The Vikings merchandising department is trying something different: installing a vending machine at the Mall of America.
Interesting concept, to use something that most people associate with pop and candy to sell team merchandise. Of course, it isn't unusual either. The Minnesota State Lottery for instance has vending machines around the Twin Cities for its scratch-off tickets.
The Minneapolis Business Journal says that the team is doing it to better track automated merchandise sales. It is a first-of-its-kind merchandising ploy in the NFL, and if it is successful here, could be a model for other markets.
Best Buy also has used vending machines to sell Apple products, like the iPod.
But, if you want to go buy a Favre jersey, wouldn't you rather see it in person to check out the size and color, rather than have it dispensed to you from a vending machine?
The team however, believes that it is a "viable and economic" means of selling merchandise with the purple and gold on it.
We shall see.
Subscribe To comPRehend
Posts
All Comments
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
T-wolves and Lifetime Fitness
Well, I think I've just about done the Target Field review thing as far as it can go. Now, I think it's time to get back to the main focus of the blog, sports and marketing.
The latest issue of the Twin Cities Business Journal had an article about an expanded partnership between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lifetime Fitness. Lifetime has been a sponsor of the team for some time, as well as had its name on the Target Center's fitness club since 2006.
This latest phase of partnership will put Lifetime's logo on the team's practice jerseys, as well as other areas within the team's practice facility, which is within the in-arena health club, including the court, backboards and media backdrops.
Lifetime will also have naming rights of the practice facility.
Team members will wear the jerseys in post-game interviews, which will create more visibility for Lifetime Fitness. Coaches will also wear Lifetime apparel during post-game interviews.
This is a good, solid partnership for a team that hasn't performed very well either on the court or at the front gate.
Lifetime also has had some ticket promotions with the Timberwolves that have included a pass to a local Lifetime Fitness.
The latest issue of the Twin Cities Business Journal had an article about an expanded partnership between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lifetime Fitness. Lifetime has been a sponsor of the team for some time, as well as had its name on the Target Center's fitness club since 2006.
This latest phase of partnership will put Lifetime's logo on the team's practice jerseys, as well as other areas within the team's practice facility, which is within the in-arena health club, including the court, backboards and media backdrops.
Lifetime will also have naming rights of the practice facility.
Team members will wear the jerseys in post-game interviews, which will create more visibility for Lifetime Fitness. Coaches will also wear Lifetime apparel during post-game interviews.
This is a good, solid partnership for a team that hasn't performed very well either on the court or at the front gate.
Lifetime also has had some ticket promotions with the Timberwolves that have included a pass to a local Lifetime Fitness.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Standing Room Only
I decided I’d take in one more Twins game this season, and take them up on the latest ticket offering: standing-room only.
I went on Friday night, the day after the Twins unexpectedly swept the Chicago White Sox. I also went into the game thinking, ‘the Twins just swept the White Sox. Logic dictates, they’ll lose a game to the lowly Oakland A’s.’
It sounded like a fun thing to do, to have a ticket for the game and just be able to walk around our brand-new ballpark. A couple of the ushers told me that it’s very likely they could easily sell 1,400 standing-room only tickets.
I also wanted to be able to scope out different views of the stadium that I had previously not explored; predominantly out in the left field and center field area. I had started out in the main concourse before the game started. And my plan was, by the end of the game, to be as close to the main gate as possible, to promise a quick exit.
A note of caution if you decide to go the standing-room only route: avoid the main concourse. It is incredibly crowded and very noisy down there. I had my fill after about the second inning, and I went searching elsewhere. Also, with many of the standing-room locations on the main concourse, you will not be able to see the video board, as the club level overhang will block your view.
However, over between sections 101-103, you will get a much more open view of the action on the field. Of course, you’ll miss things, with people sitting in front of you and walking up and down the aisles.
The upper level was quieter, but the view isn’t incredible. One fun location was the Twins Pub, an enclosed “warming house” if you will. It’s a good place to get warm (or stay cool, depending on when you go). You get a relatively good view of the field from up there. It wasn’t a bad location.
The Twins Pub is also where the ballpark’s organist, Sue Nelson, sits.
The plaza out in right field is an OK spot to be. This is where Fox Sports Net does its pre-and post-game shows. I did catch a glimpse of Roy Smalley (and took his picture) getting ready for the broadcast. But, this is also where 85% of the people enter the ballpark. So, you’ll be pushing your way through quite a bit.
I spent a good chunk of the game up in the Batter’s Eye, which is in center field. It also is much quieter up there, as there aren’t many seats. You do get a nice view of the field and the game. Down below is another story. One level down is the big wall in center field, and you can stand back there, but you will find yourself peeking over the wall to get a glimpse of the action. Good place to pull aside and eat your hot dogs and cheese curds, but probably not to get a great view of the game.
Although I hadn’t planned it, I ended up down behind the Powerball Pavilion out in right-center field. Not a bad place to be. You’re just steps away from the exit, and you do get a very nice and surprisingly close view of the field. You will not be able to see the scoreboard from this location; however, there are LCD televisions mounted that have all the information right there.
And, making good on my plan, I actually did end up with a very quick exit from Target Field. It didn't take me more than two minutes, and I was out. Not like the Metrodome where you had to exit single-file out the revolving doors.
I am glad that the Twins added this ticket option for this year. Word to the wise, you'll feel sore by the end of the game. You might regret actually doing the standing-room only option. But for $22 (cheaper for mid-week games), it's not a bad option to get yourself into the game.
Reports are indicating that because of the Twins' great performance this year, and their road to a very good run in the playoffs, tickets could be even harder to come by next season. Especially would that be true if the Twins do in fact win the World Series.
Charley Walters from the Pioneer Press said last Sunday that season-ticket renewal is expected to be close to 100%. And, existing season-ticket holders have first dibs on buying extra tickets before everyone else.
Who knows, next season, standing-room only might be your ONLY chance to get a ticket into Target Field.
Click the title, "Standing Room Only" for pictures from the game.
I went on Friday night, the day after the Twins unexpectedly swept the Chicago White Sox. I also went into the game thinking, ‘the Twins just swept the White Sox. Logic dictates, they’ll lose a game to the lowly Oakland A’s.’
It sounded like a fun thing to do, to have a ticket for the game and just be able to walk around our brand-new ballpark. A couple of the ushers told me that it’s very likely they could easily sell 1,400 standing-room only tickets.
I also wanted to be able to scope out different views of the stadium that I had previously not explored; predominantly out in the left field and center field area. I had started out in the main concourse before the game started. And my plan was, by the end of the game, to be as close to the main gate as possible, to promise a quick exit.
A note of caution if you decide to go the standing-room only route: avoid the main concourse. It is incredibly crowded and very noisy down there. I had my fill after about the second inning, and I went searching elsewhere. Also, with many of the standing-room locations on the main concourse, you will not be able to see the video board, as the club level overhang will block your view.
However, over between sections 101-103, you will get a much more open view of the action on the field. Of course, you’ll miss things, with people sitting in front of you and walking up and down the aisles.
The upper level was quieter, but the view isn’t incredible. One fun location was the Twins Pub, an enclosed “warming house” if you will. It’s a good place to get warm (or stay cool, depending on when you go). You get a relatively good view of the field from up there. It wasn’t a bad location.
The Twins Pub is also where the ballpark’s organist, Sue Nelson, sits.
The plaza out in right field is an OK spot to be. This is where Fox Sports Net does its pre-and post-game shows. I did catch a glimpse of Roy Smalley (and took his picture) getting ready for the broadcast. But, this is also where 85% of the people enter the ballpark. So, you’ll be pushing your way through quite a bit.
I spent a good chunk of the game up in the Batter’s Eye, which is in center field. It also is much quieter up there, as there aren’t many seats. You do get a nice view of the field and the game. Down below is another story. One level down is the big wall in center field, and you can stand back there, but you will find yourself peeking over the wall to get a glimpse of the action. Good place to pull aside and eat your hot dogs and cheese curds, but probably not to get a great view of the game.
Although I hadn’t planned it, I ended up down behind the Powerball Pavilion out in right-center field. Not a bad place to be. You’re just steps away from the exit, and you do get a very nice and surprisingly close view of the field. You will not be able to see the scoreboard from this location; however, there are LCD televisions mounted that have all the information right there.
And, making good on my plan, I actually did end up with a very quick exit from Target Field. It didn't take me more than two minutes, and I was out. Not like the Metrodome where you had to exit single-file out the revolving doors.
I am glad that the Twins added this ticket option for this year. Word to the wise, you'll feel sore by the end of the game. You might regret actually doing the standing-room only option. But for $22 (cheaper for mid-week games), it's not a bad option to get yourself into the game.
Reports are indicating that because of the Twins' great performance this year, and their road to a very good run in the playoffs, tickets could be even harder to come by next season. Especially would that be true if the Twins do in fact win the World Series.
Charley Walters from the Pioneer Press said last Sunday that season-ticket renewal is expected to be close to 100%. And, existing season-ticket holders have first dibs on buying extra tickets before everyone else.
Who knows, next season, standing-room only might be your ONLY chance to get a ticket into Target Field.
Click the title, "Standing Room Only" for pictures from the game.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)