Playmaker's Forum
Bait
Bait: BT
Definition
The overt provocation of an opponent through action or information, usually intended to draw an emotional, rather than rational, response. This play typically compels an opponent to move in the direction of the player - like a bull charging a cape - against its better judgment.
Bad Shot
August 30, 2005
Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr
In 1804, former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr grew furious over the chiding remarks of Alexander Hamilton, a founding father who spurred Federalists to turn back Burr in the upcoming New York Gubernatorial race, a campaign Burr eventually lost. Anxious for revenge and looking to resurrect his failing career, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton accepted, reluctantly. On the morning of July 11, 1804, the two met on the dueling grounds at Weehawken, New Jersey. They marched 10 paces, turned and fired their single shots. Burr was unscathed. Hamilton was mortally wounded and died the next day.
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Preempt
Preempt: PE
Definition
Action that reverses competitive position, giving the player a superior advantage, limiting a rival's ability to exploit a player's weakness, or both. Preempts are usually decisive and swift so as to surprise and disable the competition.
Picture Perfect
August 29, 2005
Fuji Film
In 1984, the upstart camera film manufacturer Fuji paid one million dollars for sponsorship rights of the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, a preemptive strike in the back yard of their unwitting U.S. competitor Kodak. Leveraging its new-found prestige as The Games’ official film, Fuji began its steady rise in the camera film business on a world-size stage, moving from a regional supplier to a major player. This “perfect shot” from the Japanese contender did what every good play should do…it boosted Fuji’s standing and simultaneously sapped strength from the rival Kodak brand.
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Bear Hug
Bear Hug: BG
Definition
The conspicuously public support or embrace of an opponent's position or message.
Grand Play Senator
August 22, 2005
Hilary Clinton
Hillary Clinton reacted to the news that the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game contained hidden pornographic content. Her reaction is a Bear Hug where the Democratic Senator is adopting the platform of the GOP in an attempt to position herself as a Family Values politician.
You could also argue that any release out of Hillary’s camp is a Trial Balloon, sent up to test the waters for a 2008 Presidential Run. View her letter to the FTC.
Related Posts:
August 23, 2005
Hip Check
PS3 & XBOX
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Crowd
Crowd: CW
Definition
The attempt by a player to match or adopt an opponent's position in a marketplace or to affiliate with a trend, idea, or issue.
Hip Check
August 22, 2005
PS3 & XBOX
The competition among video game makers is a rough and tumble game for scrappy playmakers. It is an endless match of technology tit-for-tat that forces players either to leap frog with faster and better games or match their competitor with parity products. Here is an example of the latter, a well-run Crowd by Sony: On Thursday, May 12, 2005, Microsoft unveiled its much anticipated XBox 360. Only four days later, on Monday, May 16, arch rival Sony previewed the equally popular PlayStation 3. The Crowd, a masterpiece of fast action by Sony, stole Microsoft’s thunder and marginalized its brief leadership in the white-hot market space.
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Challenge
Challenge: CH
Definition
A public appeal, suggestion or demand by a player, designed to mobilize and/or inspire a person, organization or broader constituency to consent or take action. While Challenges may range from timid to caustic, they convey a benefit to the targeted player.
Smoking Jacket
August 22, 2005
Ted Turner
Ted Turner’s 1997 pledge of $1 billion to the United Nations was a historic act of charity and a notable Challenge aimed directly at fellow business billionaires awash in profits of the 1990s. CNN reported, “Turner chided fellow billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for not donating more money to charity. ‘What good is wealth sitting in the bank?’ Turner said at the annual meeting of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. ‘It's a pretty pathetic thing to do with your money.’” This play could be interpreted as a Call Out in that it sought to do more than simply invite a player to cross a line. It was intended by Turner to force his peers to part with their stubbornly-held riches, to smoke them out of their favored position.
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Preempt
Preempt: PE
Definition
Action that reverses competitive position, giving the player a superior advantage, limiting a rival's ability to exploit a player's weakness, or both. Preempts are usually decisive and swift so as to surprise and disable the competition.
Skip Ahead
August 22, 2005
iPod Patents
You’d think that Apple’s iPod, the catalyst to a new generation of music consumers and a boon for the come-back computer maker, has a big lead. You’d think it’s Apple that’s run the Preempt . But not so fast. In August 2005, the U.S. Patent Office ruled that Apple’s bitter rival, Microsoft, is the rightful holder to a user interface patent for the handheld digital music player – the technical equivalent of iPod’s core technology. It seems that a lone Microsoft engineer filed the patent application five months ahead of Apple’s ambitious iPod team’s submission. It is a massive lapse that exposes Apple to royalty payments to Microsoft of as much as $10 for every one of its 21 million iPod’s sold to date.
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Jam
Jam: JM
Definition
The attempt to disable or disorganize a rival's activities or communications. A Jam is typically intended to obscure, slow, or stop the delivery or acquisition of ideas or information of a rival.
Just Jam It
August 22, 2005
Nike & World Cup
In 2002, sporting equipment company Adidas paid more than 30 million dollars for sponsorship right to the World Cup, a marketing opportunity that mirrored massive interest in the global sport of football (a.k.a. American soccer). Not to be outdone, its rival Nike paid top teams, like Brazil, to don its uniforms. With the trademark Nike “swoosh” plastered on every player’s chest (and embedded in every TV camera shot), the effect undercut Adidas first-tier position and salvaged Nike’s second-tier role in the World Cup marketing fest. The best Jams , like this one, disorganize a rival and elevate a player.
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