Marketing for Football Games

[Johnny Rock]

Does anyone know of any marketing campaigns the school is considering for this season? For instance, I thought the food drive was a great idea in which you could bring a can of food for a discount on a ticket. Another great idea that has been used in the past is to allow Police Officers and Fire Fighters and their families to attend games for free. We can use this board for ideas and maybe the marketing department will use some of them to help increase attendance. Thanks for any feedback.

[SoCal_Pony]

My sister and brother-in-law attend one of the largest Methodist churches in North Dallas. They have children in high school, jr. high and elementary school.

I asked the entire family if their church, class, youth group, etc. had ever proposed attending an SMU athletic event. They all said no.

IMO that group, along with ex-season ticket holders and ex-Mustang club members, are the first people the SMU athletic department should reach out to, i.e. their FRIENDS.

[TheSkelf]

I know a couple people that work at SMU and I know for a fact that last year AD staff members went around to EVERY large church in the area and gave them flyers for FREE tickets for whoever would come. I don't think they had a single taker. Also, I know for a fact that every church in the area has at least been contacted about bringing a group to games. It's been a slow process but those guys are making large strides in getting out in the community.

[Eddie P]

I can assure you that those groups have been contacted. If something seems like a no-brainer to us, it is often a no-brainer to our marketing staff.

[Fresh]

Let's hope it works - we need some big crowds this year!

[Eddie P]

Hey guys. Spoke with Woody Norris over at SMU about this post recently and here are some of the cools things they have planned:

Teacher Appreciation Day - Invited Educators and their spouse/friend from over 500 schools around the metroplex to be our guest for a seletced game. We will recognize and honor them on field. Their family members can attend at a discounted rate.

- Five youth/High School groups will not only play in the stadium this year but will have 1500 people each attend a selected game - Thus exposure to SMU twice

- FCA - Over 3000 people will attend a selected game

- Baptist youth Day - Nov 1st. - Pre-game rally and game attendance - expect over 1000 people

- UMYF - Methdist Youth - Selected game - Over 1000 expected

- Park Cities Appreciation Day

- Band Day - 7 Schools and over 750 students participating with the Mustang Band pre-game and at the half

- Cheerleader Day - Over 500 cheerleaders expected to participate in a day long clinic and perform at the half on field

- Boy Scout Day - Over 2000 expected for the game and 1000 to camp out on field after the game

See all the youth groups planned - <A HREF="http://smumustangs.com/football/2003/group_events.asp" TARGET=_blank>http://smumustangs.com/football/2003/group_events.asp</A>

[PonyFan]

Band Day is long overdue. I always thought that was a surefire way to get people to the games. Families of band members always turn out to watch them - and therefore buy tickets. Who knows, maybe we even create a few SMU fans along the way.

[abezontar]

They did band day my freshman and sophmore year when we played in the Cotton Bowl...then we stopped, don't really know why.

[Johnny Rock]

Great update Eddie P. If every fan was as dedicated as you, we would be national champions every year. I also have seen much improvement in our marketing department over the last few seasons. There is another post regarding Heritage Hall. Do you have any current information or ideas regarding this long overdue project? Keep truck'in Eddie.

[cowboypony]

So Cal, you may recall but I started a post (rant) on this very topic (Methodist youth groups) a number of months ago. I also attend a large Methodist church in NW Dallas County am utterly dumbfounded by the total absence of contact between SMU and these youth groups. We are losing thousands in attendance by not tapping into this obvious and willing attendance zone. SMU used to be real good about this 20 years ago when I was in high school.

As I said a number of months ago, I am involved with our youth group and specifically asked our 2 youth directors if they ever heard any communications from SMU on these events and they said "NEVER."

I am truly amazed by this as you can tell.

[DiamondM]

I know for a fact that last year Woody Norris contacted all of the Methodist churches and many of the others in the North Texas area. It is not lack of effort on SMU's part that the churches are not organizing outings to SMU games, it's lack of response from the churches.

[cowboypony]

And I know for a fact that the committee I sit on at my church that focuses on youth activities comes out with a list of potential activities for the fall and spring. When our fall activity list came out last fall, I specifically asked the Head Pastor, Associate Pastor and both youth directors about SMU games/activities. They (all grads of SMU divinity)specifically said that they had no information on activities from SMU. So, if indeed you're correct that SMU "contacted" all of the Methodist churches, it was less than effective. In fact, it wasn't even remembered. Thus, I'll conclude that IF there's a marketing focus on Methodis youth groups, it's not effective. Again, there's plenty of youth groups that can be "courted" to come to these games. It may, however, take more than one token phone call or e-mail.

[Eddie P]

Okay, can we not forward the info of these people who were or were not contacted and see if they want to get on board with SMU football? Instead of debating whether or not each and every Methodist youth group in the area was invited to SMU events, let's get the decision makers involved and set-up an event.

Cowboypony-

With all due respect, I don't know if it is fair to so poorly categorize the entire marketing efforts of SMU towards the Methodist youth group demographic based upon the one instance to which you allude.

[This message has been edited by Eddie P (edited 08-04-2003).]

[OldPony]

And when was "fair" a criteria on which we on this board rely? Keep plugging away M and keep trying to get SMU in the forethoughts of church youth directors Cowboy.

[cowboypony]

It's more than one youth group I'm talking about. Do you really think that multiple Methodist youth groups don't get together and do things? Let me elaborate, one of my volunteer positions in our church is to coordinate events with other youth groups and their parents from other churches. Believe me, I've brought up to each group about SMU and I get the same response as I've previously conveyed. In defense of our marketing department, I believe they're doing a much better and effective job now than a few years ago. Nonetheless, until someone can provide me with tangible facts, I do not believe they are effectively and thoroughly targeting the thousands of youth in these groups that are out there. And, by the way, these youth groups are looking for events.