I wanted to start a thread to track the Rowdies' media efforts. Starting in the playoffs last season, the club is showing signs of promoting itself better. It still isn't where we would like to see it, but at least it isn't a complete ghost anymore in the local media. I don't listen to the radio very much, but was in a store last week and heard an advertisement on 93.3 for the I4 Derby match. To be quite honest, I was shocked. A good sign of things to come? Then there is this: http://cltampa.com/tampa/why-the-rowdies-rule/Content?oid=3675940 This is the digital version of what I stumbled across on the front page of the print edition this morning. It isn't the Tampa Bay Times for sure, but CL did give the Rowdies regular coverage last year and really jumped on the band wagon with some other media outlets during the post season. Nice to see the area's hipster weekly getting out in front of the band wagon this year.
Here is Ralph's Mob on Channel 10: http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=107042 hit Ralph's Mob link.
hearing reports of Rowdies ads on digital billboards around town. Can anyone else confirm? Also, there are apparently ads running on 98 rock for the I4 Derby. I've been told the team will be using the same strategy as they used for last year's soccer bowl championship match. Rather than marketing all the time, they will "blow it up" in the two weeks leading up to big games. So let's see what the results are. If the stadium is full on the 6th, maybe we can all finally breath a little? If there are 3500 in attendance again I'll be upset.
I agree. and also I never saw this, in St. Pete Times, under Soccer they had USA vs Mexico and in bold: Rowdies and the players they recently acquired.
I frankly didn't see marketing 'all the time' in years past. If that is what they thought they were doing, then, wow. During the playoffs it was a blitz, or as close to you can get to that with a niche sport. The key is the club was doing its own marketing efforts and the media was cooperating. It seems that maybe they have finally made the contacts within in different news organizations to get their message out. The mob helps a lot, because it is such a unique feature of the sport. It is a story that the media likes telling. Also, the club is finally doing what the old Rowdies did and pimp out the players anywhere they can get them. They are on the local morning shows on the tube, they were in the St. Pete night parade last week (perfect timing), they are showing up more and more. The idea is that you don't run ads promoting the team, you run ads to sell tickets. So yes, you dump ads in the couple weeks before a home game. They are learning, hopefully it pays off. You know that averaging 3500 would be an improvement, right? I am hoping for the big push that is going on to result in a couple nice crowds for Saturday night and the opener. Would be nice to get a full house, but I know that is dreaming. Nothing is done overnight, but I would be satisfied if 3,500 became the new floor for attendance and big games pulled in 4,500 or so.
Averaging 3500 would indeed be a big bump and a positive sign (how positive is debatable, I guess). But pulling 3500 at the home opener should be thought of as a disappointing, IMO anyway.
I think the days of the club not marketing itself are over....for now. There has to be results or the campaign will fizzle out. I still would like to see some creative theme nights to drive new fans into the stadium. Latin night, food truck rally, a dog night, whatever works.
Please no ffs dog nights. the other stuff I can maybe live with, but bring your pet night is dumb as hell.
I was thinking to put them in the outfield area, not in the stands. Would be funny to see dozens of them take off after stray balls.
Absolutely. I've been saying this for years with the mob out marketing the rowdies at times. I enjoy it, and wait forthe rowdies to really market the heck out of themselves.
Well, I take my hat off to the club. They have gotten the team in the media and done their own ads in the run up to tonight's match. Ads on a variety of popular radio stations, ads in newspapers, local tv coverage. I won't knock them for trying, hopefully their sales people are as effective as the promotions team.
Mike Ambersley and Carl Cort on Channel 10's, The Morning Show, this morning. http://www.wtsp.com/video/default.a...&odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|featured
Since I won't be able to make tonight's opener, I will hopefully be pleased with the Rowdies improved stream service. http://rowdiessoccer.com/index.php?id=52&newsid=4291 Multiple cameras. Better cameras. Replays. No Derek Sharpe. Should be great.
And that is his strong points. Being a fan and talking it up on his sports bulletin reports. He was horrible at calling games. Enthusiasm only takes you so far. In fact, I would say that in his case it hurt his performance.
There are lots and lots and lots of fans of the game you would not necessarily want to hear call games.
You guys in the media: http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/seasons-start-a-kick-for-tampa-bay-rowdies-fans-b82474371z1
You think so too Charlie? Other than his percieved lack of skill calling our games, I think he's a nice guy,Ive talked to him a couple of times at our games and he was very friendly.
http://cltampa.com/dailyloaf/archiv...ndup-speculations-on-tampa-bay-vs-san-antonio The Rowdies continue to get good ink in Creative Loafing. CL has a more detailed description of tonight's away match than either major newspaper or the Rowdies own site for that matter. Just a few nitpicks. First, Shane Hill is referred as a key player (????) and it is implied that the Scorpions have been around for two seasons. Otherwise, a great article with quotes from the coach and analysis.