Yesterday I called Wes Unseld, Phil Chenier, Kevin Grevey, Bobby Dandridge, and Earl the Pearl Monroe. I am also reaching out to Jack Marin, Elvin Hayes, and Walt Bellamy.
I want to learn from and connect with past legends for our franchise.Who else should I connect with? Who do you recommend? Who was your favorite Bullets and Wizards player? Thanks.
What a great book. What a great read authored by Philip Norman. I really enjoyed this book. Well researched and a wonderful cover photograph.
And here is an equally great film called “Inside John Lennon” on SnagFilms.What a combo about the life and times of a generational personality and artist.
Check it out here.
What more can I say? Best franchise in the AHL, best team in the league, and best prospects too.
Another championship ring and another winner in every sense of the word.
Back to back championships.
Thank you. Kudos and congratulations to everyone associated with The Hershey Bears.
Our future is bright in Hershey and in Washington. We still have upside.
I am very proud of this association.
The system works.
The partnership is a terrific one.
Go Bears! The best of the best.
Here is a nice piece on what is out in front of us as to challenges.
I met with hundreds and hundreds of folks last night — former season ticket holders and people who are “officially on the fence.” We mingled and talked. We had a nice dinner and tried to mend fences.
We had a candid and frank discussion.
We have work to do to re-bond with our community.
I get it.
I also want you all to know that there have been several more requests of us — to paraphrase:
Better wireless connectivity in the building.
Better sound system in the building.
More options for sight challenged and hearing challenged customers.
More package options as to pricing.
Be diligent with seat repairs.
More mentoring and coaching of young players.
We will continue to build our list. We will continue to listen and to reach out to our community.
See you all next at our town meeting. We have a strong work ethic. We will get this right!
A friend sent me a link to this article with a comment about how nicely “snarky” the Washington Post could be, even when they like you and what you were doing. See here.
He also noted how he wished the Washington Post would solicit input on how to make the paper a better quality service to its consumers, and then publish a list of how to improve the way we just did.
Food for thought, with a little relish and ketchup on top of it.
Imagine if we solicit opinions from customers, put in writing what they want changed, and then actually try to do it and measure against it. Seems pretty basic and nice to me.
And if you don’t like the relish or the barbeque sauce let me know. Nothing is too small if it concerns you and your family! See you all tonight. Here’s to winning back fans by fixing one complaint at a time. Go Wizards…
Bike. Run. Walk.
Support us all. See this video as a public service announcement. Eunice Kennedy Shriver is being honored here in DC to support Best Buddies. A great time will be had by all. Click here to watch. Thank you in advance for your support.
Amazing but true.
I need to be so careful of what I say and how I say it. Click here.
But I will listen and speak from my heart and my head, and try to reflect back to you what I am hearing and learning. This makes the process interactive and frankly more fun for us all. Join the ride. Hope to see you all tonite. Ted
I have now read more than 2000 emails from my Wizards, Caps, and personal accounts related to the Wizards. I have also been reading message boards, blog comments, and media reports.
I also have started to call some Wizards fans to talk and have scheduled many meetings. I held a 2000 person conference call on Friday with Wizards customers, and tonight I will host 500 plus former Wizards season ticket holders at the Verizon Center.
I am serious about listening, interacting, and learning. We will NOT be defensive about anything. We will listen and hope to act and fix all issues so you can embrace our team and become passionate fans.
I plan to publish “101 things to do to help you fall in love with the new Wizards” list soon.
At present, I thought I would publish just a quick synopsis of some of the concerns and ideas that have been sent my way. Thank you. We are all grateful that you care so much. Here is a sample, but not in any particular order.
Here you go…
Play more organ music at the games.
Reset the lighting.
Retrain the staff to be more sensitive to game dynamics.
Delete “Defense” chants.
Play less loud music during the games — want to hear the sneakers on the floor.
Redo game presentations to be more family oriented.
Make cheerleading squad more family oriented.
Change colors for team uniforms.
Consider name change of team.
Paint the stairs.
Announcers to be more professional and less “cheerleaders.”
Improve security outside of building.
Many more season ticket holder benefits.
Consistency in pricing — don’t discount tickets next to me.
Colder beer and more choices for beer.
Kosher food.
Vegetarian fare on menu.
More vendors come into stands to service customers.
Refill the ketchup.
Refill the mustard.
Clean the bathrooms more in game.
Windex the mirrors.
Make sure toilet paper is refilled during games.
Make sure paper towels are refilled during games.
More Wizards history evident in building.Want to see more alumni at games.
Want more web analytics made available — don’t be afraid to publish stats.
Want more access to players.
Market more in Baltimore.
Market more in Virginia.
More youth basketball tie-in.
Continue Pollin legacy for charitable efforts.
Open the second floor to all fans.
Paint and freshen up the building.
Clean the windows.
Stop the scalping.
Help customers resell tickets they can’t use via online services.
Create cross team sales packages — all three teams.
Create GM online blog.
Create coaches online blog.
Find a way to open some practice sessions.
Create more and better merchandising options.
Consistency in team structure and rebuild.
Commit to draft and develop young players.
Work on infrastructure for health and well being of players.
Re-embrace Gilbert Arenas.
Don’t trade your first round picks.
Add more first round picks.
Owners must sit in stands.
Owner must sit in seats on top level to meet fans.
Owner must meet and greet fans.
Owner must read and respond to emails.
Fresher hot dog buns.
Manage crowd control at vending stations in an improved format.
Communicate the rebuild plan — stick to it.
New clothing for in-game employees.
Do deals with local merchants to help fans save money.
Embrace the blogosphere.
Sign free agents.
Make the playoffs.
Win a championship.
The list goes on and on and on.
This is a very healthy process for us all. We will continue to listen and publish to do lists.
We will do our best to show how much we care.
Keep those emails a coming. I look forward to our interactions.
I hope you will support us.
Check out their site.
Check out the game on Comcast Sportsnet.
Now if I could only find a way to get Hershey involved with the Wizards!
Go Bears!
Bring the Cup back to Hershey!
Sheila Nevins is a goddess. She is serious and talented and the most important figure out there to documentary film makers. HBO showcases great films and original programming like no other network, and Sheila is the person who has the “golden gut” and great taste. When she falls in love with a film, the film maker is far better off for it.
I was honored that she chose to acquire “Nanking” for HBO. She and her team worked tirelessly on its behalf and helped us to secure a Peabody Award and an Emmy Award.
She is the best. Thanks HBO too!
I have made two films. The distributor of Nanking, Thinkfilms, is out of business. The second film “Kicking It” — the distributor is out of business. The DVD distributor is out of business, too! This industry is shrinking and is in trouble. Sheila Nevins is a goddess.
Thank goodness HBO still thrives. Thank goodness SnagFilms is rocking, as is IndieWIRE, too!