JMU Athletics’ Annual Small Business Game Changer Campaign to Accept Entries Beginning November 1

HARRISONBURG, Va. – JMU Athletics is bringing back its "Small Business Game Changer" campaign for a fifth consecutive year. Businesses within a two-hour drive of JMU's campus and up to 250 employees are eligible to submit an entry for the campaign which opens on November 1, 2025 and goes through January 31, 2026.

JMU Athletics and returning presenting sponsor Appeal Production will provide the winning small business with a valuable marketing package worth $30,000. The campaign is executed in collaboration with athletic multimedia rights holder JMU Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD, the media and technology company powering college sports.

"Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities," said Andy Vanhook, Co-Founder, CEO, and Imaginative Producer at Appeal Production. "As a fellow small business, we know how challenging it can be to cut through the noise. We're thrilled to mark our fifth year sponsoring this program and helping small businesses grow from invisible to irresistible. Every business deserves to be seen, and we can't wait to help one stand out."

Beginning November 1, businesses are encouraged to visit JMUSports .com/GameChanger to review the rules and entry criteria and register for the opportunity to be awarded brand exposure to JMU's passionate fanbase and campus community. This year's winning business will receive a professional video created by Appeal Production; in-venue digital signage during the 2025-26 football and basketball season; video board logo inclusion with PA announcement during the volleyball and lacrosse season; a print-at-home Men's Basketball ticket advertisement, and more.

"We are thrilled with the level of engagement and positive feedback that the Small Business Game Changer campaign has generated in the last five years," said Frank Scicchitano, Senior Manager of Business Development with JMU Sports Properties. "With the support of Appeal Production, this program continues to have a profound impact on the Shenandoah Valley small business community."
New for the 2025-2026 campaign, Appeal Production will invite the Top 10 participants chosen through their evaluation of submissions to attend a special pregame event at the JMU Men's Basketball game on Saturday, February 14, 2026. All invited participants will receive game tickets and exclusive access to pregame hospitality. The winner of the 2025-2026 Small Business Game Changer will be announced during the event and recognized during on the court during the game later that evening.

Submissions for the Small Business Game Changer campaign will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select a winner based on creativity, originality, and values. The evaluation process will begin when the campaign closes on January 31 and the Top 10 participants will be contacted with an invitation to the Appeal Production JMU Basketball pregame event on February 14.

Your business deserves to stand out – register today: jmusports.com/gamechanger

Small Business Game Changer Testimonial – Valley Automation, Inc.
Valley Automation, Inc. received the Small Business Game Changer from the 2022-23 season and utilized the awarded benefits during the 2023-24 JMU Athletics season. "Valley Automation, Inc. was honored to be the recipient of the Small Business Game Changer for the 2023-2024 season," said owners Patrick and Heather Embry. "The exposure for our company gained through the success of the athletic program was incredible. Everyone at JMU Sports Properties, Appeal Production, and JMU were great to work with and truly provided a customized experience for our advertising needs."

About Appeal Production
Appeal Production helps businesses grow from invisible to irresistible with video marketing that makes your business stand out. Whether you need to excite new customers or attract the next great employee, your business deserves to be more visible. Appeal believes cutting through the noise shouldn't be so hard. With their simple video marketing process, they design custom videos to create a fully engaging experience with your brand.
In addition to supporting JMU Sports Properties, Appeal strives to be a collaborative partner to JMU Athletics and its clients, helping businesses refresh their marketing assets and strengthen their visual presence. Appeal is passionate about helping small businesses elevate their brands with the same creativity and care they bring to larger campaigns.
For more about Appeal and its services, visit appealproduction.com.

About Learfield

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

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