This article demonstrates the power of fame and how it can impact a business venture.

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, entrepreneurship, target market

Key Questions to Explore:

• How can fame impact the success of a business?

Introduction to lesson and task:

Using a matrix to help analyze the article will provide students with a tool they can use to analyze other situations/opportunities/articles they come across.

Action (lesson plan and task):

• Ask the class what they know about LeBron James.
• Distribute the article for reading.
• In pairs, have students brainstorm the challenges and opportunities faced by LeBron and Uninterrupted.
• invite students to categorize the challenges and opportunities for Uninterrupted using the following categories: Simple and easy, complicated, complex and chaotic. You can define these categories as follows:
• • Simple and easy: challenge can be easily resolved or an opportunity can be easy to take advantage of
  • Complicated: an expert may be required to resolve the challenge or shape the opportunity with a high degree of predictability
  • Complex: the challenge or opportunity have several ways to move forward, but it is unpredictable what the outcome will be
  • Chaotic: there is no path because things are changing too rapidly
• Combine groups and have students discuss the impact of LeBron’s fame on the ability of Uninterrupted to solve the challenges and seize the opportunities
• Have students write a one-minute paper on their understanding of what LeBron brings to the venture. Why is this important?

Consolidation of Learning

• Uninterrupted is characterized as a media business. What are the characteristics that make it a media business?  Using a T chart, have students compare the characteristics of Uninterrupted to a traditional media business.

Success Criteria:

• Students understand why fame can lead to business success.

Confirming Activity:

In small groups, have students answer the following questions:

• How will the business be sustained over time?
• Did the Raptors’ championship have an impact on the success of Uninterrupted in Canada?
• Why are audiences attracted to this?