How about that Jack Skille, real tough guy that one!
- prd797

Another first round BUST...joining Barker, Beach and perhaps Olsen

Another first round BUST...joining Barker, Beach and perhaps Olsen
- philco28

I wouldn't write Olsen off like that yet. He may still be an NHL player someday.

Don't be so sure anyone with a marketing degree could do that.

Now while I won't defend McD at times, I will say he did what would be expected from someone who - regardless of what some folks want to believe - made a marketing juggernaut at 1060 W. Addison St.

Only looking back can it be considered "intuitively obvious" what McD did. His job was to put the 'Hawks back into the conversation as a MAJOR LEAGUE team in a MAJOR LEAGUE city. I couldn't care less about the underlings of the resurrected "one goal" commercials. His job is to now KEEP the 'Hawks at the forefront of folks minds AND to harness the minds of more folks not already on the bandwagon.

As much as many of us here lament his persona or visibility in general, he must be doing enough of the right things according to Rocky. I firmly believe that if he was to have a different direction, Rocky would have made such an edict and none of us would know until after we saw it happen.

For better or for worse - and I sure hope its the former - this is McD's FO, SB's roster and Q's coaching staff. They are all on the clock. And I won't pretend for one minute how long or short that clock is.

As long as the 'Hawks organization put a Stanley Cup favourite on the ice, I'm OK with how everything else turns out. If things should go south, it's up to Rocky to enable change(s).

For now, can we take a step back, look at a 33-5-4 team that is as solid as the 09-10 team at the same juncture in their respective seasons and take note? Take note that this team is playing quite well overall and even with its flaws, looks to be one of the teams with the fewest flaws?

LETS GO 'HAWKS !!
- blackhawk24

Really well said, Blackhawk.

I'd rather sit by Andy the Clown than some hipster-doofus, wannabe Clark St. barfly. And seriously, no offense meant.

But that's just me.
- John Jaeckel

Unfair stereotype of Cubs fans.

I wouldn't write Olsen off like that yet. He may still be an NHL player someday.
- EKolb13

So might I

So might I
- paulr

No, I'm pretty sure you're a bust.

Unfair stereotype of Cubs fans.
- StLBravesFan

Just responding in kind to a shot at the ChiSox, and . . . Andy the Clown . . . RIP

Tallon built the team. McDonough had next to nothing to do with it.

None of the marketing moves you describe above were genius. All kind of obvious. That said, he did them all and he did them all well. They captured the essence of Hawk history—Hull, Mikita, etc—and they masterfully tied it to the new guard. I give them maximum props for that. The stuff is well-produced.

They kinda could use a new campaign. One Goal Classics kinda feels to me like they can't agree on a new direction. Not surprising in light of the results over the last two years on ice results. Further proof that it all starts with the on-ice product.
- John Jaeckel

Now JJ. You should know better than anybody that the reason those "one Goal" classics are airing was because they never approved a 2012-213 budget until the lockout was approved. Thus any production on new spots was probably scrapped...

I always get a kick out of people who criticize McD and think of him as "just a marketing guy" He does a hell of a lot more than that and frankly, he does it quite well. He's the president of the entire Blackhawk organization. And he's made the Blackhawks more relevant, more respected, and more popular than they've ever been.

Now JJ. You should know better than anybody that the reason those "one Goal" classics are airing was because they never approved a 2012-213 budget until the lockout was approved. Thus any production on new spots was probably scrapped...

I always get a kick out of people who criticize McD and think of him as "just a marketing guy" He does a hell of a lot more than that and frankly, he does it quite well. He's the president of the entire Blackhawk organization. And he's made the Blackhawks more relevant, more respected, and more popular than they've ever been.
- yahoodi

I did not know this. Your theory,or actual fact? Would make sense. I do know they shot at least one (and probably more) One Goal spots last year that never aired. So I'm not sure the budget theory is entirely accurate. The other thing is, it's a production budget issue, and those spots are dirt-ass cheap for the Hawks to produce. they have the talent, the set(s), etc. Plus, like I said, they had at least onemore already in the can. Believe me, Old Uncle JJ's shot a LOT of tv.

I think it is marginally unfair and inaccurate to characterize him as just a marketing guy. No doubt, he has overseen a lot of success and brought some talented people into the organization.

But the fact remains, the foundation of this success is the team that was built really before he came on board and continued largely without his direct involvement afterward until 2010. Without that, pretty much everything he's done would have been meaningless.

And some things on his watch have clearly not been handled well, and they pretty much all ladder back to him, directly or indirectly.

There is also a good deal of anecdotal poop out there that his involvement in/supervision of hockey decisions has not always been optimal. But that is largely hearsay.

Also, from a brand image/career management standpoint, the John McDnough Stanley Cup Moment tv spot was embarrassing, self-indulgent, inappropriate and STOOOOOOOPID.

Now JJ. You should know better than anybody that the reason those "one Goal" classics are airing was because they never approved a 2012-213 budget until the lockout was approved. Thus any production on new spots was probably scrapped...

I always get a kick out of people who criticize McD and think of him as "just a marketing guy" He does a hell of a lot more than that and frankly, he does it quite well. He's the president of the entire Blackhawk organization. And he's made the Blackhawks more relevant, more respected, and more popular than they've ever been.
- yahoodi

Very interesting take. Though IIRC, those commercials are just coming back the last few weeks, not in Feb, let alone Jan. I also seem to remember the 'Hawks being one of the few organizations that did not furlough anyone during the 4-month lockout.

I think this one-goal retread is a lot about nothing. McD's job is to connect folks to Blackhawks hockey. Those commercials are most prominent from the cup year. Therefore it's a connection of this team to the cup team.

As long as he keeps his nose out of hockey operations and lets the hockey ops drive what he does with marketing, I'm A-OK with him. If he does a Clown Kenney, pre-Ricketts then I'll have a big issue.

Just responding in kind to a shot at the ChiSox, and . . . Andy the Clown . . . RIP
- John Jaeckel

A little song - a little dance - a little selzer - down the pants.

Oops - wrong clown.

I did not know this. Your theory,or actual fact? Would make sense. I do know they shot at least one (and probably more) One Goal spots last year that never aired. So I'm not sure the budget theory is entirely accurate.

I think it is marginally unfair and inaccurate to characterize him as just a marketing guy. No doubt, he has overseen a lot of success and brought some talented people into the organization.

But the fact remains, the foundation of this success is the team that was built really before he came on board and continued largely without his direct involvement afterward until 2010. Without that, pretty much everything he's done would have been meaningless.

And some things on his watch have clearly not been handled well, and they pretty much all ladder back to him, directly or indirectly.

There is also a good deal of anecdotal poop out there that his involvement in/supervision of hockey decisions has not always been optimal. But that is largely hearsay.
Also, from a brand image/career management standpoint, the John McDnough Stanley Cup Moment tv spot was embarrassing, self-indulgent, inappropriate and STOOOOOOOPID.
- John Jaeckel

This (as always, if true) is my problem with McDonough.

I don't care what he does in terms of marketing or anything else on the business side - that's his job, someone has to do it, and it provides the money to finance the hockey side.

And he should also make sure the hockey guys know and understand the business implications of moves they may or may not make - INCLUDING the business side (marketing, if you will) implications of trading, say, Sharp, or Kane, or Skille.

But then hockey ops should make the hockey decisions, subject to a (very infrequently used) veto power by Rocky.

I also have less problem with "the John McDnough Stanley Cup Moment tv spot " than JJ does - probably resonated with its intended target - the marginal fan, not those of us here on HB. Don't know about any locker room dissension because of it.

This (as always, if true) is my problem with McDonough.

I don't care what he does in terms of marketing or anything else on the business side - that's his job, someone has to do it, and it provides the money to finance the hockey side.

And he should also make sure the hockey guys know and understand the business implications of moves they may or may not make - INCLUDING the business side (marketing, if you will) implications of trading, say, Sharp, or Kane, or Skille.

But then hockey ops should make the hockey decisions, subject to a (very infrequently used) veto power by Rocky.

I also have less problem with "the John McDnough Stanley Cup Moment tv spot " than JJ does - probably resonated with its intended target - the marginal fan, not those of us here on HB. Don't know about any locker room dissension because of it.
- StLBravesFan

I don't think the McDonough spot helped the Hawk brand in any way. I also don't think it helped his brand.

My belief is McDonough is somewhat removed from hockey ops, except trade and free agency decisions. The larger issue is a very crowded management structure—that he made necessary—that seems to (as I'm told and evidence suggests) confuse and frustrate other teams and agents and hampers the decision-making process.

Tallon built the team. McDonough had next to nothing to do with it.

None of the marketing moves you describe above were genius. All kind of obvious. That said, he did them all and he did them all well. They captured the essence of Hawk history—Hull, Mikita, etc—and they masterfully tied it to the new guard. I give them maximum props for that. The stuff is well-produced.

They kinda could use a new campaign. One Goal Classics kinda feels to me like they can't agree on a new direction. Not surprising in light of the results over the last two years on ice results. Further proof that it all starts with the on-ice product.
- John Jaeckel

Hey JJ, exactly my point. And its kind of hard to build a one goal campaign around guys like Turco...no question though that original campaign was a masterstroke. And yes you have to give McD credit in regard to the offseason fan convention idea which he started with the Cubs...and has transferred to the Hawks. That convention is sold out every year, but he should have the good sense to not have his own one goal commerial which reeks of self promotion and smugness. They won the thing because Dale put that team in place - which also had a physical quality which the current squad is still lacking.

Granted the Hawks continue to look good here and they have the Hobey Baker winner as their latest plum. But until the Hawks roll through a couple rounds here against physical teams - see the Kings and Ducks - I'll hold off on any kudos for the front office.
The playoffs will be here in no time.

I wouldn't write Olsen off like that yet. He may still be an NHL player someday.
- EKolb13

That why i said perhaps...and i hope you're right...i like him...wish Ted Dent did.

Just responding in kind to a shot at the ChiSox, and . . . Andy the Clown . . . RIP
- John Jaeckel

Cubs fans are pathetic. Lets not sugar coat it. Ricketts is even more pathetic for buying a team, land locked in a horrible stadium deal, when he should look to move the team and sell that property.

Fact is, the Cubs need the mindless sheep to fill that hell hole until they actually rebuild. Problem is, Theo's greatest asset, being able to buy up to get more talent, was taken away...So lets see how that goes.

These are some idiots parading around the UC in t shirt jerseys, walking through aisles during play, and pretending they actually know or care about hockey. McDongough tapped that resource the same way he filled the hell hole in the late 90s to watch a roided out beast crank homers....

The true testament of McDonough will be IF/WHEN the Hawks hit a speed bump and miss the playoffs back to back years...then we'll see if all these transitional fans stick around....

I don't think the McDonough spot helped the Hawk brand in any way. I also don't think it helped his brand.

My belief is McDonough is somewhat removed from hockey ops, except trade and free agency decisions. The larger issue is a very crowded management structure—that he made necessary—that seems to (as I'm told and evidence suggests) confuse and frustrate other teams and agents and hampers the decision-making process.
- John Jaeckel

If McD is involved in trade decisions and I hope he IS NOT...we've got a problem.

That said...I LOVE MCDONOUGH.

I did not know this. Your theory,or actual fact? Would make sense. I do know they shot at least one (and probably more) One Goal spots last year that never aired. So I'm not sure the budget theory is entirely accurate.

I think it is marginally unfair and inaccurate to characterize him as just a marketing guy. No doubt, he has overseen a lot of success and brought some talented people into the organization.

But the fact remains, the foundation of this success is the team that was built really before he came on board and continued largely without his direct involvement afterward until 2010. Without that, pretty much everything he's done would have been meaningless.

And some things on his watch have clearly not been handled well, and they pretty much all ladder back to him, directly or indirectly.

There is also a good deal of anecdotal poop out there that his involvement in/supervision of hockey decisions has not always been optimal. But that is largely hearsay.

Also, from a brand image/career management standpoint, the John McDnough Stanley Cup Moment tv spot was embarrassing, self-indulgent, inappropriate and STOOOOOOOPID.
- John Jaeckel

As lame as that is - and I agree with you on that big time - that is one of the perks of being the big name exec hired away from the team he helped make a "marketing juggernaut".

Admit it, you'd LOVE to have him @ 35th St. Instead your guy is Bulls reject who couldn't figure out how to get people into a nicely revamped stadium for a mostly first place team last season.

How did Richard say that line in Tommy Boy? "...He could sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves!"

If McD is involved in trade decisions and I hope he IS NOT...we've got a problem.

That said...I LOVE MCDONOUGH.
- philco28

He himself has said (paraphrasing): "I want them to come tome and explain their thought process (before the trigger is pulled on something). That's the extent of my involvement."

He is Team President. Therefore, once the "thought process is explained," It would seem he has at least some ability to either veto or bollocks the process if he disagrees.

That is not unusual, except a lot of teams have Presidents who are hockey guys. Or (like in Detroit) where the hockey guys are given almost complete latitude and respect to do their jobs.

As lame as that is - and I agree with you on that big time - that is one of the perks of being the big name exec hired away from the team he helped make a "marketing juggernaut".

Admit it, you'd LOVE to have him @ 35th St. Instead your guy is Bulls reject who couldn't figure out how to get people into a nicely revamped stadium for a mostly first place team last season.

How did Richard say that line in Tommy Boy? "...He could sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves!"
- blackhawk24

That commercial is a direct reflect on a person with an ego out of control.

I can't believe Writz allowed that....The owner fine....He is an ego maniac and who got the last line of their commercial with them all standing in the locker-room? Toews? Kane? Wirtz? Nope.....Your ego maniac President, John McDonough.

God willing, some NFL team offers him a job....You think any solid hockey man wants to work for him? Unless, he's positioning his son to get a GM job, he's not qualified for?

Cubs fans are pathetic. Lets not sugar coat it. Ricketts is even more pathetic for buying a team, land locked in a horrible stadium deal, when he should look to move the team and sell that property.

Fact is, the Cubs need the mindless sheep to fill that hell hole until they actually rebuild. Problem is, Theo's greatest asset, being able to buy up to get more talent, was taken away...So lets see how that goes.

These are some idiots parading around the UC in t shirt jerseys, walking through aisles during play, and pretending they actually know or care about hockey. McDongough tapped that resource the same way he filled the hell hole in the late 90s to watch a roided out beast crank homers....

The true testament of McDonough will be IF/WHEN the Hawks hit a speed bump and miss the playoffs back to back years...then we'll see if all these transitional fans stick around....
- SteveRain

Not all of us are pathetic and you would kill to be in the spot of McD. You also seem to have some hostility against a guy that was able to drop $850M on a team + another $500M to come in the next few years.

You're obviously envious of a marketing guy who was able to build on the names of Ryno and Harry, and turn Wrigley into the 3rd most popular tourist destination in the state.

And if you were paying attention to McD's history - which by your post you clearly were not - he made some of the greatest strides of Cubs popularity when the team wasn't doing well.

It's quite clear you're not able to disconnect personal feelings about a situation from it's business sense. That' why so many people struggle with McD's presence.

As lame as that is - and I agree with you on that big time - that is one of the perks of being the big name exec hired away from the team he helped make a "marketing juggernaut".

Admit it, you'd LOVE to have him @ 35th St. Instead your guy is Bulls reject who couldn't figure out how to get people into a nicely revamped stadium for a mostly first place team last season.

How did Richard say that line in Tommy Boy? "...He could sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves!"
- blackhawk24

Yeah, he could help the Sox with marketing. But let me also say, the Sox have NEVER owned Chicago the way the Hawks did for 50-60- years. All McDonough had to do was tap back into that heritage: bringing Jet, Stosh, Foley back, putitng games on tv. Which he did and I give him full marks for that. Because he did it artfully and appropriately.

Marketing the Sox has NEVER been an easy job in Chicago. They had a real opportunity in the 90s and in 2005. But it also seems like Trader kenny is constantly sort of stealing from the organizaiton's prospects to jack the team (and ticket sales) up every few years. And he's a very good GM. It's just a tough brand to sell in a market really dominated by the , ahem, 'baseball' team from the North Side.

That commercial is a direct reflect on a person with an ego out of control.

I can't believe Writz allowed that....The owner fine....He is an ego maniac and who got the last line of their commercial with them all standing in the locker-room? Toews? Kane? Wirtz? Nope.....Your ego maniac President, John McDonough.

God willing, some NFL team offers him a job....You think any solid hockey man wants to work for him? Unless, he's positioning his son to get a GM job, he's not qualified for?
- SteveRain

I have to agree

That commercial is a direct reflect on a person with an ego out of control.

I can't believe Writz allowed that....The owner fine....He is an ego maniac and who got the last line of their commercial with them all standing in the locker-room? Toews? Kane? Wirtz? Nope.....Your ego maniac President, John McDonough.

God willing, some NFL team offers him a job....You think any solid hockey man wants to work for him? Unless, he's positioning his son to get a GM job, he's not qualified for?
- SteveRain

What the post lockout commercial? Why is that such an issue?

So what if he has an out of control ego? As long as it doesn't affect hockey operations. And NO ONE here has indisputable facts citing that.

Rocky has the ultimate say. And if one day he decides to make a change, it'll happen and none of us will know until it happens.

Cubs fans are pathetic. Lets not sugar coat it. Ricketts is even more pathetic for buying a team, land locked in a horrible stadium deal, when he should look to move the team and sell that property.

Fact is, the Cubs need the mindless sheep to fill that hell hole until they actually rebuild. Problem is, Theo's greatest asset, being able to buy up to get more talent, was taken away...So lets see how that goes.

These are some idiots parading around the UC in t shirt jerseys, walking through aisles during play, and pretending they actually know or care about hockey. McDongough tapped that resource the same way he filled the hell hole in the late 90s to watch a roided out beast crank homers....

The true testament of McDonough will be IF/WHEN the Hawks hit a speed bump and miss the playoffs back to back years...then we'll see if all these transitional fans stick around....
- SteveRain

As you know, no sports team can make money if only the committed, true fan shows up or watches on TV: they need the "mindless sheep" and the "idiots parading around the UC in t shirt jerseys" to buy the tickets and eat the concession food and jack the TV ratings and shop at the hockey stores.

If Ricketts can get what he wants from the city - I think what he is asking for is reasonable, especially since no public funds (except for the proposed federal tax break) will be expended - we'll have to see how it all plays out with the rooftop owners - he can make a fortune with Wrigley Field and the surrounding developments he would control.

The worst parts of his deal with the Tribune were (a) the very high price, which can be overcome, and (b) the sweetheart deals between WGN and the team, which end after this year, I think.