Sponsors are asking for this in 2022
Good morning. We are about to reach sports nirvana.
In 23 days, athletes from across the globe will gather in Beijing to compete and share in Olympic glory. The Olympics will be held from February 4th - 20th. Rosters are still being finalized, but two of CG Sports' own have been named to Team USA so far: Rosie Brennan (cross-country skiing) and Hagen Kearney (snowboard cross).
Additionally, the Super Bowl is slated for Sunday, February 13th. SoFi Stadium, home to the Rams and the Chargers, will serve as host and a staggering five headliners have been named for the halftime show (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige).
To top it all off, January stands as a month of anticipation for many NCAA sports. February will feature conference events, while championship events will range from March through April.
Throughout all of the sporting nirvana, CG Sports will be here: to celebrate with you, to share news with you, and to enjoy all that the world of sports has to offer with you.
Other big news this week:
Natalie Hinds has returned to her college roots and begun training in Gainesville!
Erin Mielzynski cracked the top 10 in the slalom races in Slovenia!
Tune in to the @cgsportsco Instagram account on Friday (1/14) for Patrick Callan's takeover!
Read "Cejih Explains" to learn what sponsors are looking for in 2022!
P.S. Nervous about missing upcoming news from CG Sports? Follow us on Instagram (@cgsportsco), Facebook (CG Sports Management), and, of course, our weekly newsletter.
WHAT'S HOT
A roundup of the CG Sports Teams' favorite weekly content from the most 🔥 athletes in the biz.
Team USA recently announced the 18-player team for the 2022 World Games, which will be held in Birmingham in July. Haylie McCleney is among those named to the 2022 Women's National Team roster. The list is comprised of a 15 person active roster and three replacements.
Recently, news from the swimming community has been centered on whether or not it is "right" for Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, to formally compete alongside other women. Many have weighed in on the topic and it is not difficult to find an op-ed piece centered on the topic. Olympian Jacob Pebley is among those who has contributed to the conversation, reminding the swimming community that mental health needs to remain at the forefront of the conversation. Read Pebley's full remarks and a recap of the Thomas conversation here.
The US Ski and Snowboard's Cross Country Skiing United States National Championships (whew!) were held in Utah this past weekend. Rosie Brennan, racing for Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center, dominated the Women's Free 20km Mass Start event.
CEJIH EXPLAINS
What Sponsors Are Looking for in 2022
One of my goals for 2022 is to pull back the curtain for athletes on what sponsors are looking for, making it easier to strategize. Something that has made CG Sports successful over the past six years is that we don’t just “sell” to sponsors; but we also listen to what they are looking for.
We are 12 days into 2022 and I have been asked the same question by three (so far) top marketing executives from different industries (Apparel, Fast Food, Retail).
The fact that right out of the gate these marketing executives are all asking the same question gives you a hint as to what their priorities are for 2022 (and where they are looking to spend their money)
Do you want to know what athlete sponsorship executives are all asking about in January of 2022?
The question executives are asking is
“What is the athlete’s social media plan for 2022? Can you share it with me?"
Here’s what this tells us:
Sponsors are looking at athletes who are pro-actively planning their social media - and starting to ask for proof.
Sponsors are putting more weight and priority on social media strategy in 2022.
Keep following CG Sports as we share more info on what sponsors are looking for and how to get their attention.
DEMAND YOUR BRAND
Interview Etiquette Part 2
Last week, we touched on the notion that you are qualified if you've gotten a job interview. Now, let's talk about some tricks to playing it cool, because let's be honest - no matter how confident you feel, the nerves are tough to squash.
Practice with a friend, mentor or classmate beforehand - be proactive in thinking of the types of questions you will be asked.
Arrive 20-30 minutes ahead of time.
Check in when you get there, even if you have to wait - it will give you some time to relax and prepare.
Eye contact and a firm handshake show confidence.
Sit tall and take a deep breath before you get started - don't be afraid to take a moment before responding to your interviewer with a proper, concise answer, rather than rushing to share the first thing that comes to mind.
Prepare some questions for the end of the interview, for example:
How does the on-boarding process work?
What are the next steps?
Are there opportunities for upward growth?
Finally, say thank you and smile. Don't be afraid to show some personality and humor within the interview, as well as personal regard for the manager interviewing you. We'd love to hear any tips and tricks you have to making the best first impression! Send us a note!
SPONSOR
Panda Express
There is something about an affordable, hot, flavor-bursting meal that just hits all of the right notes. The philosophy behind Panda Express is simple: to create fresh, flavorful meals by combining Chinese regional cuisines with bold American tastes.
Not only do the creators-that-be at Panda Express seek to create flavorful meals, but they also are consistently adapting their meals to address modern concerns. Click here to learn more about the philosophies of Panda Express and to find a Panda Express near you.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Haircuts are best served with a good cause.
Stephen Tomasin recently chopped his hair AND raised money for the nonprofit Children with Hair Loss!
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ
A collection of the CG Sports Teams' favorite random news of the week. 📚
Brittany Bowe has relinquished her spot in the 500m speed skate so that childhood friend, Erin Jackson, can compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Novak Djokovic's Australian visa has been reinstated, moving him one step closer to potentially competing in the Australian Open.
Rachel Balkovec has made history and been selected by the Yankees to manage the Low-A Tampa Tarpons next season.
PODCASTS
Catch up with Champion's Mojo
There are a LOT of podcasts available to listen to these days, so in between new episodes, we wanted to help you choose your next listen. (You didn't ask for our advice, but we wanted to offer it anyway.)
Visualizing new habits or future successes before actually attempting them can help make them a reality. Tune in to hear Kelly and Maria’s tips on using mental rehearsal to improve your performance in all areas of life.
Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.
