Teams everywhere are going green. Last week we talked about the Astro’s going green. The Pirates are into the act as well (and dozens of other teams).
The Pittsburgh Pirates have launched the “Let’s Go Pirates. Let’s Go Green.” campaign, a sweeping initiative that includes community outreach, more energy efficient ballpark elements, and recycling. Here are some features of the initiative: the installation of 180 recycling containers; the use of corn-based beverage cups and the elimination of non-biodegradable materials in utensils, food containers, napkins, etc.; the use of low voltage light bulbs; and motion detectors in 86 specific locations that will trigger lights only when people are in the area. (Team Press Release)
Charleston RiverDogs - Being Green is Hulky (Note: This promotion has nothing to do with the environment)
Stockton Ports - Ports Go Green Night
Clinton LumberKings - Going Green Night with Reusable Grocery Bag Giveaway
This is a tend I suspect will continue to grow, since not only is the public interested in green promotions, but many sponsors have green initiatives, and this can be a way for them to meet their objectives.
According to a Japanese poll in the year 2000, instant noodles were the most important Japanese invention of the 20th century. Karaoke came second.Everyone has Karaoke….but now the Salem Avlanche are (finally) hosting a “Salute to Ramen Noodles Night”.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of instant Ramen Noodle soups, the Avalanche will be giving away a package of the delicious noodles to the first 1,000 fans on April 18. Fans not wishing to put the noodles on the menu at home will have an opportunity to donate their package to the Salem/Roanoke County Food Pantry.
This would be a good time to note that I am a proud college graduate (of the esteemed Portland State University, the Harvard of the Northwest) and I gradated without ever eating Ramen Noodles. To keep my string alive, I would be one of the 1,000 to donate my noodles to charity.
Good promotion from the Avalance. Funny, timely (the 60th anniversary!) and a good charity hook. I would suspect the Salen/Roanoke County Food Pantry will be getting a nice donation around April 19th.
As many of you know I have a soft spot for entertainment acts (periodically offering up my own services) and one of my favorite sections on Gameops.com is the Entertainment Act Listings and Yellow Pages.
The Act Listings has over 100 contact points for touring acts and the Yellow Pages has more act information, like photos, web links, video, email and a full act description. It’s the best place to start looking for new acts and to connect with all your favorites. This month we added another touring act to the Yellow Pages, Anna Jack. Anna Jack is considered the best Hula Hoop Artist in the world and is currently touring in all sports. While on any of the act pages you can link to dozen of Yellow Page listings on the left hand side, or see all the acts from the Act White Pages.
The New York Mets could not have been happier with a simulcast last August at Ziegfeld Theater in New York, where a live organist and the team mascot led viewers in singalongs as though they were in the ballpark.
“Tickets to watch the game in the theater sold out so quickly that we’re in talks to do a bunch more of them this summer,” said Dave Howard, executive vice president for business operations for the Mets. (Complete article from the NYTimes)
Good forward-looking piece on how movie theatres could be the next home to your viewing parties. Most NBA teams are hosting playoff watch parties for their away games at bars and home arena’s. With HD video and the opportunity for revenue, this might be the future of watch parties.
I mean who doesn’t want to see their team in the big game on a 100 foot screen in High Def, with Mr. Met serving you hot buttery popcorn?
There is a fan called Dancing Larry in New York, who is something of a cult figure. He dances during the last 10 minutes of many Ranger games from his perch in section 407. Like many teams with recognizable fans, Larry elicits a rather healthy response.
There is one problem. Part of that chanted response is a homophobic slur.
During the final 10 minutes of many Rangers home games, the spotlights focus on Section 407 as Larry Goodman, a longtime season-ticket holder, pumps up the crowd with a goofy dance.
As Goodman’s routine is broadcast on the giant monitors above the ice, a familiar chant picks up momentum. “Ho-mo Lar-ry!” the crowd shouts. “Ho-mo Lar-ry!”
The chant is one example of what several gay hockey fans describe as a toxic atmosphere during Rangers games and that Madison Square Garden, which owns the team, is not doing nearly enough to address their concerns.
Kevin Jennings, a Rangers fan who is gay, said he stopped attending home games for about a month this season because he felt so uncomfortable with the homophobic epithets that are shouted to the players. (Read the full NYTimes Story)
The story illustrates the delicate balance between getting your fans to react and respond and tacitly encouraging a more negative response that might damage part of your fan base. The story discusses several fans who have stopped attending games, or feel uncomfortable going to games due to the chants.
It’s an interesting read and something to consider. While the Ranger’s aren’t leading those chants, by putting the iconic Dancing Larry on the screen they are almost insuring the chants are heard.
It was interesting that the Rangers don’t seem interested in openly addressing it with the advocacy groups who are offering help.
The Houston Astros will launch their “Astros Play Green” campaign starting April 22, which is Earth Day. The campaign, building off a club initiative that began last summer, will strive to create awareness regarding environmental initiatives in the city of Houston. The Astros were the first sports team in the city of Houston to launch a recycling campaign that was interactive, and they encouraged their fan base to take steps to aid the environment. At the team’s April 22 game, the Astros will wear special green baseball hats. An expo featuring local earth-friendly vendors will be held prior to the game. The first 10,000 fans will receive a green Astros cap and a canvas eco-tote bag. Some of the elements of the campaign include: the club will compost ballpark infield and outfield grass cuttings to use as fertilizer; paper products such as ticket brochures, pocket schedules, and paper towels will be printed on partial post-consumer recycled materials; the use of recyclable light bulbs; and manual paper towel dispensers will be swapped out for automatic dispensers. (Team PR)
A great promotion that takes the concept all the way….composting clippings, changing light bulb and acting in a “green” way. An impressive attention to details.
This reminds me of one of my favorite Promotion Spotlights: the Grow Your Own Bat Night. This is actually a giveaway of a tree sapling that fans plant. This was posted about 6 years ago (which might have been a little ahead of it’s time “green”-wise). Check it out.
I have also nominated this for the 2008 Best of Gameops.com Award for Game Day Promotion.
–Cudo
PS: This Astro jersey was my childhood favorite….I think I have grown out of that.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have launched the “Let’s Go Pirates. Let’s Go Green.” campaign, a sweeping initiative that includes community outreach, more energy efficient ballpark elements, and recycling. Here are some features of the initiative: the installation of 180 recycling containers; the use of corn-based beverage cups and the elimination of non-biodegradable materials in utensils, food containers, napkins, etc.; the use of low voltage light bulbs; and motion detectors in 86 specific locations that will trigger lights only when people are in the area. (Team Press Release)
According to a Japanese poll in the year 2000, instant noodles were the most important Japanese invention of the 20th century. Karaoke came second.Everyone has Karaoke….but now the Salem Avlanche are (finally) hosting a “Salute to Ramen Noodles Night”.
This month we added another touring act to the Yellow Pages, 
Good forward-looking piece on how movie theatres could be the next home to your viewing parties. Most NBA teams are hosting playoff watch parties for their away games at bars and home arena’s. With HD video and the opportunity for revenue, this might be the future of watch parties.
Katie Thomas of 
The Houston Astros will launch their “Astros Play Green” campaign starting April 22, which is Earth Day. The campaign, building off a club initiative that began last summer, will strive to create awareness regarding environmental initiatives in the city of Houston. The Astros were the first sports team in the city of Houston to launch a recycling campaign that was interactive, and they encouraged their fan base to take steps to aid the environment. At the team’s April 22 game, the Astros will wear special green baseball hats. An expo featuring local earth-friendly vendors will be held prior to the game. The first 10,000 fans will receive a green Astros cap and a canvas eco-tote bag. Some of the elements of the campaign include: the club will compost ballpark infield and outfield grass cuttings to use as fertilizer; paper products such as ticket brochures, pocket schedules, and paper towels will be printed on partial post-consumer recycled materials; the use of recyclable light bulbs; and manual paper towel dispensers will be swapped out for automatic dispensers. (Team PR)