ALERT UPDATE

Something extraordinary is happening in Birmingham Alabama. A powerful, charismatic voice has staked a resounding claim to the airwaves.

Kip Keefer, is not new to the broadcasting scene in Alabama, or nationally for that matter. His skills have been showcased for three decades. However, now, his wide ranging, multi faceted talent has ascended to a new, comprehensive, far reaching diverse platform. 

Keefer, a mainstay in sports broadcasting, continues to deliver strong, recognized, successful Sports programming to fans throughout the Southeast. Currently hosting three programs,

TALKING SPORTS

WTTO Channel 21 TV

Saturdays 11 AM

FURTHER REVIEW

WJOX 94.5 FM

Saturday Afternoons

THE MORNING AFTER

WJOX 94.5 FM

Sunday Mornings

And now the dynamic of news, politics and social commentary has been forever impacted with the January, 2017 introduction of a cutting-edge new program

THE RIDE HOME

WZRR 99.5 FM

Weekdays 6 PM 

The expansion of Keefer’s broadcast horizons has been a phenomenal success story. The show features unfiltered, candid, spot-on analysis and opinion. From its inception, linking facts and meticulously connecting dots of substantiated facts, has yielded groundbreaking content. There has also been an unwavering commitment to filter the never ending flow of information and carefully separate credible reports from agenda driven, inaccurate misinformation.

Introducing... Kip Keefer

Many descriptive words have been used to describe Racing, Sports and Broadcasting mainstay Kip Keefer. They include, Bold, Knowledgeable, Innovative, Hilarious, Creative and Charismatic. In his diverse pursuits throughout an extensive career, he has continuously delivered. Featuring a wide ranging array of abilities, he effectively utilizes that vast arsenal to accomplish the objective.

Born in Washington DC, he was immediately introduced to sports and racing. Some of his earliest memories include being on hand at Pimlico Race Course is May, 1964, with his father Bill. He witnessed the great future superstar sire Northern Dancer, winning the Preakness that afternoon. Later that same year, he has vivid memories of attending  Washington Redskins games. In 1964, Kip was seven years old. His playtime was spent acting out games while providing play by play, color commentary and studio reports.

The family moved to Atlanta in 1966 and Keefer immediately became immersed in the city’s burgeoning sports scene as a player and avid, incredibly knowledgeable fan. Graduating from Peachtree High School in 1975, he attended Memphis State University and West Georgia College. During that period he served as an intern working in both print and broadcast media.

 In 1981, he was hired by Southland Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas, an affiliate of Delaware North Companies, as Track Announcer and Show Host for the nation’s largest, most successful greyhound track. His innovative, descriptive race calling style ushered in a new era in the presentation of the sport. His calls were so entertaining, the local NBC affiliate WMC TV, presented the video and Keefer’s  stretch calls nightly on the 10:00 newscast. It would be no “stretch” to say Keefer”s career and meteoric rise in the Racing industry was “Off and Running!”

He would rapidly become involved in management, accepting the additional role as Director of Publicity in 1983 at the age of 25. That same year, he would also embark on an accompanying venture that has remained consistent throughout his career. Keefer began hosting local radio and television programs for a variety of stations in markets across the country.

In his early 30’s. Keefer ascended to upper management. First serving as a special consultant with Delaware North specializing in start up and opening new racetracks. Then in 1994, at the age of 36. he was named General Manager of the Birmingham Race Course. The worlds only dual track, horse and greyhound racing facility. Other managerial opportunities followed including the GM position at Wichita Greyhound Park. He reported directly to Mr. Phil Ruffin, dynamic owner and operator of numerous gaming properties, principally the Treasure Island Hotel, Casino and Resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

Keefer has appeared as a speaker, presenter, panelist and moderator at numerous racing industry meetings, conferences and events. These include.. The University of Arizona Symposium on Racing, Racing Commissioner’s International, Thoroughbred Racing Association, North American Parimutuel Regulators Association and the American Greyhound Track Operator’s Association.

He has occupied his current role as Executive Director of the Birmingham Racing Commission since March, 2004. Unquestionably, his resume and plethora of accomplishments is unprecedented and unique.

Keefer is a divorced father of two sons. Case, 28, is a Journalism graduate from the University of Kansas. He serves as Associate Sports Editor, reporter and columnist for the Las Vegas Sun. Clayt, 23, will graduate in May, 2016 from The University of Alabama with a degree in Digital Media.

This is the ultimate “Impact Player” to positively effect any racing, gaming, sports, advertising or broadcast situation. 

Expertise

Racing Industry Consultation

It can be very advantageous in any enterprise for observation and analysis by a qualified, extremely experienced, expert source. Most consultation firms are basically professional report writers. They are not authorities on the industries they analyze. Our company specifically offers invaluable input and information from the viewpoint of vastly qualified industry experts. Perspectives from both management and patron perspectives.

A full array of expertise is readily available for any aspect of a racing/wagering operation. Analysis, Upgrades and Modernization in specific areas or the complete restructure and repositioning of the business is offered. 

Unmatched experience and knowledge, derived from 35 years involvement  in all facets  of racing,  provides an unprecedented opportunity to maximize customer satisfaction and service along with an efficient cost-effective operational plan.

Budget/Personnel/Operations Analysis 

New Products/Directions

Patron Experience Analysis 

Customer Service

Employee Morale

Marketing, Advertising, Promotions, Public Relations ... Concepts and Strategies

The Show... Airing Your Races

The racing industry has been slow to embrace the concept that modern day presentation of the daily lineup of races, is now a daily broadcast. Very little innovation or or fresh approaches have been utilized. Talking heads, are not the best delivery method for information. Outside the host track in a simulcast setting, they have no effectiveness whatsoever. There is a diverse audience with different needs on the receiving end and the industry has done a poor job of considering the most effective methods to accommodate all different kinds of fans. For many racetrack enthusiasts, the sporty is a leisure/entertainment product. Conversely, the serious player seeking more in-depth information also must be accommodated. This can be accomplished by finding the right mix between entertainment racing preview/handicapping formulas. 

Introduction of more graphics, increased imagination in presentation style and simply more of a television sports approach are  directions that are easily implemented and much-needed. The standard major track lineup of two crusty handicapping curmudgeons voicing their usually wrong opinions and then the transition to the perky paddock lady talking about muscle tones and the horses appearance,  is a tedious, timeworn ineffective concept.

Kip Keefer is the nation's premier racing broadcast host/talent/analyst. Gaining information and recommendations on a new approach to broadcasting your daily program can only be beneficial.

Show and Event Hosting 

Studio Pre Race (on site or downloaded)

Programming And Presentation

Production 

Previews, Interviews, Features 

Broadcasting… Radio and Television

With an extensive resume of Sports broadcast endeavors over a 30 year span, a tremendous opportunity is presented for your station or network. Armed with a number of innovative ideas for programming that would be highly entertaining and informative, it would be tremendously beneficial to discuss the perfect fit this would be in your station's Broadcast lineup. Kip Keefer is a Top flight broadcast talent. In terms of the combination of extensive knowledge and communicative abilities, there are very few peers. He also features a group of collaborators and contacts which could contribute want to regular basis to making these programs phenomenally popular and successful.

Sports Talk

Politics,  News, Entertainment

Show Host

On Air Talent

Program Development

Contests

New Concepts

Daily, Weekly Features

Speakers Bureau... Creative Services

Anything and everything is offered in the realm of Special events and creative challenges. Public speaking and presentations are an absolute specialty. Creation of just the right campaign or concept for your business, organization or events are right up our alley. Each and every presentation would be styled to fit precisely with your specifications and objectives. Prepare to be dazzled and overwhelmed.

Speaking Engagements 

Event Hosting 

Writing Assignments

Reports

Publications

Brochures

Career and Accomplishment Timeline

1981  Southland Racing

Track Announcer, Media Host, Director of Publicity?Public Relations

Revolutionized greyhound racing description and overall presentation. Wrote numerous articles for various publications. CoHosted weekly sports radio program on WERC (prior to the introduction of sports talk format)

1987 Mrs. Robert Marriott, Carroll C, Blair, Keith Dillon

Greyhound Trainer, Kennel Manager

Two year stint in the racing end of the business. Highly accomplished winning two Southland Derbies for Hall of Fame owners.

1990  Delaware North Companies

Special Consultant

Start up operative for new properties through opening. Marketing, Advertising, Customer Service development for Fox Valley, Wisconsin and Jai Alai conversion to racing in Melbourne, Florida. Worked on applications for prospective track licenses in Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas.

1992  Birmingham Race Course

Director of Marketing and Greyhound Operations, General Manager

Helped conceive, structure and introduce the new concept of full card, commingled, multi track simulcasting. Developed unprecedented new product of horse and greyhound races being run alternately on the same program. Served as youngest General Manager ever in parimutuel sports. Conceptualized and developed the American Greyhound Track Operators Association of … Greyhound Night of Stars. This innovative national simulcast, featuring races from 15 different tracks, and wagered on through a single centralized location, became a phenomenal success. Keefer also served as anchor for the first 13 editions.

1999 Wichita Greyhound

General Manager

Multi faceted duties in Kansas and Ruffin Gaming locations globally. Introduced live, daily presentation of racing broadcast on local cable television. Drive through wagering windows and creative new betting options. Revived and presented the Greyhound Race of Champions attracting a record crowd and handle figure.

2002  Tuscon Greyhound Park

General Manager, Gaming Lobbyist

Modernized facilities and presentation. Expanded and improved OTB network. Lobbied for Gaming opportunities. Made numerous TV appearances and live speaking engagements debating Indian Gaming representatives. Hosted daily radio sports show.

2004 to Present  Birmingham Racing Commission

Executive Director

Manage all aspects of Commission regulatory operation. Have fostered a new regulatory environment that maintains compliance with a cooperative,  pro-business approach.  Promoted racing through advertising assistance and consulting.

Hosted sports radio show “The Kip Keefer Show” WJOX, Birmingham for eight years. Moday thru Friday afternoon drive program “The Sports Zone"

Served a Chairman of the Greyhound Racing Committee for five years for RCI (Racing Commisioners International)

Released first book, “What Does George Clooney Have That I Ain’t Got?” May, 2016