2016 All Things Lions Marketing & Promotions

[CardiacKid]

a team owner whose only visit with the team is when they came to Hamilton, a team owner whose only reply to a journalist's query as to when the team is being sold (which was the stated goal of said owner roughly a year ago) is his boy's "like to watch football"

I think that is extremely unfair. Braley usually makes at least half, if not most, Lions home games. When he took ill he was out in Vancouver looking forward to attending and speaking at one of his club's signature events the Orange Helmet Awards. He was hospitalized in Vancouver for several weeks before he was even allowed to return home to Hamilton. I can't remember for sure if he wasn't still in Vancouver when the Lions were in Kamloops for training camp. There hasn't been much discussion about his health recently but when it comes to things like that or his family he's a very private individual. I suspect the only reason we haven't seen him at games locally is because he hasn't fully recovered from his illness.

You are right Hambone, I was being unfair. After reading your comment and looking back at mine, it was excessive in the scorn I directed at Mr. Braley. His recent illness would impact the level of time and activity he could invest in the team. If by some chance he reads Lionbackers, I apologize to Mr. Braley.

I do tend to get frustrated with what seems to be going on or perhaps more to the point, what is not going on in the Lion's business operations. There really does seem to be a collective shrug from management as how to turn this around...

[Qman]

Season ticket renewals are out!

- little shocked that they are raising prices in some zones but not much (1.50/game in 720s)
- 29% of regular prices tickets isn't enough, everyone knows single game tickets are too high and you HAVE to buy the preseason game
- 10month plan at no charge is still there ... good to see

Whats New
- putting all their eggs in the 25% cash back if for refferal basket
- new unused ticket exchange program


Things i would like to see:
- kids ticket or season ticket
- alot bigger discount on season tickets
- they should have introduced a ultra low season ticket: ie go to3 zones in the endzone: 199 for last 5 rows, 250 for net 5 rows, 325 for bottom 15-or-so rows
- season ticket discount is not enough, especially with the prices in the online secondary market and whitecaps tickets almost half the price per game
- early bird discount like the caps
- a single section in between the 720s and 550s ... like at $640

[Hambone]

^^^Well said, Hambone.

As far as Braley's ownership of the Argos, if he hadn't stepped up and taken over the running of the Argos then the league would have. And how would the league (owners of the other teams) have run the Argos? My guess is that the league would have had a mandate to cut expenses to the bone as Braley did, only they would not have waited 5+ years to find the right buyer like Braley did.

As far as how the Lions are currently being run, imo it is time for Braley to sell the team to someone with the energy and local commitment to drum up interest and enthusiasm for the team. At the very least a replacement for Sulsky should happen for 2017.

Braley's intent with the Argos was never to turn the franchise around. He did it partly to protect his own investment and partly to keep them afloat until such time as solid owners could be found. He had lent the previous owners a lot of money for them to purchase and operate the Argos. About the only chance he had to recoup that was to take the team over and get a Grey Cup to help in that cause. Had the CFL taken over he, like the rest of the clubs, would've been digging into his pocket to keep the Boatmen afloat. No doubt if the league were forced to take over a) he would've had zero chance of recovering the loans and b) the CFL would've run the club on the shortest of shoestring budgets. Had the league taken over no way they would've kept operating the Argos for 5 years. They would have either taken them off life support after maybe 2 years or sold them to the next Horn Chen or Glieberman or Skalbania types willing to take the club over for cheap. In the case of the latter scenario the CFL could well have wound up holding the bag again by now.

As for Braley selling the Lions I wouldn't take the silence on the subject as indication nothing is happening. Selling a sports franchise is not a simple deal. It's not like walking onto a car lot and driving away a couple hours later with new wheels. Negotiations can take months. I don't think we'll hear anything about a sale until all of a sudden there's an announcement that an agreement is in place. I could be wrong but in the case of Braley selling the Argos there was some spitballing type speculation floating around for a couple of years but no substantiated reports about Braley negotiating with any specific parties until it was a done deal. I think that's just the way Braley and most in the corporate world do business, privately.

[Hambone]

[Jobs going unfilled after months, people leaving the organization to go work for junior hockey teams in St. John, NB (who the hell goes to work in NB?!?!? its like joining the Night Watch in Game of Thrones),

I'm not picking on you here CK but just saw an announcement up here in Prince George where the WHL Cougars just hired a new Manager of Ticket Sales. The guy they hired was formerly an Account Sales Manager with the San Jose Sharks and previously worked with the St. Louis Blues for 5 years as well as the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators. If a guy can go from the NHL in California to junior hockey in the Cariboo then I guess it's not too far fetched to go from the CFL in Van to junior hockey in NB.

[CardiacKid]

[Jobs going unfilled after months, people leaving the organization to go work for junior hockey teams in St. John, NB (who the hell goes to work in NB?!?!? its like joining the Night Watch in Game of Thrones),

I'm not picking on you here CK but just saw an announcement up here in Prince George where the WHL Cougars just hired a new Manager of Ticket Sales. The guy they hired was formerly an Account Sales Manager with the San Jose Sharks and previously worked with the St. Louis Blues for 5 years as well as the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators. If a guy can go from the NHL in California to junior hockey in the Cariboo then I guess it's not too far fetched to go from the CFL in Van to junior hockey in NB.

The wife would love to return to PG, me....I'm a little more hesitant. The winters in Victoria have made me into a whuss. But PG does have Esther's Inn, the Hawaii of the North!

[DanoT]

I heard Ryan of Stampeder Horesman.ca Podcast say that he has season tickets in the McMann Stadium Family Zone. His season ticket costs $220 and he gets a second season ticket for free for a child 12 and under.

[B.C.FAN]

Season ticket renewals are out!

- little shocked that they are raising prices in some zones but not much (1.50/game in 720s)
- 29% of regular prices tickets isn't enough, everyone knows single game tickets are too high and you HAVE to buy the preseason game
- 10month plan at no charge is still there ... good to see

Whats New
- putting all their eggs in the 25% cash back if for refferal basket
- new unused ticket exchange program


Things i would like to see:
- kids ticket or season ticket
- alot bigger discount on season tickets
- they should have introduced a ultra low season ticket: ie go to3 zones in the endzone: 199 for last 5 rows, 250 for net 5 rows, 325 for bottom 15-or-so rows
- season ticket discount is not enough, especially with the prices in the online secondary market and whitecaps tickets almost half the price per game
- early bird discount like the caps
- a single section in between the 720s and 550s ... like at $640

I'm afraid the pricing strategy doesn't reflect the changing marketplace and will lead to continued erosion of the season ticket fan base. My 2017 invoice for three seats in the end zone is for $970 ($32 per seat per game). This year I paid $971. There's no big incentive for early renewal as there was last year with the free jerseys. A chance to win a car or a trip just doesn't do it for me any more. I'm not sure I'll renew all three seats because I often have trouble finding someone to accompany me.

[TheLionKing]

What are 720s and 550s ?

[Qman]

What are 720s and 550s ?

720s are $720 coaches sideline between the 25s
550s are $550 red zone 0-25yd line

[Qman]

Season ticket renewals are out!

- little shocked that they are raising prices in some zones but not much (1.50/game in 720s)
- 29% of regular prices tickets isn't enough, everyone knows single game tickets are too high and you HAVE to buy the preseason game
- 10month plan at no charge is still there ... good to see

Whats New
- putting all their eggs in the 25% cash back if for refferal basket
- new unused ticket exchange program


Things i would like to see:
- kids ticket or season ticket
- alot bigger discount on season tickets
- they should have introduced a ultra low season ticket: ie go to3 zones in the endzone: 199 for last 5 rows, 250 for net 5 rows, 325 for bottom 15-or-so rows
- season ticket discount is not enough, especially with the prices in the online secondary market and whitecaps tickets almost half the price per game
- early bird discount like the caps
- a single section in between the 720s and 550s ... like at $640

I'm afraid the pricing strategy doesn't reflect the changing marketplace and will lead to continued erosion of the season ticket fan base. My 2017 invoice for three seats in the end zone is for $970 ($32 per seat per game). This year I paid $971. There's no big incentive for early renewal as there was last year with the free jerseys. A chance to win a car or a trip just doesn't do it for me any more. I'm not sure I'll renew all three seats because I often have trouble finding someone to accompany me.

i don't get it. They seem so out of touch with the market. This is BRUTAL! you would think they would run some focus groups before launching this.


i would have done this

2016 $720 coaches sideline
2017 $735 coaches sideline

Instead:
$700 before Nov 30 plus a free extra ticket to one of the 4 summer games (11 games for price of 10); $720 after
same for other sections

I would have have also introduced a $50 kids season ticket (13 and under) - endzone/corner sections only

The best part of this is they aren't going to fill those seats anyways, so they would be giving something to the season ticket holders that has alot of perceived value but to the lions is essentially worth $0 because they haven't filled those seats in the summer or in endzone last two years (not worth anything unless they are consistantly filled)

I've got twenty more ideas ... Skulsky PM me if you want to hire me, but your getting the best advice for free here.

[Hambone]

Season ticket renewals are out!

- little shocked that they are raising prices in some zones but not much (1.50/game in 720s)
- 29% of regular prices tickets isn't enough, everyone knows single game tickets are too high and you HAVE to buy the preseason game
- 10month plan at no charge is still there ... good to see

Whats New
- putting all their eggs in the 25% cash back if for refferal basket
- new unused ticket exchange program


Things i would like to see:
- kids ticket or season ticket
- alot bigger discount on season tickets
- they should have introduced a ultra low season ticket: ie go to3 zones in the endzone: 199 for last 5 rows, 250 for net 5 rows, 325 for bottom 15-or-so rows
- season ticket discount is not enough, especially with the prices in the online secondary market and whitecaps tickets almost half the price per game
- early bird discount like the caps
- a single section in between the 720s and 550s ... like at $640

I'm afraid the pricing strategy doesn't reflect the changing marketplace and will lead to continued erosion of the season ticket fan base. My 2017 invoice for three seats in the end zone is for $970 ($32 per seat per game). This year I paid $971. There's no big incentive for early renewal as there was last year with the free jerseys. A chance to win a car or a trip just doesn't do it for me any more. I'm not sure I'll renew all three seats because I often have trouble finding someone to accompany me.

i don't get it. They seem so out of touch with the market. This is BRUTAL! you would think they would run some focus groups before launching this.


i would have done this

2016 $720 coaches sideline
2017 $735 coaches sideline

Instead:
$700 before Nov 30 plus a free extra ticket to one of the 4 summer games (11 games for price of 10); $720 after
same for other sections

I would have have also introduced a $50 kids season ticket (13 and under) - endzone/corner sections only

The best part of this is they aren't going to fill those seats anyways, so they would be giving something to the season ticket holders that has alot of perceived value but to the lions is essentially worth $0 because they haven't filled those seats in the summer or in endzone last two years (not worth anything unless they are consistantly filled)

I've got twenty more ideas ... Skulsky PM me if you want to hire me, but your getting the best advice for free here.

I will admit to being curious as to why the Lions almost refuse to offer youth or child's season tickets. They do offer the $10 BC Lions Kid Club membership which includes swag and other perks as well as a free ticket to a game. Having said that one thing I've always been curious about on the idea of kids tickets is how do teams that offer them police them? Is there anything stopping an adult from using it? I don't envision Pavco staff checking ID at the gates when scanning tickets.

As the holder of a single season ticket an extra single seat to a game has no incentive value to me, especially the summer games as those are the games I'm most likely to miss myself. Getting the jersey last year was nice but it's still hanging in a closet unused. I find the no charge payment plan being the biggest incentive for me. It makes for painless ST purchase. I don't have to come up with the $720+ all at once and don't notice the installments hitting my Visa card.

Full list of ST benefits can be viewed here:
http://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp ... Chart1.pdf

[Hambone]

I heard Ryan of Stampeder Horesman.ca Podcast say that he has season tickets in the McMann Stadium Family Zone. His season ticket costs $220 and he gets a second season ticket for free for a child 12 and under.

It amounts to that. $242 for 11 games; ex-game, 9 reg season and playoff ticket. Seats are restricted to the lower half of Section L which is back corner of the endzone. BCP equivalent would be lower half of section 249. As a family section should be it's a no-alcohol section. On a single game basis they go for $34.50.

[Dusty]

I will admit to being curious as to why the Lions almost refuse to offer youth or child's season tickets. They do offer the $10 BC Lions Kid Club membership which includes swag and other perks as well as a free ticket to a game. Having said that one thing I've always been curious about on the idea of kids tickets is how do teams that offer them police them? Is there anything stopping an adult from using it? I don't envision Pavco staff checking ID at the gates when scanning tickets.

As the holder of a single season ticket an extra single seat to a game has no incentive value to me, especially the summer games as those are the games I'm most likely to miss myself. Getting the jersey last year was nice but it's still hanging in a closet unused. I find the no charge payment plan being the biggest incentive for me. It makes for painless ST purchase. I don't have to come up with the $720+ all at once and don't notice the installments hitting my Visa card.

Years ago, I had a Season Ticket on the 35 yard line ($375??) and as a STH, I got a Kids seasons ticket for my son (aged 9 at the time) for an additional $33. His was in a "Kids Zone" located near Section 220. The kids were supervised and had their own food booth. Great deal and lotsa fun. I spent half the game watching from my seat and half the game with him playing catch with a mini ball in the foyer. I've no idea why they do not do something similar now. My son would put the pressure on me to make sure he did not miss a game... Seems to me that linking kids with parents tickets will get both out to games.

I haven't seen any renewal info. During last season, I was bought off with the jersey, but this year I'm not hearing any reason to renew other than the team is going good.... In addition to the Season Ticket price, I spend money on a pre-game meal downtown, a couple of beers in the stadium and maybe some popcorn or ice cream. Each home game costs me about $120. I'm thinking that for the same amount of money, I could walk to a pub for both the home and away games (I am a cord cutter), have some beers and a bite to eat and watch the TSN broadcast. I dunno about next year.....

[Hambone]

I haven't seen any renewal info. During last season, I was bought off with the jersey, but this year I'm not hearing any reason to renew other than the team is going good.... In addition to the Season Ticket price, I spend money on a pre-game meal downtown, a couple of beers in the stadium and maybe some popcorn or ice cream. Each home game costs me about $120. I'm thinking that for the same amount of money, I could walk to a pub for both the home and away games (I am a cord cutter), have some beers and a bite to eat and watch the TSN broadcast. I dunno about next year.....

As an out-of-town ST holder each game runs just under a grand on average. For each game I have to tack on flights and hotels or fuel, vehicle wear and tear and hotels plus meals, beers etc while in Vancouver. But hey it gives me a great excuse to get out of PG or wherever I happen to be working at the time (Fort St. John this year) and down to the big city. I get a bit of a discount on the next 2 games as I'll be taking the opportunity the back-to-backs offer to get back home to the Island for the week. So I get in 2 games for the same roadtrip.

[Hambone]

Just came across this in a CNN archive.

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology ... index.html