Fury marketing...

[Trillium]

Got a call this morning from Fury Ticket Rep... asking to put money down on Season tickets for next year.

Nice that they are off and running fast on the business side.

[shamrock]

Wow, they're early! Just appointed the head coach, but no players yet and also not a logo. But it's good to see they're taking it seriously.

And I must admit I've kinda changed my mind about the naming. Although personally I still don't like "Fury", it makes sense that you use a name that's been around for 11 years and people around town are familiar with. Really hope they can fill that stadium with a big soccer crowd next season.

[Soju]

You're playing with fire, stealing that name. Winnipeg Fury Ultras may be well into their 70's, but they don't forgive.

[Villa_Canuck]

The marketing job will he hell to deal with considering Ottawa. We will be lucky to have 10k at the homeopener. What they need to get is the casual fans coming out to get them interested . Ottawa will get bigger if they keep winning

[Lord Bob]

We will be lucky to have 10k at the homeopener.

You're ****ing right you will.

[alberta white]

Lord Bob does have a point, Unless TV /Media is already awash with fury chatter as part of the Frank Clair rebuild, however, I feel that focus would be more likely a focus on CFL and the *Redblacks, right?

I must say I worry that going into such a large stadium may well be detrimental to the endeavor in NASL.

Is there not a smaller more suitable venue worth developing?

*keep wanting to say REDBACKS 'cause that a real word.

[elmateo]

Hard to say but we are not talking about a cavernous 40 000+ stadium but a ~24 000 person stadium with two sides. I don't think 6000 is outside of the market range of Ottawa with 10 000 being a reasonable target for 'large' important games (season opener, Canada Day, etc.). The location is pretty good for a weekend afternoon match. It is all hard to say without the stadium actually being completed, as well as the surrounding area. Ottawa has a high participation rate in soccer and lots of people who watch Euro soccer; Fury needs to be engaging those people right now. They missed the end of the European season except for the logo reveal event on the champions league final. I do think there is more potential in Ottawa for a decent sized crowd and I don't think the ownership group will have the same difficulties as Edmonton in that regard, though I may be wrong.

[JamboAl]

I think we should be able to get 10 K for the home opener. The concern is what happens after that. Yes, there are many soccer fans in Ottawa but most are of the European variety or when it comes to soccer, high tail it out to the cottage in the summer. It'll be interesting to see if the Fury can consistently draw above 4,000 because I think that wouldn't be too bad a number. The one good thing going for it is the location.

[Fussball_eh]

I think we should be able to get 10 K for the home opener. The concern is what happens after that. Yes, there are many soccer fans in Ottawa but most are of the European variety or when it comes to soccer, high tail it out to the cottage in the summer. It'll be interesting to see if the Fury can consistently draw above 4,000 because I think that wouldn't be too bad a number. The one good thing going for it is the location.

Yeah, the location is great. I certainly will be there, but i'm not ur average ottawa citizen. i'm a footy nut

[Mark83]

I'll hopefully make the drive out at some point to see them take on the Cosmos. With a stadium that big, hopefully they get some graphic tarps printed to cover up the empty seats like Seattle does. BC Place does something similar as well, but theirs are just plain white.

[Trillium]

I think most of you folks are being way to pessimistic, Ottawa going back many years has turned out for decent quality soccer games both youth international, womens international, and club international events.

Priced right ( at Movie price i.e. 10 to 12 ticket ) a crowd of 15K plus can be drawn for opening day.

It will depend on what the owners determine thier market to be, if they go for moms and kids they will be in the 2000 range all season if they go for more hip crowd from 16 up to 30 they can draw 7 to 12 per home game much as Montreal did in NASL.

They also need to pay attention to the Quebec side market as well.

But the potential is there.

[Lord Bob]

So we're just going with "immediately, second-best supported team in the NASL"? Yeah, and the Edmonton Aviators are going to fill the lower bowl at Commonwealth Stadium, it's foolproof.

[Grizzly]

So we're just going with "immediately, second-best supported team in the NASL"? Yeah, and the Edmonton Aviators are going to fill the lower bowl at Commonwealth Stadium, it's foolproof.

It is not foolproof but it can succeed and possibly even be fantastic if done right and the situation is far different from Edmonton. Edmonton has had severe stadium problems since the start, have no connection to any other sports teams in Edmonton and had ownership that while committed had no experience in soccer or sports teams. Plus the small size of the stadium forced them to have extremely high ticket prices for the NASL. Now the stadium in Ottawa may be a bit larger than ideal for NASL but it will also be modern and first class and will allow for both a tie in with the CFL team and the OHL team which both play in the same facility and are run by the same owner, Jeff Hunt. Hunt is very experienced in marketing sports and turned around the 67s franchise which was on its deathbed into one of the league's most successful teams despite having NHL competition in town. If things are run properly and ticket prices are reasonable I think the Ottawa team could surprise a lot of people.

[alberta white]

It is not foolproof but it can succeed and possibly even be fantastic if done right and the situation is far different from Edmonton. Edmonton has had severe stadium problems since the start, have no connection to any other sports teams in Edmonton and had ownership that while committed had no experience in soccer or sports teams. Plus the small size of the stadium forced them to have extremely high ticket prices for the NASL. Now the stadium in Ottawa may be a bit larger than ideal for NASL but it will also be modern and first class and will allow for both a tie in with the CFL team and the OHL team which both play in the same facility and are run by the same owner, Jeff Hunt. Hunt is very experienced in marketing sports and turned around the 67s franchise which was on its deathbed into one of the league's most successful teams despite having NHL competition in town. If things are run properly and ticket prices are reasonable I think the Ottawa team could surprise a lot of people.

You forgot to Mention Edmonton's antipathy towards "PROFESIONAL EURO-BALL".

Seriously that's what a CBC reporters called it in those "early days" of about three years ago.

Edmonton has cornered the market in mass participation soccer and is obsessed with indoor 6-a -side. However the reaction by some of those amateur coaches to the possibility that a PRO team may try and poach their players was mental.

Incredible amount of mistrust was borne by the local soccer community and it taken sometime to get the ASA onto the same page. I don't think the ASA issues over Billings-gate help with that to be honest.

Also, out here in Alberta there seems to still be a genuine mistrust after the aviators fiasco and thorough misunderstanding of what Pro-Soccer actually is.

Some Probably think that FC Edmonton is probably just to Run off and Play in England.

all that been said this year has been more positive . Talk of a 3S that cost 10% that of a Hockey area has helped profile the club a bit better. gates are creeping towards the 3K mark. still its going to be a long hall for Edmonton. Thankfully the Owners a self confessed Stubborn Son-of-a-gun, who looks to have finally found a good marketing man in Rod Proudfoot.

[madmonte]

You forgot to Mention Edmonton's antipathy towards "PROFESIONAL EURO-BALL".

Seriously that's what a CBC reporters called it in those "early days" of about three years ago.

Edmonton has cornered the market in mass participation soccer and is obsessed with indoor 6-a -side. However the reaction by some of those amateur coaches to the possibility that a PRO team may try and poach their players was mental.

Incredible amount of mistrust was borne by the local soccer community and it taken sometime to get the ASA onto the same page. I don't think the ASA issues over Billings-gate help with that to be honest.

Also, out here in Alberta there seems to still be a genuine mistrust after the aviators fiasco and thorough misunderstanding of what Pro-Soccer actually is.

Some Probably think that FC Edmonton is probably just to Run off and Play in England.

all that been said this year has been more positive . Talk of a 3S that cost 10% that of a Hockey area has helped profile the club a bit better. gates are creeping towards the 3K mark. still its going to be a long hall for Edmonton. Thankfully the Owners a self confessed Stubborn Son-of-a-gun, who looks to have finally found a good marketing man in Rod Proudfoot.

Thank heavens for The Score, and the marketing there, broadcasting FC Edmonton games and creating serious public awareness. "Holy crap, that's in town?" has probably run through some people's heads. Alberta is so backwater for football it's incredible. You non-Prairies people can't begin to understand. But with The Score behind it, and you catch a few viewers...hey, man, maybe you get a few more this week. And a few more the next week.

I hope they do the same with the Fury.

[elmateo]

Pugh mentioned they are working out the details of the television stuff; he was thinking the score was likely on board. But as mentioned there are the tie ins to the other teams in the city. I'm wondering what influence of the history of 'failures' in Ottawa might have, I'm thinking the previous football teams and baseball teams. There is a bit of talk constantly about "attempts" to start teams only to see them collapse over the past 20 years. I think there is a bit of angst amongst groups of people that another big profile team does not fail, there does seem to be a bit more effort by the media as well to get behind Hunt's two teams. Undoubtedly because of his contacts and that he has proven himself to be serious; John Pugh has the right amount of 'English accent' left to underscore their 'knowledge' (given that most people watch Euro soccer with English commentary).

But I do wonder if they are doing enough to reach out to create the solid base of support from the most likely interested parties; like preparing to host pre-inscription events in connection with the various adult leagues around the city.

[Villa_Canuck]

PS in regards to the score they are now part of sportsnet

Being Pessimistic. Well it come with the territory living in Ottawa. Also as much as John is trying his best OSEG couldn't care less. As long as it make them Money. OSEG cares about two teams 67s n CFL besides that NASL is 2nd. What will make them pay attention is a good strong finish by the Fury and cfl not making the playoffs. Again I am pessimistic but some odd reason I dont trust them to be smart. If they were smart kits should have been relieved by now and sponsors mentioned..... They arnt doing much to try to get media attention but hey... GOLF and BASEBALL (things happening on the west coast) is more important than the Rematch game. Just saying. I will be at every match, I will be doing the full 90 but don't ask me to trust OSEG, John yes OSEG no

[davey_twelve]

hopefully they get some graphic tarps printed to cover up the empty seats like Seattle does.

Hopefully those graphic tarps say 'Ours is the Fury' = instant international following!

[Lord Bob]

I hope you optimists are right, obviously, but I've just learned to bet low on these things. If you guys average 5,000 fans a game in your first season I will be thrilled to pieces.

[Kurt-MTL]

Well, I recently emailed the Director of Communications and Marketing for Ottawa Fury FC and he advised me that specific lines for each sport will be on the field during that team's play and that lines would be removed and repainted as needed. This is pretty encouraging as this automatically improves the credibility and professionalism of the entire operation IMO. I think the importance of having this appearance of a professional product cannot be stressed enough when it comes to attracting fans and getting butts in the seats.

I can only pray that the Ottawa Fury front office will work closely with the supporters in creating a good atmosphere at games. I like the tarp idea and I think "Ours is the Fury" would be great haha! Anyone have any good ideas for chants?

[CDNFootballer]

Well, I recently emailed the Director of Communications and Marketing for Ottawa Fury FC and he advised me that specific lines for each sport will be on the field during that team's play and that lines would be removed and repainted as needed. This is pretty encouraging as this automatically improves the credibility and professionalism of the entire operation IMO. I think the importance of having this appearance of a professional product cannot be stressed enough when it comes to attracting fans and getting butts in the seats.

I can only pray that the Ottawa Fury front office will work closely with the supporters in creating a good atmosphere at games. I like the tarp idea and I think "Ours is the Fury" would be great haha! Anyone have any good ideas for chants?

Good to hear about the field lines, and Tarps would be a smart idea as well. Is there any word on the seating config yet? Hopefully they use one side for the seating and have the camera's for the video streams on the opposite side so as to show the crowd. I think average crowds of 4000-5000 would be reasonable to expect but hope they get more.

[elmateo]

Already have a few songs/chants in the works. A couple that I've been promoting:

To bad moon rising - CCR:

We come from the Ottawa River Valley / We are the supporters of the Fury! / We're going to have a massive party / When we win this bloody match [or: the voyageurs cup]/ Allez allez Ottawa! Allez allez Ottawa! Allez allez allez allez Ottawa!

For the supporters group/march to the stadium (to pop goes the world):

"Ohh party in the glebe, in the glebe, in the glebe, party in the glebe / ohhh drinkin in the glebe, in the glebe, in the glebe, drinkin' in the glebe"

which can continue for many other activities that we will partake in the glebe (dancin'/pissin'/singin'/winnin'/barfin'/marchin' etc.)

[Red and White]

Well, I recently emailed the Director of Communications and Marketing for Ottawa Fury FC and he advised me that specific lines for each sport will be on the field during that team's play and that lines would be removed and repainted as needed. This is pretty encouraging as this automatically improves the credibility and professionalism of the entire operation IMO. I think the importance of having this appearance of a professional product cannot be stressed enough when it comes to attracting fans and getting butts in the seats.

This.

I can only pray that the Ottawa Fury front office will work closely with the supporters in creating a good atmosphere at games. I like the tarp idea and I think "Ours is the Fury" would be great haha! Anyone have any good ideas for chants?

The Fury front office has been absolutely wonderful with the supporters group so far. They initially invited us to show up at their games (which is a great token, it means they not only welcome supporters groups, they are looking for them). OSEG, which technically owns the NASL club, are a bit of a different story. I don't think they'll be putting a lot of effort into supporter relationships.

[alberta white]

This.

The Fury front office has been absolutely wonderful with the supporters group so far. They initially invited us to show up at their games (which is a great token, it means they not only welcome supporters groups, they are looking for them). OSEG, which technically owns the NASL club, are a bit of a different story. I don't think they'll be putting a lot of effort into supporter relationships.

Is this an Intentional disconnect?

A way of Keeping the football in one place and the business of it in another?

[Villa_Canuck]

I believe it is. I don't OSEG really cares about NASL, they care about CFL, very few discussions in the papers here about soccer/football in media here forget about NASL. OSEG had the marketing machine ready for the name/logo launch for the CFL with T-shirts and caps ready for sale. The fury have no real merchandise to speak of except these weird mini scarves that they gave out. I personally don't think OSEG care about the NASL. It just something to say they are a sports group not just OHL/CFL. What I hope is that OSEG goes to fury and say here is your budget for the season, win some games.