What Would YOU Do to Market the 76ers Better?

Salvistine24 · Post #1 » by **Salvistine24** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:28 am

Ok, everyone has their own opinions on ther personell department and who should stay and go but if you were working in the front office for the Philadelphia 76ers, what would you do to create "awareness" and increase attendence for the club

I would first completely get new uniforms...red, white, and blue with the old logo...maybe not an old jersey but something incorporating the past

Secondly, I would try to hold open practices for fans to see some guys...I know the flyers do this and it helps the fans get acclimated with some young guys and helps build enthusiasm

Third, I would try to get the guys out in the community as much as possible...more basketball clinics, more visiting local high school teams, more appearances a Chickies and Pete's

I think currently, this team is bland in every sense of the word...the product is young and raw, the feeling inside the arena is dull, and there just seems to be a stagnant feeling within in the organization

Post #2 » by **tk76** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:47 am

If our young team starts winning their quickly will be a buzz around them. Young teams are more interesting to fans since you never know how good they may be (its always mmore fun on the ride up.) You just need to start winning- which could be a soon as next year.

All of the other marketing gimicks are secondary.

Welfare Fraud · Post #3 » by **Welfare Fraud** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:50 am

How to fill the arena in 3 easy steps, by Welfare Fraud

step 1. tank
step 2. draft Oden
step 3. $$$$$$$$$$

Seriously though... when the team is good, people will come. When the team sucks, they won't. All the corny marketing in the world won't change that.

Sixersftw · Post #4 » by **Sixersftw** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:57 am

Collect Underpants
?
Profit

The Sixer Fixer · Post #5 » by **The Sixer Fixer** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:58 am

It's simple, get better players and win.

Until then, you can forget about truly marketing the team. Most people do not want to spend big money to watch a bad team and those are the people you are marketing towards. Marketing does virtually nothing for diehard fans like us.

philbe311 · Post #6 » by **philbe311** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:45 am

The "Guys Night Out" package ($37 for beer, hotdogs, lower level seat, cigar, and sixers dancers) is a good start...

One last game in the Spectrum from old time sake (would never happen due to luxury box issues)...

Dunk Booth with Willie Green during halftime

Improve

barkley34 · Post #7 » by **barkley34** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:24 am

You need a star player. If the Sixers get one in free agency or in the draft this summer the buzz will be back and so will the fans.

You can give away all the hot dogs u want but without a star player you won't attract the casual fans.

sixerguy · Post #8 » by **sixerguy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:08 am

It isn't just about having a good team.

lowering ticket prices (which under Stefanski they seem to be doing).

Make people with satellite tv able to get Comcast Sportnet and watch the games lol.

Stefanski is reaching out to bloggers which is good.

the hawks owner posts on realgm board and gives realgm users discounts on tickets.

getting rid of Billy King who blamed hurricane katrina for fans not wanting to spend money on tickets, and getting rid of Ed Snider also helped. Snider is the guy that said that he would move the team since no one is showing up and philly fans are spoiled.

sixerguy · Post #9 » by **sixerguy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:09 am

http://www.slate.com/id/2074856

Mark Cuban
How to meddle with your sports team

76ciology · Post #10 » by **76ciology** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:30 pm

It's simple..

Bring a LEGIT franchise player in Philly. Then the market won't be a problem.

Johnny Broad-Street · Post #11 » by **Johnny Broad-Street** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:16 pm

Be much better. All the discounts in the world won't make people come out in the cold to see a bad team. All the giimicky offers and packages and "reaching out" will never have the impact you need to get from where the Sixers are to where they need to be in terms of ticket sales.

sweetlou23 · Post #12 » by **sweetlou23** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:42 pm

It amazing to me that you can walk into a bar in philly and see other NBA teams games on but not the sixers. when the phillies and eagles play they are on TV regardless of what their record is. I even see sports center news on while the sixers are playing. the sixers really need to change the culture of disinterest in the sixers. they need to reach out to bars through promotions. I mean they can give away free advertising at the games and give away gift certificates to different venues. they need to generate a buzz. its so bad that when i ask bartenders to put on the sixers the ask me what channel. the sixers need to send some marketing folks out (handsome guys and pretty women) to bars during the game and give away t-shirts hats ect.

Salvistine24 · Post #13 » by **Salvistine24** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:43 pm

i think we all understand that putting a better product on the floor is the main criteria for boosting recognition but there are ways u can improve from avg 12,000 fans a game...even bad teams can avg 14-16 thousand with some good marketing...

i guess the point i was trying to make is that we all know they need help personell wise but does anyone else just feel like everything else about the team is outdated...from the unis to the mascot to the gimmicks...im sure comcast knows to bring in fans they need to bring in better players but at the same time i would think they would like to find ways to get interest in this team right now...

personally i felt a great buzz the night they had dr j in attendence and wore the throwback unis and had him give a speech at halftime...it was the best ive felt about the team in awhile...and thanks to tao for kind of going with the topic that i was trying to reach

IglooKing2 · Post #14 » by **IglooKing2** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:44 pm

1. Fire the lame and incredibly irritating PA guy, and don't allow him back into the building.

2. Use a catapult to fling Hip-Hop over the Delaware, never to return. Then trade Willie Green and Calvin Booth to the Suns for the Gorilla.

3. Start playing some rivalry games in the Spectrum - a venue meant for passionate fans rather than corporate stiffs in luxury boxes.

4. Field a team that usually scores more points than it gives up.

Johnny Broad-Street · Post #15 » by **Johnny Broad-Street** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:39 pm

I'd say their best bet is to revamp the unis...the look of the franchise...and commit to the post-Iverson era. This is like the late eighties when all the music was non-commital. Pick a strong direction and go with it. Philly is a great basketball town but the knowledgeable fans hibernate when they know they're being sold a rotten bill of goods. They'll respond to a young team not winning, if they feel you're working in their best interest. BE HONEST! Everyone knows we're rebuilding, and lucky to have the record we have. How refreshing it would be if he organizaion acknowledged that instead of "promoting" junk. Let the fans know we're all on the same page, and they'll be on board with the re-build.

bubbachuck · Post #16 » by **bubbachuck** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:27 am

Win Games and get a white head coach.

sixerguy · Post #17 » by **sixerguy** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:51 pm

I compiled what everyone said so far. I'm hoping the Sixer Org to take a look.

1. get new uniforms

2. hold open practices for fans to see some guys

3. get the guys out in the community as much as possible

4. young teams are more interesting to fans

5. get better players and win

6. star player

7. lowering ticket prices

8. satellite tv able to get Comcast Sportnet

9. reaching out to bloggers

10. openly discusses personnel decisions with the media.

11. bring back a sense of pride to be part of the Sixer organization

12. answers fan mail

13. firing off e-mails to the Philly News' sports editor to complain about coverage decisions

14. free Taco Bell chalupa every time the Sixers scored 100 points.

15. perks, such as a $46 million Boeing 757 he bought to take the players on road trips

16.eEach player's locker contains a flat-screen television, a DVD player, headphones, and a Wii

17. stock both locker rooms with luxurious $20 towels featuring the team's logo, knowing the visiting team will steal them. Now, the homes of NBA players are filled with Sixer towels and some of those players might remember the plush treatment when they're looking to sign with a new team

18. reach out to bars through promotions

19. send some marketing folks out (handsome guys and pretty women) to bars during the game and give away t-shirts hats ect.

20. fire the lame and incredibly irritating PA guy, and don't allow him back into the building.

21. Use a catapult to fling Hip-Hop over the Delaware, never to return.

22. Start playing some rivalry games in the Spectrum

23. BE HONEST! Let the fans know we're all on the same page

Joel Embust · Post #18 » by **Joel Embust** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:42 pm

It's all about having a major franchise player..

When AI was in Philly, they had the most fans worldwide. You'd go to Europe and see everyone wearing an AI jersey.

freshie2 · Post #19 » by **freshie2** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:52 pm

If it's marketing, in city it's winning. Outside of Philly, it's having the franchise/generation icon player.

Love the Spectrum idea.

I think they have been creative in marketing...the product still is lousy.

Uni's are OK, but I would always prefer the old versions.

LieCheatSteal · Post #20 » by **LieCheatSteal** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:25 pm

This team needs a star to galvanize the fanbase. This guy needs to be outspoken, a little crazy, slightly controversial- a take charge guy on the court. Almost another Iverson but maybe half the me-first attitude.

My vote: Gilbert Arenas . Others to consider: Amare, Rasheed Wallace, Brand (although he may be too low key from a marketing perspective). No to Marion (over-rated, no real will to win), T-Mac (ditto).