Something 'big' coming ??

[Ford Fairlane]

What I do like about the announcement is that one of the AFL's premier partners, NAB, has jumped on board. This is good work by the club. What I don't like about this lastest announcement is that it will do nothing to get more kids to the game. It will make it fun for those who are already going, and good on the club for trying something different, but I see nothing here that will get more kids to the game.

I spoke to one of the Port reps at the launch and the impression I had was this Thunda Bolt is to be the centrepiece of the "Join the Revolution" theme. It'll be developed as an iconic symbol by parading it at games and then would be an attraction when they go out on member recruiting. It can be towed so they can take it places.

Six years ago we had the 6th or 7th largest junior membership in the league. Last year we had the 14th. Our figures have stagnated between 4,500 and 4,900. Nothing in this announcement says that the number of junior memberships and kids attending games are going to improve dramatically.

JJ made some comment at the launch about Port's research showing they were making real inroads into the youth market and this latest launch of initiatives was designed to capitalise on that. Not saying your figures aren't accurate, just maybe Port are using a different methodology for assessing junior support.

 

[Eago77]

It can be towed so they can take it places.

Can they just tow it down to the dump?

Really WTF are they thinking?

Make it easier to get in and out of footy park, make parking & food cheaper and 1000's more will turn up. I'm pretty confident not one more person will walk through the gates to see that giant w@nking hand.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

I spoke to one of the Port reps at the launch and the impression I had was this Thunda Bolt is to be the centrepiece of the "Join the Revolution" theme. It'll be developed as an iconic symbol by parading it at games and then would be an attraction when they go out on member recruiting. It can be towed so they can take it places.

Fine, that's why I don't get all this "I'm really embarrassed" stuff I have read. If they use it for a marketing drive for kids then well and good.

JJ made some comment at the launch about Port's research showing they were making real inroads into the youth market and this latest launch of initiatives was designed to capitalise on that. Not saying your figures aren't accurate, just maybe Port are using a different methodology for assessing junior support.

Market research can show you plenty of things, but the key is converting kids to turn up and watch the game. Yes it's good that kids are following us and our supporter numbers according to Roy Morgan research has grown from 274k to 355k between Dec '01 and Dec '05,Roy Morgan footy supporters survey but there hasn't been a conversion to getting more bums on seats.

Yes growing our supporter base makes us more attractive to TV, sponsors etc which increases our non football income stream. Yes kids buying merchandise with our colours improves our brand, but the $$$ generated by licencing rights is small because the manufacturers and retailers get most of income stream, the AFL collect the licence fee and then pass some of that onto the clubs. If we could do deals like European soccer clubs do with their shirt merchandising, then maybe the market research would make me feel better.

If any of you have studying marketing, I did at post graduate level, you will always do the analysis of Coca Cola in the USA in 1985. Market research showed that in blind taste tests people prefered Pepsi. The marketing gurus convinced Coke to change it's formula so that it would taste sweeter and taste more like Pepsi. The release of new Coke was a disaster. The market research didn't look at the emotional connection people had to Coke and that the blind taste test was somewhat simplistic. As a result by the end of 1985 they re-introduced Coke as Coke Classic and didn't try this change over in any market outside the USA.

We have to worry less about market research and more about conversion to bums on seats. Just like if our football team make sixty entries inside 50m we want them to at least have thirty shots at goal and convert at lot more than ten of those shots. That's what I'm getting at with this latest promotion. It has to be about conversion not just fun.

 

[morell]

Agree. I fail to see how people feel disenfranchised because the club doesn't cater to their particular tastes in the pre-match entertainment.

Yes, because I only mentioned "pre-match entertainment" as possible gripes people have with the current administration.

I will re-quote it >

1. Our crowds and membership have decreased in his tenure
2. We still aren’t wearing a B&W heritage strip on heritage round.
3. The "Hey Kids!, make a Power guernsey and we will wear it against Richmond!" disgrace.
4. This introduction of a "funk squad".
5. The introduction of a plastic float to be carried around before the game.
6. The lack of drive for interstate support/membership
7. The obsession with the corporate world

I could continue but I won't. We are turning into nothing more than a kitsch marketing campaign and are moving further and further away from what this club is all about.

Exactly.

How many people do you think this constitutes? Honestly. How many people are out there who are;

a) Anti-Magpie Power fans that any celebration or reference to our successful heritage would cause them to feel alienated. I would be surprised if there were 10. Toots? Would you feel alienated?

b) Non-Affiliated AFL people who aren't Power fans because they weren’t/aren’t Magpie people who would feel alienated if we celebrated our heritage. This is the key point IMO. These people, if they were to feel alienated, would be very doubtful to become Power fans ANYWAY. That’s the point. We are trying to convert the un-convertable, whilst at the same time eroding the once very strong, traditional Port Adelaide supporter base.

If anything, marketing our heritage and success would attract complete newbies (like me and my family - immigrants, interstaters, non-football people etc)

 

[Ford Fairlane]

We have to worry less about market research and more about conversion to bums on seats. Just like if our football team make sixty entries inside 50m we want them to at least have thirty shots at goal and convert at lot more than ten of those shots. That's what I'm getting at with this latest promotion. It has to be about conversion not just fun.

Agreed and that's what I think JJ was getting at when he spoke of capitalising on what their research has shown. To convert that support to bums on seats.

Sure plenty of people think the fist is a ****y idea. It's not my cup of tea, but then it's not aimed at me. Like you, I'm not that fussed about it and what Sam Newman et al will say about it. If it, in conjunction with the raft of supporting initiatives, succeeds in creating a match day buzz and getting people involved then great.

http://portadelaidefc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6038/Default.aspx?newsId=40907

Power chief executive John James said that with crowds declining last year and a desire to better involve its supporters, the club decided it needed to do things differently and is excited about the package it has put together for the club’s members and supporters.

“The Revolution has begun. We have a young team that is playing fast, exciting football, but strategically we know it is also critical to increase our supporter base and our crowds,” said James.

“Accordingly, we have invested time and resources to improve our match day entertainment. In particular we have worked very closely with the various supporter groups (Cheer Squad, Adelaide Supporter Group, Outer Army and members’ boys) to improve our match day experience and ensure that our members and supporters are not only watching the entertainment, but they are fully involved in it.

“We believe we have put together a program which will certainly engage and entertain our supporters. We encourage our season ticket holders, members and supporters to get to AAMI Stadium to have a look and get there early so they can get involved.”

James said that the improved entertainment and atmosphere in and around the stadium is just one more reason for supporters to Join the Powerevolution and buy their season ticket.

“We encourage all of our supporters to join the revolution by buying a season ticket. Not only does it provide you up to five games for free, but the money goes directly to the club, you no longer have to line-up for a ticket and you are guaranteed your seat each and every week, including to this week’s Showdown,” James said.

In summary, some of the new innovations at Power games this year include:

The introduction of Thunda Bolt, a 5.2 metre high x 2.4 metre wide float

Introduction of the NAB Supporter of the Week, who will receive a $500 NAB savings account ($1,000 for this week’s Showdown to kick it off)

Introduction of a pre-game routine engaging and exciting our supporters

Nova 91.9’s Lisa Fernandez and the Power’s Paul Rugala hosting our pre-match entertainment

Planet Teal Zone, an entertainment venue for kids and their parents, located outside Gate 4, which opens 90 minutes before the game

SMS and Trivia competitions through the SuperScreen

Improved PA system and additional SuperScreen, courtesy of the SANFL

Themed Rounds: Round 3 – Rivalry Round, Round 5 – Anzac Round, Round 7 – Kids’ Day Out (Come Out), Round 9 – Dreamtime, Round 19 – Women’s Round.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Has JJ made a mistake or is there some new season ticket package?

“We encourage all of our supporters to join the revolution by buying a season ticket. Not only does it provide you up to five games for free, but the money goes directly to the club, you no longer have to line-up for a ticket and you are guaranteed your seat each and every week, including to this week’s Showdown,” James said.

The Junior membership/planet teal membership gets the kids into 5 games for free. Does he mean something else?

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Has JJ made a mistake or is there some new season ticket package?

“We encourage all of our supporters to join the revolution by buying a season ticket. Not only does it provide you up to five games for free, but the money goes directly to the club, you no longer have to line-up for a ticket and you are guaranteed your seat each and every week, including to this week’s Showdown,” James said.

The Junior membership/planet teal membership gets the kids into 5 games for free. Does he mean something else?

Don't know. Unless he's referring to the cost of a cheap season ticket vs buying individual tickets on a per game basis.

 

[Ported]

Let's see what the fist can do first. Perhaps it drives around impaling opposition players.

 

[shaz63]

Don't know. Unless he's referring to the cost of a cheap season ticket vs buying individual tickets on a per game basis.

I would say that JJ is comparing the price of a season ticket to the cost of daily tickets..

Budget seating for an adult starts at $20.25 where the season ticket is $155.00.

So if you chose to buy individual game day tickets for all 11 home games you are paying out $222.75 plus bass booking fees if you purchase at a bass outlet.. The saving between the two is $67.75. So you get 3 games for free by buying the season ticket

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Don't know. Unless he's referring to the cost of a cheap season ticket vs buying individual tickets on a per game basis.

Just checked the club website and it confirms what you said. On this page they state "See 5 games out of 11 free." It compares the $30 gate price per game to the Standard Terrace season ticket (not budget)
http://www.shop.afl.com.au/power/graphics/powerevolution/pages/season_main.html

 

[Paralowiepower]

Just checked the club website and it confirms what you said. On this page they state "See 5 games out of 11 free." It compares the $30 gate price per game to the Standard Terrace season ticket (not budget)
http://www.shop.afl.com.au/power/graphics/powerevolution/pages/season_main.html

But standard tickets at the gate cost $25.50, Budget $18.50.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Just had a look at the prices for kids and concession for when kids hit 15.

Kids in all categories pay $2.75 which is great value. However when they turn 15 they start paying the following for individual tickets;
$12.75, $19.75, $22.75 and $25.75.

Now if you're a smart kid you pay the bottom price and sneak around to the better seats. I wonder how many teenagers stop going to games when they jump into the next category and don't work part time or only do a few hours work. I know my nephew would get together with some of his mates, who were crows supporters, and would go watch a Port game with him, but once they started paying concession prices rather than kids prices they dropped out going to games with him.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

But standard tickets at the gate cost $25.50, Budget $18.50.

It never said comparing like to like. A bit of massasing of numbers. Mind you if you went and watched a few games you are more likely to want to sit on the wing rather than the pockets as people who buy standard season seats with money up might front do.

 

[Steve Dore]

Yes, because I only mentioned "pre-match entertainment" as possible gripes people have with the current administration.

I will re-quote it >

If those issues make you feel alienated to a point that you would stop attending games then I feel sorry for you. I go to the footy to watch the footy. What turns me off the footy is the crap style of play we persisted with through 2005 and part of 2006. The fact that memberships have dropped off during the current CEO's tenure will never stop me from going to the football.

Besides, it can be statistically proven that it is a decrease in the number of pirates that has not only caused global warming but also PAFC memberships to decline.

How many people do you think this constitutes? .....

I personally know of half a dozen people who did not follow the PAFC in the SANFL that now follow them in the AFL. Two of those follow Sturt in the SANFL and like me remember the 1960's. I therefore would be very surprised if there were only 10 total.

You are assuming that I support the clubs philosophy of not pushing the SANFL heritage in order no to alienate people who did not follow the PAFC in the SANFL. Where exactly did I say that

My user name should give you some hint as to my stance on the history of the PAFC

 

[exe ex machina]

Fisting hey, hmmm interesting.

 

[PortProudWA]

Including those of us interstate that the club/afl generally ignores ????

I hope it isn't too scary/stupid/childish for those at the game..........

I think it is brilliant well done PAFC, the kids will love it and its all good for everyone.

As for the club........they have bent over backwards for us this year. The meeting the club pulled together for ALL supporter groups (including cheersquad) at the start of the pre season showed they meant business. And have they listened.........well I can say on behalf of all WA Port Adelaide Supporters.......YES.

We have no complaints what so ever........and as angry as I was with them, I know that things have turned the corner and that yes........they are listening to EVERY MEMBER!!

We had a brilliant pre match function, our wa kid members went into a free draw to be mascot for they day, we had Steve GM commercial op come to our pre match along with Tredders........cant ask for any more than that. Ohhhhh and they top it of by kicking freo's god dam arse and then the players COME TO US, AND THANK US and the end of the game.......are we happy in WA. YES VERY, to all those hit renew NOW.........I DID

 

[dreamkillers]

I agree things have been better this year but IMO they are still missing out in a big way on interstate memberships due to the way they are packaged together.............

Unfortunately for us this year the weather really killed things so we didn't get as big a crowd back at Tracy Village after the game but there were still plenty of people to show the club it has lots of support. That support could be turned into members if the interstate membership package was more value for money..........especially in a market like ours where the only game we really have a chance of seeing them is when they play here in Darwin.


The big test will be when any players/officials are in Darwin as we always get told about it through our media connections but nothing is ever done to promote the club which would get more support and members on board.


As I have said many times before the club could easily get 500-1000 members signed up in the NT by just promoting itself when players and/or officials are in town. Supporters need to see some actual value in purchasing a membership without having to travel to 3000km each way to and from Adelaide to receive any benefit from the package.

That's why we get so many people to our supporter group functions as people see the value and benefit of being involved and at the same time we're raising funds for the club whilst raising it's profile.

 

[PortProudWA]

I agree things have been better this year but IMO they are still missing out in a big way on interstate memberships due to the way they are packaged together.............

Unfortunately for us this year the weather really killed things so we didn't get as big a crowd back at Tracy Village after the game but there were still plenty of people to show the club it has lots of support. That support could be turned into members if the interstate membership package was more value for money..........especially in a market like ours where the only game we really have a chance of seeing them is when they play here in Darwin.


The big test will be when any players/officials are in Darwin as we always get told about it through our media connections but nothing is ever done to promote the club which would get more support and members on board.


As I have said many times before the club could easily get 500-1000 members signed up in the NT by just promoting itself when players and/or officials are in town. Supporters need to see some actual value in purchasing a membership without having to travel to 3000km each way to and from Adelaide to receive any benefit from the package.

That's why we get so many people to our supporter group functions as people see the value and benefit of being involved and at the same time we're raising funds for the club whilst raising it's profile.

We in perth have to travel as far DK, so I see where you are coming from..but why dont you push those 500 - 1000 people to join your supporter group, it would be a start, and they would at least be a member of the club in some form or shape. We do that, and we have just topped 458 members. What is your supporter group numbers at the moment?

Now Tredders wouldnt have been there at our Pre Match if he had been playing, we were going to get an emergency player - which we were happy with, and we would rather never have Tredders again, as we want him out doing his job.

After meeting with the club earlier this year, i see where they are coming from, and they are trying. Players time is so sloted in, I really dont see where they have time to fit in there family's. And we have to let them do there job, play footy......thats what they are paid for. And membership's will change next year, I am fully confident of that. We have a great lot of staff there and they work very hard on it FOR ALL MEMBERS.

Our game has come and gone, and unless we get a final here thats it for us in 2007 unless we go interstate......but still everyday, I get people emailing me and joining up. We push the club hard our selves, in every way we can. We are the fastest growing supporter group in Aust, but it takes a lot of work from us, but we do it for the club. Our reward I guess is making the most of Port when they come to play......and apart from Tredders, we orgainze everything else. We hunt and search down ex port adelaide players, or anyone that may be coming to WA for the game, that has links with Port Adelaide.

The more you put in the more you get back........the club can only do so much, and they are trying, they really, really are.......but a lot of it is left up to us as passionate supporters of the club to fuel the fire of more members. And do I mind doing that.......No not at all, I love it. Buy season tickets with in the supporter group - we - the WA Supporter Group hold 4 season tickets there at AAMI and have done for over 5 years. And we let our MEMBERS, they must be paid up members of our supporter group use them for free if they travel to SA for a game. And those tickets are used every home game by our members. We are putting back into the club as well as giving our members here in WA something back. There are so many things you can do - and hey we get no media help what so ever here.........all word of mouth.

 

[dreamkillers]

We do our best at pushing people into our group which has been steadily building although the weather really killed things for us with the pre-season match so we didn't get the numbers back at the club after the game that we would have liked to promote our group even more.

We only had 20 odd members when I first got involved back in 2000 and we got that up to over 150 in 2004.........last year we had around 120 and we are aiming to hit that again with the Showdown this week our second main membership launch for the season.

In regard to the players/officials I was talking about......we're not asking for any more to come to town but when they are actually in town to have some sort of promotion for the club. We normally get asked by our media contacts at various times each and every year what is happening when such and such is in town and it's embaressing to have to say we had no idea they were in town so there's nothing for the Port supporters to be involved with.

I can understand the club side of things but it's when situations like the above that happen at least a few times each and every year occur that supporters feel like the club isn't interested in marketing itself in the NT..........this also isn't helped by the fact that pretty much every other AFL club will have 1-2 official functions for their supporters each year that are affordable for any supporter to attend.

Unfortunately this year due to work commitments I've had to cut back on my work with the group (and I'll only get to half a dozen match functions because of this) but we have a keen group of people on the committee that will always push our group/clubs cause. If it wasn't for people with that attitude being involved our group would have folded in the year it started.

As for tickets to matches in Adelaide between the committee members we would have 3-4 tickets/footy park memberships to get people into games but in reality we'd be lucky to have half a dozen people a year get down there during the season.

Where we are lucky is with the local media as ABC radio/Top FM/NT News and the NT Govt are only too happy to help promote us and will also help when we have functions back at Tracy Village where we get together each week to watch our games on large video screens.

We're not expecting the club to do a huge amount of work but just to capitalise on the times it actually has someone in town to ensure the club gets the exposure and promotion so that supporters will see that the club is actively promoting itself in the market like other AFL clubs so they can see some value in actually purchasing a membership.

We've raised a good amount of money for the club to date and have some terrific sponsors on board to assist with that.......I've heard about the membership changes and have had some good discussions with Shane and others where I have raised some points and received some feedback that does indeed seem to indicate things are on the improve.

If that continues I'll be happy as it will be the club that wins out by getting even more supporters and members on board.......something we all want to see.

 

[morell]

If those issues make you feel alienated to a point that you would stop attending games then I feel sorry for you. I go to the footy to watch the footy. What turns me off the footy is the crap style of play we persisted with through 2005 and part of 2006. The fact that memberships have dropped off during the current CEO's tenure will never stop me from going to the football.

I agree, I would never stop going to Port games even if they slapped me sideways and called me Shirley. I addressed this here >

Whilst I agree, like it or lump it, band wagoners constitute a large portion of every football clubs supporter base.

I personally know of half a dozen people who did not follow the PAFC in the SANFL that now follow them in the AFL. Two of those follow Sturt in the SANFL and like me remember the 1960's. I therefore would be very surprised if there were only 10 total.

Ah, but you missed my point ...

a) Anti-Magpie Power fans that any celebration or reference to our successful heritage would cause them to feel alienated. I would be surprised if there were 10. Toots? Would you feel alienated?

How many of those fans would get the ****s up because we celebrated the Magpie side of things?

This is where I doubt there would be 10, because if they would be pooey about it, I seriously doubt they are Power fans in the first place.

You are assuming that I support the clubs philosophy of not pushing the SANFL heritage in order no to alienate people who did not follow the PAFC in the SANFL. Where exactly did I say that

My user name should give you some hint as to my stance on the history of the PAFC

I don’t doubt that at all! The only thing we disagree on wether or not the philosophy is justifiable. I think.

 

[Steve Dore]

..... I don’t doubt that at all! The only thing we disagree on wether or not the philosophy is justifiable. I think.

No, I agree with you that that philosophy is not justifiable

 

[bus24]

What did you guys think of the big ****ing arm anyway?

Seriously I'm still laughing. Do you guys have the same opinion on it?

What is it for?

 

[Paralowiepower]

?

What is it for?

The kids

 

[Steve Dore]

Well as they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity

Apparently CH 10's Before the Game awarded the pumping fist the Tool Of The Week award for round 3. Didn't see it myself but heard they also modified it so it gave the finger.

 

[Macca19]

I still dont understand how its gonna bring kids to the football.