2013 Softball Marketing Plan

Softball Marketing Plan

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Softball Marketing Summary Goals and Objectives Marketing Overview A. Scheduling B. Pricing Marketing Strategy A. Pre-Game Promotions B. In-Long Promotions C. Single-Game Promotion D. Advertising Support Appendix A Going Green Campaign Appendix B Schedule Appendix C Youth League Contact Information

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Softball Marketing Summary

NKU softball will begin its inaugural Division I season in February 2013. Coming off of a 38-21 record last year they look to continue their successful ways into the Atlantic Sun Conference. With home games against Mercer, Jacksonville, East Tennessee State, Miami (OH) and Lipscomb, the Norse look to create new rivalries and continue their winning ways. There is an addition of six new freshman that will be added to an already experienced roster. The marketing department looks to capitalize on the combination of past success and the entrance to Division I by looking to increase attendance and awareness of NKU softball. Our goal is to help turn the everyday casual fan into an avid supporter of NKU softball and a total fan of all Norse Athletics. We seek to add to the game day atmosphere with new and exciting promotions as well as continuing the winning ways on the softball diamond. We also look to build upon growing our youth and student fan base as well as capture new attention from supporters who over looked NKU in the past. We strive to make the 2013 inaugural season, a season that will we never forget.

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Goals & Objectives

Help create a better overall awareness for NKU softball. Improve game day atmosphere with the additional of new promotions and prizes. Maintain and develop youth interest through promotions, camps, and other game day festivities. Partner with local softball organizations to establish a working relationship, as well as, to bring new fans to NKU softball. Strengthen relationships and increase fan support with student life and other studentdriven entities. (SGA, APB, Greek Life, Campus Ministries, Norse Force etc.).

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Overview

In order to meet the goals of the 2013 womens softball marketing campaign, the following plan will be utilized throughout the season to effectively promote Northern Kentucky University Womens Softball. The main goals of this plan are to increase fan attendance and awareness, thereby improving the game atmosphere. We aim to promote softball to area youth, the NKU student body and faculty, along with local organizations who have interest in NKU softball. Game promotions, fan giveaways, and autograph sessions with NKU softball players highlight opportunities for the fan experience. A. Scheduling: For the 2013 season, home softball action begins on March 16th at 12:00PM when the Norse host Mercer University. That is also the start of conference play for the Norse. All home games are played at Frank Ignatius Grein Field, on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. B. Pricing: There is no charge for admission to the NKU home softball games during the 2013 season.

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Marketing Strategy

Marketing efforts will concentrate on providing the fans of NKU softball the best possible game experience by utilizing game promotions and fan interaction, as well as, specific game night themes. We will integrate various advertising channels to funnel fans to Frank Ignatius Grein Field in order to achieve all the marketing goals and objectives. a. Pre-Game Promotions: Pre-game promotions will aim to bring in the previously mentioned target markets for this years plan. i. All home games Ceremonial First Pitch: Have someone of higher status, alumni, or special guest throw out the first pitch.

All home games Team Escorts: Youth teams can stand with a member of the team for the national anthem and get their autograph . b. In-Game Promotions i. Jimmy Johns Singles for Subs: If NKU gets 5 singles during a selected inning, one lucky fan will get a free Jimmy Johns Sub. Dizzy Bat Contest: Two contestants will be spun around for ten seconds at home plate, one will run to first base and back and the other to third base and back and the first one to finish wins. Norse Survivor: Fans will enter their names into a box at the beginning of the game. At the end of the first inning four contestants will be picked. At the end of the second inning the names will be called and eliminated. The last name left will win a prize. Foul Ball Frenzy: During the game anytime a fan retrieves a foul ball they will be entered into a drawing for an autographed softball or poster signed by the team. The drawing will be at the following game.

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c. Single Game Promotions 3/16/13 Key Tag Giveaway: Fans will receive key tag with the softball teams schedule on it. 3/16/13 Poster/Schedule Giveaway: Team posters and schedules will be given out to fans. 3/16/13 Team Autographs: All kids 12 and under can participate in an autograph session after the game. Promote at local elementary/middle schools, YMCA, and youth organizations. Autographs available after the game.

3/16/13 Norse Force Check-in: A chance for all Norse Force members to check in to earn Norse Force points. 4/16/13 Greek Night NKU Athletics has teamed up with Greek Life for their 2nd Annual Greek Week. Greek organizations are invited out to watch the Norse softball team play while they sport their organizations letters! Event will be promoted through NKU website, Presidents Roundtable meetings, and Orgsync. Greek life will have tables set up for sororities and fraternities to sign-in for Greek-Week event. 4/14/13 Bark in the Park: Fans will be able to bring their dogs to the came and be able to go out on the field with them before and after the game. 4/14/13 Strike Out Cancer: Have shirts for sale and all benefits go to a foundation. Players and coached will have pink on the uniforms (headbands, shoe strings, gloves, balls) 4/14/13 Norse Force Check-in: A chance for all Norse Force members to check in to earn Norse Force points 5/2/13 Go Green Day: All fans will be encouraged to wear green to help promote the Atlantic Suns push to go green and be conscious of the environment. Fans that wear green will be admitted free to the game. *More detail on page 8 5/2/13 Ks and Koozies: All fans wearing green will receive a free NKU koozie. 5/2/13 Norse Force Check-in: A chance for all Norse Force members to check in to earn Norse Force points 5/3/13 Senior Day: Seniors will be recognized at the beginning of the game. d. Advertising i. NKU Athletics Web Site Promotions along with the games shall be posted on the NKU athletics web page so it can easily be accessed by students and fans. The promotions should be easy to understand but include all rules and details. NKU Email Students will receive emails regarding information on upcoming games and promotions via the N3 news network. Additional targeted emails will be sent via the Norse Force President approved through Stephanie at wests1@nku.edu.

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Schedule Cards Schedule cards will be made at the beginning of the season and handed out at the first home game, as well as, distributed throughout the community leading off to home opener. Softball Posters The softball poster featuring the team can be picked up at NKU softball games. Players will be available to sign posters after select Norse softball games. Posters will be distributed to local eateries for display in their establishment. In-Game Announcements Announcements at home NKU softball games in the fall will inform softball attendees of the upcoming home softball matches and accompanying promotions. NKU Newspaper Ads featuring the softball team will be placed in this publication throughout the season to promote the season as well as upcoming games. Schedules and upcoming promotions will be promoted in upcoming calendar as editor sees fit. Social Media Posts will target all fans, friends, and followers, via the Norse athletics network informing them of upcoming games and promotions. NKU athletics network consist of facebook.com/nkunorse, twitter.com/nkunorse, facebook.com/nkunorseforce, twitter.com/nkunorseforce, facebook.com/nkunorsesball, and twitter.com/nkunorsesball. On-Campus Handouts Handout and flyers will be made with game promotion information that will be distributed to students throughout campus. (Athletics Marketing Interns execute). TVs in the Student Union (DSTV) Advertisements will be flashing across the screens of the TVs in the Student Union as a way of free advertising to a heavy traffic area. Yard Signs Custom made signs will be placed strategically throughout campus to alert campus and the Highland Heights community of upcoming games. NKU Marquee All home games will be featured on the US-27 marquee 1-2 weeks prior to event. Associated Press featured stories.

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APPENDIX A Going Green Campaign

With the push from the Atlantic Sun Conference on going green we have come up with several ideas to create awareness. A selected game could be a green game where the players and coaches would wear green. Fans are encouraged to wear green to the game. Recyclable trash cans should be placed near both dug outs and by the stands. A promotion during the game: select two contestants and have them try and throw a softball into a recyclable trash can that will be placed on the field, the first to make it wins a prize.

Appendix B NKU Norse Womens Softball Schedule

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Appendix C Youth League Contact Information

Club Contact

Anderson Youth Softball Civitan Club Girls Softball League

Northern Kentucky Bandits Fastpitch Softball Northern Kentucky Girls Fastpitch Softball Northern Kentucky Youth Association Special Olympics Kentucky River City Softball Tim Lang

Email president@aysl.com FairfieldCivitanClub@gmail.com emmit22@fuse.net nkfastpitch@insightbb.com SoftballAdmin@NKYA.com tmazzoni@soky.org nell.amye@gmail.com

Trish Mazzoni
Amy Nell

Any Softball Camp Participant

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