To summarize: Shutup!

The problem is they're only in SEO (almost wholly within the footprint of branch campuses, and a few stray ones in Columbus) and non-existent in places like Cleveland, where you'll see plenty of BG, Toledo, Kent, and Akron ads.

I agree with what he said. More to do - certainly. Improvements in recent years - absolutely!

I think that Marketing is doing a much better job in Athens and SEO, but I have to agree outside of that wheelhouse a poor job is being done to market to the alumni.  I am basically the hub of all OHIO info Athletics or Academics for about 8 former alumni at my place of work.  If I didn't tell them or they didn't happen to catch it in the Dispatch most of them would have no idea about most of what is going with the school and its athletic programs. Though I understand half of Marketing's problem is having the relevant contact information for alumni so that they can market to them.  But to combat this you have to find ways to still reach these lost alumni.

My friend, you truly do not understand sales. I'm not a professional salesman, my only business class was Management 202 (or something like that). But, I did sell TV's for three years and I have the natural talent to sell in general (2 1/2 high school years, 1/2 college year).

Now, you called me delusional. I'm assuming that was in regards to my assertion that marketing needed to reach out to ESPN, etc. to link to, or display their media offerings and convince STO to show all of our un-aired games (when permitted by Indians baseball). That ties directly into your definition of marketing (which you inferred I was not aware of):  Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. 

I believe that is pretty clear cut, so the delusion you inferred must have been derived by the difficulty of the task. Certainly, it will not be handed to us. But it is up to us, OHIO, to seek out these ventures. We must communicate the benefits to the customers, partners, and society at large.

When I sold TVs, it was my job to attach HDMI cables of varying prices. How delusional you must have thought it was that I would try  to attach cables of up to $140, $180 to a TV purchase. Some cables were as much as 80% margin; power strips were up to three or four hundred dollars (glorified extension cables). You might look at it on paper and write off the task as impossible. But it happened. They bought in; not with every customer, but it happened. It was my job to express the value of the purchase to the customer. I wasn't tricking them; there was legitimate value and the final choice was still their's. However, no matter what, I had to ask for the sale.

I don't believe OHIO marketing is asking for the sale. They are not pursuing these opportunities. They are settling for the $20 HDMI, or telling the customer, "Oh hey, you can get it cheaper on the internet!" (that is an unproven educated guess based on the results I've seen. I believe they'd have higher success in the areas I've questioned if they'd only ask).

You question my proposed methods to extend ourselves to these media outlets, showing up at the door so to speak. It works (I'm not proposing literally showing up at the door; something more organized). But remember that We Are Marshall movie quote about marriage? "You didn't proposed over the phone... And she didn't say 'Yes' with a letter." (in reference to the coach asking the AD to ask the NCAA to let freshman play for the first time ever). It's the classic mentality of a natural born salesman.

The point in all this is that marketing is as important to our overall success as anything else. You can say we don't have the funds, or the budget; don't take their word for it. I'm not saying we actually have the money. I'm saying if we don't, we just need to flat out find a way to make it happen because it is currently the limiting factor on our success. We need to search every avenue (including the free ones I've described). We need to get people going to these games now. 

If the Bobcats win the MAC Championship in the woods, and no one's around to hear it, do they make a sound?

There are some interesting points here, on both sides. For example, I can't imagine why anyone would buy an cables at a retail store. Buy the TV there, but buy the cables online. Oddly some people do the reverse despite the fact that retail stores are about the same as the web on the big stuff, but way high on cables.

Getting back to Ohio, its nice to see the 92% increase, but the prices are obviously very, very cheap. Are they 'attaching cables' to that, getting revenue from concessions, etc, on game day? Perhaps. And perhaps it is all part of a sound strategy to first get the fans hooked, at low prices, and then slowly raise them. Therefore I have no strong opinion one way or the other. Hopefully in a few more years they will be sold out for every game, and getting a good price per ticket. We'll see, though

One thing is certain - there is every reason to be optimistic about the future.

I'm not sure how many of you know it, but I learned at the Caravan that the marketing dept. actually started a sales team this year. I think there's 3-4 staff that focus just on ticket sales. If you were a bit late to renew your season tickets (like me!), you probably got a call or two from them. The girl I worked with was very helpful/knowledgeable, even helped me upgrade to Tower Club. So, yes, in my experience I think we are asking for the sale...and attempting to upgrade.

Good points, anorris -- including the last one.  That would be like selling a "seat" on Victory Hill for $200 for the Norfolk State game. 

This is a great revelation. I was not aware of this. Before ruffling some feathers I asked for some behind the scenes info and never got a response that indicated what you've posted. ( http://bobcatattack.com/messageboard/topic.asp?FromPage=2&ForumPID=6&PID=73128 )

A ticket sales team is exactly to type of "closing" I'm talking about. That's a clear example of asking for the sale and very efficient. I would go further to say that it represents nearly a majority share of the ticket sales increase we've seen this year.

I would like to see the demographics of the people the sales team is asking. However, the fact that they've reached this point makes me comfortable about expanding their operation. It has been duly noted.

JSF had two very real points that could represent the cold harsh reality. Is it insurmountable?

And to anorris, a Honda Civic and a BMW both get you from A to B.

You probably should never tell any  non-alums to watch OHIO Athletics. They should just follow the national championship contenders, else you risking losing sleep at night. It gets the job done "just as good" right; without the emotional cost (disappointment of never winning one)?

After all this discussion I have 1 question:


HOW MANY SEASON TICKET HOLDERS DO WE NOW HAVE?



GO BOBCATS

Not a great comparison, since there is a qualitative difference between the two.  There's no qualitative difference between the cables.  They work, or they don't.

PS, just giving you a hard time, you do raise some very valid points.  I think a lot of it comes down to $$$, and hopefully success breeds butts in seats, concessions, etc. to raise the funds to put on a harder marketing blitz.  The good thing is, we're moving the right direction and making progress on a lot of fronts the past 5 years.

After reading this I personally had to say something. I can't believe you are discrediting the marketing department thinking they have absolutely nothing to do with this increase in sales. I agree the football and basketball have put us on the map but the marketing department works their butts off to get this number to 92%! You really think that just because the product on the field has increased that people go out of their way to buy tickets? People have to be nudged in the butt a bit to buy tickets in this economic climate even if the team is doing great. They have to know their options to buy and not everyone goes out of their way like you to see what those are. The fair weather fan or the one on the fence needs to be urged a bit to buy.

I think based on last years results and my knowledge from currently working at a collegiate athletic department I would estimate that the increase would have been about 20-40% max. That would be a nice increase based on the success over the last few years But OUr marketing department is the one making calls and a heck of a strategy to pitch $4.50/game. That is ingenious if you ask me for this football season. The players aren't coming up with that, neither is Solich or McDavis. Its Schaus and his marketing staff.

Also, what do you think Relentless or the inside look at the basketball team is? That's marketing!

You obviously don't know what marketing means if you are thinking our marketing department does nothing. You have to still consider cost effeciency when it comes to all aspects of our department considering how much it still losses money and how much student fees are. What is the ROI on a billboard in Cleveland? Honestly? I'm thinking that isn't worth it though Columbus might be more I can see from a perspective that you may not why they are marketing the way they are.

- BBall Attack,

I'm going to go ahead and assume you did not see my response to catfan28. He/she brought it to the thread's attention that the marketing dept. created a "ticket sales team" this year (new information that I was not aware, but asked for in an earlier thread). It's likely responsible for almost a majority's share of the increase. Because they've simply started asking for the sale (unbelievably important in cold-calling scenarios).

---

I'm basing all my judgement's off the information I have available to me. I stand by my statements. When new data becomes available I certainly reconsider my previous assertions and have no trouble moving past them. If you're really curious, I have my real name listed in my profile.

I've lived in Cleveland most of my life. I never heard of Ohio University until my senior year of high school (thanks to my father's advice). I've lived in Columbus for just over a month. I haven't seen or heard anything yet outside of the OU T-shirts I encounter (and fans who acknowledge mine) on occasion. 

When you see something like a 92% increase in ticket sales it has to raise questions. First, why did product sales nearly double? This is a product, depending on how you date it, that could be anywhere from 5 to 80(?) years old.

Did the quality of the product change significantly? Some would say yes, but some could argue more strongly that the schedule is as bad as it's ever been and the increase in talent within the last five years in nominal at best? (seems to be a one NFL guy a year pace). Plus, the 2009, 9 win team, didn't spawn.. let's say an 80% increase the following year.

Did the demand change? Many on this board cite economic hardships of SEO all the time. And there are actually more FBS teams than ever before to increase the supply (none in Ohio though). So no, the demand didn't change.

Was how the product was offered change? Yes. I asked. I eventually got an answer. It was an answer that explains some things, but not all (they apparently now have a three to four man cold call team).

Now since we agree how the product was offered changed, we can cite the marketing team with the increase.

(I personally believe there are other, larger, important variables at play, but sensing the tone of the board let's continue with this).

Let's look at their product. Assume it's 5 years old. We have to look at marketing's budget as well. By all indications it's small, but it's as small as it's ever been (until proven otherwise).

It is then currently rational to conclude that because the demand and quality has not changed in lifetime of the product, the dramatic increase clearly indicates a previous inefficiency of the Marketing Department (that has been in some ways corrected).

We could go further and isolate variables within the department (like talent, due diligence, quality of the business model, etc.). However, we would have to know a lot more about the inner workings of the department to know that. I am by no means calling out any individuals.

It would be rational to conclude that the Marketing Department is improving. It is a personal choice to neglect the past (their prior inefficiencies). I respect that. Living in the present is typically a good thing. If you agree with the logic above, I can respect your opinion.

I personally disagree on the basis that I believe they are underachieving, even excluding their prior indiscretions.

I'm technically an OBC member. As a student last year I had to buy in to get tickets to Nashville and St. Louis. I've been to every home game (fball and bball). And over a dozen away games in four years (not counting the tournament). Now it's okay that they didn't call me. I'll find my way to the games anyways.

But I DID NOT get a call. Here's another opportunity missed. They have my current, accurate information. I was a graduating senior. The phone call is free. They need me in Peden next year. If a person who went to Nashville and St. Louis isn't convince to come to the Norfolk State game next year. When will they be? They never even asked. 

It's a 24,000 seat stadium, not 100,000. We have the state's name. It's a football state. We play at the highest level (in theory). I believe a committed staff would be able to sell it out; even with their limited budget. I think it is only rational to conclude they're not trying hard enough, or they're incapable (talent-wise). I do however understand how others can disagree with that.

- PS I really don't mean to sound like a (insert profanity of your choice). I'm sure people are projecting a tone and inflection from my text into their "minds eye" in a negative manner. I apologize for that. We're all really on the same team. We all support OHIO. I'm only using words to describe what I see and how I feel.

- PSS to anorris. I would typically let it slide, but...I really enjoyed my TV days. There is absolutely a qualitative difference between HDMI cables. If you could picture HDMI cables like mechanical pencils, maybe that would be a good way to picture the differences.