• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 17, 2025

January Promotions and Giveaways Set the Bar for 2017

Georgetown University held their second annual Denim Night on January 25th. Photo courtesy of Chris Grosse.

Georgetown University held their second annual Denim Night on January 25th. Photo courtesy of Chris Grosse.

Welcome to the Promo Spotlight! Each month I will look at some of the best promotions that have taken place around the sports world and share them with you. Promotions play an important part in enhancing the fan experience and can sometimes be the deciding factor in someone going to a game or not. From ticket specials to giveaways, promotions are a great way to engage fans and give them a little “something extra.”

2016 was a great year of promotions and giveaways, and 2017 is off to a hot start. Below are January’s best that have set the bar for the rest of the year.

Andre Iguodala VR Bobblehead: Warriors (1/10)

It’s no secret Virtual Reality has taken the world by storm. So much so, the Golden State Warriors made it part of their Andre Iguodala bobblehead. It’s a great way to tie pop culture to sports, especially since the industry is starting to explore more technology use.

Want more great content like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Warriors’ VP of Digital and Marketing, Kenny Lauer said, “…the bobblehead was a nice tip of the hat to have fun with VR, to align technology with our players and to just have our message that technology is a very important part of how we create experiences.”

Toledo Mud Hen’s Brewfest (1/14)

Beer fests are a staple in the summer, so I love that the Mud Hens decided to host one in the winter. It’s a great non-baseball way to bring people to the ballpark during the off-season. It also gives people the chance to try seasonal beers they might not otherwise get to try and could attract non-baseball fans to the ballpark, which could in turn help bring them out during the season.

I also love that they created a Snapchat filter for the event. It’s a great way to market the event on one of the most popular social media platforms, and gives attendees a fun way to spice up their Snapchat stories.

San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton Chia (1/21)

Chia pets make a great throwback giveaway. Bringing back the popular item from the 80’s and 90’s to create a current player is a fun, interactive way for fans to get involved with the team. The Washington Nationals started the trend with Jason Werth (2015) and Bryce Harper (2016) Chias to pay tribute to the prominent hair characteristics of their players, and it’s fun to see other teams do the same.

This Joe Thornton Chia from the Sharks is the perfect way to honor the great beard and head of hair their player has. They even created this vintage-y commercial to promote it.

Georgetown University: Jortstown: (1/25)

In a play off the school’s motto, “We are Georgetown”, the Georgetown Marketing Department delivered on this one-of-a-kind theme night. It’s the second year Georgetown has held a tribute to the popular clothing fabric, and fans were encouraged to wear as much denim as possible. The fans decked out in the most denim received denim vests bedazzled with the Georgetown “G” or “Hoyas” on the back. I’m sure Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears are bummed they couldn’t attend.

“We are always trying to come up with themes that the students can get into and enhance their experience, and the denim theme allowed students to dress up for the game while still wearing Georgetown colors (blue and gray). The name ‘We Are Jortstown’ was actually suggested by a student and just fit so perfectly (like your favorite pair of Jorts),” said Chris Grosse, director of marketing.

New Orleans Pelicans: King Cake Baby Bobblehead (1/29)

Mardi Gras is right around the corner, which means king cake will soon be in every Louisiana household. For years, the New Orleans Pelicans have celebrated this special time by bringing in their seasonal mascot, King Cake Baby. Despite comments about how “terrifying” the mascot looks, the Pelicans embrace King Cake Baby when celebrating New Orleans’ most popular holiday. This bobblehead is the perfect way to bring Louisiana’s unique culture and tradition to a sporting event. And besides, who doesn’t love cake?

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Shaquille O’Neal, TNT Agree to Extension Worth Over $15M/Year

Shaq’s Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN next season.

Dallas Teams Ditch RSNs for New Models. Will Others Follow?

The Metroplex is a crucible of a broader wave of industry change.

Red Sox Return to Big Spending With $120M Alex Bregman Deal

The contract with the former Astros star revives a prior franchise mentality.
Sep 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) walks on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park.

MLB Spring Training Camps Open With Plenty of Top Talent Unsigned

The MLB free-agent market remains tight as spring training camps open.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 15, 2025

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”

State Farm Cancels Planned Super Bowl Ad Amid California Fires Controversy

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.
Apr 7, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy (left) and Brooks Koepka set up to putt on no. 9 during the first round of The Masters golf tournament.
November 27, 2024

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf TV ‘Showdown’ Will Pay Out $10M Crypto..

Two golfers from each tour will face off in Las Vegas.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; From left: Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce and Marcus Spears on the ESPN Monday Night Football Countdown set before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
December 17, 2024

A ‘Wave’ of Sports Content Is Coming to TikTok

The next generation is consuming sports in a different way.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts after hitting a RBI single against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.
October 31, 2024

Strauss Ads on MLB Helmets Annoyed Some Fans. CEO Says They Were a ‘Huge Success’

Strauss’s deal with MLB goes until 2027.
August 26, 2024

Cooper Flagg Spurns Nike Ties for New Balance

Flagg is the projected top pick in 2025.
August 22, 2024

Marketing Stunt Had Major Cycling Race Start In Grocery Store

The Vuelta has a history of creative stage kickoffs.
August 19, 2024

Jake Paul Claims He’ll Make $40 Million Off Tyson Netflix Fight

Paul and Tyson are set to fight in Texas in November.