FAI Marketing Campaign 2009

[A face]

That's why they work for a marketing company and I'm sitting posting on here at 1.20 a.m. . Over and out.

The raison d'etre of the thread was to kinda brainstorm for idea that a marketing company might use, or more importantly ideas that LOI fans think should happen and what they would like to see but i hear ya and totally see you point. No worries

[finnpark]

Have a ladies day where wives and girlfriends go free.

Also, drinking and betting should be included too

[brianw82]

I'm reminded of that bit in Father Ted when the 3 bishops come along, and one of them keeps saying to Jack, "We have to sort out the media!"

Joking aside, I think this statement is appropriate to any potential advertising. The 'headline' Irish football news in the past week has been the Wexford/Limerick thing (relatively big article on that) and today, the Bohs/Drogheda spat. Both are lead stories, yet genuine achievements on the pitch are left to scrap for sidebar inches.
People in this country really take what the media says to heart, so if they say "LOI is crap", all the marketing in the world won't make much difference.

[A face]

I think that at least some of the marketing ads/campaign needs to rely to guys 17-35 that going to a game of ball is a cool thing to do, meeting mates and having a laugh and if there are ladies days where wives and girlfriends go free you need to let people know that there are women there.

Now that its been said about the 'one man and his dog' element i'd agree, that needs to change. I think a good idea is to show the pre match build up, a 25 year old guy buying a paper for the preview and reading the match poster on the way out of the shop, a 35 year old woman signing up for texts because she wont be there, a kid and his dad running into a shop before it closes so he can have a jersey for tonights game, two girls driving home from work and the passenger arranging to meet their two fellas in a pub before the game, two 18 year olds checking their club website, while one of their dads is leaving work to pick them up (like the An Post advert) ..... basically eveyone on the way to a game all over the country ...... FOOTBALL FRIDAY and its the place to be.

[eamo1]

A few years ago attendances increased apprently due to word of mouth.People just started telling their friends etc that the standard wasnt bad etc brought them along for a look and then they kept coming back.So if an organised campaign was attempted it might be good.
Also,Galway Utd have text alert service about upcoming games that says "pass it along to your friends".I forward it to a group of 7/8 of my contacts.
I know those are small ideas,we do need to think large scale too.The new t.v ads(at the right time of the evening),the new website(a really good one like Sky Sports site) and Fantasy Football(look what it did for NFL in America) are 3 really good ideas.
A good P.R guy for the league too who the FAI can roll out every time theres a nagative story and he can defend the league etc.I hate the way you never hear anyone from the FAI sticking up for the league.Heck,John Delaney himself didnt include the league in his list of long term goals but i know thats for another thread.

[Ash]

...... FOOTBALL FRIDAY and its the place to be.

Unless your from Dundalk ... then you'll have missed the game

[eamo1]

Thats a great idea for an Ad Aface,DO SUGGEST THAT AD CONCEPT ON SATURDAY.

[finnpark]

I'm reminded of that bit in Father Ted when the 3 bishops come along, and one of them keeps saying to Jack, "We have to sort out the media!"

Joking aside, I think this statement is appropriate to any potential advertising. The 'headline' Irish football news in the past week has been the Wexford/Limerick thing (relatively big article on that) and today, the Bohs/Drogheda spat. Both are lead stories, yet genuine achievements on the pitch are left to scrap for sidebar inches.
People in this country really take what the media says to heart, so if they say "LOI is crap", all the marketing in the world won't make much difference.

Thats absolutely right, I agree with that.

As I said before the PR for the league is very poor and the FAI should look to an outside company to help market and advertise the league ie a company that has links to all the media and who can publicise anything. Platinum One comes to find, i think they would be perfect but Im not sure if the FAI would consider them after the all ireland league thing. The FAI must outsource the PR of the league because its quite obvious that there are problems there between teh FAI and the media and the LOI is caught in the middle.

[passinginterest]

A good P.R guy for the league too who the FAI can roll out every time theres a nagative story and he can defend the league etc.I hate the way you never hear anyone from the FAI sticking up for the league.

I think that's a massive key. A dedicated PR and media manager for the league. We all know that journo are all just after a few free drinks and an easy story. If the league can appoint a capable media officer to wine and dine the journos and sports editors, the coverage would suddenly improve dramatically.

Aside from that a few people have hit on valid points for the marketing campaign. It has to show crowds in the ground, the singing, the atmosphere, the tension. It has to make League of Ireland a viable alternative form of entertainment, (I'm more or less repeating other peoples ideas here so no offence) show the pre-match routine, Friday evening leave work and meet up with mates, grab food and a drink, head to the game, cheer on team, continue with celebration and debate late into the night. Maybe try and get the Vinters association involved, local pubs, local teams, community spirit, responsible night out, football is the core with social drinks adding to occasion. Generally I'm not a big fan of pubs and alcohol but it's the type of marketing that seems to work.

Families also need to be targeted. Although maybe facilities need to improve further first. Things like mascots are often derided but kids love them and they can keep them entertained when the football gets dull, also music, flags, banners and singing. The youngest generation are the ones that need to be indoctrinated with the fact the League of Ireland is a good think to like.

[A face]

Thats a great idea for an Ad Aface,DO SUGGEST THAT AD CONCEPT ON SATURDAY.

I wont be there, so anyone reading it who is going along please suggest it. Its basically an Advert that incorporates everything we all do before a game, the guy in the chipper, to the barman in a pub, to all the fans, all ages and walks of life, to the groundsmen, the stewards, ticket sellers, and everything that goes on, texts, websites and forums, phone calls to friends, meeting people in work "are ya going, yup, cant wait"

[A face]

a company that has links to all the media and who can publicise anything. Platinum One comes to mind, i think they would be perfect but Im not sure if the FAI would consider them after the all ireland league thing.

I'd agree and if the FAI wouldn't bite off its nose to spite its face they would have a problem with approaching them either. At least they know they were interested in the game to a fairly significant degree, so they probably have alot of work done on it already.

What is it they say, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer?

[Louth4sam]

Now that its been said about the 'one man and his dog' element i'd agree, that needs to change. I think a good idea is to show the pre match build up, a 25 year old guy buying a paper for the preview and reading the match poster on the way out of the shop, a 35 year old woman signing up for texts because she wont be there, a kid and his dad running into a shop before it closes so he can have a jersey for tonights game, two girls driving home from work and the passenger arranging to meet their two games in a pub before the game, two 18 year olds checking their club website, while one of their dads is leaving work to pick them up (like the An Post advert) ..... basically eveyone on the way to a game all over the country ...... FOOTBALL FRIDAY and its the place to be.

Great idea, i can imagine the end of the ad with the crowd going mental and the game just about to kick off. The game kicks off massive cheer and ad ends with something like "league of Ireland be part of it"

[A face]

And for the CPOs, the poster campaign need to improve and get bigger. this is something that nearly every fan can help with. When the game ends, the following day fans can go to their newsagents or where ever and take down the old poster and put up the new one. This is something that really need to happen more and on a constant basis.

And have more CPOs, go from one to three.

[A face]

Great idea, i can imagine the end of the ad with the crowd going mental and the game just about to kick off. The game kicks off massive cheer and ad ends with something like "league of Ireland be part of it"

And i'm not joking ya, i have the perfect piece of footage for it. The old Shed in the Cross, 18th Nov 2005 first goal goes in and the Shed packed to the rafters goes absolutely balistic ..... you should see this clip, its unreal. Losing all reason !!

[Battery Rover]

And have more CPOs, go from one to three.

And give one to all clubs and just not premier licensed teams

[stann]

That ad sounds like just the thing, Face. The key is indeed in making people think they're missing something by not going.
Glamourboy on our forum came up with what I think is a phenomenal idea for a newspaper campaign. As soon as I get the imprimatur I'll post it on here, or get him to do so.

[A face]

That ad sounds like just the thing, Face. The key is indeed in making people think they're missing something by not going.
Glamourboy on our forum came up with what I think is a phenomenal idea for a newspaper campaign. As soon as I get the imprimatur I'll post it on here, or get him to do so.

Make sure its there on Saturday if you can though, would be good to see it here too.

[thischarmingman]

And i'm not joking ya, i have the perfect piece of footage for it. The old Shed in the Cross, 18th Nov 2005 first goal goes in and the Shed packed to the rafters goes absolutely balistic ..... you should see this clip, its unreal. Losing all reason !!

Hmmmm...maybe not.


I still have never watched any of that footage.

[mr.untitled]

just a few thoughts.
I know alot of people will disagree but i think the smaller league is a step in the right direction from a promotional sense. The FAI need to increase the sense of occasion associated with domestic(i hate that word) football. At the moment the clubs that are doing well (the clubs in the best position to attract new fans) play in the league, the league cup, the FAI cup, the Setanta cup and in Europe. This is far too many games. The people we want to attract dont want drogs, pats, cork etc. in their face 24/7 (yet). IMHO a home game every fortnight is sufficient. It warrants the entry fee. It allows for proper promotion time and it heightens a sense of occasion.
One more thing is that all games should kick off at the same time on the same night EXCEPT the live match. This is not rocket science.

[Longfordian]

And have more CPOs, go from one to three.

Don't know about every club needing three CPOs. Every club should probably have one but I can't see the clubs being overly eager to find the matching 50% of two more salaries, probably another 30k a year, particularly in the First Division where nearly all clubs are run mainly by volunteers. But perhaps they could have a grant or some type of funding towards printing costs for posters and flyers etc, then the clubs may be able to produce better quality ones and more of them.