For Immediate Release
Starbridge Media Group, Inc. has partnered with West Virginia University to develop “Coal Country Going Green”, a multi-platform branding initiative which utilizes WVU women’s basketball as a vehicle to promote eco-friendly lifestyles and teach children about the importance of environmental sustainability, Starbridge CEO Jamie Crittenberger announced today.
As part of the NCAA’s Division I women’s basketball grant initiative, Starbridge will develop a 32-page comic book featuring head women’s basketball coach Mike Carrey and the university’s unique partnership with 4-H Clubs in West Virginia. Each comic book will include a ticket voucher granting children access to select women’s basketball games throughout the 2010-2011 season.
In addition, Starbridge’s creative team will develop a “Green Action” website to support and enhance the initiative, whereby children will earn points through participating in online games as well as environmentally friendly activities. Points will be redeemed for additional ticket vouchers for WVU women’s home basketball games.
In its final year of a three-year pilot program, the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Grant program has generated tremendous exposure for the sport of women’s basketball as well as significant revenue and attendance for program recipients. In the past two years, Starbridge has secured over grant funds on behalf of three major Division I women’s basketball programs because of its background and expertise in developing multi-pronged sports-themed content on behalf of marquee brands.
“With 88 applicants to the NCAA grant initiative, Starbridge was thrilled to learn that our partner WVU was one of the 14 recipients of this year’s program. Our creative capabilities combined with WVU’s commitment to activating this ‘green’ initiative are sure to have a significant impact not only on the WVU women’s basketball program, but on the people of the state of West Virginia.” said Starbridge President Ken Hutman.
Starbridge Media Group, Inc. is a Washington, DC-area based Emmy Award-winning producer, publisher, rights owner, licensee, and sports marketing consultancy that is focused on the convergence of entertainment and sports, and in bridging domestic and international star sports brands with new and traditional forms of media.
Starbridge provides teams, athletes, brands, and rights owners with opportunities to drive incremental revenues, extend brand awareness, and build fan loyalty via the creation of unique programming platforms and the maximization of core property assets. Company clients include: Washington Wizards, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, NASCAR, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Rays, Hasbro, EA Sports, University of South Carolina, and other teams, athletes, universities, properties, and sports-related brands. For more information on the company, visit www.starbridgemedia.com.