Sports Promotions: The Proof is in the Fans

Sports promotions are necessary to drive fans and fan loyalty for a team. The biggest means of promotion right now comes in the form of social media. Players, teams, even mascots lead massive amounts of followers and fans on their profiles and pages. The impact of these powerful tools generates a buzz that if and when lit tactfully will corral fans in ticket sales, gear sales and free advertising.

The effectiveness of sports promotions through social media can be measured through analytics and the reactions (positive and negative) of the fans and followers. If the fans are responding and the demographic information suggests a surge where the promotion was targeted then the promotion can be considered successful.

People live for promotions and deals. They want to be a part of something bugger and if they can get a perk- no matter how big or small they are in it!

Give Me the Freebies!: Team Swag for Tickets

There isn't anyone who does not love free swag! Especially when it comes from your favorite sports teams! Going to the Atlanta Braves games always pays off in getting free stuff from buying tickets. You can come home with a foam tomahawk, towel or cap not to mention some really great deals on prices.

Almost every week a deal for the scouts, schools or some sort of theme night will bring in the crowds. Using gimmicks and free gear is a surefire way to get folks to the stadium. Using technology and social media helps spread the word and before long there are fans pulling in from every part of the Metro Atlanta area.

Naming Rights: To Be or Not To Be

Naming rights for college bowl games have become extremely popular. You can't blame a school for wanting to pool the money in nor can you blame the sponsor for exclusivity which will bring millions to their brand in one sitting. Still, the fact that some games like the Michigan-Ohio rivalry game who choose not to allow naming rights is also understandable. 

In 2004 discussions to allow naming rights for the annual football game the SBC Michigan-Ohio State Classic. After much deliberation the decision was made.

"Michigan athletic director Bill Martin and university president Mary Sue Coleman decided that giving a formal title to what has been known to generations of fans as simply "The Game" was unacceptable.

"The money was not the issue. We didn't even talk about the money," Martin said during a telephone interview. "It was a matter from president Coleman's perspective and mine in the final analysis that this was inconsistent with the values that we share with the greater Michigan family."

"As we attempted to move forward, it became apparent that this agreement could detract from the great tradition of the game itself," Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said 
(http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2004-10-27-rivalry-name-nullified_x.htm)."

Such a decision says a lot about a long running tradition between two schools who value the long standing honor of the game and rivalry.

Social Networking & Athletics

Athletes and athletic organizations are using social networking for immediate reaction in the area of marketing. Organizations are using it to encourage fan support for big games and to drive ticket and
merchandise sales. They are also using it to make announcements and drive happenings in the organizations.

Athletes are using social networking to draw a bigger fan base and contribute to the goings on of the tram as a whole. Having popular players on social media creates more of a buzz for the player as well as the team. Some players are very good about interaction with their fans too. There are athletes on Twitter who will retweet their fans in their team gear or shout outs to the team. This is all relational marketing that inflates buzz that keeps teams and players trending.

Individual or Organization Representation: A Sports Marketing Professional's Preference

My preference as a Sports Marketing professional would be to market an organization. Marketing an organization would allow for a number of topics and growth. If I were marketing the Atlanta Braves I would market from the angle of specific players, coaches, venue, big games, fan perspective and gimmick advertising.

Marketing an individual would be one note often times and when the fanfare dies down there could be a lull in followship.

Tara Sloan: Sports Aficio-NOT-o

My experience in sports is limited. Extremely limited. As a kid I climbed trees, roller skated and completed the obligatory Presidential Physical Fitness Test throughout elementary school. I managed to get a couple 80% certificates along with one 100% certificate. I also had a few years there where I got to be a pretty good runner. I even ran a three mile fun run at the age of 9 in just under 30 minutes. At seven I tried to play baseball but as the only girl on the team (not to mention I wasn't good) got me little play time. I typically spent my time in the outfield watching clouds. As a child, teen and adult I watched a lot of sports but never took a lot of interest because they were generally nothing more than shouting matches among the fans who were watching in my home.

My lack of activity resulted in becoming overweight. By the age of 38 I was close to 300 pounds and in need of a change. At the whim of some friends I started going to cardio kickboxing classes in 2010. I had never exercised much less hit a punching bag but I loved it! In less than a year I lost a hundred pounds, a few months later I had lost another twenty-five. Shortly after I started teaching group fitness classes and coaching others. This has led me to further my education in hopes of opening my own fitness studio one day soon.

A sports blog is a great idea especially when the writer is knowledgeable about the sport they are discussing. I would like to be hired to run a blog for a fitness studio or gym. Featuring members, different programs, results and health topics would be something I would love to contribute.