Ted's Take

The Blogging Site of Ted Leonsis

Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

So How Should I Feel About This?

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Go to Google…. type in Washington Capitals and what do you see?

A nice batch of editorial listings all on the left hand side. All driving traffic to media sites. Those media sites then turn around and resell that traffic as advertising.

And then 8 paid listings on the right rail. All bid up by third parties, all using our trademark. In fact the bidding gets so high that we at the Washington Capitals CAN’T afford to buy the space.

Google sells the ads and makes money all using our trademark.

So we build the brand, we generate the interest from fans and everyone makes some dollars but us :-) .Worse thing is many or most people think the ads on the right are generated by us. And they are not.

Is this “doing no evil?” by Google just saying…. this isn’t feeling good to me.

Come One - Come All

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

It is a big tent. Long time fan or new fan. Long time resident or new to our community. Everyone is welcomed. We love you all.

Diversity is king. Community is wonderful. As noted within in this article ”a sense of belonging”; being with your friends and new friends is a wonderful experience.

Last night was a wonderful example. In a snow storm, the game was played. About 14 to 15 k people showed up and roared with delight. The ushers were there. The food services people were there. All our staff was there. We were all in it together and it was a fun night and another win. We keep the winning streak alive.

It always feel like we are in it together and we are most appreciative of your support - through thick and thin - and through good times and bad times.

And to the few folks who were truly emotional over the last 48 hours - cursing me out personally about our playing the game last night; or our awarding too many free prizes to the wrong folks at a certain Caps event; or that their DirecTV didn’t work last night - I empathize. I understand and I apologize for all. We try to do our best. Sometimes you don’t like what we do. I received an email this morning about trading Chris Clark, getting Jason Chimera back and naming Alex Ovechkin captain and how that act showed what a despicable human being I had become. I get it. We love you. We want you to be happy. We want to see you all at games. You are always welcome.

The tent is big. It is warm and nice inside. Come on in. Enjoy the ride. You can do it.

Makes a Great Holiday Gift

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Angelina Jolie bought Brad Pitt Rosetta Stone software as a gift to learn French according to this blog. I thought this was a cool piece of news and wanted to share it with you.

I am giving some of this software as educational oriented gifts to friends and family this holiday season. Also, some Capitals players will also receive some software this New Year as well. Go and self improve - learn a new language.

Life Goes On - On Being Grateful and Thankful

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

We have much to be thankful for and our loved ones deserve to know it.

I am an only child. Both my mom and dad have passed on.

My wife, two children, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law and family are my immediate family. My wife’s dad has also passed on.

At times like this and on Thanksgiving Day it is so important to cherish family memories and to take stock in all we have and all we are grateful for in this rough and tumble world we live in.

I am very grateful for the love of my family; the friendships I have; and the love and respect of my partners.

I am for our collective health and well being.

I am grateful to our community for all of their support in all of our efforts together.

I am grateful that the economy seems to be improving albeit slowly. This positive movement should help so many of our neighbors who have been struggling of late.

I am grateful to all of the folks who work with me in my companies and charitable efforts. I hope we are making you proud to come to work every day.

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What NOT to Do This Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Here are 9 extravagant holiday gifts courtesy of CNN.com from the “needless markup” catalog. What an interesting and decadent list.

Have these folks lost touch or what? We have increasing hunger and homelessness issues in our country. Unemployment is at 10 percent. Foreclosures are up and this retailer wants us to buy cupcake cars?

Once again this holiday season, my family will be making a donation to the DC Central Kitchen in the name of my friends and business partners. We would rather feed the poor and hungry and try to help fellow citizens in downtown DC than look like a goofball wearing a psychedelic hat driving 7 miles an hour down our sidewalk. Are you kidding me?

Here is info on DC Central Kitchen. Be inspired. Help them to help others!

Thanks for Honoring the Vets

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Last night there was a rousing standing ovation for our Veterans and service people at the Capitals game. Thank you. It was a wonderful tribute.

But now life goes on and the issues that haunt us regarding our Vets remains and should be forefront in our thoughts.

Here is a moving film on one veteran. He is homeless and he is in need.  When I Came Home is a very moving film about an unpopular subject. Watch it. Honor our Veterans. Help us all do something about this issue. Thank you.

Chris Columbus Needs a Better PR Agency

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Young adults don’t know what Columbus Day is anymore. The long weekend is called “Autumn Break”. Less and less is this holiday considered “legitimate”.

Read this Wiki entry on why folks don’t want to celebrate Columbus Day any longer. It is NOT politically correct or sensitive. My friends in the Knights of Columbus aren’t very happy now. Enjoy the Autumn Break parades today.

Gone Fishing

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Enjoy the long weekend. Summer is ending and school is beginning. A new season waits. I look forward to relaxing with my family this long weekend.

I am also working diligently on the manuscript of my book. I am working on the new film I am helping to produce and I am getting excited about the Mystics late season push to the playoffs.

I feel great. Enjoy being with your loved ones. No blog posts from me until Tuesday.

Memorial Day in Washington DC

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Go to Arlington Cemetery this weekend for a nice family outing; reflect on what has been done on our collective behalf; see 250,000 small flags all laid on tombstones; all laid by soldiers and volunteers — or go check out the parade that is held as a homage to our military services.  Click here for some logistical details for the weekend.

Or go check out Rolling Thunder — on Constitution Avenue — one of the best and loudest of celebrations in our land — click here for more information.  These folks are wonderful citizens — and make sure we will never forget MIA’s  or lost souls in foreign lands.

Since our civil war — we have kept the men and woman of our military services in our hearts and prayers; for those of us lucky to live in DC — take some time this weekend to let it all sink in — and understand the true meaning of Memorial Day; check out this entry from Wikipedia as well for more information.

SnagFilms Editorial on The Huffington Post

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

SnagFilmsClick here for a smart editorial by Rick Allen — CEO of Snagfilms –  hosted on the Huffington Post — in regards to the meaning of Memorial Day.

And more importantly — check out the ten film package widget we have created to celebrate Memorial Day — I am honored to help  us program  up this great work by film makers that explores America’s  heroism and  our constant vigil to protect our liberties as a country.

Grab the film widget and share it amongst your friends; bake it into your editorial work this Memorial Day — watch a film and never forget.