Michael Alter Principal Owner | Chicago Sky Website
Michael Alter Principal Owner | Chicago Sky Website
CHICAGO (August 16, 2024) — The WNBA’s Chicago Sky is advancing its third-year initiative to support players’ mental health with a campaign from partners BarkleyOKRP and Putney that enables players and others to block negative social posts. The new campaign, “Block the Negativity, Post Up Positivity,” was inspired by the majority of female athletes having experienced some form of online harm that poses a direct threat to their mental health.
The centerpiece of this campaign is an app on the Chicago Sky players’ phones. The app, now in beta testing, uses AI to identify negative posts in players’ social feeds and blocks them. It will be available to Chicago Sky players this week and then to the public later in the year. In addition to keeping negative posts from showing up, the campaign encourages fans to flood social feeds with positive messages.
“The mental health of female athletes is heavily affected by social media comments, and with more eyes on the WNBA, it’s only gotten more challenging,” explained Tania Haladner, CMO of the Chicago Sky. “I’m so proud of our players who are lending their voices to support this initiative and help demonstrate that supporting mental health awareness is a priority that requires teamwork.”
The campaign features Chicago Sky players Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter, Isabelle Harrison, and Brianna Turner, who represent all players confronted with mean and unpleasant social comments. In the ad, players forcefully shatter these comments while shooting, passing, and running plays on the court. Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon makes an appearance to encourage her players. The Angel C. Reese Foundation, Mesirow, and Magellan Corporation are partners of the program.
The campaign includes a series of online videos, social posts, in-arena activations and merchandise featuring headbands with positive affirmations from the players. The videos were produced by Miniac and directed by Cristopher Pina.
“Block the Negativity, Post Up Positivity” premiered at the Chicago Sky home game on August 15. Pre-game activities included a panel discussion on the intersection of social media, female athletes and mental health outcomes. Lily Rocha, Associate VP of Policy at NAMI Chicago moderated the panel which included Sheryl Swoopes (WNBA legend), Dr. Ndidi Onyejiaka (Dr. O), Chicago Sky’s Team Psychiatrist; and Cari Roccaro of the Chicago Red Stars.
This campaign represents an evolution of ‘The Net,’ a program now in its third year created by BarkleyOKRP in partnership with the Chicago Sky. ‘The Net’ was designed to provide a network of mental health support for women in sport encouraging others to find their community in managing mental wellness and bringing ‘The Net’ beyond just members associated with Chicago Sky.
“We want to expand how ‘The Net’ can support female athletes,” explained Betsy Ross EVP Head of Client Experience At BarkleyOKRP.” By adding a tech component fueled by AI we are helping players decide which social media messages they see.” She added: “Importantly we are also working to flood player’s feeds with positive messages.” This initiative has potential for women across sports even beyond WNBA.”
About The Chicago Sky
The 2021 WNBA Champion Chicago Sky is a professional women’s basketball team founded in 2005 by principal owner Michael Alter as an independently owned team joining WNBA playing at Wintrust Arena May-September season annually.
About BarkleyOKRP
BarkleyOKRP is one largest full-service independent agencies U.S., making bold work modern consumer big enough build brands capabilities Certified B Corporation agency industry recognition AdAge A-List Small Agency Year-Culture Convergence Fastest Growing Agencies Adweek Agency Year shortlist learn more barkleyokrp.com
About Putney
Putney minority owned led creative production agency independent unit BarkleyOKRP creating culture-defining content blurring lines advertising entertainment
About The Angel C Reese Foundation
Angel Reese launched Angel C Reese Foundation 2023 fostering equity girls underrepresented groups innovative impactful initiatives dedicated providing equal opportunities sports education financial literacy combat cyberbullying overcome systemic challenges provide comprehensive resources empower next generation Follow @AngelCReeseFoundation future updates visit https://www.AngelCReeseFoundation.org learn more.
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