If you were Marketing Director at your club, what would you do to raise its profile?

[BohDiddley]

A bit late in the day to reply to this but. Bohs did promote Glen Crowe and the league trophy around local schools a couple of years ago... until some large, patriotic gentlemen advised them that accidents happen to people who promote foreign sports to kids.
Are these the cousins of the same brand of patriots currently trying to muscle in on Tallaght? :(
I've seen a lot of references to that episode, but I've never seen it fully covered anywhere.
Actually, I think a schools hearts and minds campaign, with or, er, without a trophy would be a very good part of a long-term strategy. Obviously those who hobbled the Bohs initiative agree. Maybe it would have more oomph if it were organized, publicised, and thus protected by the league.

[ccfcgirl]

There are alot of foreigners in Ireland at the moment ,I would put adverts up with a couple of different laugages on it .(I work with alot of Polish ,whom have great interest in soccer)............For every paying adult season ticket ,id leave them bring along a free child (start them young they might get hooked).

[Block G Raptor]

ccfc girl thats bloody genius
fair play the non national population are defo a target audience
good thinking girl

[Cosmo]

this is the sort of stuff Eircom League clubs and the FAI should be doing if they're serious about promoting their clubs - ye have to brainwash them early:

Stoke City are delighted to announce the launch of 'City 7s' - a new initiative aimed at encouraging more young children to support the club.

Launched on Wednesday in conjunction with official club sponsor Britannia Building Society and co-sponsored by Nottingham East Midlands Airport, City 7s is a groundbreaking scheme intended to increase the level of young support.

It's main aim is to work with schools and local education authorities to introduce children and families to the excitement of football and encourage youngsters to grow up supporting their local football team.

City 7s membership is available to children celebrating their seventh birthday between 1st September 2005 and 31st August 2006. The club will give each child who registers the following package:

· A Stoke City home shirt
· Two match tickets (one Junior, one Adult) for any home Championship fixture
· A £5 voucher from Britannia Building Society to open a Stoke City Junior Saver Account
· A voucher for a Free Coaching Day with Stoke City Football in the Community
· Four vouchers for £1 kids match tickets
· A 10% discount voucher for the Stoke City Club Shops

And, what's more, each child will be invited to a presentation evening at the Britannia Stadium to receive their free home shirt, match tickets and Britannia Building Society voucher from selected first-team squad members.

The total value of this package is over £80 but this great offer is available to children for a registration fee of JUST £10.

Over 20 local schools have already signed-up to participate in City 7s, with a potential initial uptake of over 1,000 children. Schools will receive a number of benefits including match tickets for fundraising, a school visit from the Stoke City mascot Pottermus, plus an activity day in the Playing for Success Centre at the Britannia Stadium.

Says City Chief Executive Tony Scholes, "Youngsters represent the future of our support base and this is an investment in our future supporters.

"With the spread of televised football and the commercial power of the top Premiership clubs, we have to do more to encourage local youngsters to support their local team.

"When I drive around Stoke-on-Trent I don't want to see children in the blue of Chelsea or the red of Manchester United - I want to see them proudly wearing the red-and-white stripes of Stoke City."

[EnDai]

Now that how to do it! Fantastic initiative, hope it pays off for them!

[Cosmo]

Now that how to do it! Fantastic initiative, hope it pays off for them!

Like it aint rocket science, if only EL clubs would follow their example :( !!

[Block G Raptor]

may i suggest that we email cosmo's post to all our respective clubs asap
ive already forwarded it to bohs with a polite cover letter suggesting that they think seriously about such initiatives

[Block G Raptor]

got a response from the marketing dept. at bohs thanking me for my mail
they assure me that there are similar initiatives in the pipeline
here's hoping

[LFC in Exile]

Websites are not that important - they are important sources of info for those with web access and the lack of a website looks bad. But a jazzy website will not increase profile.

I can't believe nobody mentioned the telly. The only coverage is a half-assed highlights programme at some godforsaken hour while the Premiership gets 1 1/2 hours of primetime. I don't blame the stations as it is their money and they need to be convinced of its value. But it should be subsidised by FAI. The home Irish internationals have to be covered on a terrestrial television station but it doesn't have to be RTE. The rights to Irish matches can be auctioned but not for cash - instead the winner must have adequate coverage of the domestic league stipulating the number of cameras at matches etc. Irregular live matches are not enough. A dedicated hour long highlights programme at a proper time e.g. 8.00 on Sunday night is needed.

[NY Hoop]

Websites are not that important - they are important sources of info for those with web access and the lack of a website looks bad. But a jazzy website will not increase profile.

I can't believe nobody mentioned the telly. The only coverage is a half-assed highlights programme at some godforsaken hour while the Premiership gets 1 1/2 hours of primetime. I don't blame the stations as it is their money and they need to be convinced of its value. But it should be subsidised by FAI. The home Irish internationals have to be covered on a terrestrial television station but it doesn't have to be RTE. The rights to Irish matches can be auctioned but not for cash - instead the winner must have adequate coverage of the domestic league stipulating the number of cameras at matches etc. Irregular live matches are not enough. A dedicated hour long highlights programme at a proper time e.g. 8.00 on Sunday night is needed.

Not so sure about the website. If they had ads at international games with the dedicated website on it guarantee there would be increased traffic on it. In this and age any business that is trying to sell itself and does not have a website cannot be taken seriously. If there was a dedicated league website there could be a shop on it to sell the jersies from the league teams plus a special league jersey as well. An up to date, smart website WOULD increase profile.

Agree about the tv coverage though. If anything this is why the league is getting left behind. While we're all thankful that TV3 have stepped in and have a dedicated programme after years of suffering rtengland's pathetic efforts it is definitely time for a better programme.

They only have to provide 2 cameras at games but IMO ALL premier games should have a camera at them supplied by whoever with proper gantries. This is touched on by the recent Genesis report. In order then to have a decent show it needs to be extended to an hour and pulled back an hour on mondays.

KOH

[Block G Raptor]

Looks like my email to bohs was not in vain

from www.bohemians.ie




Des Kelly Stand is closed so the 'Kids go Free promotion' for three kids' entry for one paying adult applies for the Jodi Stand.

'Nivea For Men' are match sponsors for the game and will be handing out free 'Nivea For Men' products to the match crowd.

Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the game in their Hallowe'en costumes. There will be a prize ('Nivea For Men' Hamper) for the best costume in the crowd.

DJ Mono has arranged to get the FM104 Beatle Bugs and crew to come to the game to face paint and hand out balloons.

For the adults the bars will be open after the game and there will be music that night.


thanks to everyone for your suggestions now get emailing your clubs to make sure they follow suit (This league is not dead yet!!)

[Bald Student]

There will be a prize ('Nivea For Men' Hamper) for the best costume in the crowd.I'd say the kids are dying to get their hands on that.

[Block G Raptor]

haloween promotionwas a fcuking joke
nivea for men handed out a sachet of aftershave balm to everyone
fcuk all kids dressed up,fm104 beatles never showed
all in all a disaster dont know who's more to blame the club(didn't advertise it any where except the website) or the fans/kids who didn't bother to show up(suppose the bombfire was more important)
if it wasn't for a fantastic cork city turn out the atmosphere would have been shyte