ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

Ride for the Roses

I am headed to Austin next weekend for the 9th annual Ride for the Roses weekend.  This is an entire weekend event capped off by a cycling event in which I'm participating in the 100 mile ride.

This event for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is 'a celebration of the fundraising and awareness-building efforts of the 2005 Peleton Project, the LAF's grassroots fundraising and outreach initiative.'

I am fortunate to have been granted Media Passes for the event.  I plan to attend many of the Saturday and Sunday events and report back next week.

As a fan/triathlete/cyclist, I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity and weekend.

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tags:  livestrong | lance armstrong | laf | lance armstrong foundation | ride for the roses

Business Thoughts has a Bracelet?!

I received in the mail this week a gift from Jonathan Anderson at Custom Silicone Bracelets.

He sent me quite a few blue bracelets, embossed with

ktoddstorch.com * make it happen

I was really surprised and I appreciate the generosity. 

If you would like to have one, just drop me an email and I'll send you one.  Better yet, email me the donation you made to either the Red Cross or other hurricane charity and I'll send you one as well.

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tags:  red cross | charity bracelets

Hurricane Katrina Relief Bracelets: Buyer Beware

It is only a matter of time before you see Katrina bracelets pop up all over the place.  Buyer beware.  As we have seen with the LIVESTRONG bracelet phenomenon, there will be plenty that are wanting to profit from the disaster.

Custom Silicone Bracelets is selling a "Support Katrina Relief" bracelet in bulk quantity for 49 cents each to help raise funds.

Remember, anyone can buy these bracelets and sell them. 

Make sure your money is going to trustworthy charities.  Link to American Red Cross is below.

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tags:  hurricane katrina | flood aid | charity bracelets | american red cross

Tapping Into Emotions: Just Do It

Nike gets even more publicity for their Lance Armstrong campaign thanks to David Letterman.

You know I'm a sucker for anything Lance...

[read] via AdFreak

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tags:  lance armstrong | nike | david letterman | livestrong

Finding liveSTRONG wristbands in Canada

I get a handful of emails every week from Canadians wanting to know where they can buy official LIVESTRONG bracelets in Canada.

I asked the LAF for help and this is the reply they wanted me to share with you:

People who want to purchase LIVESTRONG wristbands and be sure their hard earned money benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) should purchase wristbands from the LAF's website, www.livestrong.org.  This summer, Nike began selling wristbands internationally in select Niketown stores, but unfortunately I do not have a list of specific Nike retailers.

Good luck and if you find specific stores in Canada that have official LIVESTRONG wristbands, be sure to send me an email or leave a comment.

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tags:  livestrong

Quoted for Lance Armstrong Article in Bloomberg

Was interviewed by a local Bloomberg writer for an article entitled Armstrong's Texas Cycling Fans Ride Out One Last Tour.

[link] via

Writer said the link may not be active for long as local newspapers pick it up.

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tags:  tour de france | lance armstrong | bloomberg

Please, please let me win!

Blog from the Tour de France while following Lance Armstrong?!  Oh my...this is perfect for me.

Check out what I would/should be doing (link) this July.

What a great contest from Subaru!  I've already registered and could use your good luck wishes.

Think I'm excited about the upcoming Tour de France?

[link] to Race to the Tour

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tags:  lance armstrong | tour de france | subaru

The Power of a Brand: liveSTRONG

HP and chip manufacturer AMD have teamed up to offer a liveSTRONG branded laptop.  AMD has a history in sponsoring Lance's cycling teams and is activating this sponsorship in a really interesting way.

Not only will $50 be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation from each laptop sold, but AMD has made a 2 year commitment to generate $4M for the LAF.

Another great sponsorship activation:  each laptop with include the popular yellow liveSTRONG wristband and yellow colored stereo ear buds, but more importantly, HP and AMD state that they will be donating laptops to area LAF cancer centers.

These type of sponsorships are great examples of using a popular brand and activate the sponsorship within a community.

[link] via
[link] to all liveSTRONG category posts

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tags: livestrong | hp | amd

Happy Birthday liveSTRONG!

One year ago today, the liveSTRONG bracelet was made available.  The goal was to sell 5 million of them for $1 each.  Nike also kicked in a million dollars as well to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

To date, 47.5 million have been sold. 

Simply amazing.  Hats off to Lance Armstrong and the entire LAF organization fighting to cure cancer.

[read] official press release
[read] Exclusive Interview with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (4/9/05)

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tags: livestrong | lance armstrong | laf

Lance Armstrong announces his retirement

The cycling great, Lance Armstrong is officially retiring after this year's Tour de France.  As a huge fan, I'm definitely sad that I didn't get to see him ride in person.

However, I believe this will be a huge opportunity for his foundation and for cancer research.  Over 40 million dollars has been raised by the sale of LIVESTRONG bracelets and his ability to raise money for a cure is remarkable.

He has had a remarkable cycling career, regardless of this year's TdF and will be able to make even a bigger impact for cancer survivors after this year's race.

Bravo Lance!

[link] to official press conference, via
[read] Business Thoughts' Exclusive Interview of the Lance Armstrong Foundation

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tags: cycling | tour de france | lance armstrong | lance armstrong foundation