Monthly Public Relations Report

January 1 – January 31, 2015

Media Outlet: Western TurfArticle Headline: World Cup Legacy: Grass Is GoodReach: 40,000 readersDate: January 1, 2015

Media Outlet: SportsBusiness JournalArticle Headline: Buffalo Rebrands to Move Beyond...Reach: 45,000 readers, 250,000 visits/monthDate: January 5, 2015

Media Outlet: Get In The Game eNewsArticle Headline: As Fun As Watching Grass Grow...Reach: 2,200 NASC membersDate: January 8, 2015

Media Outlet: DenverPost.comArticle Headline: Sports Turf Managers...Reach: 3 million visits/monthDate: January 12, 2015

Media Outlet: SportsBusiness JournalArticle Headline: Plugged In: Allen JohnsonReach: 45,000 readers, 250,000 visits/monthDate: January 12, 2015

Media Outlet: Colorado Community MediaArticle Headline: District Soccer Pitch Garners...Reach: 120,000 readers, 30,000 visits/monthDate: January 12, 2015

Media Outlet: Enquirer-HeraldArticle Headline: Clover High School Field...Reach: 120,000 readers, 30,000 visits/monthDate: January 12, 2015

Media Outlet: GatorZone.comArticle Headline: Florida Field Named...Reach: 515,000 visits/monthDate: January 12, 2015

Media Outlet: TPIArticle Headline: Major League Baseball (MLB)...Reach: 1,600 turfgrass professionalsDate: January 15, 2015

Media Outlet: SportsField ManagementArticle Headline: Brock PhippsReach: 50,000 readers, 5,000 visits/monthDate: January 15, 2015

Media Outlet: Turf LifeArticle Headline: This Is The SwampReach: 125,000 readers Date: January 15, 2015

Media Outlet: Athletic TurfArticle Headline: Photo Slideshow...Reach: 12,000 opt-in subscribersDate: January 16, 2015

Media Outlet: Athletic TurfArticle Headline: GT Airinjects...Reach: 12,000 opt-in subscribersDate: January 16, 2015

Media Outlet: KCNC-TVArticle Headline: Super Bowl of Sports Turf...Reach: 1.5 million visits/monthDate: January 19, 2015

Media Outlet: LandscapeOnline.comArticle Headline: Pete Flynn & Pat Santarone...Reach: 45,000 visits/monthDate: January 20, 2015

Media Outlet: Recreation ManagementArticle Headline: Rebranding the Sports Field...Reach: 125,000 readers, 20,000 visits/monthDate: January 20, 2015

Media Outlet: CoverMaster.comArticle Headline: Denver’s STMA RootsReach: 5,000 visits/monthDate: January 21, 2015

Media Outlet: SI.comArticle Headline: U. Of Phoenix Stadium’s...Reach: 140 million visits/monthDate: January 29, 2015

Media Outlet: Athletic BusinessArticle Headline: Greener FieldsReach: 105,000 readers, 65,000 visits/monthDate: February 2, 2015

Media Outlet: LandscapeOnline.comArticle Headline: STMA Conference RecapReach: 45,000 visits/monthDate: February 2, 2015

Likely Pending Publicity

2015 Assets Calendar

Additional Activities

• Sent revision version in January to STMA.

• Focusing on leveraging STMA members and relationships with media for the MLB opening day as well as MLS All-Star game and USA Rugby Sevens Tournament. This working document will be updated consistently.

CSFM List• Received full list of CSFM’s and reviewing with STMA to determine which ones have a

unique story to share with media.

• Spoke to Martin Kaufman, CSFM. Working on repurposing an article he wrote on the value of receiving a CSFM certification and pitching to media.

Social Media

Additional Activities

• Provided consistent updates from @FieldExperts on Twitter (and linked to Facebook) throughout month.

• Uploaded with publicity links to extend the lifecycle.

• Provided live updates from 2015 Conference & Exhibition.

• Followed prominent Twitter accounts and interacted with other sports turf managers to increase followers.

• For Twitter, @FieldExperts has grown from less than 300 followers to more than 1,700 and counting.

Member Interviews

Additional Activities

• Reached out to STMA members regarding upcoming ghostwrites.

• In the NFL, contacted Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.

• In MLB, contacted Dan Bergstrom with the Houston Astros, discussed the challenges of a retractable roof and the field renovation project in Austin.

• Scheduled a call with Martin Kaufman, CSFM to discuss the value of a CSFM.

• Scheduled a call with Tracy Schneweis from Fields & Futures to discuss the challenges at OKC Schools.

• Scheduling a call with Kent Neilson, Facility Supervisor at Sam Boyd Stadium (site of USA Rugby Sevens tournament).

2015 STMA Conference

Additional Activities

• Secured media attendees: Joelle Harms (Athletic Turf), Pat Roberts (Athletic Turf), Mark Haas (CBS Denver), Jason Gewirtz (SportsTravel Magazine) and Larry Aylward (Superintendent Magazine / SportsField Management Magazine).

• Sent post-conference news release on Jan. 28.

• Distributed Board of Directors news release on Feb. 3.

• Sending new president news release (Allen Johnson) on Feb. 9.

• Pitching post-conference storylines to various sports, turf and environmental media.

Ghostwritten Articles

Additional Activities

• Working on an article on benefits of natural grass athletic fields for Interscholastic Athletic Administration.

• SportsTurf Magazine featured article on challenges of maintaining a multi-field complex in its January issue. Distributed at STMA Conference.

• Pitching ghostwritten story ideas to various publications, including National Association of Sports Commissions, Parks & Rec Business, Turf & Recreation, Recreation Management and others.

• Brainstorming ideas with Kristen on an Expert Beacon article due in February

2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Additional Activities

• Continuing to monitor media updates regarding debate for FIFA choosing artificial turf versus natural grass for the summer 2015 event.

• In late January, FIFA ruled tournament will proceed on artificial turf.

MLS

• Contacting MLS groundskeepers in preparation for season openers.

• Drafting quotes for approval surrounding the MLS All-Star game (late July).

• Pitching MLS All-Star game and STMA member Phil McQuade’s role in advance of the event.

MLB

Additional Activities

• Planning to pitch MLB groundskeepers prior to Opening Day, including Chicago Cubs regarding Wrigley Field renovation.

• Contacting Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres regarding ballpark renovations.

• Looking into possible story lines regarding Earth Day and ballpark events.

Artificial Turf Health Concerns• Continued to monitor media airwaves following NBC Nightly News report. Forwarded

relevant news items to STMA for review.

College Football • STMA North Florida Chapter to present “Field of the Year” Award to Jason

Smith during University of Florida’s Spring football game on April 11.