Question

Topic: Other

How Should I Market A Division 1aa Baseball Prog

Posted by Anonymous on 12/20/2004 at 2:08 AM ET 250 Points
I have a new Division 1-AA university that has assigned me to market their baseball team. Attendance was poor last season, mostly because of location - North Dakota. Home games usually don't start until early-to-mid April. I have little-to-no budget to start with, however, the stadium is located on-campus in a great location. Any suggestions that I could get started with? Thanks.
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  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 12/20/2004 at 4:59 PM Accepted
    Here are a few idea’s you could explore --


    Motivate the players to get the word out to friends and family, maybe a “MVP for game turn –out” award for a player in each game.

    Have a game theme for each game then build a contest or event around it.

    Invite a musical guest (guitar player/singer) to perform right before the game.

    Make it viral, for example provide players with email content (pdf’s) about each game, then ask them to email to everybody they know.

    Put together a small cheerleader squad, not typical for baseball but even it’s only three girls, their family and friends may show up.

    You didn’t mention ticket prices if any, offer “buy three tickets and get one free” if it’s paid attendance.

    Promote games through local media, e.g. newspapers, radio, flyers etc.

    Bleacher photo printed in school/local news, people like to see themselves in the paper.

    Better drinks and snacks.

    I’m not at all sure about the “theme” idea, but thinking more broadly the idea is to provide a more entertaining experience that will build game attendance.


    Hope this helps,

    - Steve
  • Posted on 12/20/2004 at 10:11 PM Member
    Have a quick look at Malcolm Gladwells Tipping point boook - its a light read with some amazing insight for marketers. In your case it might be what Gladwell refers to as the power of the few. Rather than shotgunning your marketing money, u can concentrate on discovering who the appropriate few are in terms of your spectators. Gladwell provides a reasonably thick description on who they might be....

    Good Luck
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 12/21/2004 at 9:47 PM Member
    Blankets? Not for rentals.

    Does the team have a great name, mascot and logo? Order some inexpensive fleece blankies or hats emblazoned with team spirit. Have some for sale. But also have a game night where you give away 50 (100? 250?) to the first arrivals.

    If the team doesn't have terrific "wearable" logo and colors, maybe it's worth reinventing. (Even after all of the uniform redesigns for the Houston Astros, I'm amazed at the number of fans who come to the games wearing the old yellow-orange-red striped shirts from what, two decades ago?)

    Does your team have some real talent? Maybe you can do an ad/promotional campaign encouraging the locals to come to the games to scout out future Big League players.

    I really like K's idea regarding the adoption of little leaguers.

    Last idea: You could produce a simple but eye-catching sign that local businesses could plant in their windows -- like a "Go Team!" or a "We love our Team" poster. It could have the season schedule on it, or it could have a changeable space on it to publicize the next home game (kind of like Lotto signs that lets shop owners update the jackpot amount).

    - Shelley
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