Based on the University of Tennessee’s advertisement in the sports section of the News Sentinel, it obviously needs help in promoting its football home schedule.
You might have seen the ad with the headline “Single game tix on sale now!”. Below the headline are the dates and opponents for four University of Tennessee home football games.
Does that make you want to buy tickets? Or does it make you want to check the national college football schedule for those dates to see what better fare might be available on television?
I think I know your answer.
By lumping the four games together, UT is screaming “leftovers.” So you’re apt to opt for a Saturday afternoon and evening in front of your television, where the parking is free and the seats are considerably larger.
You might decide differently if UT made those four games more appealing.
I don’t normally get involved in advertising. But since UT provides me with food on game day, I’ll make an exception in this case.
First suggestion: Advertise each game separately. Sure, you will spend more on advertising, but you get what you pay for.
Second suggestion: Come up with an angle to make each opponent more compelling. Here are my suggestions, which I’m sure a trained professional can improve on. But this will at least get the creative process going.
Southern Miss — Headline: “Take A Stand Against Crime.
Ad copy: “One thing you will never hear from a University of Southern Mississippi recruiter: ‘Take no prisoners.’ In the last three years, USM coach Jeff Bower has signed three convicted felons, including one player who served three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
“Don’t let criminals make you scared to leave your home. Show you’re not afraid by coming to Neyland Stadium on Sept. 8.
Arkansas State — Headline: Arkansas State Shows Vols No Respect.”
Ad copy: “The Arkansas State media guide contains only one reference to the Vols, and there’s not a single picture of UT All-SEC candidates Erik Ainge and Jerod Mayo.
Louisiana-Lafayette — Headline: “Vols Seek Payback Against LSU-Lafayette (Actually, this school has nothing to do with LSU, but this is about advertising, not accuracy).”
Ad copy: “UT hopes to avenge last year’s loss as well as the defeat in the 2001 SEC championship game. Will you be there to cheer them on, or are you afraid of the big, bad Tigers?”
Vanderbilt — Headline: “Commodores Return To Their Second Home.”
Ad copy: “Can the Vols take back their house or will Vanderbilt’s dominance continue?
“A lot of UT fans can’t remember the last time UT beat Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium. For the record, it was way back in 2003.
“Since then, the Commodores have been unbeatable in Neyland Stadium.
“Will their domination ever end?”
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 21
WOB4Tenn writes:
For the record John, it was "way back" in 2005
kaplan#211944 writes:
For the record, John is right. The last time UT beat Vanderbilt at Neyland was in 2003. They lost at home in 2005.
Colliervol writes:
For the record, John, don't quit your day job. Comedy ain't for you.
WOB4Tenn writes:
whoops
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
let 'er rip, John....love the satire
FLVol writes:
For the record...if Fulmer wins the first 3 games in Sept. then those 4 games should sell out. Otherwise, there is going to be a lot of empty seats and I don't think Hamilton is going to like that.
DarthVol writes:
You remember those term papers that you did the night before they were due in high school? I had a history teacher tell me once as he handed my paper back to me, "Sometimes it's better to take the zero instead of wasting my time and yours." I get the feeling that the sports page needed an article for thursday and John drew the short straw late wednesday night. Headline - "GoVolsXtra: IT'S FREE!" Ad Copy - "And worth every penny"
BuckFama writes:
Party on, Darth!
knoxtenor writes:
Southern Miss - "Take a Stand Against Crime?" Adams is poking fun at ANOTHER team for having convicted criminals on it? Who are these boys and why weren't they recruited by UT? They'd fit right in with the rest of our little den of thieves here.
The obvious choice for the SoMiss v. UT game (note the legal "v." reference) would be some kind of takeoff on "The Longest Yard" movie.
wally writes:
For the record, UT should discontinue advertising in the KNS. That is one of the lamest articles ever written. UT's advertising would be better placed in radio, tv, outdoor advertising, etc..
eanderson#655202 writes:
Good businessmen know that they don't have to "sell" if the product is worthwhile - ergo UT's sellouts for other games. Mike and Phillip should stop following the pack and scheduling wannabees, and follow the leads of Pat and Bruce with their high class schedules.
agentorange writes:
ea, that is one of the dumbest things posted here in a while. UT's football schedule is consistently one of the freaking hardest schedules you'll come across. It's ranked in the top 10 of "hardest schedules" by everyone for the upteenth year in a row. Having what are basically two homecoming games is a result of being forced to play 12 games with only one bye week. plus, unless i'm mistaken, NC State backed out of its game scheduled for this year and we filled it in with one of the patsies.
CoverOrange writes:
Actually, having a few non-sell out games means that some tickets are available to those that can't afford season tickets with the huge donations or can't make every game. No longer do fans have to rely on scalpers the day of the game. No longer is it a have vs have-nots. And, if you remember from Econ I, where the supply and demand curves cross determines price, which usually occurs well below capacity. Having empty seats only looks bad but is a result of good business, and this is a business.
andefromtn#212139 writes:
If we were actually playing someone then those four games would be sellouts right now. The problem John isn't the advertising, it the lack of a worthy game. I know we can't get rid of Vandy but the other teams are for the most part a joke. When will Hamiliton and Fulmer stop scheduling whimpy fill in games and play for strength of schedule points in BCS? Given that schedule a team with one loss might out distance UT for a BCS bowl even if we're undefeated going into the SEC championship. Take a page from Pat Summitt's book and apply it. PLEASE!!!
bsvolfan#325031 writes:
You mean the same Pat Summitt that dropped the series with UCONN?
C'mon people. We already have a top 25 non-conference opponent on the schedule this year in CAL. Don't think Southern Miss will be a cake walk either. That's a MAJOR trap game right before Florida. (Remember Air Force).
With series being talked about and put into motion against teams like UCLA, Oklahoma, NC State, NC, Nebraska, Oregon, etc...you people have nothing to complain about with UT's schedule.
Remember, strength of schedule is not a direct factor in the BCS anymore anyway.
McIntireIMP writes:
I don't get it...psych! that was funny.
budd#207344 writes:
Are you guys actually complaining about the schedule.UT consistantly schedules some of the best non conference in America. You're probably the same people who think Auburn should have won an NC with five high school teams and a girl's school on the schedule. Complain about stuff that is true but please try and hide the ignorance
Colliervol writes:
Amen to agentorange and marc ash. Evidently eanderson doesn't follow college football very much. UT routinely plays one of the toughest non-conference schedules and even folks that hate the Vols admit that. If you don't think Southern Miss plays a good, hard-nosed brand of football, you know nothing about the game and should have your license to comment revoked. Opening at California is tough in anybody's league. And, when you play an SEC schedule with Florida, Georgia, Bama et al, you need to play a cupcake every now and then. Not possible to play 11 or 12 tough opponents in a row. Nobody does it and we shouldn't either.
oasis3#214380 writes:
Another air ball by John Adams. Good God Almighty, can't this newspaper do better than this?
MadMax writes:
My bet is that the UT games that aren't yet sold out, will still #1 in attended games in the SEC on those dates.
vol4jesus writes:
Northern Ilinois yanked out of schedule , thus Arkansas st filled in. Little Debbie cakes are very rare at Neyland Stadium. Usually the 'Manhandlers' are served up ala N. Dame, Miami, Cal to name a few. Oasis3 you still haven't answered my question on who else Ken Sparks compromised his standards at Carson Newman.
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