Qdoba Tailgates in a Big Way at Seahawks Games

As an Official Partner of the Seattle Seahawks, Qdoba Mexican Grill is offering fans in Seattle the chance to win a VIP 12th Fan Tailgate Party.

The ultimate game experience includes (4) Seahawks tickets and parking spots, exclusive access to the Qdoba VIP Tailgate Lounge (which included a private server) for (20) people, and a VIP area that features (3) flat screen televisions, an XBOX 360, comfortable seating, and more!

Fans looking to win the VIP 12th Fan Tailgate Party experience simply have to head to their local participating Qdoba location, swipe their Qdoba Card when purchasing an entree, and automatically be entered to win. Fans can also submit an entry online at QdobaTailgate.com for the chance to win the final Qdoba VIP tailgating party on January 2nd.

Check out a great video that captures the VIP 12th Fan Tailgate Party below - a truly unique experience that can be replicated at many stadiums across the country!

Click here for a collection of photos from Qdoba's first official tailgate at Qwest Field.

Bring Game Entertainment to Life for Fans Via Social Media

Each and every football weekend, sports marketers need to consider ways that they can recreate the stadium experience for thousands of viewers at home. With social media, marketers have a very cost-effective platform to bring stadium entertainment to life for fans to watch during the week, before games, and after huge victories.

Quality content that can be captured and rebroadcasted via social media can include:

• Pre-Game
  • Pre-game introductions, scoreboard introduction videos, pre-game traditions, time lapse videos of fans entering the stadium, pictures/video of game day giveaways, the National Anthem, pre-game skydivers, tailgating insights, pep rallies, pre-game concerts, pre-game band performances, warmups/walk-throughs, etc.
• In-Game
  • Scoreboard features, on-field promotions, fan cheers, cheerleaders/dance team, halftime entertainment, in-game ceremonies, etc.
• Post-Game
  • Band performances, team celebrations, post-game interviews, fan celebrations, scoreboard highlights, fireworks, post-game concerts, etc.

As an example of capturing quality game day footage, enclosed is a great video that lets fans experience the thrills of a skydiver gliding into a stadium packed with 80,000+ screaming fans before a rivalry game. Capture these special moments for your fan base!

List of Sports Teams Using Foursquare

There has been a lot of chatter recently about what sports organizations are utilizing geolocation services like Foursquare and Gowalla. Here is a quick list of teams that have set up Official Foursquare Pages.

While some are more active than others (SF Giants, Washington Redskins, Manchester City FC, University of Michigan and Texas Tech Athletics), it's refreshing to see that all of these organizations are moving in the right direction when it comes to social media.

Check out the list below:

MLB

1. San Francisco Giants - http://foursquare.com/sfgiants

2. Los Angeles Dodgers - http://foursquare.com/user/dodgertownusa

3. Cleveland Indians - http://foursquare.com/user/tribetalk

Oakland A's - http://foursquare.com/user/oaklandas

NBA

1. Milwaukee Bucks - http://foursquare.com/user/bucks

2. New Orleans Hornets - http://foursquare.com/user/hornets

3. San Antonio Spurs - http://foursquare.com/user/spurs

NFL

1. Washington Redskins - http://foursquare.com/redskinsdotcom

2. San Diego Chargers - http://foursquare.com/user/chargers

NHL

1. New York Islanders - http://foursquare.com/user/nyislanders

2. Washington Capitals - http://foursquare.com/user/washcaps

College Athletics

1. University of Michigan Athletics - http://foursquare.com/michigangoblue

2. Texas Tech University Athletics - http://foursquare.com/texastech

3. University of South Florida Athletics - http://foursquare.com/user/usfathletics?DB_OEM_ID=7700

Barclays Premier League

1. Manchester City FC - http://foursquare.com/mcfc

Major League Soccer

1. Colorado Rapids - http://foursquare.com/user/rapidssoccer

LSU Athletics Shows Fans How to Fit in at Tiger Stadium

Sports organizations looking to create new, engaging videos to feature on their websites during the off-season should consider benchmarking a recent "How to Fit in at Tiger Stadium" piece developed by LSU Athletics. The video is unique, humorous, and educational as it sends a clear message to fans.

Check it this classic piece below:

Gator Nation Rules Again... With a Billboard Message from God

Nike Demonstrates the Life Cycle of Its Brand with Soccer Viral

Nike does a terrific job demonstrating the life cycle of its brand in a recent piece created for the Czech football club AC Sparta Praha. In the spot, Nike demonstrates how an athlete matures with the brand throughout the various stages in his/her life. From birth to adolescence to playing professionally, there is one constant in sports - wearing the same brand of apparel because you believe in it.

The low-budget spot is extremely well done and serves as a great benchmark for any brand looking to showcase how consumers use their brand throughout the various stages of their lives.

Nike 6.0 Lets Snowboarders Live/Play at Marco's Mansion

Brands looking for new ways to capture the action/extreme sports crowd should take a close look at a recent viral from Nike entitled, "Marco's Mansion". To capture the attention of snowboard enthusiasts who wish they could live on top of the mountain, Nike 6.0 created a man-made igloo (called Marco's Mansion) that a team of notable snowboarders could throw down on all day and sleep in at night.

The concept of the piece is extremely creative and is a great way to drive some incremental interest in the sport and several notable personalities (Marco Smolla and his gang).

Check it out below:

Fuel Guerrilla Marketing Initiatives with QR Codes

Brands looking to create unique guerrilla marketing campaigns that leverage social media technology should benchmark a recent tactic implemented by the Oral Cancer Foundation. In August, the Oral Cancer Foundation called on several teams of young women to hit the beaches of Surf City to message to thousands of teens and 20-somethings attending the 2010 US Open of Surfing.

With 500,000 visitors attending the three-day surfing event sponsored by Hurley, Oral Cancer Foundation personnel knew that they needed to create a compelling, unique program to effectively get their message across about the risks of oral cancer, HPV, and other diseases. To do so, the Oral Cancer Foundation created a social media strategy that leveraged QR codes.

Throughout the US Open of Surfing competition, teams of female Oral Cancer Foundation brand ambassadors scoured the beaches and handed out creatively worded stickers, t-shirts, and temporary tattoos that all beared a unique QR code. When recipients scanned the QR codes with the mobile phones, they were taken to a microsite that provided educational information about the risks of certain preventative diseases.

The Oral Cancer Foundation found that the QR codes enabled their guerrilla marketing teams the ability to communicate life saving messages to consumers in a very powerful way. The initiative proved to be an influential, cost-effective means to target a crowd of young, tech savvy consumers.

Check out some pictures of their guerrilla marketing outreach below:

 

Source: PR Newswire, Oral Cancer Foundation Flickr Page  

3 Sports Technologies to Keep an Eye On

Are you looking for the latest technologies in the sports space? Are you looking for new ways to utilize technology to enhance the game day experience for fans?

Here are three (3) technologies that are changing the game in sports: 

New York Jets - Touchscreen Device

The New York Jets are testing a touchscreen command center, built by design agency Roundarch, that enables team personnel to track various game day operations. With the touch of a button, teams can gauge which concessions and merchandise items are selling fast, whether there are traffic issues outside the stadium, and ticket sales information. Source: Roundarch

New England Patriots - Yinzcam

The New England Patriots are offering all fans attending games at Gillette Stadium a unique opportunity to gain more access than ever before. The Patriots are offering a Yinzcam smartphone application that allows fans to see instantaneous replays during games, live stats and scores, and NFL RedZone. Fans can access the mobile app inside Gillette Stadium by connecting to a Patriots WiFi network. Source: USA Today  

Orlando Magic - Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)

The Amway Center, the new home of the Orlando Magic, will soon be considered one of the most technologically advanced arenas on the planet. The Magic and arena officials have partnered with the Harris Corp. to install an Internet Protocol Television network that features 1,100 flat-panel video screens throughout the building programmed to enhance the fan experience. The two parties will operate a behind-the-scenes control room where technicians can display specific messages, images, mosaics, video, and animation to fans as they scour throughout the arena. Source: Orlando Sentinel

Bring Game Day Experiences to Life with 3D Photo Walls

Sports organizations looking to feature new entertainment options for fans on game day should consider investing in 3D photo walls. These fixtures provide great game day photo opportunities for fans and serve as a means to drive awareness for corporate sponsors.

While 3D photo walls are relatively uncommon in the United States marketplace, they are becoming a well recognized activation piece in global markets. In the United Kingdom, Global Games Sports has emerged as an industry leader producing the 3D photo wall fixtures. The company produces fixtures standing 6-7 feet high that are made of resign and fiber glass. These display pieces run approximately 2,000 euros but are very durable and can be customized to the exact specifications required by teams, sponsors, athletes, and fans.

3D photo walls can serve as a great, engaging way for sponsors to drive team affiliation awareness (via backdrops, props, adjoining signage, etc.) and awareness for jersey sponsorships.

Check out a few examples below: 

 

 

Buick Lets Consumers "Tweet to Drive" in Chicago

Automobile companies looking for new ways to leverage their sports sponsorships to engage fans should consider featuring a team-branded test drive vehicle in-market that picks up fans on demand via Twitter. The real-time pickup service could take place on game days, during the off-season, or as a gratuity to fans looking for rides to/from the game.

Buick is currently running a "Tweet to Drive" test program in Chicago where consumers can send a tweet to @DriveBuickChi for the chance to get picked up, experience a non-threatening test drive of the new Buick Lacrosse, and get dropped off at a preferred destination. While touring the city of Chicago this past weekend, my wife (@LauraGainor) and I saw the Buick vehicles in town, tweeted to them, and had a wonderful experience testing out the automobile and Buick's new promotion - specifically targeted at the young-middle aged professional demo.

Check out a terrific post-experience recap Laura created that she recently posted on her site, http://www.LauraGainor.com, and consider new ways that you can leverage Twitter to bring your partnership activation plans to life!

Buick Tour of Chicago with "Tweet to Drive" @DriveBuickChi from Laura Gainor on Vimeo.

POLL: What is the Best In-Venue Destination in Baseball?

With the 2010 MLB regular season winding down, we would love to get your take on what is the best in-venue destination in baseball. Please vote below or feel free to leave your thoughts/suggestions for other in-venue destinations in the Comments section below.

All suggestions have to be sponsor-driven of course...

We look forward to seeing the poll results! 

IBM Uses Augmented Reality at the 2010 U.S. Open

IBM is using augmented reality to take the fan experience at the 2010 U.S. Open to new heights. The computer technology company developed a U.S. Open iPhone application that allows users on-site at the tournament to point their phone in the direction of the tennis court (even if you are walking by outside) and receive real-time scores and statistics. Fans can also use this iPhone app functionality to see what restaurants are on-site.

The new U.S. Open App essentially marries the camera and GPS functionality of an iPhone to offer real-time scoring, live radio, venue maps, and the special "Around me" feature that provides fans with an interactive experience via augmented reality. The app serves as a great demonstration of IBM's "Smarter Planet" campaign and helps the company showcase to its clientele how they can use data to make better decisions.

IBM created a similar app with augmented reality functionality for the iPhone and Android at the 2010 Wimbledon tournament. Check it out below:

The 2010 U.S. Open app is even much more sophisticated than the product they offered to consumers in 2009, detailed below:

Identify With Your Fans' Attitudes, Behaviors, and Values

Sports organizations looking to create new, compelling content during the offseason should consider creating pieces that speak directly to their fanbase. As members of a fan base, individual fans regularly conform to the attitudes, behaviors, and values of their fellow peers. That is why Eagles, Raiders, and Cowboys fans love being who they are. As a result, it's important for teams and brands to understand the attitudes and behaviors of their avid fanbase and speak directly to them with compelling story telling.

Nike recently produced a terrific piece about the fans of the historic Brazilian soccer club Corinthians, entitled "30 Million Strong", that serves as a benchmark for brands and organizations looking to demonstrate how well they truly understand and value their fanbase. In the piece, Nike showcases how Corinthians is more than just a soccer club, it's "the people's team", a republic and lifestyle for fans.

Nike is using the viral piece to drive membership of its Corinthians Facebook Fan Page - a great idea!

Check it out below:

POLL: Which social media platform do you prefer to use for networking?

Social media platforms are becoming integral for sports business professionals to connect with one another and share best practices. Let us know which social media platform has been the most beneficial to helping you network and why. 

Home Depot Drives Excitement at Braves Games with Tool Race

Over the past few years, Home Depot has brought its partnership with the Atlanta Braves to life with an engaging tool race during games. The race features four (4) Home Depot tools - a hammer, saw, paint brush, and a drill - competing head-to-head in a race around the warning track. The Braves now drive excitement around the initiative by accompanying season long stats of tool performance and aligning fan contestants representing each tool.

It is rumored that "Two Bit", the Home Depot drill that competes in the race, NEVER wins but here is proof that it did happen once in 2009.

Here is a great compilation of some other on-field races featured at baseball stadiums across the country.

adidas and Zidane Team Up to Market New Line of Products

CPG companies looking for new ways to leverage sports to drive retail sales should take a close look at a recent adidas commercial spot that features soccer legend Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane is the new face of adidas' Body Care for Men, a line of deoderant, shower gel, and toiletries targeted at young male adults. adidas is using Zidane as a recognizable figurehead to drive consumer awareness and interest for its six (6) Body Care for Men products, labeled "Pure Game", "Play", "Drive", "Impact", "Strength", and "League".

In the commercial spot, Zidane is shopping at a high end retail location when he notices a young male consumer performing some amazing juggling tricks after spraying deoderant on from adidas' Body Care for Men product line. The piece does a great job leveraging adidas' partnership with Zidane and effectively tying a CPG product back to the game of soccer.

Check it out below:

Source: Home Essential

Dana White Connects Directly with UFC Fans Via Fan Phone

Dana White, the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and social media extraordinaire, recently teamed up with Digital Royalty to provide the sport's fans with unprecedented access.

Prior to the UFC 118 Event in Boston on Saturday Night, Dana White tweeted out a phone number to his 4.5MM Twitter followers that allowed UFC fans to call him directly and share their predictions for the fights on tap that night. Within seconds, White received a call from a loyal UFC fan and shortly thereafter heard from a number of other fans from across the world.

Amy Martin of Digital Royalty documented White's "Fan Phone" strategy and created a video case study that she recently posted online to help bridge the gap that exists between the virtual and physical worlds. Check it out below!

The FL Panthers and The Eagles Partner on Marketing Efforts

Sunrise Sports & Entertainment recently announced a unique partnership between the NHL's Florida Panthers and the storied American rock band, The Eagles. The sport/music entities are teaming up to create a unique, fully integrated marketing partnership that is believed to be the first of its kind in the sports and music entertainment industry.

The Eagles will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the team's 2010-2011 Training Camp and will benefit from exposure via numerous branding channels throughout the duration of training camp (Sept. 11 - Oct. 10), including:

• 2010-2011 Training Camp Logo Entitlement
• Training Camp mentions on FloridaPanthers.com
• Social Media Messages
• Training Camp Press Releases and Marketing Adverts
• Messaging In-Game, In-Arena, and On Television Broadcasts
• Media Backdrops
• Ice Signage
• Additional Signage Inventory in the Panthers Den Training Facility

The Eagles' Training Camp sponsorship will provide exposure for The Eagles' concert at the BankAtlantic Center on Friday, October 8th, eight (8) days prior to the Panthers opening night matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Financials of the partnership agreement were not disclosed.

Source: Panthers.nhl.com

Air New Zealand Leverages Rugby Partnership with Safety Video

As part of their partnership with the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team, Air New Zealand recently released a terrific airplane safety video that incorporates players, fans, and more. The video demonstrates new ways that teams and airline partners can leverage their affiliations in creative ways.

Check it out below: