World Cup 2006 Blog

Slogans Needed for World Cup 2018/2022 Bids Posted: 14 May 2009 01:40 PM PDT If you read our post back in February, you’ll know that 11 bids to host World Cups 2018 or 2022 have been submitted. FIFA will announce the two winners in December 2010, so the 11 bids have until then to campaign each other into submission. As any movie studio executive will tell you, a good tagline is the centerpiece of of any campaign. And as any online guru will tell you, crowdsourcing is the future of pretty much everything. So the people at DesignBay are running a crowdsourcing experiment to try and find a tagline for the Australian bid. Called the The $1 Crowdsourcing Experiment, it’s inviting the public to submit a 100 characters or less tagline for Australia’s World Cup bid via Twitter. The winning tagline wins a $100 prize. Just so we’re clear, the winner won’t be the actual Aussie World Cup bid slogan, but the big idea is to prove that supercheap crowdsourcing can be just as effective as hiring a big expensive PR firm. The results so far have been mixed. Entries like “Kicking it Down Under” seem pretty straightforward and could very well be exactly what a highly paid consultant would deliver after pocketing $300,000. Other entries are less usable, but much more entertaining: “More awesome than the Commonwealth Games (if that is possible)!” “The Soccer World Cup -It will be just like the olympics but without the blue line or Nikki Webster” “We only bid for it because we never thought we’d qualify properly, dammit” Any of those three would get my vote, but I guess that’s why I’m not in charge of promoting World Cup bids. But if I was… then here are the taglines I’d go with for each of the other 10 bids: Belgium & Netherlands “Screw you Luxembourg!” England “Hooligan free since ‘93″ Indonesia “Just imagine: Your team might be in our group!” Japan “No sharing this time” South Korea “See above” Mexico “Swine flu? What swine flu?” Qatar “Oil = $$$” Russia “Because Vladimir Putin said so, that’s why” Spain & Portugal “Why not learn both our languages?” USA “We’ll show more interest this time, promise” If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to share…

You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Sporting News Today: Dominant Dwight pushes Celtics to Game 7

MAMUDU, Your May 15, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Experts debate: Who's MLB's next young star in the making? Who's the best QB? Our insiders say the line starts behind Peyton Manning Ohio State's Pryor answers readers' questions Will new QB Paulus make an impact with 'Cuse? Wings, Canes advance; Conference Finals set If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&81063&141686&14164&0000&1236470034&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28207

World Cup 2006 Blog

UEFA to Ukraine: Try Harder Posted: 14 May 2009 05:10 AM PDT The UEFA Executive Committee met in Bucharest yesterday (presumably over a very nice buffet lunch) to discuss infratructure progress potential Poland and Ukraine’s eight (four each) potential Euro 2012 host cities. The results were… mixed. Poland got a pass, but Ukraine pretty much got yelled at. Four cities in Poland were officially confirmed: Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw, and Wroclaw (no Krakow, which was surprisingly only a reserve city). UEFA believes the four confirmed cities… “are currently in a position to fulfil the conditions for hosting matches at UEFA EURO 2012™ despite the huge amount of work that still must be undertaken to guarantee the full and proper implementation of the tournament requirements.” So not exactly a glowing endorsement, but nice to have it rubberstamped. The news was not so good for Ukraine, where just one city - Kyiv - was confirmed. But only as a group stage, quarter-final and semi-final host, not for the the final. Even worse, Ukraine’s three other planned host cities (Donetsk, Lviv and Kharkiv) were very conspicuously not confirmed. UEFA’s standards are probably pretty high. Kyiv’s subway has ‘effin chandeliers (pictured above) so it can’t be all that bad. But their judgment on Ukraine’s infrastructure didn’t beat around the bush: “The comprehensive review showed important shortcomings regarding infrastructure in all Ukrainian cities in question. Significant work must be undertaken to meet the minimum requirements for an event the size of a final tournament of the UEFA European Championship.” When you consider that Poland’s two reserve cities (Krakow and Chorzow) could also have been confirmed if needed, it’s possible that the balance of four cities for each co-host might suddenly become five-three or six-two in Poland’s favour, unless Ukraine gets things up to scratch. Nothing to panic about just yet though. UEFA has set a final deadline of November 30th, 2009 (about six months from now) before doing another review, and Michel Platini has made it very clear that Euro 2012 will almost definitely be happening in Poland & Ukraine, no matter what: “We must respect the decision of the Executive Committee of 18 April 2007, when it awarded the organisation of the European Football Championship 2012 to Poland and Ukraine. This was again emphasised by the UEFA Congress in March 2009, when it stressed the importance that the staging of this world-class event will have to further promote and develop football in the eastern part of Europe.” Finally, some semi-important financial news for those planning a trip to Euro 2012: Due to the impact of the global recession/depression/meltdown/apocalypse, it’s very possible that Poland won’t be switching currencies and adopting the euro in January 2012 as planned.

You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Sporting News Today goes one-on-one with Chipper Jones and Michael Irvin

MAMUDU, Your May 14, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue My Profile: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Our NFL insiders rank the top 20 wide receivers USC was asking for trouble with Mayo Pens blow out Caps, 6-2, behind Crosby's two goals, assist Anthony scores 30 as Nuggets rout Mavericks to clinch series If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&80328&141595&14149&0000&1236469649&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28207

World Cup 2006 Blog

Akon to Record World Cup 2010 Anthem Posted: 12 May 2009 09:34 AM PDT We’re about thirteen months away from World Cup 2010, so it’s time to start filling in a few details. Details like the official World Cup 2010 anthem, which will apparently be provided by American R&B singer/songwriter/producer Akon. “I’ve been hired as musical director for the World Cup,” he told the Daily Mirror. “I will be overseeing the World Cup anthem and music at the ceremonies and I’m off to South Africa this week for meetings. I love soccer so it’s a great honour.” So far, Akon’s quote to the Daily Mirror is the only available news on this. FIFA have yet to confirm, but I think we can assume he’s telling the truth. Which raises the question: why Akon? Why is an American R&B sensation recording the official World Cup 2010 anthem? A quick look at Akon’s Wikipedia page reveals that he’s of Senegalese origin and his real full name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam. So that’s a plus in the African credibility column. But he also owns a South African diamond mine and denies the existence of conflict diamonds. “I don’t even believe in conflict diamonds,” he told The Independent in 2007. “That’s just a movie. Think about it. Ain’t nobody thought about nothing about no conflict diamonds until the movie came out.” Hmmm. So that’s a possible negative in the human being column. Whatever Akon comes up with should at least be a departure from the last two official anthems. Here are the 2006 and 2002 World Cup anthems, by Herbert Grönemeyer and Vangelis respectively. Neither of whom - as far as I’m aware - own South African diamond mines. Herbert Grönemeyer - Celebrate The Day - 2006 World Cup Anthem Vangelis - 2002 World Cup Anthem And for those who (like me) weren’t all that familiar with Akon’s oeuvre before today, here’s the karaoke video version of his 2006 hit Smack That (featuring Eminem)…

You are subscribed to email updates from World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010 in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: World Cup Soccer - South Africa 2010, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Sporting News Today: NFL insiders discuss Favre's potential impact on Vikings

MAMUDU, Your May 13, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Lakers rout Rockets for 3-2 lead Ducks beat Wings, force Game 7 No. 1 QB prospect reveals his top five schools Which BCS league race will be the most intriguing in '09? Goodell: NFL might add another game overseas If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&79665&141595&14120&0000&1236469342&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28207

Fantasy Golf Tees Off Thursday at 7AM - Get Your Free Entry Now!

Fantasy Golf Challenge
Last Chance! Get your FREE teams and pick your foursome before Season 2 tees off Thursday @7AM
Fantasy Golf Challenge: Season 2 You've got $4M to assemble a team of 4 players. Season 2 tees off at 7AM ET on Thursday 5/14. Check for player commitments here and pick your team!
Don't miss your chance to win your share of over $9,000 in cash and prizes, including a $1,000 Grand Prize! Get Your Free Team Now!

You received this email because you've registered to receive occasional promotional messages from SportingNews.com. If you wish to update your email preferences, please update your profile here.
This email was sent by: Sporting News 120 W. Morehead St. Charlotte, NC, 28202, USA We respect your right to privacy - click here to view our policy

Who's alive, and who's out? SNT recaps the NBA and NHL playoff action

MAMUDU, Your May 12, 2009 issue of Sporting News Today is now available, please click here. Here are some articles in Today's Issue Tracking possible destinations for former Miami starting QB Marve Top NCAA programs would be wise to wait for PG Wall Lowe outlasts Santana as Braves end Mets' 7-game streak Vikings president: We're interested in Favre Blackhawks' fairy tale adds a chapter If you experience any problems with your issue, please click here to contact our customer service department. Know a friend who might like Sporting News Today? Just click here or email him/her the link: www.sportingnewstoday.com.     Trouble Viewing? If any of the above links do not work for you,   copy and paste this URL into your browser:   http://today.sportingnews.com/t=c/?1&79090&141600&14100&0000&1236469052&EIInjEOx9cS45     Please do not reply to this message. Questions may be submitted to Digital Support.   To stop receiving email notifications for digital issues of Sporting News Today,   click here.   Sporting News Today 120 West Morehead Street Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28207