First, I definately want to thank all the posters who took some time to add ideas, feedback, and suggestions - this is an accumulation of all YOUR work!!! It took about 2 hours but its done!
Second, I'm going to let this hang up here for 24 hours if anyone wants to throw in any last-minute suggestions - I will consider them. If any of the MODS (DM, MSweet, Rowdy) feel that this is "sticky-worthy" for a day I'd appreciate it so it doesn't get lost in the brush. MODS: Also if I'm off on the site facts and statistics please correct me!!!(I petitioned earlier but got no response)
Last, with all due respect, for the "bitch & moan" negative crowd here. I would ask that if you don't have anything POSITIVE or CONSTRUCTIVE to add (i.e. "This is never going to get anywhere..."), just refrain from posting (there is plenty of room for the typical doom and gloom in the UFA threads). I'll take all serious constructive criticism into account before sending it. We are trying (however difficult it is) to affect change.
Its long, but I hope I've done you guys proud!
DEVILS MARKETING & PROMOTIONS FEEDBACK LETTER:
Dear Devils Marketing & Promotions,
Thank you for taking a few moments out of your business day to peruse this letter. We truly hope that you will find the information within to be both informative and useful upon further reading.
Undoubtedly, we can all agree, both as a sports fan base and from a business perspective that game attendance is an important factor in the longevity of a successful hockey franchise. Rest assured, as New Jersey Devils fans, that we share equal concern with franchise management in both general ticket sales, as well as filling the Rock with as many Devils fans as possible in proportion to supporters of the visiting team. Yes, it was extremely painful this past season as true fans to watch some of our favorite Devils players get jeered at a volume level that served only to verify the support in attendance numbers from fans of a certain rival team. In light of these and other similar circumstances this letter should serve not to negatively critique or point blame, but perhaps to provide some insight into what particular incentives, promotions or aspects of the "Rock Experience" were most effective in attracting a sizeable portion of the NJ Devils fan base (many of whom have been around for quite a while) to the Prudential Center on a more consistent basis. It is simply "free feedback" to aid you and your department in achieving our common goal: Better Game Attendance by more Devils Fans at the Rock.
Let me first begin with the biggest positive. We must adequately thank Mr. Vanderbeek, the community of Newark, and the NJ Devils Organization for providing NJ Devil fans with what we feel is the best accommodations possible in the National Hockey League. The Prudential Center, in scale and design, has surpassed many of our expectations in becoming a building that we can take pride in as Devils fans. From its majestic design both inside and outside, to its unparalleled section of eateries, fine dining, and sports bars, The Rock is truly a testament to the team it was designed for.
Having said this, we feel as fans, that even more can be done to make the "Rock Experience" an irresistible allure for both veteran hockey and new-hockey fans alike. We believe that with some subtle changes there can be a sharp and steady rise in attendance that will fill seats with both the hockey-wise and perhaps even more "new blood". The first list below is comprised of contributions from our users who have summarized "the best" prior New Jersey Devils promotional/marketing ideas or incentives over the years. These were chosen upon the criteria of:
1.) Helped to make for a truly enjoyable game experience and memorable night2.) An attractive incentive to attend that particular game
Previous Successful Promotions (Things We Really Liked Over the Years):
1.) Dollar Soda/Hot Dogs Deal. Great promotion and got a good turnout for a game against the PHX Coyotes
2.) Commemorative Prints for both Opening and Scott Stevens Night
3.) Stanley Cup Mini Banners
4.) Cup and Banner Raising Nights
5.) Ken Daneyko Bobblehead Night
6.) Life Size Chico Posters (circa 1984)
7.) Magnetic Schedule Night
8.) Free Rally Towels (no Thundersticks)
9.) Free Microwavable Mugs (sponsored w/ Campbell’s Soup)
10.) Devils Christmas Ornaments Night
11.) Devils Six-Pack Cooler Bag Night
12.) Devils Duffle Bag Night
13.) Devils Wig Night
14.) St. Patrick Day Cup Night (circa 2003 vs. Bruins)
15. ) Rock Your Red T-Shirts
16.) Modell's Kid Jersey Day
17.) STH Skate Time
18.) Commemorative Poster Night (2006/07 Season most successful)
19.) Devils License Plate Frame Giveaway (ala. “Next Stop Meadowlands”)
20.) The MidAtlantic bank Dufflebag Giveaway
21.) The Sports Channel 6 Sportspack Cooler Giveaway
22.) $10 Seat Night
23.) Puck Giveaway Night
The following list is a simple "fan brainstorm list" that includes either: promotion suggestions, giveaways, or marketing ideas that fans would like to see, or ideas in use by other sports franchises that seem to have had some recent success in developing growth in generating attendance. We realize that there are always budget constrictions when planning a marketing or promotion campaign, but we feel that even a few of these changes would help bring more people to the Rock on a consistent basis.
Future Promotions Ideas (Things we would like to see):1.) Throwback Devils Lineage night (Scouts, Rockies Christmas Jerseys)
2.) More Puck Giveaway Nights
3.) More BOBBLEHEADS!!!
4.) Quality vs. Quantity with Giveaways
5.) Free/Discount Glenn "Chico" Resch Cheesesteak Night Deals
6.) More frequent ice-girl T-shirt launches to crowd
7.) Foam Fingers
8.) Less Dancing Girls Time
9.) More Television Commercial Advertising Promoting the Team
10.) More Marketing utilizing Individual Player personalities to Market the Team (especially Marty)
11.) More giveaways in general to encourage consistent game attendance (ala NY Yankees)
12.) More BOBBLEHEADS - again! - especially the NJ Devil Mascot
13.) Devils History Night - Wear your Christmas Tree Jersey night during the Christmas season or St. Pats. (including Vintage Replica Merchandise on Sale for those nights)
14.) A DEFINATE "CELEBRATE DOC EMRICK night" - ceremony and all - to commemorate his induction honor and team service over the years. (there is a boblehead ripe for the making right here!)
15.) "Devils Legion" Partial Ticket Plan: 6- 8 Games(to include possible "Rock" food vouchers, or a "Devils Legion" Hat or T-shirt as incentive)
16.) Devils Commemorative Souvenir Cups Series (w/a different Marketing Campaign)
a.)Hall-0f-Famers
b.)Stanley Cup Years
c.)Dr. Mac
d.)Team History - i.e. Scouts/Rockies
e.)"Devils Most Memorable Moments" (Sundstroms 8pt Night, Marty's Goal, Blackhawks
Game, etc.)
18.) New Devils Commemorative Pin Night
19.) Ice Cream or Soda "Stanley Cup" Souvenir Bowls/Cups (possible Carvel tie-in)
20.) Season Ticket Holder Promotion (either: 2 free Parking Passes or 2 Free Round
Trip Train Seat Vouchers)
21.) Devils Night Out (modeled on Columbus Blue Jackets "Jackets Night Out"): A
Tuesday/Wed/Thu. Night Promotion " 2 people/2 beers/ 2 individual pizzas "
For a set incentive price.
22.) Season Ticket Holder Gas Promotion: All STH's receive a percentage of total
season ticket cost in "gas cards"(5-10%) (Franchise Model: NJ Nets)
23.) Partial Ticket Holder Loyalty: many PTH's were disappointed to find seats that
they paid for in advance available for ½ price days before the given games.
24.) College ID Discount Night
25.) Family Seating Area or Family Seating Night: A certain section designed for
family attendance to avoid loud obscenities and fights. (Franchise Model: PHI Flyers)
26.) Commission a Devils Theme Song for use (Franchise Model: Arizona Diamondbacks)
27.) Family Plan Incentives: Family plan pricing featuring less expensive tickets, (seats priced at $15 or less), less expensive concession items for kids (hot dogs, corn dogs, popcorn, a small soda or milk for $1.50 each) and inexpensive team shop items (selected D-backs T-shirts are only $8, hats are $7, baseballs and mini-bats are $5 and lapel pins are $3). (Franchise Model: Arizona D-Backs)
28.) Devils Family Four Pack: (4 food Vouchers, 4 Drink Vouchers, 4 Tickets)
Featuring incentive-priced tickets
29.) Fan Chat with Jeff: A monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually night where fans can
either log-in online, call-in via radio, or communicate otherwise and offer
ideas for improvement at the Rock with Mr.Vanderbeek in a town-hall forum
setting. Additionally, Mr. V can respond with upcoming events and
announcements. (Franchise Model: Team Pres. Derrick Hall - Arizona D-backs)
30.) "Meet me at the Prudential Center(or Rock)": License Plate Frame Night
31.) "Devils Ring of Fire": An area of the Rock designed to honor and commemorate the careers of those Devils players who significantly contributed to the organization over the years (at the discretion of management). Not as formal an honor as having a Jersey retired, but another way of appreciating a seperate tier of player commitment. (i.e. Sergei Brylin, Johnny Mac, Scott Neidermayer, etc.)
In conclusion, we at NJDEVS.com would like to thank you for taking the time to review some of our suggestions. We hope our feedback will help encourage and inform those in the Devils Organization who make such important decisions to achieve our common purpose of robust attendance growth and an ever-enlarging New Jersey Devils fan base. We write because "we care". We care about the success of the franchise as a competitive hockey team, a successful business, a consistent model organization for the National hockey League, and a partner to the community of Newark that surrounds it.
The majority of our members may not be "suit and tie" marketing specialists, nor are all of us employed by a marketing firm on a daily basis. However, we are in truth, "the troops in the trenches". We are those consumer-fans who purchase tickets, wear our jerseys to games, partake of the eateries and bars, and smile upon entering The Rock. We are also those same people at the office, at the bar, or with our families the following day doing our best to convince others to come out and enjoy a "memorable evening" at the pinnacle of sports forums - watching what we feel is the best hockey team in the National Hockey League; the New Jersey Devils.
Sincerely,
Community Members of NJDEVS.com
Edited by DevilinLA, 26 June 2008 - 05:18 PM.
