Bolno to Redskins

I thought about posting this yesterday, but it seemed kinda too media-centric, but then I got one (1) e-mail asking me about new Redskins Executive Director of Communications and former Wizards PR Whiz Zack Bolno, so I figured I'd offer a few thoughts about the oft-cited-in-this-space Bolno.

First of all, Bolno (who previously worked for the Tampa Bay Bucs) has a speaking style that reminds me of Dave Feldman from Fox 5, for whatever that's worth. Also, whenever he sees me he chants "Blog Show," which is good.

I would say that, more than any of the other fine PR professionals in this town, Bolno has actively courted D.C. Sports Bog coverage of his (past) team. Now, maybe this just worked out because I didn't mind going to Washington Wizards charity-type events. I didn't mind, because the Washington Wizards manage to make charity events entertaining, which is what I'm after more than "athletes are special humanitarian-type beings" coverage.

Either way, Zack has courted and facilitated Bog coverage, even when I was younger and even less mature, which I always appreciated, and I'm interested to see whether that continues in Ashburn. I have a guess. The Wizards are still in a corner of this market where they want more media coverage, and more interest, and more Page 2 references to their players and their tattoos, which is likely why they so often go out of their way for members of the media. The Redskins, I'd venture to guess, probably don't need to worry about the quantity of their coverage.

(Slightly off-topic, I'm no expert on the origins of the Washington Wizards halftime ice cream sundae brigade, but my sneaking suspicion is that the free ice cream sundaes, with a wide variety of fruit-and-sauce toppings, were a major reason you could hear so many media types talking about how great the Wizards treat the media. Maybe I'm wrong. And I don't go to games any more, plus I'm lactose intolerant, so don't accuse me of being bought by ice cream.)

Anyhow, as far as Zack's professional qualifications, bear in mind that he's had to try to handle one of the 20 or so most impossible to imagine professional athletes in the country, a superstar who doesn't like television cameras, drops bombshell after bombshell on his blog, often refuses to talk to the media, and isn't afraid to throw teammates, coaches or opponents under various large vehicles. The fact that the Gilbert thing never imploded completely is probably to Zack's credit, which, at the least, should help prepare him for the Clinton Portis Experience. Also, he's friendly with former Buc tight end Todd Yoder, so expect a major increase in the Bog's Yoder coverage. So before I have to complain to Zack about being kicked out of Redskins practice, let me offer him a brief congratulations, and a plea for the Redskins to sign Gilbert to a long-term deal.