Am I the only person who has a problem with the new promotion the Aeros are running? In case you haven't seen it, the Aeros are running a special promotion for Detroit Red Wings fans for this weekend. If you buy tickets for the games this weekend, specifically if you buy a ticket for Saturday's game -- both featuring the Aeros hosting the Grand Rapids Griffins -- then after the game, you get to attend a meet and greet with the Griffins.
And wait, it gets better. They're selling $17 tickets in the Griffins attack zone -- I love how, on the flyer they call it the "lower end zone (Griffins shoot twice)." Like Red Wings fans don't actually know anything about hockey. So not only are they insulting Aeros fans by making a specific attempt to award Griffins fans, but they're insulting Griffins fans at the same time by treating them like idiots who don't understand hockey terminology.
I'm all for better attendance. I'm all for getting new fans into Toyota Center because it brings a great energy to the building. But putting together ticket packages that deliberately attempt to bring in fans to cheer against your team is just, I don't know, wrong. Especially when you're stacking them in an area directly behind your goalie.
Is anybody over at the Aeros marketing department doing any thinking? I've got an idea, why don't they just go ahead and move the games to Grand Rapids? I'm sure they would get a whole lot more Red Wings fans, but I somehow seriously doubt that Grand Rapids would be putting together a meet and greet package for Aeros fans.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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It makes me cringe, but a) it's ALL about butts in seats and anybody who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves and b) hey, maybe they come back when it's not the Griffs. It's all about exposure.
We're seeing this more and more. Florida teams doing this when Montreal or other such teams are in town. Doesn't show a lot of grace to the home fans but neither does an empty arena.
At least based on the comments shown on the facebook announcement, very few other people are finding this to be a remotely positive promotion.
What I find amazing is the meet & greet with Griffins players part of the promo... as an AHL fan, I find this somewhat cool, but as a fan of (insert home team here) that seems pretty obnoxious (whoring out the visiting players, etc).
A new low, but not surprising. What do you expect from an organization that makes school kids (and their parents) who sing the National Anthem buy tickets for the privilege of doing so?
Sorry, John - meant to comment on this too - maybe just a tad angry at the moment
Is anybody over at the Aeros marketing department doing any thinking?
Well, I've often though that between the marketing mis-steps and the trouble they often have running the game off-ice that maybe our summer interns went to work for the Aeros this fall rather than going back to college like they said they were doing.
I've got an idea, why don't they just go ahead and move the games to Grand Rapids?
SSSHHH! Don't give them any ideas! We're already down to 37 attendable home games this season!
I saw that too, the irony is beautiful, is it just because Gordie Howe is going to be there? I do understand how they're trying to fill seats, but at the same time we're Aeros fans, we want the home team to win, and the way the text was worded it seem that only Red Wings/Griffins fans are going to be eligible for the meet and greet, I don't know if that's true, but it's just kinda confusing.
I realize the Aeros organization is trying to fill seats, but how about doing something for Aeros fans and loyal season ticket holders. Those of us who pay and support the team year after year are getting the short end of the stick these days, and it's getting shorter by the minute. Back in November I saw something on the Rampage web page....their organization wanted their season ticket holders to let them know if they wanted their holiday party before or after Christmas. Holiday party???? That would never happen for the Aeros season ticket holders.
@Anon - Maybe the interns are afraid that someone who doesn't have a holiday to celibrate would be OFFENDED by a holiday party?
On that note, a belated MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.
Sorry, but " Merry Christmas" is about as politically correct as I am capable of.
I could probably be placated somewhat with the reappearance of the ice girls.
Here's another thing: There has not been an meet the Aeros for the STH's like there has been in the past. I heard there was something after the last game but only when I got home and checked my facebook page. I know a lot of people out there have smart phones (cell) but I do not. All I need a phone for is to say what I want and then hang up. Shame on you Aeros OPS!! You ass-u-me EVERYONE twitters and checks facebook during the games.
Twitter? Facebook? Not here either.
@anon 1: Icegirls.. I think I know who you are.
@anon 2: you forgot including texting DURING the game...tweeting, facebooking (there should be such a verb :-D) .. why bother GOING TO SEE a game at all!
@anon 3: there was a meet and greet earlier out near Sugarland, but IF your rep did not email you the information ON TIME, you missed that one and more.
And about the one after the last game, NOT the whole team was supposed to be there, some were even supposed to be elsewhere near the I 10 area, or so I've been told, not having received THAT email myself.
Butt in seat does not a fan make!
Just have too many loud rowdies around at the game and even the most raucous announcer cannot be heard over the bellowing during fighst and such!
One is almost forced to look at the AHL website to find out the names of scorers, or wear headphone to listen to Joe O'Donnell for that at the game.
And do not tell us serious fans that we a hockey snobs.. there is a limit!
A&H,
You may be right. I've did not received any emails about a meet and greet in/near Sugar Land. Are you listening ZACH!
I would simply like to point out that all the team's meet and greets have been posted on the team website and were promoted at the games with flyers, PA announcements and video board spots.
If anyone is not receiving emails from the team, feel free to email me at rbocchini@aeros.com.
Thanks
--Rich Bocchini
I would likely to kindly thank Rich for his comment, and I would request that you not besiege his emails because that's not really his problem.
If you're not getting this information, please contact your ticket reps since keeping you happy is supposed to be their job, not Rich's.
FWIW - Very few Red Wings sweaters noticed either game. Even the Red Wings fans I work with didn't go.
Much ado about nothing - - other than an off-based marketing gimmick that didn't seem to work.
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