Athletics Marketing

Blvd_Stang · Post by **Blvd_Stang** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:26 am

What kind of marketing ideas do you have for FB and BB to help fill the stands and build the SMU brand within Dallas?

S....M....U · Post by **S....M....U** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:14 pm

Grassroots. Definitely need to have pep rally's with the teams at local elementary and middle schools. Gives kids an early look at our school and creates good publicity. I know we currently give tickets to schools but I think allowing the kids to meet the players would do much more. Then you give them tickets. We need to build this program's fan base for the long haul. This would eventually make us Dallas' team. Otherwise we have to rely on wins to bring in the older crowd in Dallas. Older folks(high school plus) already have their loyalties to programs and will only come around if we have an exciting year aka rose bowl or undefeated season.

ojaipony · Post by **ojaipony** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:26 pm

It's all about "buzz" and the 'wow' factor ... people are generally sheep and will get on a bandwagon pretty easily but the challenge is STARTING it. One of the best ways to do this, of course, is to beat Baylor (and then of course beat TCU and aTm in front of a sold out crowd at home filled with folks that had a great, fun, safe family experience - handing out discounted tickets/other 'freebies' as they leave). If we do that and can't start a buzz and build from there then forget it.

In lieu of those wins, close games (and possibly 1 home win against either TCU or aTm) and an enjoyable game day experience would suffice. That will go a very long way. Whatever positive thing happens (win/close game, etc), the marketing department needs to take it and run with it and promote, promote, promote ... we have a beautiful campus with lots of things to visit (museums, libraries, chapel/church, Dallas Hall, etc) and a great BLVD atmosphere. Get people here and show them the beautiful buildings, with the safe/comfortable family atmosphere (and fun blvd) and it will build.

S....M....U · Post by **S....M....U** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:36 pm

What he said

RumFirePony · Post by **RumFirePony** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:17 pm

SMU owns a ton of land facing 75, I've never understood why that isn't utilized for some tasteful signage, eg, "game tonight", "SMU - A&M Saturday at 7", etc. Also banner over Mockingbird, etc. Even if it is only targeting the locals, it still ads to the big game experience. It needs to feel like a game is going on in the whole area. If you drive by SMU currently you would never know if a game is going on or not, unless you turn into campus.

moanin'matty · Post by **moanin'matty** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:14 pm

RumFirePony wrote:SMU owns a ton of land facing 75, I've never understood why that isn't utilized for some tasteful signage, eg, "game tonight", "SMU - A&M Saturday at 7", etc. Also banner over Mockingbird, etc. Even if it is only targeting the locals, it still ads to the big game experience. It needs to feel like a game is going on in the whole area. If you drive by SMU currently you would never know if a game is going on or not, unless you turn into campus.

Anybody seen the horned frog inlay in the intersection of University and Berry? Came with the redo of that well-traveled area. I always thought their large banners promoting athletic events added some umph to the campus and surrounding area.

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:41 pm

Why not reach out to the hundreds of Methodist Church youth groups (aka MYF) in the North Texas area, and get them to come to Dallas in the Fall and attend a game. That's what got me hooked on being a lifetime ponyfan.

RyanSMU98 · Post by **RyanSMU98** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:53 pm

Paladin wrote:Why not reach out to the hundreds of Methodist Church youth groups (aka MYF) in the North Texas area, and get them to come to Dallas in the Fall and attend a game. That's what got me hooked on being a lifetime ponyfan.

I like this idea (reaching out to youth groups in general seems a good way to get families involved). If we can setup a spot on the blvd to make them feel like a part of the whole game day experience, it could draw some folks back.

SMUer · Post by **SMUer** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:00 pm

We have two big chances to impress the Dallas community game experience-wise this season. Blow it and it could hurt us dearly.

S....M....U · Post by **S....M....U** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:02 pm

Paladin wrote:Why not reach out to the hundreds of Methodist Church youth groups (aka MYF) in the North Texas area, and get them to come to Dallas in the Fall and attend a game. That's what got me hooked on being a lifetime ponyfan.

+1

PonyGirl · Post by **PonyGirl** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:20 pm

S....M....U wrote:Grassroots. Definitely need to have pep rally's with the teams at local elementary and middle schools. Gives kids an early look at our school and creates good publicity.

This ... every time I see kids shaking a player's hand or talking with players or taking photos with them, they are awe-struck. We brought a neighbor and his two boys to their first game a couple of years ago, and they were fortunate enough to meet a couple of players after the game. On the way home, they asked their dad constantly to come back and said they wanted to sign up for football, and one said "I want to be a Mustang." Loved it.

RumFirePony wrote:SMU owns a ton of land facing 75, I've never understood why that isn't utilized for some tasteful signage, eg, "game tonight", "SMU - A&M Saturday at 7", etc. Also banner over Mockingbird, etc. Even if it is only targeting the locals, it still ads to the big game experience. It needs to feel like a game is going on in the whole area. If you drive by SMU currently you would never know if a game is going on or not, unless you turn into campus.

This is absolutely right. I remember throwing up a little in my mouth when I drove through Fort Worthless and saw banners hanging from countless streetlight posts, announcing Saturday's game. It would have been impossible to live in that part of Fort Worthless and NOT be aware of the games.

Aren't a bunch of SMU offices now in the Expressway Tower at 75 and Yale? There should be a new banner ... a HUGE new banner ... hanging off that building by Monday morning (I'd say late Saturday night, but that isn't likely) after every home game, promoting the next home date. Maybe alternate between red and blue to try to catch more drivers' eyes. Those electronic billboards that change their messages every couple of seconds have to be used to promote each upcoming game, and some kind of lighted signs over 75 and 635. Lots of them. Blanket Preston Hollow and North Dallas and Plano and Richardson with signs and banners.

PonyKai · Post by **PonyKai** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:58 pm

Maybe, I dunno, beat a team that people care about. Knock off Baylor, TCU, and TAMU.

S....M....U · Post by **S....M....U** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:07 pm

Stlhockeyguy02 wrote:Maybe, I dunno, beat a team that people care about. Knock off Baylor, TCU, and TAMU.

+1

soccermom · Post by **soccermom** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:36 pm

All of the above are some great ideas. I especially like kids getting to meet the players and signage all over Dallas----especially around campus. I will never forget going to games at the Cotton Bowl w/my MYF group.