• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Media

How to make athletics events more accessible to media, by Adam Johnson-Eder

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
March 25, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

At the World Indoors in Birmingham, I asked Adam Johnson-Eder, partner in The Shoe Addicts, the digital partner of RunBlogRun, to make some observations on the access for media at the World Indoors.

IMG_3257.JPGMike Deering, Algernon Felice, Jr., Adam Johnson-Eder, aka The Shoe Addicts

RelatedPosts

Toni Reavis Is Honored – And He Sends It Right Back!

N KOLAY ISTANBUL MARATHON ON 6th NOVEMBER: Istanbul targets Turkish All-comers’ Record

Coffee With Larry, Thursday, October 27, 2022, Nnenna Lynch gets a story in the New York Times

Adam has been around the sport and events since he was six weeks old. As a youngster, he was on the track most afternoons with me as I coached at Foothill Community College. Adam also endured his mother and I as we worked on American Atheltics and American Track & Field, trying to keep the publications alive.

IMG_4746.JPGLarry Eder and Brian Eder, RunBlogRun. photo by Victah Sailer

My brother, Brian Eder and I focus on RunBlogRun and its daily content. Brian convinced me to begin writing RunBlogRun in 2006, after cajoling me for about a year. He was right, as the blog quickly outpaced our print readers that I had developed for two plus decades. RunBlogRun changed the way I viewed and see media for sports in general, and athletics in particular.

IMG_2991.JPGAdam Johnson-Eder, Larry Eder, in airport, a traditional resting place, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts

The Shoe Addicts began in 2010, to focus on bespoke video for RunBlogRun and our business clients. Around major events, we have daily video on press conferences, and interviews, and product related videos for our partners. Adam and his partners, Mike Deering and Algernon Felice shoot manage and produce all of our video content.

I asked Adam to concentrate on what things we can do to make the sport more accessible to media. Anyone can offer criticism of our sport, but to truly affect change, one must provide suggestions for the changes that will make the sport better. In the past two months in the US, Runners World was purchased by Heart magazines, Track & Field News has gone completely digital, and the Competitor group and Motiv running sites have been reduced to bit players in the running media.

IMG_1653.JPGRunBlogRun and The Shoe Addicts in the Big Apple, photo by Mike Deering for The Shoe Addicts

The battle to keep media sites in athletics alive is constant. Media, athletes, managers, sponsors and federations are all invested in making athletics more accessible.

Please send us your comments to runblogrun@gmail.com

Welcome to the Birmingham World Indoors! I hope you brought a coat, because the weather outside is a bit brisk, as are some of my takes on the event as a whole. This is the second world indoors I have attended, and I must say that the event organization is superb, the only thing I saw as a bit of a hurdle for the sport to overcome is a lack of journalists in attendance.

This is for a few reasons:

1. Price– Travel is expensive, and journalism is becoming more difficult financially on a daily basis. Convincing your publisher to lock down down the travel and hotel costs for an event like the World Indoors is far more difficult than, say, a World Outdoors or Olympics. The press area often has coffee and water, which is excellent, but providing some form of a comped meal each session would go a long way in helping to mitigate the travel costs of attendance for photographers, videographers and written press.

2. “Freemium” coverage- excluding the cost of travel and stay, if you possess a camera, you will be asked for the same information for every event, determining whether an IAAF partner can squeeze money out of you for video rights to cover a world event that rarely nears max capacity. No world champs or Indoors I have ever attended has had full stands, which is for a large number of reasons, but that is another article for another time. This is about as short sighted as local sport blackouts in the States.

For an American press member to attend an athletics event in Europe, you are talking upwards of three grand ($3000 U.S., 2,423 Euros/ 2,120 Sterling) at a minimum to attend the event. While I love attending the events, I wonder if love of the sport crosses corporate sponsors minds. When the outlets that disseminate athletic narratives are getting hustled, squeezed, and harassed at every opportunity by Agencies, even while we as media outlets expand the coverage of the sport with no help from said agencies whatsoever. In retrospect, it is quite clear why it was this way in the past, Pappa Diack and his son were cancerous to athletics as a whole, while many athletes struggled to make ends meet, let alone see the sport itself expand.

3. Structural issues– part of the struggle in coverage at events falls on scheduling. Press access to athletes is haphazard, not due to the event being poorly planned necessarily, but because of the constant flow of an athletic event. Something is always going on on the field, is always running down to the mixed zone to try and catch an athlete worth it? Not in the early heats, because athletes head straight through most of the time, saving their energy and focus for the next heat.

I would love to see more opening heats on the first day of these events, with some of the middle distances, so that days two, three and four could be flexible enough to spread finals out in both daily sessions, allowing the athletes and the press an opportunity to maximize their exposure for social media content development. Athletes need every source of revenue to survive, much like the press, and denying them the opportunity to cultivate their own content through the press only hurts name recognition, and ultimately, ticket sales.

4. Press conferences- These often begin during the finals of other events, if you are the one reporter sent by your publication, you will have multiple events and athletes to cover, making the juggling muchmore difficult. This new system being tried out at Birmingham is interesting (Izone), but I’m not sure what the point is of having to request the attendance of the finalists ahead of time. If you pick the wrong athletes before the event finishes and still want to speak with them about the event, you are quite possibly out of luck, as I found out on day one, and the finalists aren’t automatically brought up when there is a cluster of finals back to back, due to timing. Thankfully, they were for the first and second nights, but I think that may have to do the the superb staff in attendance rather than policy.

5. Scaling press windows to events- This ad-hoc style may work at a world indoors, where journalists are in lower attendance, but it would be a terrible idea to do this at a World Outdoor Championships. The ambient sound of dozens of interviews going on at the same time would seriously impact the quality of interview content, not to mention that next to how nature abhors a vacuum, a mixed zone style post event conference is second on the list. People liberally use elbows and block in the mixed zone as much as on the track during select finals, and I can only imagine how terrible this system would have been in London with Usain Bolt’s final conference.

That being said, I do think this system could be great for smaller events, and allow press to get out of the stadium a bit earlier, and it would be a great way to set up federation-based press conferences before the events begin.

6. Additional availability- For a sport that seeks to grow and nurture young talent for future championships, we, as sports journalists and fans of athletics, must make it easier to share the stories of athletes, and that includes the athletes that did not make the medal platform, and the ones that made mistakes. The highs and lows of the athletic calendar are what make this sport so compelling, and with a society that consistently rewards only the best of the best, showing future generations of athletes how to handle loss with grace and aplomb is critical to the health of athletics as a whole.

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

2018 HOKA ONE ONE RunBlogRun Spring Training, 800m-5000m, week 10, day 7, savor the long run

Next Post

BBC World Service Sports Diary: The Change of Allegiance controversy, the good, bad, and frustrating case of Haron Lagat

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors
News

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…
Winter Training

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)
American Records

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year
African Athletics

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
American Records

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61, in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

January 29, 2023
Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!
News

Coffee With Larry: Yared Nuguse’s AR 3,000m in 7:28.24, Woody Kincaid’s 12:51.61, 5000m AR, HOT Karlsruhe Meeting, Keely Hodgkinson runs fast 600 meters, sets meet record!

January 28, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

Cofffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country, NB Indoor Grand Prix, Millrose Games, Dubai Marathon, USATF Indoors

January 30, 2023
2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week 4, Day 7, Sunday is a long run…

January 30, 2023
Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

Yared Nuguse sets AR for 3,000m in 7:28.24 at Boston Terrier Classic (updated with event photos)

January 29, 2023
The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

The Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour is expected to be bigger this year

January 29, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
24m

Hobbs Kessler, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, @adidasrunning, #verynicetrackclub, ...#ronwarhurst,

Reply on Twitter 1619923327266734080 Retweet on Twitter 1619923327266734080 Like on Twitter 1619923327266734080 Twitter 1619923327266734080
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
34m

Dylan Jacobs, 023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #tennessee, #volunteers,

Reply on Twitter 1619920610263441413 Retweet on Twitter 1619920610263441413 Like on Twitter 1619920610263441413 Twitter 1619920610263441413
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
39m

Steve Jackson, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour,

Reply on Twitter 1619919541580009472 Retweet on Twitter 1619919541580009472 Like on Twitter 1619919541580009472 Twitter 1619919541580009472
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
48m

Ollie Hoare, Commonwealth Games gold, 1,500m, paces the 5,000m, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, ...#WAIndoorTour, #OnAthleticsClub, #dathanritzenhein,

Reply on Twitter 1619917302362677248 Retweet on Twitter 1619917302362677248 Like on Twitter 1619917302362677248 Twitter 1619917302362677248
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
55m

Eduardo Herrera, Under Armour, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #UnderArmour,

Reply on Twitter 1619915390573809666 Retweet on Twitter 1619915390573809666 Like on Twitter 1619915390573809666 1 Twitter 1619915390573809666
Load More...
Next Post

BBC World Service Sports Diary: The Change of Allegiance controversy, the good, bad, and frustrating case of Haron Lagat

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist