Kathleen Hessert, CSP
After nearly a decade as an award-winning television anchor, journalist and talk show host, Kathleen Hessert changed competitive arenas. Kathleen took her ability to ask tough questions and put it to work for those on the receiving end.

Since 1989, Kathleen has been media and speech coach to Olympic gold medalists and college gridiron greats, to those in the ranks of the NBA and the PGA. Race car drivers, bull riders and tennis pros are among the many who have sought her counsel in learning how to excel in the increasingly important arena of public opinion.

Says Hessert, "For today's athlete, coach, or sports executive, winning isn't enough. The stakes have risen considerably, and so has the scrutiny on every aspect of their lives. Those who excel as communicators distinguish themselves from the rest." HessertÕs answer: Sports Media Challenge, a nationally renowned speaking, training, and consulting firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sports Media ChallengeÕs clients grace the covers of Sports Illustrated and are quoted regularly in national print, broadcast and Internet media. Clients have included ESPN, and World Wrestling Entertainment, professional organizations such as Madison Square Garden, the Texas Rangers and the Miami Heat, The PGA TOUR, Super Bowl MVPÕs Peyton and Eli Manning, NASCARÕs Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, and NBA great Shaquille OÕNeal. Hessert has also worked extensively at the collegiate level including the Universities of Notre Dame, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.

In 1991, Hessert introduced Issues Management, Crisis Planning and Crisis Intervention to her array of sports services. In 2004, she introduced Buzz Managerª, which mines monitors and analyzes online word-of-mouth following brands and issues for marketing and PR purposes.

She is the author and voice of "Winning the Media Game: A Guide for NFL Players", "Power Training: How to Win the Media Game," and The Coach's Communication PlayBook". She has been recognized and included in "Who's Who of Women in the World" and "Who's Who of Leading American Executives." She is the recipient of the prestigious CSP, Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation of the National Speakers Association.

Joshua Baer, Chief Technology Consultant
Recognized on the national and international scene as an online marketing guru, Josh Baer joined Sports Media Challenge as CTC in early 2005 and as a principal in the company's latest advancement and sister firm- Buzz Manager. Recognizing the growing impact of Internet communications in the sports arena, Josh joined forces with Sports Media Challenge to lead the development and provide technical direction for the company's leading-edge Internet communication and branding service- Buzz Manager. The first of its kind dedicated solely to the sports marketplace, Buzz Manager provides reputation management and rumor control through use of a proprietary search engine for online business intelligence regarding sports brands and issues. The proprietary tool combined with the best in sports public relations expertise monitors, measures and analyzes brand or issue "buzz" then accurately presents the results in time saving, easy-to-use reports for marketing and public relations needs. Josh guides all ongoing search engine and other technical development to ensure that Buzz Manager remains the leading such service in the sports marketplace.

Josh grew his email marketing solutions company, SKYLIST, from a dorm room dotcom at Carnegie Mellon University to a privately-owned, profitable company and a leader in the email space. In addition to his CEO role at SKYLIST, Josh is Co-chair of the ESPC Technology Committee, keeping his finger on the pulse of current hot topics. In his roles with ESPC and as a contributing analyst with Ferris Research, he has authored documents and whitepapers on authentication and reputation systems, as well as a testing tool for companies to test their compliance with authentication standards.

Josh currently resides in Austin, Texas with his dog, Jasmine.

Jackie Adkins, Media Analyst

Matt Garner, Media Analyst

Linda Hutchinson, Executive Assistant

Brittany Lane, Media Analyst

Hannah Patrick, Media Analyst

Ryan Stephens, Community Manager/Media Analyst