Tag Archives: Tech of Sports

Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore

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If you love golf and sports, chances are you’ve set foot in a PGA TOUR Superstore. Rick is joined by Dick Sullivan, President and CEO of PGA TOUR Superstore this week on “Tech of Sports.”

Fueled by capturing market share, new market expansion and strong e-commerce comp sales growth, PGA TOUR Superstore posted a record year in 2017 with an overall sales growth of 23 percent. With Mother’s and Father’s Day on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at this retail store success story.

Inside PGA TOUR Superstore, golf enthusiasts of all levels can experience in-house custom club fittings and repair, along with lessons from certified teaching professionals. Practice hitting bays with swing analysis software, interactive simulators and expansive putting greens are available for customers use. PGA TOUR Superstore offers visitors the largest selection of clubs, accessories, footwear and a wide variety of apparel for men, women and juniors. It’s not only a golfer’s paradise, but all sports enthusiasts will love the layout and the selection of goods.

Sullivan talks about their success, where they are heading and why customers are so loyal to PGA TOUR Superstore.

Additional PGA TOUR Superstore 2017 highlights include:

-e-commerce comp sales grew by 42 percent year-over-year
-More than 100,000 custom club fittings and 750,000 clubs re-gripped
-Nearly 50,000 participated in lessons, clinics and other grow the game initiatives

PGA TOUR Superstore is a part of The Blank Family of Businesses, which includes the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. The Company’s Chairman, Arthur M. Blank, co-founded The Home Depot and has applied the same approach and business practices to PGA TOUR Superstore.

“At PGA TOUR Superstore we’re using the same philosophy that drove The Home Depot’s success and revolutionized the home improvement industry,” said Blank. “We offer a variety of products at value prices, incredible services and employ the best associates to provide a level of customer service that keeps visitors coming back because they love the experience.”

PGA TOUR Superstore is committed to inspiring people to play their best and grow the game of golf. PGA TOUR Superstore hosts free Kids Zone clinics each month, along with a Get Golf Ready Ladies Program and virtual nine-hole leagues on in-store simulators. Its work with The First Tee has impacted thousands of juniors across the US, with more than three million dollars in contributions to deliver education programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

Have a listen to Rick and Dick Sullivan.

Dick Sullivan

Dr. Oz for SleepScore Max

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Fantastic to be joined by Dr. Oz this week on “Tech of Sports” to talk sleep.

Specifically, SleepScore Max.

SleepScore Labs™, the company behind the most advanced non-contact sleep improvement system for consumers, has revealed an initial stable of carefully curated sleep products and technologies in the world’s first science-based sleep ecosystem. Aiming to improve the way people sleep and to help consumers navigate the $60 billion sleep industry, SleepScore Labs aligns with companies that are leading the market with proven, science-based sleep products. SleepScore™ Max, the company’s flagship product, measures sleep with superior accuracy to provide highly personalized, relevant advice and product recommendations.

And their spokesperson, Dr. Oz.

Mehmet Cengiz Öz, better known as Dr. Oz, is a Turkish-American cardiothoracic surgeon, Columbia University professor, pseudoscience promoter, author, and television personality.

And he joins Rick this week.

The company’s flagship product, SleepScore Max, is powered by SleepScore™ by ResMed technology backed by 10 years of research and development, and extensively validated against polysomnography (PSG) – the gold standard in sleep measurement. SleepScore Max shows users’ full sleep staging, and provides personalized advice along with targeted product suggestions to improve their sleep, where relevant. Products selected from SleepScore Labs’ ecosystem have been tested and will be recommended to users when relevant to address personal sleep data measured by SleepScore Max after a period of continued use.

SleepScore Labs’ initial product recommendations include:

Lighting Science Group – LSG’s GoodNight™ Pre-Sleep LED technology is scientifically engineered to minimize stimulating blue light. This supports natural production of the sleep hormone melatonin — which makes it easier to fall asleep — and to stay asleep.

Dreampad – Dreampad is a patented sleep technology for reducing stress and improving sleep. As the vibration moves toward the bone structure surrounding the middle and inner ear, it is triggering the body’s relaxation response. Dreampad music is audible only to the user, and is supported by research.

Sleepio – Big Health’s first product, Sleepio, is a digital sleep improvement program featuring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, clinically proven to help overcome even long term poor sleep without pills. Big Health automates behavioral medicine programs, thereby making them scalable, accessible and consistent.

Nightingale – Nightingale, the world’s first smart sleep sound system, offers customers cutting-edge sound masking technology for their bedrooms. Developed by acoustic engineers, Nightingale reduces wake occurrences by masking common indoor and outdoor noises. Clinically proven to help users fall asleep 38 percent faster, Nightingale is one of the most effective sleep solutions available.

Smart Nora – Named as one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, Smart Nora listens for early sounds of snoring before they become loud enough to wake the sleeping partner. Once snoring is detected, Nora starts a gentle movement in the pillow insert.

Swanwick – Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses improve your sleep and protect your eyes by filtering out the harmful artificial blue wavelengths from electronic devices and energy-efficient light bulbs while letting in all other safe light.
Soundly – Soundly is a voice controlled game that strengthens and tones the upper-airway, thus reducing the tissue vibrations that cause snoring.  Soundly is a patent pending therapy that has been clinically proven to reduce snoring.

Williams Sonoma also recently announced that the SleepScore Max Sleep Improvement Monitor will be sold in stores partnered with the new Robin mattress to form the Robin Sleep System. The new Robin Sleep System is part of William Sonoma’s strategy to create a portfolio focused on fostering healthier lifestyles through improving sleep quality.

SleepScore Max

SleepScore Max

Episode 200, Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq)

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Tech of Sports, Episode 200! We made it!

So a special guest is on order and we have, Shaq.

Shaq’s individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); the other players are Willis Reed in 1970 and Michael Jordan in 1996 and 1998. He ranks 8th all-time in points scored, 6th in field goals, 14th in rebounds, and 8th in blocks. Largely due to his ability to dunk the basketball, O’Neal also ranks third all-time in field goal percentage (58.2%). O’Neal was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017.

TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neal – also known as “Shaq” – announced at CES’ TNT Inside the NBA broadcast that he has been given a new title, joining Carnival Cruise Line as their newly appointed “CFO.”

The announcement was made with a tongue-in-cheek video that features Shaq and Carnival President Christine Duffy but omits one minor detail: CFO stands for “Chief Fun Officer,” personifying the cruise line’s newest brand campaign, “Choose Fun,” which launched earlier this week.
As the newly appointed “CFO,” O’Neal has partnered with the cruise line, lending his fun, larger-than-life personality and playful spirit to inspire America to Choose Fun with Carnival when planning their next vacation, and in their everyday lives.

Shaq’s role will be brought to life via engaging video content, social media and experiential activations, beginning today.
In the first piece of advertising that introduces Shaq as Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer, he takes viewers on a whirlwind 30-second tour of Carnival Vista, showing his playful self as he enjoys the ship’s many attractions and experiences, including SkyRide, Havana pool, Cloud 9 Spa, a burger at Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint and, of course, the basketball court.

“We are very excited to have Shaq as part of the Carnival team! He will serve as a great ambassador ensuring everyone knows all about our one-of-a-kind brand of fun,” said Duffy. “We’re confident that his embodiment of our brand values will inspire America to Choose Fun and discover the authentic, participatory and social atmosphere that Carnival offers.”

“In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to choose fun, especially when everyone is busy with work, family, and life in general,” says O’Neal. “So, I’m honored to be appointed the Chief Fun Officer at Carnival – a company that lives and breathes fun.”

Carnival Cruise Line is the largest brand in the Carnival Corporation portfolio with a fleet of 25 ships designed to deliver fun and memorable vacation experiences at a great value. It is the world’s most popular cruise line carrying five million guests a year and catering to a wide consumer demographic, appealing to families, couples, singles and seniors. Carnival carries more children and military personnel than any other cruise line. In spring 2018, the 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon will debut as the 26th ship in the fleet.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit http://carnival.comcarnival.com. Carnival also can be found on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Great to have Shaq on “Tech of Sports” this week.