Posts Tagged → Alex Martins
Drano “Royal Flush” Set For September 8
Via the Orlando Magic: 
The new Amway Center in downtown Orlando meets another milestone as the traditional “Royal Flush” will be held September 8, 2010 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the construction site (corner of Church Street and Hughey). Drano is sponsoring the event.
The purpose of the Drano “Royal Flush” event is to observe sanitary sewer flows, water consumption and pressure in and around the arena. Approximately 443 toilets will be flushed simultaneously; there are 18 men’s and 19 women’s restrooms in the new Amway Center, compared to just four of each in the old facility.
Orlando Magic President Alex Martins, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and more than 150 people will take part in the event, including fourth and fifth grade students from Nap Ford Community School.
The Orlando Magic is the developer of the Amway Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows and serve as the new home of the Orlando Magic. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility will be owned and operated by the City of Orlando on behalf of the Central Florida community.
The Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando.
The building’s exterior features a modern blend of glass and metal materials, along with ever-changing graphics via a monumental wall along one façade. A 180-foot tall tower will serve as a beacon amid the downtown skyline.
At 875,000 square feet, the new arena is almost triple the size of the current Amway Arena (367,000 square feet). The building features a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design, unmatched technology, featuring 1,100 digital monitors and the largest, high-definition scoreboard in an NBA venue, and multiple premium amenities available to all patrons in the building. Every level of ticket buyer will have access to: the Budweiser Bar and Food Court, Club Restaurant, Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience and Orlando on Demand, Kid’s Zone and multiple indoor-outdoor spaces which celebrate Florida’s climate.
Geico Joins Orlando Magic and Amway Center as ‘Champions of the Community’ Partner
Via the Orlando Magic: 
The Orlando Magic announced today a new, multi-year relationship with GEICO as the auto insurer joins the franchise and the new Amway Center as a ‘Champions of the Community’ partner. The ‘Champions of the Community’ designation represents an elite tier of brands committed to Central Florida and the Parramore community.
As part of the ‘Champions of the Community’ relationship, GEICO will receive entitlement to the GEICO Garage, a parking garage adjacent to the Amway Center and located beside I-4. The entitlement to the City of Orlando parking facility will bring a revenue stream to the city. As another element of the partnership, GEICO also receives designation as the Official Auto Insurance of the Orlando Magic and beginning this season, will receive a digital signage package inside the Amway Center, presence on the Magic’s official website, OrlandoMagic.com, and will receive print advertisements in the game-day program, in-game radio spots and be incorporated into a number of promotions throughout the season such as giveaways and halftime sponsorship.
“We are honored to have GEICO join our ‘Champions of the Community’ partnership category for the new Amway Center,” Orlando Magic President Alex Martins said. “GEICO has been a partner with the Orlando Magic for more than 10 years, and in that time has demonstrated the qualities that align with our ‘Champions of the Community’ partners. We look forward to incorporating GEICO into our Central Florida fan base and for them to play an integral role in the new Amway Center for many years to come.”
“GEICO is proud and pleased to join the Orlando Magic and Amway Center as a ‘Champions of the Community’ partner,” said Ted Ward, GEICO vice president of marketing. “The Orlando Magic is a real champion of the community through its sponsorships and scholarships. We look forward to continuing our partnership with this outstanding franchise.”
GEICO joins the Orlando Magic and Amway Center as the fourth “Champions of the Community’ partner, joining PepsiCo, AirTran Airways and Harris Corporation. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility, which will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida Community, will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows and serve as the new home of the Orlando Magic.
Wednesday’s Magic Word
- George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel: “There will be some reactionary backlash to the expensive pile of contract extensions and promotions that keep the Orlando Magic leadership team in play for a few more seasons. The ghost of Fran Vázquez will rise up from Spain. John Weisbrod will show up wearing a hockey mask. Little Penny will be there all alone, since Shaq bolted to Los Angeles to schmooze courtside with Jack Nicholson. A lot of stuff has happened since 1989 when the Magic were NBA newbies and won all of 18 games. When you’ve been in business that long, there’s bound to be some regretful hiccups. Steven Hunter, Jeryl Sasser and Reece Gaines come to mind. Frightening images, I know. But if you want to hold the Magic accountable for the bad days at the office, look around and gather a dose of perspective. This organization has bounced back from its mistakes, reinvented itself, and has been a bedrock of stability in a sport where complicated chaos is the first order of business on any given day.”
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: “Alex Martins and Otis Smith traveled parallel paths to get to where they are. They were born in Jan. 1964. They graduated from college in 1986. And, in 1989, they joined the Orlando Magic organization: Martins as director of publicity and media relations, Smith as a player. They’ll continue to work with each other — and coach Stan Van Gundy — for a while longer, at least. On Wednesday, Magic Chief Executive Officer Bob Vander Weide formally announced that Martins and Smith have been promoted and had their contracts extended by one year to run through the 2012-13 season. Van Gundy has received a two-year contract extension through the 2012-13 season. [...] Martins, who has been elevated to the role of team president, will continue to oversee the team’s day-to-day business operations. Smith, who has been promoted to president of basketball operations, will handle the same duties he had as the team’s general manager.”
- Head coach Stan Van Gundy made a trip to Paris and visited Mickael Pietrus.
- General manager Otis Smith is still seeking a third point guard for the Orlando Magic.
- The Magic are willing to spend — for now: “Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Bob Vander Weide understands that his team could end up with the NBA’s highest payroll by the time the 2010-11 season ends. For now, he sounds OK with that — even if it means going further into the league’s punitive luxury tax. [...] Vander Weide indicated that, for now, at least, the team will do what it takes financially to make a run at the NBA title.”
- Dan Savage of NBA.com states that Orlando is committed to bringing a title to the City Beautiful.
- Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse: “As part of his two-year extension, Van Gundy will earn an estimated $4.3 million annually, putting him among the top 25 percent of coaches in the league. According to league sources, who confirmed his bonus clause, his contract is much like other NBA coaching contracts in that he will receive only a portion of it if the 2011-12 season is shortened because of the expected labor dispute. Although the Magic were unable to complete a potential trade earlier this summer that could have landed point guard Chris Paul of New Orleans — and they refused even to acknowledge the topic Wednesday — outside league sources confirmed that they indeed were willing to increase their future payroll significantly (i.e., taking Emeka Okafor’s bloated contract) to facilitate the deal.”
- The Magic are locked and loaded for the future with Van Gundy at the helm.
- Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA, according to one writer.
- Which players for Orlando thrived against the weakest defensive teams in the league?
Orlando Magic Announce Leadership Promotions
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Via the Orlando Magic:
Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer/Vice Chair Bob Vander Weide has announced that Alex Martins has been promoted to Team President and Otis Smith has been promoted to President of Basketball Operations. In addition, Head Coach Stan Van Gundy has agreed to a multi-year contract extension. All contracts run through the 2012-13 season. Per team policy, other terms of the deals are not disclosed.
“Alex, Otis and Stan have brought great energy, dedication, leadership and vision to our organization,” said Vander Weide. “As a team, both from a basketball and business standpoint, they have us moving in a very positive direction and toward our ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship.”
Since re-joining the organization in June of 2005, Martins has led the Magic in its business operations, while overseeing a ticket sales effort which saw the largest increase in attendance in the NBA, the growth of the Magic season ticket sales base to its largest point in team history, the most new sales and season tickets sold in the league in two of the last four years, the largest group sales effort in team history and the team’s highest season ticket renewal rate over the last seven years. Martins was also instrumental in helping to secure the new state-of-the-art Amway Center in Orlando, which is scheduled to open in October 2010.
Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy Receive Contract Extensions
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images
Via Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel:
The Orlando Magic will put their title hopes into the hands of coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith for a while longer.
The Sentinel has learned that the Magic will announce Wednesday that Van Gundy and Smith have had their contracts extended through the 2012-13 season.
While technically the general manager, Smith has a new title: president of basketball operations.
The club also has promoted Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins to team president and his contract runs through 2012-13.
Bob Vander Weide, who held the title of club president and is the son-in-law of owner Rich DeVos, is now the chief executive officer and vice chairman of the franchise.
Well-deserved extensions and promotions.
PepsiCo Joins the Orlando Magic and Amway Center as ‘Champions of the Community’ Partner
Via the Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic and PepsiCo announced today a new, multi-year relationship, making the company a ‘Champions of the Community’ partner for the new Amway Center. ‘Champions of the Community’ partners represent an elite tier of brands committed to Central Florida and the Parramore community. The fully-integrated relationship includes community programming, unparalleled team and facility access, brand recognition visibility and category exclusivity.
This Orlando Magic relationship marks another significant step for PepsiCo under the new ‘Power of One’ umbrella for the company, which brings together the Pepsi, Gatorade and Frito-Lay brands for a joint partnership. As part of its ‘Champions of the Community’ platform, PepsiCo – a partner with the Magic since 1989 – receives exclusivity in the hydration, carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, carbonated caffeine-based energy drinks and packaged salty snack foods categories in the new Amway Center.
“We are honored to have PepsiCo join the Orlando Magic as a ‘Champions of the Community’ partner for the Amway Center,” Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins said. “PepsiCo has been a valued partner with the Magic since our inception in 1989, and we believe this relationship will allow PepsiCo to have a fully-integrated approach to connect their ‘Power of One’ brand with our fan base like never before.”
Orlando Magic Unveil New Logo
Via the Orlando Magic:
In anticipation of the opening of the team’s new home, the Amway Center, the Orlando Magic have updated its primary logo. This new look ‘turns the page’ on the next chapter in Orlando sports history. As the team and the Magic brand continue to grow, the logo evolves with a stronger, cleaner, more timeless design to match the team’s championship ideals.
The new logo incorporates the Magic’s current jersey wordmark giving a more integrated look. It also continues the team’s colors with the Magic blue, Magic black and Magic silver. The updated look includes the team’s current secondary logo with the iconic star ball for a smooth transition from old to new, building on the heritage and history of the Magic from its birth in 1989.
“The Orlando Magic is an organization whose mission is for excellence both on and off the court. The jersey worn by our team and represented so well by each of our players is a direct reflection of that excellence, which made for a seamless transition from jersey to logo,” said Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins. “This new logo signifies the beginning of a new era of excellence for the Orlando Magic and our fans. We are excited about where our team is and the direction we are headed as we build on the legend already created and look forward to what the future holds.”
Orlando to Host NBA All-Star 2012
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
Via the Orlando Magic:
“The most magical week in sports is returning to Orlando for the second time, as the city has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2012, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced at a press conference today at the Amway Center. Orlando Magic President Bob Vander Weide, Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Stern at the announcement. Orlando also hosted the 1992 All-Star Game.
The 61st NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Amway Center, which will also host the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm. NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas, the hugely successful interactive basketball celebration, will be held at the Orange County Convention Center. [...]
NBA All-Star competitions will get underway on Friday, Feb. 24, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The following day’s festivities will feature NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, an all-inclusive skills showcase comprised of Haier Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players, and NBA legends; Taco Bell Skills Challenge, a contest of top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, layups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the ever-entertaining Sprite Slam Dunk contest.”
Orlando Magic Sign Bright House Networks as Postseason Presenting Partner
AP Photo/Reinhold Matay
Via the Orlando Magic:
Returning for the second consecutive season, the Orlando Magic announced today that Bright House Networks will serve as the presenting partner of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The partnership will include a co-branded playoff logo, presence in Amway Arena for playoff games as well as many other components surrounding the team’s “Blue and White Ignite” postseason run.
“We are excited to have Bright House Networks back as the presenting partner for the playoffs,” Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins said. “We believe that once again, this partnership will enhance the platform of our postseason campaign and will be able to ignite our fans as we continue our quest to bring a World Championship to the Central Florida community.
To promote its Interactive Television and High Definition programming, Bright House Networks will receive branding in key aspects of the Magic’s marketing and communications surrounding the playoffs, including on the Orlando Magic’s Web site, in print and on broadcast productions, and with signage at Amway Arena. Bright House Networks will also sponsor the “Legends Lounge” at every pregame Fan Fest, where fans will be able to meet Magic Community Ambassadors and former players Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw; in addition, they will also sponsor a T-shirt giveaway for fans at the first home game of each round of the playoffs, along with rally rackets at select games, window clings and an in-game prize launch.
