Phoenix Marketing in 09/10

Nix to do one of their training sessions say once a week at one of the many school grounds so the kids can watch, then give out flyers for them to take home to mum and dad.

After meeting the players - there should be vouchers or flyers handed out - that way kids can take them home with a buzz and be really excited about it rather than -'oh cool another flyer! '

and yeah we definitely want to be encouraging the future fans of football to get into the Nix because there are so many kids playing football who don't take any interest in the Phoenix.
Only because they haven't got involved at all with the nix.
We need more exposure to these kids

It's simple.

Start playing Phoenix City on a more regular basis. Before, during and after games, in advertising, whatever.

It is scientifically proven that hearing Phoenix City creates a physiological response in the listener approximating a mild hit of heroin and is highly addictive.

Oh, and it's the Roland Alphonso/Skatalites version that you want.

Great ideas in the article. I like the idea of involving local groups and also using local papers to publicise games.

It might sound daft but I reckon a lot needs to be done to make it 'cool' to support the Phoenix.  energy24.72009-02-16 00:19:14

An extension to that is to keep the Phoenix in people's minds during the off season.  What we don't want is people to forget they exist. 

Particularly during the winter football season and things, find initiatives that keep people talking and thinking about the Phoenix.

As an aside, the DomPost had an article on the weekend saying that Hurricanes season ticket sales were down ~2000 from last year (to 7500 or thereabouts).  Considering the price is the same as last year and that they've got a ton of All Blacks in the squad and are therefore expected to do well... you can certainly say that the recession is having quite a bit to do with the drops in crowd sizes.

Whitby boy2009-02-16 17:54:38

Must expect that season tickets will be down this year. already ma mates are telling me that they may not be able to do it next season. and if the prices go up, then thatd be the final nail i recun.

As for playesr going to schools, last year i emailed, the lions phoenix and saints to posibly visit our school. lions didn't get back, saints (it was there off season to be fair) said sorry, the phoenix were more that happy to come. But doubt there would be many other schools that would ask them to come, mabie its up to the phoenix to ask around can't seeing a school say no.

I like the idea of cheap transport for members, but would take a heck of planning, also with the cheap food for members to but again duno if itd ever happen.

There should be massive advirtising telling people that they can change there tickets from what ever over to YellowFever. I didn't even know this until about the last couple games of the season. If every ave joe knew this don't see why the zone couldn't be 3/4 to almost full everyweek like the begginig of season 1 even with security.

P.S Ticketmaster

Interesting blog post on Sunderland's response to the poor economic conditions:

http://blogs.soccernet.com/sunderland/archives/2009/02/quinnys_price_is_right.php

Here's a couple of suggestions to keep season ticket numbers up; Whitby boy2009-02-18 08:56:53

Do the Nix players do any sort of promo with local clubs/matches in the off season?

For example, Daniel and Vinnie Lia (or whoever) rock up to Memorial Park (or wherever) and get introduced at half time (by whoever - with a PA) and perhaps do a couple of tricks (or whatever) then 30 mins after the match signing autographs and having pics taken, maybe raffle off a signed shirt, match tickets, (or whatever) etc, and the clubs can promote this in local rags and newsletters etc prior to the games so both the clubs and the Nix get a benefit... and the cost is far call... and the Nix are preaching to the (hopefully) converted 'local' football community (or whoever lol).

This was done very effectively by AFL clubs in Brissy - to the extent that some would have the player/s in the clubrooms afterward presenting awards to lifetime members, speaking, one local club I was involved with made 25% of there seasons bar/food takings in one day because they had three Lions players there for one match and two hours afterward... and did I mention it costs far call?

Yes I totally agree. This season I couldn't get a season pass because I have work on a Sun Eve and the majority of games would clash. That didn't stop me from going to a few sun nights when i was 'sick' from work I still made the sat nites, fri nite and preseason cup but wished I could have got to the majority
But If there were a half season pass then it would be a hit I think. I would have had 4 of us buying 1.

The key is making it work and making it known.
1 problem I see is that seats would be allocated but ticketek wouldn't know which games to give away the seats and I know this isn't a bad problem, it might cause them to have a bit of bother.

I really applaud this idea though. perfect for player who have been wanting to become full members but are too scared to take the big plunge.
Hopefully after 1 season with a half pass, they would go to the full season pass the year after.

They would also make affordable presents to give people (maybe).

playwithFire2009-02-18 10:36:16

I agree with energy24.7 - not enough pre match build up - an article in the Dom Post on the Friday saying Phoenix need to win etc, but nothing really 'exciting' to get people interested. I went to every game bar one but still I could hardly name most players in the other teams.

Steve-o, it's a professional football club not a kids holiday programme.  If they're not interested in football then it's quite difficult isn't it?  Do you give them a bouncy castle out the back?

And turn the damn volume down. We're not deaf.  Better still, turn the volume off  esoecially before, during and after a game. or for an alterntive, stick Piney's commentary on the sound system instead.

Ear Plugs (or take the battery out of the hearing aid lol).

ok, so we need to raise the profile leading up to the season. So:
- Run some sort of competition in association with Sony. Runs for several weeks and the winner is announced at the first home game.
- We got a lot of coverage with the Galaxy game so look at something like that again but do it pre-season. For example, the Glory have lined up the Toffees (not my preference but beggers can't be choosers) pre-season but they are looking for a second game down here to make the journey worthwhile so maybe we should put our hands up. Then keep the hype going into the season proper.

Also:
- TV news loves public interest stories so the Nix players visiting the Childrens hospital or all of them giving blood donations (just not before a game). Get the hospital or blood unit to help promote and get the cameras there.
- Give aways in cereal boxes. The kids love the stat-attack cards in Weetbix or the Super 14 cards in the chippies. So do a series of player cards that can be used in some sort of game and print the season schedule on the back of each card
- Target teenagers. It's what consumer companies do because they are the demographic with the highest amount of discretional spending. Plus they aren't as worried about losing their jobs. Do more visits to high schools especially

Oh and BTW, I don't believe the Hurricanes loss of season ticket holders has anything to do with the economic downturn. Yes, there will be some people who can't afford season tickets anymore but in the same economic conditions the Warriors season ticket numbers are way up on last year.

The Hurricanes problems are:
- the public's growing apathy towards rugby
- Hurricanes fans running out of patience with the team not living up to its potential and
- the Super 14 becoming SSDD.

So I think the Phoenix can cash in if they can develop a degree of difference from the status quo (which to a degree they have already) and put a winning team on the field. At the end of the day, results matter most.

Yes i totally agree. we need a preseason friendly but preferably against  a big club with names that will gain interest.
I think Blackburn would be a good chance because along with Nelsen, there are a few Aussie players that would attract attention if they were to play there too.

Just don't know if teams of that caliber are gonna draw 30,000+ and justify the cost?

The Warriors success last season generated a lot of excitemtent and interest and the new signings, including Stacey Jones return, would have helped to keep the ticket sales up. Plus I think, generally, that Warriors season ticket holders (and I'm proud to say I'm one of them) are a reasonably loyal bunch.

I totally agree - not many teams can pull 30,000. Thats the biggest challenge in finding teams to play the nix.

I mentioned Blackburn because i think that they could possibly have a chance to come down. But not just to play the nix in NZ - also an auz team or two.
Blackburn has a reasonable Australian contingent which would make it more of a promising team than Everton.

I think only the real big clubs or names could sell out at the ROF - which is quite sad.
possibly AC Milan with David Beckham

Yeah a pre season game would be nice, and Blackburn makes sense, but doubt it would go close to filling out the stadium. but a good crowd tho.

The idea of the super14 cards in the chippie or cereal boxes is choice. Would be cool to see all the kids tearing through the bluebirds to find a gold Barbarusos or a gold Daniel.

It would also talk up the other A-League players and sides which would help with the selling of the Phoenix.  Part of why the Warriors thrive because people know who plays for the rivals which is a hangover from pre-Warriors dayswhen people had other NRL sides they supported.

The Phoenix missed this, but it would wind the kids in with knowledge of names and club sides.

someone reckoned Everton might be coming our way. Not sure of the 442 believeability factor though

Rumor was Everton to GLoLry

Perth in the press today saying it isn't viable unless Everton play another game in this part of the world...

Everton will play a pre-season friendly against Perth Glory if the Premier League side can organise a second match in Australia, the A-League club have announced.

Glory owner Tony Sage said the club was in the advance stages of confirming a match with the Toffees in July, who could include Australia international Tim Cahill in their line-up for what would be a friendly encounter ahead of the Premier League season starting in August.

However Everton want to play two practice matches in Australia, leaving the Glory relying on another game to be organised. "We're hopeful it will [happen]," Sage said. "We met every term Everton put to us, so we've signed on to the deal, subject to them getting another game. We had a couple of emails today and again, the sticking point seems to be the teams on the eastern side of Australia.

"It's not financially viable for Everton to come just to Perth. They made that clear to everyone, so we're just waiting on that fixture to be set up. They've already had approaches, so we've left it up to them to discuss it with those clubs."

Shows what I know.

Melbs got Juve. As for EPL sides, there are only four which could get the required bums on seats to justify the price tag of hauling them over here, and it would require having a few other A-League sides prepared to give them games as well if we were to lure one over here

And those four sides also happen to be popular in Aussie. If the Nix threw down the gauntlet and one or two other A League teams grabbed it, it would be win win for everyone. Manure being the obvious favourite at this stage.