February 22, 200422 yr Marlins make strong ticket pitch By Sarah Talalay Staff Writer Posted February 21 2004 Marlins manager Jack McKeon sat in a Fort Lauderdale church pew Friday morning, a cigar in his mouth, a lineup card in hand and the World Series Trophy at his side, while those around him were pretending to sing hymns, but instead were trying out Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Row, Row Row Your Boat and Jingle Bells. Does the Second Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale give special dispensation to World Series winners? Not exactly. In this case, McKeon was posing for one in a series of print ads for the Marlins 2004 season that will begin appearing in local publications on Monday. McKeon was all smiles after the photo shoot by Zimmerman & Partners, reflecting on his World Series championship team. "We preached fun," McKeon said. "Fun is winning. When we won that thing we had a lot of fun." The Marlins are hoping fans will have just as much fun, when the team returns to the field. They're in the midst of an advertising campaign dubbed "The Champs Are Back ... Are You?" The team expects to spend about $1.3 million in advertising and marketing this year, down from $2.5 million last year, but is not planning new television ads. In turn, the team's media partners have been more willing to promote a World Series champion, said Sean Flynn, Marlins vice president of marketing. After the World Series the team began sending direct mail pieces to fans who bought tickets at the end of last season and during the postseason -- they collected 85,000 names -- blasting them with phone messages taped by World Series MVP Josh Beckett and sending email. A holiday radio campaign advertised limited offer holiday gift voucher packages. In the past three weeks, the team has held a select-a-seat for season ticket holders; its annual caravan of stops at shops, schools and hospitals; and FanFest. Radio ads featuring a fair-weather fan named Bob attending a self-help group meeting to confess his guilt about not attending Marlins games regularly began airing this month; the Spanish version features a fan at confession. "Our whole preseason campaign has been a call to action," Flynn said. "We're pushing people to jump on board now." More than 5,000 full season tickets have been sold and team president David Samson anticipates selling more than 7,000 for the season. He says the Marlins can't be compared with other teams, particularly since they play in cavernous Pro Player Stadium. "It doesn't take away the supply and demand issues with this building," Samson said recently. "We're trying to make people feel that urgency." Team officials predict that's already happening: Batter's Box and Founder's Field seats have sold out. McKeon's print ad is one of three planned. Another features outfielder and 2003 stolen base leader Juan Pierre lounging on a couch with a box of pizza, newspapers featuring World Series headlines, and a pile of his 65 stolen bases behind him. The third will be shot next week and will show three reserve parking spots: one that says J. McKeon and shows a Mercedes; J. Loria's shows a Jaguar; and J. Beckett's features a Chevrolet truck. In place of the hood ornament is the World Series trophy with a rope around it. Once the season starts, with the World Series banner-raising at the April 6 opener and ring ceremony on April 10, Flynn said the team will launch its in-season campaign, which it is still developing. Dunno if this has been posted but it mentioned the Marlins new Slogan : "The Champs Are Back ... Are You?" But I'm sure most on the board will say it should be Suck it, Fudge. lol Some nice commerical ideas like the one with Beckett and the truck. lol Article
February 23, 200422 yr Ive had that slogan on my signature on another board for about 2 months im awesome
February 23, 200422 yr Marlins manager Jack McKeon sat in a Fort Lauderdale church pew Friday morning, a cigar in his mouth is that allowed?
February 23, 200422 yr Marlins manager Jack McKeon sat in a Fort Lauderdale church pew Friday morning, a cigar in his mouth is that allowed? hahahahaha .... that seems awefully wrong
February 23, 200422 yr Marlins manager Jack McKeon sat in a Fort Lauderdale church pew Friday morning, a cigar in his mouth is that allowed? Maybe it wasn't lit. You know what they say, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. :hat
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.