REPOST: Levi’s® Stadium – Home of the San Francisco 49ers

In a press release, Levi Strauss & Co. announces partnership with San Francisco 49ers in an effort to engage in sports and music fans in the Bay Area and around the world.

Two Bay Area Icons – Levi Strauss & Co. and San Francisco 49ers -- present naming rights deal to Santa Clara Stadium Authority Thursday

Proposed partnership announced today at Levi’s Plaza in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO and SANTA CLARA, CA – Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) announced today that it will present the Santa Clara Stadium Authority a proposal for a 20-year, $220 million naming rights agreement for ”Levi’s® Stadium” on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

The apparel company is proposing a naming rights partnership with the Santa Clara Stadium Authority and San Francisco 49ers that would make the company an official sponsor of the 49ers, and feature premium interior and exterior branding of the new Levi’s® Stadium.

Levi Strauss & Co. CEO Chip Bergh said, “Levi’s® Stadium will connect two iconic Bay Area brands that share similar values, a rich heritage and a pioneering spirit. Joining the incredible legacy of the 49ers organization is a perfect fit for the Levi’s® brand – and a chance for us to engage with sports and music fans across the Bay Area and around the world.”

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York said, “49ers have worn Levi's® jeans since the Gold Rush era. We are so honored to have the perfect partner for the premier outdoor sports and entertainment venue in the world. A model of innovation and sustainability, Levi's® Stadium will bring to life all that is special about the Bay Area.”

The San Francisco 49ers and Levi Strauss & Co. share deep roots in Bay Area history: in 1873, Levi Strauss & Co. created the first blue jean by adding copper rivets to denim pants for the working man of the American West. The 49ers franchise has won five Super Bowl trophies and was the first major league professional sports team to be based in San Francisco more than 60 years ago.

City of Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews said, "This partnership is a tremendous opportunity for Levi's®, the 49ers, the City of Santa Clara and the entire Bay Area. As powerful advocates for our communities, we share a vision for the new stadium constructed on the pillars of innovation, sustainability and an unparalleled entertainment experience. I am looking forward to this being brought for consideration by the Stadium Authority to approve aligning this great, global brand with our great City tomorrow evening."

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said, “It is very fitting to see two of the Bay Area’s best-known brands coming together to showcase the best our region has to offer. Every time a fan turns on their television to watch a 49ers home game from Levi’s® Stadium, the entire region will be on center stage. And, in a few short weeks, we are hopeful that we will host Super Bowl 50 or 51 and experience the enormous economic boost and lasting legacy for the entire Bay Area.”

Levi Strauss & Co. announced the proposal for Levi’s® Stadium today during its annual Community Day, in which thousands of employees around the globe give back by volunteering with local non-profit organizations in 170 projects in more than 46 countries around the world. San Francisco 49ers CEO, Jed York, today joined Levi Strauss & Co. employees at one of 31 volunteer projects in the Bay Area.

David Bergen is the former chief information officer of Levi Strauss & Co. Learn about his contribution into the company by visiting this Facebook page.

Analytics and business intelligence: When a degree isn't enough

In this data-driven world, the IT industry is struggling to cope with a technology that’s evolving faster than ever before. The tools and procedures needed to manage vast amounts of data continue to become complex and higher education cannot keep up with them. Barb Wixom, associate professor of commerce at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and author of the 2013 State of Business Intelligence survey, suggests that a degree on analytics and business intelligence isn’t enough. Students need access to real, big data sets in order to further learn about analytics and how data can be used to achieve business outcomes.

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This need can be addressed through academic alliance programs that help professors create meaningful and data-centric course blueprints and pedagogy that expose students to the real world of data and analytics. Ideally, the course plan is one that provides a broad coverage in marketing and analytics and engages students at a practical-level with hands-on learning. 

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However, there are universities offering courses on data science and business intelligence that still lack the connection to organizations that can offer students the access to real-world cases, software implementation, and other IT processes. This is why there are IT graduates who cannot meet the requirements of the companies they apply for, forcing them to transfer to other careers and causing the widening talent gap on data and technology.

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The long-term solution for this case is to strengthen partnerships between institutions of higher education and business organizations. Cooperation between these two sectors is needed in order to redefine the curricula and target the specific skill sets required in the 21st century workplace.

David Bergen is the former CIO of Levi Strauss & Co. Visit this blog to read up on his perspective on the talent gap problem.