Blank responds to team's military partnership issues

I’m sure many of you have read various news accounts regarding the National Guard’s marketing partnership with a number of NFL teams, including the Falcons, and other sports entities. Unfortunately, many of the stories failed to accurately present the business relationships between the two groups, and we want to make sure you have the facts to alleviate any concerns you may have. 

Our marketing and sponsorship agreement with the National Guard is designed to fulfill their objectives of increasing awareness and aiding in recruiting efforts, which has become more important in an all-volunteer service environment. This is no different than any other sponsorship agreement in that it is structured to fit a business need. 

Our agreement with the National Guard during the 2014 season included advertising on the Falcons website and in the Atlanta Falcons Playbook, which is distributed to fans on game day; signage in the Georgia Dome; LED and backlit messaging on Falcons game days; activation at Falcons Landing on game days; and participation in a number of other game program activities. 

As explained by National Guard spokesman Rick Breitenfeldt in a recent story onESPN.com, their spending with teams in all sports on year-round advertising and marketing programs is a way to reach important audiences.

"We have hundreds of [sponsorship agreements] with teams, including minor league baseball and at high schools," he said. "We have found that spending in sports to help us recruit in our 18-24 demographic works out for us." 

Separate and apart from this business arrangement, the Falcons have long supported the Armed Services, including the National Guard, in a variety of ways as part of our community outreach and philanthropic activities. These include, among other things: