PIHA Marketing Plans ?

[Drew10]

I was just interested to know how some of the organizations are doing as far as marketing their team(s) for the new season. A big part of the leagues success is depending upon filling the seats of our arenas. Are there any new ideas, concepts, or does anyone have suggestions as to what teams can do to fill the seats other then give them away.

[MBurke]

Several things I haven't seen a heck of a lot of yet that might help:


Your feeder players as well as some of your most captive fans are college and high school players. Work with NCRHA teams and local HS leagues to have their games before/after PIHA games. This is the same idea as having a minors game before the pro game - more people through the door means more interest.
One thing the NCRHA does to help up exposure is to host free 'hockey colleges', which are a free one-hour clinic using NCRHA players as instructors. The kids generally have a great time and look up to the people teaching them - they then hang around and watch the matchup we schedule immediately following the clinic.
Team web sites. Some teams have excellent ones, some leave a lot to be desired. Regardless of how 'pretty' they are, the main point is to keep them updated with information. If you haven't put up your schedule, updated your record/results, or posted your roster from last season yet... why should fans see you as an organized team?

[born2runPROgm]

The league has developed a detailed marketing booklet that to my knowledge has been sent to team owners/managers.

[GROWL]

Every team in the league was sent a marketing package.

[minutemen]

I think the owner and commisioners of PIHA are doing a great job trying to get people interested in the league. The started the Draft this season for 15 year old players, that has lready brought interest in my rink. Having the Finals at AAU in Disney World this year is great as well. I think that getting fans is mainly up to the individual teams and players. My team the Minutemen have been in the league 4 years know it it has been tought to get people. People in our rink say they are going to come but they do not. Here are some of the keys that organizations need to focus on:

1. Players have to bring family and friends to each home game. We have put in our contracts that they have to bring atleast 3 players to each NJ game. The great thing about the Northeast Division, is that you have 3 teams in NJ, 2 in CT, and 2 in MA. So most of the teams away games are close to home. If teams have 34 players in each organization than that is atleast 100 players in the door.

2. Teams have to work with local organizations. This is something the Growl and Typhoon have done well with in the past. This year we are working with a local Fraternity and the Morristown Madams, a roller derby team at our rink. They are doing it for fundraisers. Money wise we do not benefit much, but it gets people in our doors.

3. It is good to get players involved from your rink. This year we have added some players from our high school and adult divisions. We saw results two weekends ago in our tournament. Parents and kids stopped by from the rink to see how they would play.

4. You have to get your teams name all over the rink. This year we are going to have posters of all our players, banners, and logos posted around. The more people see the name and the individuals who play, the more they will come. The key is to have the kids in the youth leagues see the posters and they will ask to be on that wall. So you are getting future kids interested in playing for the organization. Also, we are running clinics for our adult and youth players.

[Dave Garland]

Hey guys,

Love the marketing advice on here. We are currently in the middle of tryouts here in St. Louis and they are going really well. I notice you guys mentioning player contracts, could some of the established teams send me a copy of their player contract when they get a chance? I'd love to take a look at the ideas, etc. before working on ours. Thanks in advance (email is below)!
Best,
Dave

David Garland
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Pro Inline Hockey Association (PIHA)
Gateway Division [email protected] ([email protected])