Not trolling here. Just wanted to say that this is way more impressive than fans of the teams that hosted the last two finals, who spent time during the build-up to the final wringing their hands on bigsoccer, and afterwards, blaming the USSF and occasionally their team's management (but never themselves) for not promoting the game. Best of luck drawing a crowd.
I agree, Doc. Good on the Metro fans here. I remember last year being dissapointed that the Crew couldn't draw more than they did. But the feeling I had when that last ball in the box was punched out of danger and the whistle blew...can't describe it, just watch the tape and look at the reaction, celebrate, that was a magic night. I really hope that you can draw a good crowd, everyone get the word out, and get with the ESC and any other groups, congregate your efforts, 'cause this is a special occasion. So sing your hearts out, drum yourselves deaf, bring scarves, flags, and whatever else you can get in. Don't worry about all the bull*#*#*#*#*# you've got from stadium security types, this is the match where you get things like smoke bombs and streamers in any way you can. Hope you can do the Cup proud, I'll be watching to make sure you do
So we have $100 so far. Anyone else? Anyone willing to organize? Maybe we can get a discount and maybe the USSF would we willing to match our efforts. Just need to someone to make some calls.
Just a couple of thoughts: Yes, ESC will be involved, heavily involved, in planning events for Oct 15th. We will work on some tailgate stuff, some bar stuff, some sort of merchandise, etc. We will let you know what we can do, what you can do, and what is going on as soon as possible. This is the biggest home match in history, arguably, and we have to represent. That, however, does not mean this is the time to bankrupt the club buying full page ads or blowing the budget on crazy ideas. We aren't advertising the match in the sky, or doing a marketing blitz to pump up the match numbers for Metro. This should be a day of celebration for the club and it's fans. The money needs to go towards something that you guys will enjoy and will get the most metro fans out to the game. We will do everything we can to facilitate that, including help organizing some of your ideas. I encourage all of you to come to Nathan Hale's for the Metrostars v. San Jose watch party. If we can get 25 people, we can keep the bar open, and we can spend a couple of hours, what have you, going over ideas. Please keep the thoughts coming, but I encourage you to keep them realistic. Getting the word out is a great idea, but putting 100 flyers each in 20 different soccer bars all over town is a heck of a lot cheaper than dropping 4k on a half page ad in a newspaper with relatively minimal circulation, and it targets soccer fans. I'm not knocking any ideas, there is some good stuff here, but let's not count on Roman Abromavitch buying the ESC and bankrolling the front page of the NY times for us. Stay tuned. Thanks.
I'm trying to get a few more CT fans to show up. I'ts not really that bad a drive. Just don't normally have time to tailgate.
My amateur marketing suggestion: Let's email the editors of news papers, Sports News Website and TV channel sports news producers asking them to spread the words about this METROS HISTORY IN THE MAKING event, for example the Cup history, Bob Bradley and current Metrostars team. The editors and producers receive tons of emails from people who care about this game, they will have to give pre-game coverage
Don't give up on this, but also try a cheaper way. Call the sports talk shows. Most people won't get through, but as long as someone does, it will help. If someone can call univision that would help too.
Ask MFO to put together a nice Adobe ad that can be printed and handed out. I wouldn't mind dropping 2-300 flyers to interested folks. I mentioned the Sun because it's the cheapest to get mass exposure (BTW, a half-page ad costs $2K, but we could get some discount as the ad market is in bad shape) and because it's the only truly local paper. I travel a lot and see the NY Times and NY Post in every city, so the Sun's 100,000 circulation (guesstimate) reaches 100,000 NYers.
If we really are doing the NY Sun thing, I'll put in $40 just because it shows Nick up. That's worth a hell of a lot more than $40 to me.
Unfortunately, the kind of grassroots guerilla marketing this string is about doesn't really reflect the kind of big event/major league image that fans wanted to be associated with on the ManU games -- the fans who came out for "big time" soccer. USSF and Anschutz Entertainment need to drop a few quarters on big time, major league advertising. They can do it on a reasonable budget with an eye on this as an investment toward building fan base by getting them in on a championship event. My 2 cents -- build buzz with small stuff decals, signs, small print ads and a limited run of high visibility outdoor -- maybe a few billboards on major thoroughfares (e.g. Rte 3 west coming out of the tunnel--secaucus area), some transit, maybe mobile trailer billboards. I'd be curious to see what rates are on ESPN radio, too. They're relatively new in the market and looking to compete with FAN -- they might be reasonable on a limited run. Plus they skew to a younger, hipper crowd. Start the buzz with a tease: "We want the cup. 10-15-03 Giants Stadium." -- What cup? Whose cup? Why at Giants Stadium? Repeat the buzz in multiple places. Put Metros fans in their jerseys on the side of Rte 3 at rush hour near Giants Stadium with big signs -- "We want the cup". Put 'em at the tunnel, at Penn Station, in Midtown, on college campuses. Who are those nuts? What cup? Then, the weekend leading into the event, unveil the event -- "We want the cup. Metros go for the oldest championship in the United States against Chicago and World Cup star DeMarcus Beasley (Stanley Cup is oldest in North America), etc. etc. Hype the world cup connection -- it's big time. Hell, create some bad blood between him and Cletus and bill it as a feud match. Clint's psycho enough to make it believable.
I like this idea: "WE WANT THE CUP" I plan to make a bunch of flyers to hand out in the Chelsea area -- bars, maybe even Chelsea Piers. I'll just carry them around this weekend -- but they can't be posted without permission. there are old laws and fines in NYC that are being ressucitated to generate revenue. Be warned, post no bills! But it's okay to put flyers up in stores, diners etc. that allow it. Meanwhile -- count me in for $20. cash. Where do I mail it?
I'll chip in $20 as well. If it comes to fruition, let us know where to send the checks. Just another idea. The most Metro-friendly newspaper is Ives' NJ Herald News. Their web page says they have a circulation of 190,000 weekdays. Wouldn't it be cheaper and more appropriate to have the ad printed there?
You guys handle the flyers and NY Sun, I'll do the major thoroughfare and mobile trailer billboards. See, I just saved a lot of money on my auto insurance by switching to Geico.
The MetroStars will host the Chicago Fire in the championship match of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, October 15 at Giants Stadium, kicking off at 8:00 P.M. ET. Tickets information will be released soon. Check back here Friday afternoon, October 3, for pricing and to purchase discount ticket packages online. http://www.metrostars.com/tickets/index.htm
Could we put either Empiresc.com or Metrofanatic.com on the bottom of any flyer so people can go somewhere for info?
A very cheap (free) and effective way to get the word out. For New Jersey - generate local press releases. Each person contacts their local paper, asks for the sports editor and has a nice conversation with the rights bullets. Follow up with a fax or email with same. Find out where their office is and drop off the info double spaced in nice font with a picture. Most local papers will go for this if the slant is that a NJ/NY team is going to the Championships. 1- Local Supporters Follow NJ/NY MetroStars to Championship Open Cup Final on 10/15 at GS 2 - First time NJ/NY MetroStars in a Championship final 3 - Oldest Soccer Cup in America, began 1914. 4 - This will be the most important night in MetroStars history. 5 - Soccer at this level is the most exiting place to be on Wednesday 10/15 6 - "We Want The Cup !" - Submit a picture of yourself and friends, all in Metro gear with "We Want The Cup" poster. Get a large number and make the sign easily readable. Write "We Want The Cup" on the back of the picture. This is really from any marketing 101 class. Something the MFO has never done, however it is not that difficult to have similar articles and pictures running in tons of New Jersey towns. Their deadlines are fast approaching so get it in by Monday. That We Want the Cup slogan is great, btw. Should be a thunderous chant by everyone at GS as the boys come out. That's everyone!
They are the MetroStars, not the NY/NJ or NJ/NY MetroStars. Emphasize that they are the local team, but make sure the papers use the correct name.
I am in for $0. I am a loyal (re: stupid) season ticket holder for a number of years. This year I have been able to attend virtually no games due to other commitments. Where does my season ticket money go to? I will reserve judgment until I see what the MFO (MetroFackUps) does about promoting this game. If they do nothing, I will never again buy a season ticket. I will go to the finals, and I already have more than a few non-regulars willing to go. I think the effort on you guys part is very admirably- but to put it bluntly this is the job of the Metro Front Office. Hey Washo why don't you post your plans on here. Time is wasting away.