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Christopher's Story Overcoming the challenge of autism to find a job where his talents shine .... MORE |
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Online begins at noon Saturday, WTAM live auction set for Jan. 21 (Cleveland, OH) January 15,
2004
On Wednesday, January 21 only, the auction goes live on WTAM when the station's talent will sell selected items exclusively on the air. Starting Saturday, bidders can visit any sponsoring team website: clevelandbrowns.com, indians.com, clevelandcavaliers.com, clevelandforce.com and clevelandbarons.net, as well as cleveland.com, WTAM, and United Way at uws.org to view all items by clicking onto the special "Sports Auction All Day for the United Way" logo. Bidders will then be linked to WTAM's website, where they can bid on line for most items until midnight when the day-long live radio auction concludes January 21. Sponsors for the sport promotion for the United Way include ClearChannel, cleveland.com, the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Barons, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Force, the Cleveland Indians and The Plain Dealer. On January 21, all local WTAM programming will include the auction of special experience opportunities only available through live bidding with listeners calling (216) 578-1111 to place bids. Starting the day will be the Wills and Coleman in the Morning Show, where a winning bidder will be able to bring a friend and join the Browns on the team plane in either Miami or Dallas during the 2004 NFL season, enjoy pre-game field passes, take in the game and stay at the team hotel. On the Mike Trivisonno Show from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Cavalier fans may not be able to spell Cavaliers' Center "Z's" name, but they'll have the chance to spell H-O-R-S-E and play basketball with Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the Gund Arena on this live-only auction item. On Sportsline with Kevin Keane from 8 p.m. to midnight, when live and online bidding wrap up, another winner can plan for an Indians backyard BBQ at his or her home, complete with Slider and the chefs from Jacobs Field taking over the winner's grill for the night. (Please note: Full list of LIVE auction items by respective WTAM shows is posted at the end of this release.) On Wednesday, January 21, each of the three local WTAM shows will feature special interviews with coaches and other guests, as well as three other showcase items, each only available through live bidding by calling the station at (216) 578-1111. Throughout the day a commemorative edition 50th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster® Guitar will be promoted and auctioned off just before midnight on WTAM. Three other special edition Stratocasters will be available on line, with the Browns signing the white Stratocaster, the Cavaliers signing the blue and the Indians signing the red instrument. The culmination of five days of online bidding with live radio auctioning on January 21 is the latest revenue stream within a major new sports initiative created by 2003 United Way Campaign Chair Alexander M. Cutler, chairman and CEO of Eaton Corp., who along with his campaign team established a $50 million campaign goal. "This is a huge stretch over last year's results because our community has significant needs that require this level of support, " said Sandy Cutler. "In order to better strengthen services for Greater Clevelanders, we're asking everyone in the community to help. A fun way to support the campaign is by bidding on one of the sports experiences or sports collectibles that are being auctioned on-air on WTAM and on-line." Other showcase items only available online include: dinner for four with Cleveland Force Head Coach Andy Schmetzer and Player Hector Marinaro at The Leopard Restaurant in Aurora, awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award for Excellence for the second consecutive year; an opportunity to become a Broadcaster for a Day at a 2004 Browns home game from the WMMS radio booth for the winning bidder and a guest to join Jim Donovan and Doug Dieken for the call on the Browns Radio Network; two courtside tickets next to the Cleveland Cavaliers bench at a homegame; and a round of golf as part of a baseball package to the Indians Spring Camp. Along with other similar "experience items" online will be dozens of autographed items including game-worn jerseys and shoes, as well as bats, hats, balls, pennants and photographs. For a complete list of all items, please log on to United Way's homepage at uws.org, the homepage of the Barons, Browns, Cavaliers, Force and the Indians, as well as cleveland.com or WTAM's websites. "We are grateful for the team spirit on the part of all the teams for getting behind Campaign Chairman Sandy (Alexander M.) Cutler's great idea and making sure we score with it for United Way and this community," said K. Michael Benz, president and chief executive officer, United Way Services. The full list of LIVE WTAM Sports Auction All Day for United Way items follows. To bid on LIVE auction items exclusive to bidders listening to the radio on Wednesday, January 21, please call (216) 578-1111.
Wills and Coleman in the Morning (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
Mike Trivisonno show (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Sportsline with Kevin Keane (8 p.m. to Midnight) One all-day live auction item on WTAM will be the 50th Anniversary Fender Guitar. United Way is planning a separate online auction on eBay with non-sports items from January 23 through February 2. For additional information, please contact Paula Slimak, United Way Services, at pslimak@uws.org or (216) 436-2120. |
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