Knicks and FILO Create Partnership; Produce Surreal Playoffs Party in Manhattan

Playing for Now is the slogan the New York Knicks implemented for the 2013 Playoffs. After receiving the 2 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the time was now for the Knickerbockers to put everything they had into giving back to the community and the city of New York…and that’s exactly what they did.

The Knicks created the 2013 Knicks Playoffs Borough Tour presented by Chase throughout the first round of the playoffs for not only the city of Manhattan, but all five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan). Before Game 1 of the first round even began on Saturday, April 20, New York’s team combined Chase bank branch appearances with alumni autograph sessions, Knicks brand ambassadors, scavenger hunts and “what would you do for tickets?” competitions all over the boroughs.

As part of the activation and promotions, the New York Knicks also hosted their 2013 MSG Fan Fests outside of Madison Square Garden for every home game throughout the playoffs. One home game even included an exclusive Chase “Blue Carpet” ceremony.

It was a spectacular few weeks as all five boroughs were painted orange & blue and wrapped in the infamous #knickstape. Everywhere you looked, you saw the Knicks.

FILO’s role included producing a mobile barber set-up for Knicks Playoffs Cuts, where fans could show their Knicks pride by receiving custom colored haircuts and attempt to win Playoff tickets. FILO also assisted in the signage production of all Knicks Playoffs branding, provided a plethora of brand ambassador’s and hosted each home game Fan Fest with a FILO emcee.

Lou Bavaro of FILO Productions traveled everywhere with FILO’s brand promoters from the Cotton Club in Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge to the Staten Island mall, in an attempt to build brand recognition for the Knicks and hand out endless give-a-ways for the fans of New York.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me…for FILO…for everyone. I’ve lived in New York for a long time and there are some spots I visited with (and for) the Tour that I had never been to in my life. I’ve never seen anything like this before--the Knicks reached out to every fan possible amongst the five boroughs and they did it the right way. It didn’t matter if you were living in Staten Island, Astoria or in Midtown Manhattan. We were coming to bring the Knicks to you and I think that says a lot about an organization and to their fans.”

After the New York Knicks beat the Celtics in 6 games on Friday, May 3, the Knicks and FILO Productions went to work on a grand spectacle event in Herald Square for Game 3 during the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.

8 days later…the Knicks and FILO were in Manhattan hosting more than 50,000 people for the Knicks Playoffs Fan Fest & Outdoor Viewing Party presented by Chase. The Broadway Plaza event (between 34th and 35th streets) brought Knicks fans everywhere together. The event included the Knicks full basketball court with competitions and prizes, multiple DJ’s and emcees, the Knicks Playoffs Cuts exhibit, a fully branded Knicks photo booth, the Knicks Groove Truck and most importantly, a roughly 500 square foot jumbotron screen with a LIVE feed for the game.

The one day event took place on Saturday, May 11 and included New York Knicks Legends Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Hall of Famer Bernard King, Earl Monroe, Larry Johnson, Dean Meminger, Cal Ramsey and the Knicks City Dancers.

The Knicks weren’t able to pull off a “W” against the Pacers that night, but every fan in attendance, all of FILO and everyone from the New York Knicks had created an experience and memory that will live on forever. New York and its team (the Knicks) were playing for now.