Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

Ok kids...we need your marketing ideas.
What do you think the organization should do to bring back the fans..and to keep the current fan interested.
Your ideas are all valid, so let's share :wink:

gia · Guest

Also, what issues do you see with the way they currently market? Is it a waste of money advertising during telecast WNBA games on NBC? I think so.

And sure it's a good idea to go to schools and be part of the community, but there needs to be much more focus on getting the people with some expendable cash (as in the parents of these kids) to want to use that cash to buy Mercury tix.

What happens I think is that they give away gobs of tix out of niceness, with the hope of getting these people to return and PAY because it will be so much fun for them, but I don't think that's happening. At least the last couple of years hasn't been much fun for anyone ;) Anyway, the mentality becomes: I'll go to the Mercury game when I get free tix from my work/school, etc

I like what Seattle did last season. One game they sold tix with a money back guarantee. The next day people could get their money back. They only refunded 2 tix (maybe 2 sets of tix)

mb · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:07 pm Post subject:

The economy is down some, and there are many entities competing for our entertainment dollar. The Suns, Coyotes, and Diamondbacks have experienecd attendance drops.

The Rattlers will start earlier this year. The Mercury provide a good value for the dollar. The players don't have off court substance or legal problems. The are not spoiled, overpaid athletes. They give back to the community.

Our athletes play a team game displaying good fundamentals. This should be a sport the entire family can embrace. We must educate the public and broaden the fan base. With youthful players and a new coaching staff the games should be exciting and the wins will come.

We must shift the focus from marketing individuals to maketing the game.
Sell the product rather than the players. Yes we are a family...great players, great fans, great organization. However, what brings us together is basketball. Good old-fashioned, quality basketball.

mb · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:20 pm Post subject:

Gia is correct. It is not prudent to advertise for Mercury games during Mercury games or other WNBA games. Market to the Rattler fans. Advertise during their games.

How many suites are used during the games. Market to corporations. Get a list of female owned businesses and female CEO's. Sell them and their peers on the product.

Ask Bo Outlaw (Suns) and Sherdick Bonner (Rattlers) to film commercials for the team. Show Dan Majerle and family at a game.

When marketing to the kids, use kid free with adult purchase strategy.
Make a free ticket conditional on the purchase of a paid ticket.

Experiment with crazy things (such as colored fonts LOL).

Have Michele Branch perform after a game. Tell her to invite Carlos.

Have Sista Blue perform.

Give referral awards.

skew11 · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 372

haven't had the privledge to attend a Merc game but will throw some things out there....

* "Ticket Lottery" have each place stub in for a chance to win "xyz" drawing at halftime...prize advertised before the game either on website or in paper,etc.

* Involve the kids at halftime something they are interested in like a "SpongeBob SquarePants" etc. at the half and/or even after the game with valid Merc ticket. This way kids want to go to the game and adults would bring their kids for this.

*Bring a local popular Band in to play at halftime and/or after game with valid Merc ticket. Not sure who the good bands are out there but surely some would welcome the opportunity.

*Spotlight a different player each game and have them do one of the following:
-have them pick a row/seat randomly for occupant to come down on the court for the giveaway (auto jacket/ball,etc)
-have player introduce "Game Fanatic" and give some prize on court from either winning entry submitted email Merc site or random row/seat pick.

One thing nice for fans to be shown at the games would be similar to football games I attend ...on the Jumbotron right before start of game they have a mystery celebrity start the cheer off for the crowd... Some of these have included Kathy Ireland, Joe Theisman,Katie Couric, past athletes from the University, etc. The celebrity would get the crowd going for the Merc.

Regards,

skew11

Official Taster, Andes Creme De Menthe Thin Mints :wink:

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

Start winning consistently

Sorry had to put that snarky comment in ;)

All good ideas so far so I don't think there's much to add.

Remember freebies are good, freebies are good... did I mention that freebies are good?

And replace the half kangaroo/half wolf thing with a platypus (preferably not purple, I don't care if it's a soothing or a popular colour, it reminds me of Barney the Psychotic Dinosaur too much).

mb · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2002 9:00 am Post subject:

The platypi have spoken...LOL, Keegan.

caune · Guest Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

Maybe we could get a Platypus mascot to be Scorches' "Mate" :wink: :wink: :wink: :twisted:

Keegan · Guest Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

I'm sure the platypus can develop a taste for kangaroo/wolf hybrids...

I guess Scorch being devoured might be a bit too much for the younger children though.