MarketInk: San Diego Seals pick TV anchor as public-address announcer

Derek Togerson. (Photo courtesy of the San Diego Seals) The San Diego Seals, a professional indoor lacrosse team, has named Derek Togerson, sports anchor at KNSD-TV NBC 7 San Diego, as its new public address announcer for home games played at Pechanga Arena for the 2024-2025 season, which begins in December. Togerson will replace radio sports talk-show host Steven Woods, who had served as the team’s announcer since the team was founded in 2018. A Seals statement said Woods “announced in April that he would be laying down his mic at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.” Woods is co-host with Ben Higgins the weekday morning “Ben & Woods,” a sports talk show heard on KWFN 97.3-FM The Fan. A Seals statement said Togerson was selected among a large contingent of applicants who applied for and auditioned for the job. “I can’t wait to get started,” said Togerson. “Lacrosse is all about speed, toughness and heart and the chance to announce games for a team that embodies all three is a dream come true. I know I have big shoes to fill but the Seals are building something special here and I’m going to give our fans and the team every ounce of energy that I’ve got.” The Seals’ home opener is Dec. 14 against the Rochester Knighthawks in New York. Togerson has worked in broadcasting since graduating from California State University, Fullerton, in 1997. He started his sports career at KESQ-AM radio in Palm Springs, co-hosting a sports talk call-in show and producing news at KESQ-TV. He then worked at NBC affiliates WCAU-TV in Philadelphia and KPNX-TV in Phoenix, before arriving at KNSD-TV in 2005. “We had a great response from both fans and local long-time PA announcers and it wasn’t an easy choice to find someone to replace Woodsy, who’d built somewhat of a cult following inside the Electric Factory,” said Mike Grace, Seals VP of game presentation, who calls Pechanga Arena the “Electric Factory.” “Derek brings a level of enthusiasm that everyone in the organization is excited about as well as a passion for box lacrosse, and I have no doubt that our fans will love the energy that he’ll bring to the Electric Factory.” The San Diego Seals is one of 14 teams that play in the 35-year-old National Lacrosse League, the world’s only professional box lacrosse league. The Seals entered the league with the 2018-2019 season. The team won the NLL West Conference regular-season title during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons. The Seals went 6-3 at home during the 2024-2025 season, winning nine of their last 12 regular-season games at Pechanga Arena, formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena. Total season attendance was more than 47,000 fans, the team said.  Since the start of the 2022-23 season, the Seals are 21-6 in regular-season games at home. Chipotle partners with Urban Outfitters on dorm décor Fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, headquartered in Newport Beach, has partnered with lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters to offer college students a new line of dorm room décor. Dorm furniture from Chipotle and Urban Outfitters. (Photo courtesy of the companies) The merchandise, which is sold online and at more than 200 Urban Outfitters stores across the U.S. Canada and Europe, includes bean bag chairs costing $299 apiece and inspired by black and pinto beans, a cozy $99 throw blanket designed to look like a foil-wrapped tortilla and a $59 desk light shaped like Chipotle’s iconic chip bag, as well as a Chipotle delivery doormat that sells for $29. The dorm decor is part of Urban Outfitters’ “A Little Extra” collection. “Urban Outfitters is Gen Z’s destination for their next favorite find, and Chipotle is an iconic part of campus life, so teaming up was a natural fit,” said Cyntia Leo, head of brand marketing at Urban Outfitters. “We’re excited to bring this collaboration to life together, encouraging consumers to be a little extra and bring that energy into their dorms and homes.” “Inspired by creative designs showcased across social media, dorm room décor has evolved to become an extension of college students’ identities,” said Chris Brandt, chief brand officer at Chipotle. “The dorm collection allows our fans who live and breathe Chipotle to bring a taste of fandom to their living space on campus.”  Also as part of the promotion, Chipotle has launched a Chipotle U Rewards loyalty program designed to bring more value to the Gen Z crowd. Students who enroll in Chipotle U earn 1,000 points plus 20% more points on every purchase, resulting in free Chipotle food faster. “With the introduction of Chipotle U Rewards, we’ve created a new personalized digital experience for Gen Z students who are craving real food and real value,” said Curt Garner, chief strategy and technology officer, Chipotle. “Chipotle has long been a go-to destination for students’ celebratory meals, and now members will be given special offers that tie to specific milestones throughout their college journey.” A Chipotle statement says it is the first major national restaurant brand to launch of loyalty program for college students. Urban Outfitters is a global lifestyle brand that sells women’s and men’s clothing, footwear and accessories, as well as furniture, bedding, lighting, wall art, tech gadgets, vinyl records, skincare items and cosmetics. With more than 130,000 employees, Chipotle operates more than 3,800 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. It is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. IABC San Diego offers advice on staying relevant with AI The International Association of Business Communicators San Diego chapter will host “Rewriting the Rules of Search: Staying Relevant in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” a workshop designed for communicators, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the offices of (W)right On Communications, 402 West Broadway, 29th floor, in Downtown San Diego. The workshop speaker will be Julie Wright, founder of (W)right on Communications. Discussion topics will include how AI-generated summaries are changing search behavior, how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity, are transforming discovery and influencing public perception and how PR and strategic content can help brands remain discoverable and credible. Cost to attend is free for IABC members and $30 for nonmembers. For more information, visit sandiego.iabc.com. Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.