ideas on how to market the cmnt more effectively

[hodgkiss]

hey guys,

since it's so difficult to get the csa's attention regarding a good marketing effort, i thought seeing many csa members actually come to our board, this may be the best way to get some of our great thoughts in front of the people who need to see them. the time is now for this to happen.

1.) it will take money to gather more fans/interest in canada by investing in the correct research, workforce and methods surrounding a proper strategic plan.

2.) along with changing things in the managerial structure, changes also need to be made to the current marketing/pr department for the csa at the moment.

3.) we need a player "role model" to hang our hat on. to inspire young kids - a good ambassador of sorts. making public appearances, marketed on cereal boxes, video game covers in canada etc.

4.) advertising needs to be WAY more effective than it currently is. money was spent on media buys but how effective was it? not so good. there are much smarter ways to spend on a limited budget that can be much better for a good return.

5.) merchandise at games and shops needs to improve drastically. i realize its summer (almost officially) but no jackets and no long sleeve shirts at the match last night. very few pieces even. horrible. there is much money to be made and people wearing merchandise for helping grow the sport yet... it's just a shame.

6.) word of mouth is the best advertising - start changing people's view on the team. lead by example. even when staff and players speak after the game, confidence needs to be set in motion. yes things are changing slowly but still, we need more!

7. more organization with ticket sales. things have improved - it's not a free for all as it was before. things are being more thought out but this could still be much better.

8.) radio/tv appearances by voyageurs and players/alumni needs to happen. i don't think i have ever heard a mainstream radio appearance by a soccer player in toronto. yet hockey players, baseball players... they get lots of air time.

9.) corporate sponsorships. it doesn't appear that the csa will get any more funding unless it is through this channel. and after tfc, vwfc and the impact have taken on some bigger sponsors, its very conceivable that the csa can get some more of the $$ as well. i know they have gotten some over the last few years but really - i think there is a huge untapped market out there for them to explore. by hiring a few ringer sales people, i'm sure they could increase their budgets big time if they really pushed hard.

i will be adding much more to this list. but that is it for now.

[yomurphy1]

Put the CMNT in both FIFA and PES soccer games. Build the brand.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.897975,-79.260254

[Free kick]

Win.

[Free kick]

Nothing else needs to be said. when it come to international sports, Canadians only follow sports where Canada is winning. they will even follow sports like Figure skating and down hill skiing, if we are winning.

See:

tennis with Raonic, Golf with Mike Weir, cycling with Hejdal. People wont even care how we win (see Ben Johnson) as long as we win. Or see the style of play that our women NT plays or played. Unlike some countries in the world, our culture is a result oriented one.


as far as soccer.

it means qualifying for the world cup and once we are at the world cup, it means playing and performing like we belong there.

The later is key because I recall 1986. We didnt get a bump after 1986 because when we got to the WCQ, we played and performed mostly like we were happy to be there. And looking NOT to be embarrassed.

[hodgkiss]

we can still win and have the general public not know where the next match will be or not know where to buy a shirt.
it's bigger than just winning - although it would certainly help.

[madmonte]

Try not to oversimplify this thread, I see what he is trying to do with it, and it's a good idea and opportunity for us to give REAL feedback. Read his thread again, and come up with some real ideas. From the posts on here, you Voyageurs have a great and unique perspective that the CSA could brainstorm off of, if you try. Go!

[socceronly]

Put the CMNT in both FIFA and PES soccer games. Build the brand.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.897975,-79.260254

I was at a meeting once at EA in Vancouver (where the game is made) and they laughed at us for this suggestion.

It's why I have never bought an EA product since.

[socceronly]

Nothing else needs to be said. when it come to international sports, Canadians only follow sports where Canada is winning. they will even follow sports like Figure skating and down hill skiing, if we are winning.

See:

tennis with Raonic, Golf with Mike Weir, cycling with Hejdal. People wont even care how we win (see Ben Johnson) as long as we win. Or see the style of play that our women NT plays or played. Unlike some countries in the world, our culture is a result oriented one.


as far as soccer.

it means qualifying for the world cup and once we are at the world cup, it means playing and performing like we belong there.

The later is key because I recall 1986. We didnt get a bump after 1986 because when we got to the WCQ, we played and performed mostly like we were happy to be there. And looking NOT to be embarrassed.

This is simply not true.

Unlike most people here, I have been doing nothing but talking to people about this for about two years straight.

The hit rate for people who find out about the game, and go, is really really high. I don't have a number, or what that number would mean or what it would be measured against, but it's really high.

Especially at the TFC games. Before I got shut down there, I only had like two douche bags out of countless people I talked to. These people emailed me over the next couple of weeks with like "hey we talked at the TFC game..."

It's not all about winning. It's way more about awareness.

Winning of course would help.

[socceronly]

I do have a crafty idea.

It's coming but will take about a year to put in place.

I hope to have a preview of it this summer.

If this is successful, it will dwarf the marketing efforts of the CSA and really really lend a critical hand in filling the stadium.

If there are professional marketing/PR people here who want to know more, please email me.

[Keegan]

This is simply not true.

Unlike most people here, I have been doing nothing but talking to people about this for about two years straight.

The hit rate for people who find out about the game, and go, is really really high. I don't have a number, or what that number would mean or what it would be against, but it's really high.

Especially at the TFC games. Before I got shut down there, I only had like two douche bags out of countless people I talked to. These people emailed me over the next couple of weeks with like "he we talked at the TFC game..."

It's not all about winning. It's way more about awareness.

Winning of course would help.

100%, I talk about this team any chance I get... people who learn are interested and if they can go to the game they go. If it weren't for the Voyageurs the support would be pathetic.. we know that the south end where all the Canada support is concentrated is possible through the work of the Voyageurs, take that away and what are you left with?

Jamie, how many people do you think are there as a result of this group? 16,000 were there last night, subtract 1,000 Hondurans roughly there on their own accord... so out of the 15,000 Canadians there how many or what percentage would you guess? Without the Voyageurs I don't think its unreasonable to say that half the people wouldn't be there. So really wtf good does the CSA do? They may as well give their whole marketing budget to us because they are CLUELESS. This was the biggest game to be played in Canada in 4 years and they couldn't sell it out, its so sad I'm not sure whether to laugh at how bad they are or cry at what a shame that is.

So the CSA's marketing effort, their lame poems, posters and TV commercials got 7,000 fans to the game. Well ****ing done CSA *slow clap*.