ESPN Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Keybank are teaming up for the Moving Business Forward campaign, which gives $30,000 in radio advertising on the station to a local business owned by a veteran, minority, or woman. The winner will get use of a private suite for one Cavaliers game. The station will also buy $2,500 in gift cards, divided among veteran, minority, and women-owned businesses, to be given away throughout the year.
“We are excited to partner with Keybank and the Cavs to create this special program for the local business community,” said Good Karma Cleveland VP/Market Manager Sam Pines. “This past year has been a challenging and innovative time for small business, and we look forward to connecting our loyal sports fans with these deserving CLEVELAND-based businesses to help them thrive in the future.”
“We are proud to team up with ESPN Cleveland and the Cleveland Cavaliers once again to provide diverse small businesses with this fun and unique opportunity that will help our region keep moving forward,” said Keybank Northeast Ohio Market President Timothy Burke. “Cleveland is our home and we are committed to helping this community thrive!”
The promotion runs through September 10 and is open to northeastern Ohio businesses and active for at least two years with annual revenue under $15 milion in fiscal year 2020; entrants will submit a 300-words-or-less statement saying why their business deserves to win, which will be judged on five criteria, the nominator’s passion for the business, innovation during and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, employee loyalty, impact on business’s neighborhood/community, and overall business culture.
This is the second year for ESPN Cleveland’s Moving Business Forward contest. It was started last year to help local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. ESPN 1000 in Chicago, also owned by Good Karma Brands, recently announced a similar promotion, which is also in its second year.