Local PR Firm Hits The Floor With Auction
Of Lakers’ Memorabilia
A new sports magazine published locally was recently distributed with a circulation of more than 25,000 copies nationwide.
Insports Magazine, a quarterly magazine by professional photographer Thom Vollenweider, was officially launched last month. The publication is an expanded version of Vollenweider’s former Bolt magazine, which was the official publication of the San Diego Chargers.
This time around, the magazine will include Chargers coverage, as well as other professional, collegiate, high school and recreational sports in the county.
“Sports is a big part of the San Diego community,” Vollenweider said. “We have several professional teams, competitive high school and collegiate programs, not to mention an Olympic Training Center.
“The demand for coverage already exists so it was only natural for me to expand into other sports in San Diego.”
At this point, Vollenweider is the sole financial contributor of the magazine, which costs him 80 cents an issue to print at Press Plus in Chula Vista.
The premiere issue of the magazine features the Chargers, Padres, Spirit women’s pro soccer team and the Oceanside Little League All-Star team. There is also a one-on-one interview with Tony Gwynn.
Vollenweider has lined up a team of contributing writers to include, Todd Tobias from the Hall of Champions; Jay Paris of the North County Times; Art Garcia Jr. of the Military Press; and Johnny McDonald, a retired San Diego Union-Tribune sports writer.
The subscription rate for the publication is $2.95 per issue. For information, call (619) 280-3070 or by e-mail at insports@hotmail.com.
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Hitting The Floor:
One local public relations firm is taking part in National Basketball Association history.
Formula PR was recently hired by SportsCards Plus to provide media relations for the eBay auction of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Great Western Forum floor. The auction, which will end Nov. 14, will sell off pieces of the former longtime home of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the venue seen by many as one of the hosts to many great moments in NBA history.
The public relations program includes strategic planning and promotions in the Los Angeles area as well as media relations.
Formula also landed an account with the Los Angeles Athletic Club for public relations and marketing for college basketball’s John R. Wooden Award, given to the outstanding player of the year.
On Staff: Jana Steel, an 11-year sports business executive, recently joined the San Diego Spirit’s marketing department. Steel, who has marketing experience with the NBA and Women’s National Basketball Association, will be responsible for all business partnerships and alliances with the Spirit and the local business community. The San Diego Padres have named Mark Guglielmo as vice president. Guglielmo has been with the Padres for 16 years, and was most recently director of stadium operations.
The deadline for the next Sports Biz column is Monday, Nov. 19. Send related items to dward@sdbj.com.
