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Weplay.com Selects KCSA Strategic Communications As Public Relations Agency

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Former GeoCities Executive Stephen Hansen Creates Online Community for Youth Sports

NEW YORK, May 13, 2009 – Weplay.com has selected KCSA Strategic Communications as its public relations agency of record.

Weplay.com is an online, interactive community for student athletes, coaches, parents and fans.  The site combines the power of social media with engaging and empowering content reaching kids ages 6-16, parents and coaches who are involved in or wish to become involved in youth sports. Weplay.com is also partnered with many Youth Sports Organizations (YSOs) including Pop Warner, Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS), United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA).

“Weplay.com is essentially the online center of the youth sports universe.  On the site, coaches, players and fans are able to connect with their teammates by uploading videos, photos, practices and game schedules and engage in live chats with teammates and coaches,” said Stephen “Steve” Hansen, Weplay.com chief executive officer. “It’s the community aspect that really makes Weplay.com a destination for families, kids and coaches.  We aim to connect people in the youth sports world and to simplify, organize and preserve youth sports activities.  We have everything from the largest interactive map showing leagues, teams and players, to parent/coach communities that help provide the important answers to the tough questions about youth athletics.”
   
In addition, Weplay.com has a dedicated group of founding athletes with equity stake in the company who each provide unique and exclusive content to the site.  These A-list athletes include Lebron James, Derek Jeter, Jennie Finch, Peyton Manning, Summer Sanders and Ryan Howard.  Each athlete has a personal profile page, a blog, and is able to upload videos and other content including tips from the pros that comprise the most comprehensive Skills and Drills library on the Internet.  Each athlete posts exclusive photos and videos of themselves as youth athletes, and will judge contests and promotions offered exclusively through Weplay.com.

Hansen added, “Weplay.com’s goal is to connect everyone in the youth sports community and give them the tools to improve their athletic experience.  From Little League baseball, to cheerleading, from softball to bowling, we have something for everyone.

The athletes we work with are very special because not only are they the best in the business, but they bring their own youth sports experience to the Weplay.com community.  Lebron, Jennie, Derek, Ryan, Summer and Peyton each understand the importance of youth sport and how crucial it is to shape and encourage young athletes,” Hansen concluded. 

KCSA will implement a multi-pronged traditional, local and social media relations campaign to both boost registration and increase company recognition in the youth sports community.

“There are over 180 million people in the U.S. that are involved in youth sports, and to date, we have seen nothing that caters to all of the needs of this enormous audience.  Our mandate is to communicate the powerful resource of Weplay.com to the local and regional media,” said Lewis Goldberg, managing director, KCSA Strategic Communications. “By using the web as well as reaching out to the blogging community, we will begin to engage in a dialogue on the role youth sports has in each and every community in America.”

About Weplay.com

Weplay.com (http://www.weplay.com) is the ultimate destination for the youth sports community. Our mission is to enable and enhance the joy of sports for kids, families, coaches and fans both online and on the field. We take this mission seriously, and our site reflects this. We have created a platform that is fun, educational and safe, which will allow users to connect, share and learn.

Weplay.com unites the youth sports community with Weplay pros, iconic athletes who all played youth sports. They know firsthand what research confirms, that children learn valuable lessons by playing sports, including leadership, teamwork, perseverance, good sportsmanship and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Using the latest multimedia technology, young athletes can create profiles, blogs and fan clubs, play games, connect with friends and create a highlight reel. Parents and coaches can also access practical information such as practice schedules and weather updates. Weplay.com is fully customizable to the needs of each member and encourages children online to act and achieve offline.

Weplay.com is backed by CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency. Weplay.com partners also include Major League Baseball Advanced Media, First Mark Capital and iconic athletes Derek Jeter, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tony Parker, Shaun Alexander and Jennie Finch.

About KCSA Strategic Communications

Now in its 40th year, KCSA Strategic Communications (www.kcsa.com) is an integrated communications agency that helps clients synchronize their brand messages across investor relations, public relations and marketing and creative channels.  The firm offers its clients a rare opportunity to achieve true brand alignment and develop close, meaningful relationships with their key audiences.

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