Banner Night

This month we spotlight a popular promotional night that can be adapted to fit any schedule and any budget, Banner Night. Many teams use some form of this promotion, some use it every game and others use it on select games. A good example of Banner Night is being used by the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.

The Thunderbirds encourage fans to create their own banners and provide directions on how and where to hang them. From their website here are their rules and regulations.

Banner of the Night Rules and Regulations:

1. Fast Signs Banner of the Night will be rewarded at all SATURDAY home games
2. All entries must have a name, the seat location, and a telephone number located on one of the corners of the banner
3. We reserve the right to take down any entry whose message is not appropriate.
4. Banners must be hung before the game just below the suites. For the best visibility, Sections 118 through 124 are recommended.
5. All Banners must be removed by the artist immediately following the game. Banners that are left will be thrown away.
6. The Thunderbirds do not provide materials for producing or hanging the banner.
7. The average size of a banner is about 5’ x 3’
8. Most important, have fun and be creative!!!

The Thunderbirds contest has a lot of positive aspects:

• The reoccurring Saturday night contest is a fan tradition that is easy to remember, interactive, creative and encourages fan participation.
• They also can build a database of names from the entries.
• The natural connect of the sponsor (FastSigns) helps with fan retention of the sponsor and the contest.
• The banners help add atmosphere to the arena.

Other teams present similar promotions with some additional twists. Here is a list of some additional ideas and related information.

• Provide fans with blank poster board and markers at drawing stations on the concourse
• Provide thick sign making markers so fans can make effective signs quickly
• Stencils can be made of your logo
• Pre-made signs (with logo or messaging outlined to help fans draw) are used at the drawing stations
• A parade of the best signs can be used to allow fans or a panel to vote on the best signs
• Your concourse crew can pre-make signs to give ideas for creative fans' signs
• Your premade signs can also include the message that "GET ON THE JUMBOTRON," which will encourage fans to be involved
• If your sign stations or signs promotion is sponsored, you can encourage fans to include the sponsor logo on their sign (and offer prizes for the best sign with the sponsor logo included). The New Orleans/OKC Hornets do a tremendous promotion with their bank partner. Only the signs with the bank logo are included in their contest to win for the best sign.
• Use of signs can be elevated by showing the signs on the jumbotron and on broadcast TV, rewarding fans for their passion and creativity.
• If you have something to add to this list, please email us.

As I searched YouTube for some video of signs or teams doing sign promotions, I stumbled on this video explaining how to get your sign on Monday Night Raw....which is pretty funny.

Related Links:

Toss-N-Win
Plinko! Interactive Game
Prize Wheels
Human Hamster Balls
Mascot Swap Web Game