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Best of 2006:  The Gameops.com Review

Our annual review of all things operations and entertainment was done by polling a dozen of our most trusted non-biased industry pros. 

Of course in an industry so spread out and diverse it impossible to find a large group of people who have see it all, but effort was made to find people who have seen a lot. 

We also took note of stories and reviews from web sources and industry literature. Six categories have been selected.

Our selections are in:

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Best Contest or On-Field Promotion:
What promotion or contest is the most entertaining. For example, a "Chuck-a-Puck" contest. This is a repeatable on-field promotion that is held in-game. Consider entertainment value, sponsorship possibilities, cost, and repeatability.

Winner: Inflat-a-Bull Races (Chicago Bulls)

Always a fan favorite, the Bulls have elevated this contest into a marketing tool as well. The Bulls now pick contestants by having fans text "PICK ME" to a number on the scoreboard. If you are one of the three winners you come down on the court for the race.

Each contestant gets inside one of the inflated costumes for the race, which is down the court and back That sounds easy unless you have ever been inside one of these costumes, which can be quite challenging to move in. (see Marketing News article)

If you happen to be one of the three lucky winners, you’ll get notified via text messaging on your cell phone to come down to the court and put on an “InflataBull” uniform to compete in a footrace with two other fans. The Bulls also use the text message to initiate further customer interactions with fans. Their contest is sponsored by the cellular partner. Prize for winning – Bulls sweatshirt PLUS the experience of being in a contest on the floor.

Honorable Mention:

  • The Joliet JackHammers professional baseball team has a promotion called “Season Ticket Holder of the Game.” At each home game, one season ticket holder is randomly selected to receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark and a gift certificate worth $50 to the team’s pro shop. If the season ticket holder who is selected is not present at the game, the gift certificate value “rolls over” to $100 the next night, and so on, until a winning fan is present.

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Best Game Promotion:
What single game night promotion was most effective and creative. An example would be "President's Night" where a team builds an game day promotion around a them like "President's Night", perhaps handing out US flags and having namesakes like "George Washington, Richard Nixon, and George Bush" dropping the puck for a game held on President's Day. Consider creativity, entertainment value, media exposure, drawing power, and execution of the operations.

Winner: Brazilian Carnival Night - Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers tied together every piece of their game presentation in this Brazilian tour-de-force. A premium giveaway, entertainment act at halftime, themed concourse elements, pre-game shows, staff and ushers wearing the wigs and the entire piece built on the popularity of a player. Local and national media exposure and a return engagement for the wigs show that the Cavaliers had a winner on their hands. The premium item was unusual and creative. (photos) (web page)

Honorable Mention:

  • Miami Heat Playoff White Out
    Miami took the popular White Out Promotion to new levels, creating a White Hot Playoff atmosphere for every playoff game in 2006. A powerful visual and serious commitment to do it every game during their championship run.
  • K-Fed Night
    K-Fed Night in honor of Fresno native Kevin Federline. The night full of laughs will be kicked off by a temporary tattoo giveaway which the first 3,000 fans to enter Grizzlies Stadium will receive. In addition, fans can expect to be entertained by video clips illustrating Federline's career and a skit from Parker, the Grizzlies mascot. Fans attending the game are encouraged to dress in a style similar to Federline and celebrate the career of a Fresno legend.

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Best Act:
The touring act or halftime show that excels in providing quality entertainment for your fans. Consider drawing power, quality, cooperation of the act, media, and value. All touring acts and non-team affiliated shows and performers are considered.

Winner (tie): Quick Change and Red Panda Acrobat

Two names consistently rise to the top of the halftime and touring act list, Red Panda and Quick Change. Instead of trying to pick one this year....we name them both winners.

A couple new acts are starting to gain popularity and will be ones to watch in 2007: Mr. Woo (soccer skills) and juggler/balancer Bernard Hazen.

Video:

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Best Vendor:
The provider of quality services or products that are most helpful for game operations. Consider service, products offered, and value.

Winner: Signs and Shapes

A repeat winner here on Gameops.com, is Signs and Shapes Best known for their popular inflatable costume, this Omaha-based company has also branched out into website tools, mascot props and contest tools. (info on inflatable mascots)

Their superior products make them stand out, but their customer service is second to none. One example, when the airlines increased the security precautions on checked luggage, Signs and Shapes sent all their clients updated information on exactly what their batteries were made of and which airline rules permitted the safe travel of the batteries. Clients could then have that information on hand when traveling or shipping to avoid any delays or transportation problems.

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Best Team Operations:
Which team is doing the best job in their game operations and game presentation. Consider creativity, value to fans, overcoming sport and budget limitations, quality of presentation, and attention to detail. We level the playing field by considering budget constraints to minor league teams.

Winner: Miami Heat

Noted for both a great game presentation and a mention for best game promotion this year, Miami also stood out for their excellent entertainment teams. The Heat dance team is the standard-bearer for excellence in the NBA, but they are just one of Miami's top rated performance groups. A dunk team, senior dancers, in-arena host and a DJ also provide Miami with top in-game entertainment.

The team has made some changes recently, including revamping their mascot program and changing game directors.

Honorable Mention:

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Best Mascot:
The mascot whose work was creative and enthusiastic, serving as a valuable tool for their team and in their community. All sports team characters and college mascots are eligible.

Winner: The Raptor (Toronto NBA)

If you want to see a creative, energetic and passionate mascot you are looking for the Raptor. Toronto's NBA mascots also brings more variety than anyone in the mascot business. As many struggling franchises find, having a reliably entertaining and popular mascot can help soothe the pain of a team that may not be as dependable.

Honorable Mention:

  • Steagle Cobeagle the American Eagle - Saginaw Spirit
    The Saginaw Spirit introduced a new mascot this season, which may have generated more media buzz than anyone since the Famous Chicken's relaunch. Steagle Cobeagle the American Eagle, the fledgling bird for the OHL team stumbled over carpeting and tripped over the goal in his hyped debut... showing nerves, ineptitude or a well crafted new-born character. Either way, the eagle soared into the hearts of millions of fans....many who have no idea where Saginaw is located.
  • Raymond - Tampa Bay Devil Rays (MLB)
    Raymond in Tampa Bay is a long time mascot performer who has continually improved their show and has developed new tools to connect off the field with fans like the character blog. Raymond is also very active posting YouTube clips, which have value for fans, as well as other mascots.

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