Colin Blackwell

Tag: social-media

  • How the Suns Connect With Their Fans One Post at a Time

    How the Suns Connect With Their Fans One Post at a Time

    By Colin Blackwell and his AI Assistants

    The Phoenix Suns don’t just use Instagram infographics to highlight player stats, they also spotlight their community and CSR efforts. This week, I’m analyzing two of their recent visuals to see how well it communicates the impact behind the numbers and where there’s room for deeper storytelling.

    Image from: Phoenix Suns Instagram Page

    The “Assists for Hunger” graphic featuring Mike Budenholzer and the Phoenix Suns offers a clean, visually appealing presentation. It clearly communicates the basics: the Suns have totaled 1,663 assists, equating to a $24,945 donation to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The bold, centered typography and minimalistic layout make it instantly readable, even when quickly scrolling through a social feed. The visual simplicity is a strength, there’s no clutter, and the message is easy to grasp.

    However, the graphic falls short in storytelling and emotional engagement. While we see the impressive total and know the money goes to a charity, there’s very little context provided about the impact. What does St. Vincent de Paul do specifically with this funding? Is there anyway we could get more from former coach Budenholzer than a basic pose that feels edited on and unattached? The graphic misses an opportunity to deepen viewer understanding by highlighting what the donations tangibly support.

    In addition, there is no direct call-to-action or link to learn more about the organization or the campaign. A small caption or QR code could have added tremendous value by bridging the gap between awareness and action. Even a one-line description about St. Vincent de Paul’s target beneficiaries would give the audience a stronger emotional connection.

    Another graphic they used was for highlighting their Junior Mercury program, where they team up with the WNBA franchise to give young girls the opportunity to play in youth leagues at their local YMCA’s.

    Image From: Phoenix Suns Off Court Instagram Page

    This post stands out by placing the focus squarely on the child, which is fitting for a piece centered on youth basketball. This human element helps build an emotional connection, making the graphic more than just a collection of statistics. The numbers themselves aren’t the dominant visual, but they are presented clearly and are easy to interpret. The steady progression from winter to spring participation adds a narrative arc that helps the viewer understand the impact of the program over time. The design also does a nice job of using color and imagery that ties into the Suns and Mercury branding without becoming overwhelming or distracting.

    What sets this graphic apart is its ability to tell a fuller story compared to more data-heavy alternatives. It feels purposeful and engaging rather than just informative. However, there is still room for improvement. While the numbers are simple to understand, they could be presented in a more dynamic way—such as through a bar chart or timeline—to visually emphasize the growth pattern and create a stronger visual rhythm. Adding a graphical element to show the linear increase would elevate the post, making it not only emotionally resonant but also visually compelling.

  • Strategic Spells: The Wizards’ PR Game

    Strategic Spells: The Wizards’ PR Game

    By Colin Blackwell and his AI assistants

    In a season where on-court performance did not meet expectations, the Washington Wizards exemplify how strategic community engagement can sustain and even enhance brand equity. Their multifaceted public relations initiatives demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility, community involvement and cultural enrichment, resonating directly with their local community that supports them year in and year out.​ Listed below are four of the many initiatives that the Wizards use to create positive community impacts that create long-term fans down the line. 

    Strategic Community Engagement Initiatives

    1. Winter Reading Challenge: In partnership with local libraries, the Wizards launched a reading program aimed at promoting literacy among youth. Participants are encouraged to read regularly, with incentives such as game tickets and team merchandise. After completing the assigned book each month, they encourage the families to share their thoughts on the book on social media and use the hashtag #WizardsBookoftheMonth. This creates a culture where community members see that the team cares about more than basketball, and the online connection is an important touch, as it shows that they want to hear from the DC families they are impacting.
    2. Black-Owned DMV: This initiative spotlights Black-owned businesses in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas. They created a video series permanently on their website that highlights one business each season, this year being Sandlot D.C., while integrating other businesses into the game-day presentation during the regular season. By featuring these enterprises on their platforms, the Wizards support economic empowerment and celebrate diversity within the local community.​
    3. Math Hoops: An educational program that combines basketball with mathematics, Math Hoops engages students in interactive learning, enhancing their arithmetic skills through the context of sports.​ Along with the app, they hosted a regional math tournament at their arena where local children between grades 4 and 8 could compete while also meeting staff and players.
    4. Engine 2 Fire Station Mural: Collaborating with local artist Juan Pineda, the Wizards supported the creation of a mural at Engine 2 Fire Station. This artwork honors first responders and reflects the team’s dedication to community appreciation and cultural expression.​

    Implications for PR Professionals

    The Wizards’ approach underscores the importance of aligning brand initiatives with community values. By addressing areas such as education, economic development and cultural recognition, they foster a positive brand image that transcends sports. These programs not only engage the community but also create narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, offering valuable insights for PR strategies in various sectors.​

    Conclusion

    The Washington Wizards demonstrate that impactful public relations extends beyond traditional media outreach. They build lasting relationships and a resilient brand identity through deliberate and meaningful community engagement. For PR professionals, their model offers a blueprint for integrating social responsibility into brand strategy, ensuring relevance and resonance regardless of performance metrics.

    References:

    DC Family. (2024, December 2). Wizards Reading Zone – DC Family. DC Family. https://dcfamily.com/readingzone/ 

    National Basketball Association. (n.d.-a). Community Highlights | Washington Wizards. Washington Wizards. https://www.nba.com/wizards/community 

    Washington Wizards. (2025, April 23). Washington D.C. Engine 2 Fire Station Mural. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUt23lFHkpU 

  • Roots in the Rose City

    Roots in the Rose City

    How the Trailblazers and Friends of Trees Grow Fan Loyalty Through Environmental Impact

    By Colin Blackwell and his AI assistants

    In today’s NBA, public relations is about more than what happens on the court. Teams are finding new ways to engage fans by aligning with the values of their communities. Nowhere is this more evident than in Portland, where the Trail Blazers have partnered with Friends of Trees, a local nonprofit dedicated to urban reforestation, to connect with fans on a deeper, greener level. A stand-out long-time campaign between the two is the 3’s for Trees Program, where every 3-pointer made results in one tree planted at the end of the season. As this season has wrapped, an additional 3,171 trees will be planted throughout western Oregon and southwest Washington.

    This isn’t just a feel-good initiative. The Blazers’ collaboration with Friends of Trees is a smart, strategic move that strengthens fan loyalty by authentically embedding the team in the city’s culture of sustainability. Portlanders take environmental stewardship seriously, and by embracing that passion, the Blazers reinforce their identity as a team that’s truly of the community.

    Community involvement is increasingly essential to modern sports PR. Younger fans, especially Gen Z and millennials, gravitate toward brands that support meaningful causes. Authenticity matters, and partnerships like this foster genuine emotional connections that go far beyond typical marketing campaigns.

    Friends of Trees, founded in 1989, has planted nearly one million trees and shrubs across the Pacific Northwest. Their mission is simple but powerful: inspire people to improve their neighborhoods by planting and caring for trees. They work directly with community members, local governments and volunteers to make tree planting accessible, especially in underserved areas. Their impact is measurable, as studies show reduced mortality rates in neighborhoods with more trees.

    The Trail Blazers’ involvement ranges from hands-on tree planting events with fans and players to awareness campaigns and fundraising, such as the 3’s for trees program that has been running for 11 years now. These aren’t token appearances, they’re intentional opportunities for fans to engage with the team on shared values. And it’s not just about trees; it’s about creating a healthier, more connected community. That’s a message fans can rally behind.

    From a PR standpoint, this is a slam dunk (pun intended). Local partnerships feel more authentic than broad national campaigns, making it easier to earn positive media, social buzz and even attract purpose-driven sponsors. Fans aren’t just cheering for a team, they are supporting an organization that supports them back.

    Other franchises should take note if they aren’t already creating these types of partnerships. Investing in local nonprofit organizations builds trust, drives engagement and helps ensure long-term fan loyalty. Today it’s trees; tomorrow it could be climate justice or youth education.

    In the end, strong roots, like those planted through this partnership, create stronger teams. When a franchise reflects its community’s values, it builds something that lasts far beyond the final buzzer.