#TuesdayTip Recap (January/February)
Each Tuesday on our Twitter account (@3ptproductions), we post a #TuesdayTip relevant to the sports marketing and production industry. Our goal is to share best practices with game directors, producers and stage managers across the country.
#TuesdayTIp If you build a robust pregame with entertainment and added incentives for fans, they will come… earlier. #FanExperience
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) January 5, 2016
Certainly an industry trend to keep an eye on will be the continuing growth of pregame entertainment both in-and-out of the arena. We've seen several great examples around the country and shared them with Jon Cudo in a "Pregame Entertainment" discussion featured in the January edition of the GameOps.com Podcast. Take a listen.
#TuesdayTip Game Producers, always keep staff alert in case of the dreaded back-to-back media timeout scenario. Coaches aren't scripted.
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) January 13, 2016
Every experienced Game Producer has had it happen at least once before. A full coaches timeout comes on the heels of a media timeout and you're left scrambling to prep filler content. In addition to ensuring your stage managers are always at least two steps ahead in the program, always prepare your staff with upcoming timeout scenarios. And remember, having a library of drop in options is always an enhancement over generic crowd shots or event default graphics. Always have entertainment options readily available.
#TuesdayTip Utilize stadium technology to enhance preliminary or non-game day events. Great example via @Bucks here: pic.twitter.com/7mtW6gBanv
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) January 19, 2016
Shown in the picture attached to the tip, the Milwaukee Bucks lowered their in-stadium main videoboard to serve as a decorative backdrop display at a mentorship speaking engagement. This is a great example of a way to utilize stadium technology in an alternate way to elevate the magnitude of a preliminary event. Assess opportunities in your stadium and take advantage of digital assets for a more dynamic presentation.
#TuesdayTip Implementing best practices can be great, but run each concept through your brand filter to ensure it'll play well to your demo.
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) January 26, 2016
In sports entertainment, it's extremely rare that a good idea or best practice goes unshared and attempted in other markets - and that's ok. Just be mindful of your brand and the demographic of your fan base in the process of implementing a best practice from another market. Stay authentic to your game presentation style and recreate it through your brand filter to make it unique to your market.
#TuesdayTip Make the marketing department look good by taking advantage of unique branding opportunities on gameday! pic.twitter.com/76sxJ55qGH
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) February 2, 2016
Chances are that the marketing department won't put a fine tooth comb to your script or be at performance rehearsals to ensure that every brand opportunity is taken advantage of. If you have a halftime act or special guest built into your presentation, surprise your marketing department with your savvy by taking advantage of opportunities to creatively incorporate team branding. In the video example, the Magic of JP Wilson, incorporates the unveiling of a team jersey into his halftime performance.
#TuesdayTip Create unique gameday traditions for fans to experience in-person. Give them a good reason to choose the stadium over the couch.
— 3 Point Productions (@3ptproductions) February 23, 2016
At 3 Point Productions, we believe it's the traditions and sharable "high-5" moments within the fan experience that lead fans to attend an event versus watching on their couch at home. It's a challenge for every marketing and entertainment department in the country to foster these moments but it's an issue that needs to stay top of mind for every producer. Look for every opportunity to build, highlight and reinforce these moments to create something that people don't want to miss.