USA Network has named veteran sportscaster Chris Myers to host its coverage
of the 2001 U.S. Open Tennis championships, senior vice president and executive
producer of USA Sports Gordon Beck said.
Myers, currently a reporter/anchor on Fox Sports National Sports
Report, will anchor the USA studio during 92 hours of scheduled live
coverage of the Grand Slam tournament from Aug. 27 through Sept. 9 at the United
States Tennis Association National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
Myers completes USA's announcing team, along with John McEnroe, Tracy Austin,
Pat Cash, Bill Macatee, Ted Robinson and Michael Barkann.
As USA prepares for its Open coverage, the network is also serving up an
integrated marketing program targeting both hard-core and casual fans. The
initiative involves coordination between USA Cable entities, as well as those of
parent USA Networks Inc.
In addition to on-air promos, the USA Cable marketing initiative includes
national affiliate radio spots, promos and print ads, as well as customized
billstuffers, posters and USA/U.S. Open-branded merchandise.
The network is also looking to reach consumers via subway posters, subway
brand and interior cars, New York City billboards, buses, phone kiosks and bus
shelters.
Moreover, USA companies Citysearch
and Ticketmaster will link their
interactive Web sites to USOpen.org.
Cross-company marketing and promotions taking place include cable affiliate
promotions and Match.com promotions
fulfilled through Ticketmaster, as well as brand recognition on Ticketmaster,
Citysearch and USANetwork.com through
the inclusion of the regional launch of Ticketmaster Box Office on America
Online Inc.
For its part, Hotel Reservations Network is featuring substantial discounts
at more that 100 New York hotels with rates starting as low as $69 per night at
hoteldiscount.com.
Additionally, the company is providing airfare, three nights' accommodations
in a premiere New York hotel, spending money and ground transportation in 'USA's
Game, Set, Match, Win! U.S. Open 2001 Sweepstakes.'
Match.com, meanwhile, is using the tourney as a venue for singles to meet
while enjoying great tennis action, and Electronic Commerce Solutions will
feature exclusive Open apparel as part of its short-shopping component during
USA's coverage.
'This is a great example of USA Network's ability to use all of its assets to
bring attention and excitement to one of the premier sporting events in the
world,' USA president Doug Herzog said in a prepared statement. 'Our
wall-to-wall coverage will dovetail with our many marketing and
electronic-commerce efforts to bring the one-of-a-kind experience of the U.S.
Open to fans everywhere.
