'off' about Floyd Landis' A-sample test from last week. What I am not surprised about is the way the media is handling it - proclaiming him guilty of doping in headlines all over the globe before his B-sample is tested. I shouldn't be surprised. Controversy sells.

I don't know Floyd personally. I don't know what he may or may not have done. However, I do know that he deserves a fair shake so here's a link to Floyd's side of the story from Floyd himself and from his mother, who has now had to leave her home due to the media pressure.

Here's a link to a reporter that I admire very, very much, Bicycling's Joe Lindsey in his Boulder Report. It's very fair and extremely detailed, as always. It is well worth the few minutes to read it.

As I said, I don't know Floyd, but I am more than willing to wait and see what the B-sample, and possibly subsequent tests, say.

Just a tidbit for today. Thanks for reading.

OLN viewership & Last Tour Tidbits

So, where's Bob? Where's Al? Where are Phil and Paul? I keep flipping channels thinking I have the wrong one, but they don't seem to be there any more. Is anyone else having Tour Day France withdrawal?!

There certainly isn't any shortage of cycling news, though. It's like silly season in NASCAR when all the teams play musical chairs.

From Team Discovery: Levi Leipheimer is going to join the team next year and Viatchslav "Eki" Ekimov is going to retire and become part of the team management. Can't comment on the Levi deal, but I have to say that I wondered if Eki was retiring when the peloton let him go ahead for a few minutes in Paris on Sunday and he, uncharacteristically, waved to the crowd. He's been an absolute force through a great cycling career, which included 15 Tours de France. Wow.

Rumor has it that the guy who was fired from T-Mobile by fax (that's bad...), Jan Ullrich, may be in talks with Discovery, too. Although, he was in Bonn talking with his current/former team today. Stay tuned on that one...

It's also been rumored that Discovery would like to re-sign the 2006 Tour de France Champion, Floyd Landis. Although, I think I saw somewhere that iShares (Phonak) may have scooped him up for another year.

And a few Tour DAY France tidbits in wrap-up:

Thor Hushovd won bookend stages in Le Tour. That's just cool. Congrats to him.

Classiest moment of the race? Oscar Pereiro giving Floyd Landis a hug after the last time trial, knowing he was giving over the yellow jersey to the man who would win the race. You don't see that in sports too often.

And then there is "Our boy Floyd", as Reva dubbed him the first week of the Tour. I'm still in awe at what he accomplished and how he did it - all with a bum hip. A lot has been said about Floyd's family, where they live and how he grew up this last week but no matter what religion, these are some proud parents, as well they should be. It looks like their son might be rubbing off on them just a little bit, too.

Floyd did a lot for OLN's ratings, too. Viewership jumped 77% on the night Floyd won in the mountains. Um...Wow!

As for Floyd's looming hip surgery and the questions about whether or not he will be able to come back to racing. Here's what Floyd has to say about that:

"I'm looking at this as just another challenge," he said.

"Just like the bad day I had in the mountains.

I see this the same way. If it affects people's

judgment of whether I'll be as valuable later,

they'll have to wait and see. A lot of people

predicted a lot of bad things when I had

the bad day. I would take a lesson

from that if I were them."

After what he accomplished during the last mountain stage, does anyone want to doubt him? No? I didn't think so.

Again, Bravo Floyd. You made the Tour amazing. Thank you.

Lastly, welcome back to Tim and Cubbie. Tim was at his national sales meeting for the end of the Tour and we all missed his comments and insight. He reports that the meeting went well and he's now back. Congrats, Tim. I know you put a lot of work into your presentations. Glad you are back.

Miss Cubbie has returned from France and is sorting through all her photos, getting ready to post them on bobroll.com. I'll let you know when they are up and ready for viewing, but in the mean time she shared her favorite today. Thanks for all the 'inside scoop' texts and photos! Good to have you back, too, Cubbie.

Just some cycling tidbits for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers, Floyd!

(Photo credit FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Bravo, Floyd. Bravo!

The Tour DAY France Arrives in Paris

Who ever would have thought that the Tour Day France would have been so exciting this year?! Everyone wondered if the race would still capture the US cycling fans' attention without Lance. Well, I think Floyd Landis has answered that query very well. I can't imagine that cycling fans everywhere haven't been fascinated with, at least, the last week of le Tour. What Floyd Landis did during this tour was nothing short of amazing. I have to think that the Floyd Landis shirts are flying off the shelves at this point.

It's been a little exta fun for me this year hearing a little bit of the inside scoop from Cubbie reporter and Bob Roll through her. It's her last day in France where she will watch le Tour finish and then, I'm sure, party with the Americans in Paris and then head home to her kids. But, before then, she has one last post from France.

Well, Cubbie's reign is coming to an end. It is the last day and Ihave had a very good time and learned quite a bit.
1. Many of the toilettes (that's French for toilets) have 2 flushoptions. The regular flush and the super flush for those big jobs.
2. Most Belgian beer is good.
3. There are a lot of Americans living in Paris, but not in France.Do the math on that one.
4. TV work is not as glamorous as you think.
5. It's difficult to travel with my husband. We have different travelroutines.
6. I am a little allergic to France. I've had this snatchy littlecough the whole time I was here.
7. George Hincapie is cuter in real life.
8. Floyd is human. A really cool human with super powers.
Thanks for tuning in . . .you guys are the greatest fans ever. Staytuned to bobroll.com for super updates. . .. .xoxoxoxxoCubbie

I'm just watching Floyd lead the peloton on his yellow bike as the race officially starts. It's a great, great day, isn't it?! Will it be his last Tour Day France? We'll have to see. Somehow, I think if anyone can do it, Floyd may be the one to do it. But, today, it's all about getting to the finish line without incident and then celebrating! He has certainly earned one of the biggest celebrations ever!

Just a Parisian tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Cubbie "meets" Our Boy Floyd Landis

Very early this morning I got a phone call that said I had to get to my email and post Cubbie's latest report from France. Since I always listen to Reva, I've posted it below since we know Tim has national sales meetings this week and hasn't been able to post as often as he'd like. This note from Cubbie was just too good not to get up.

FLOYD TALKED TO ME! I'm sitting here answering my 4000 emails on Liggett's computer and I saw a Phonak car with Coachy Coach in it and and and and and and FLOYD IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM ON THE F'ING BIKE and I yell, CONGRATS FLOYD! and he stops and says how cute I look today and how he's heard so much about me and he's glad that I could make it to the Tour this year. . . .ok. Kidding.

He waved and yelled THANKS! We tried to get a picture, but I didn't. My friend Bobby Armstrong (no relation) got one >and PROMISES to send them to me. He's on some world tour and won't be home until August. I'll definately put that out when it comes it. Sweet ass. Wish it were mine.

Life here is good. Lots of traveling. I'm excited for the time trial today. It's going to be a tight squeeze with the time of our train leaving at 6:46 and the Floyd finishing. Donna - call me when we know what Floyd did, will you? Yesterday was hot and we stayed with Righteous Rod in the hottest room in France. It was REALLY uncomfortable, but temporary.

Today it looks as if we are going to see some rain. Not ideal. It won't hurt Floyd, though. He just finished riding the course and loved it so GAME ON.

Hope Tim is ok. I've noticed he hasn't posted. He's having a tough week. Does his company NOT realize this is history in the making? Cubbie's signing off! cr

Thanks for all the great info, Cubbie. I think I can safely say that both Reva and I wish we were with you so we could give Floyd a triple dose of 'congrats' and 'good luck'. However, I think he'll be just fine on his own today.

Allez, Allez Floyd!!!!

Just a little Floyd tidbit from France today. Thanks for stopping by.