I don't think early advertising creates hype. Just mental availability - "we are playing in Auckland, come and watch the game"
Hype is more through the media, though you can incorporate it into advertisements - "come and see the nix destroy rivals Auckland City for bragging rights" "come and watch the phoenix in this must win game to secure a home playoff/win the toilet seat"
I don't think you can artificially create that with a game against lowly CCM, in the middle of the season. They could have played on the McGlinchey thing a bit I guess - I know CCM did when we played over there.
But I do agree with you, the crowd was disappointing.