Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin announced plans for an advertising plan last week while addressing his audience at the SEC football media days. More specifically, he said a “billboard will be going up” in Florida next month.
He didn’t offer any more details. But my guess is the billboard won’t be promoting Florida quarterback Tim Tebow for another Heisman Trophy.
UT’s upcoming billboard is a sign of the times in the SEC. Conference schools have the pleasant task of trying to figure out what to do with the $3 billion ESPN and CBS will be throwing at them over the next 15 years. And if you’re investing money in a billboard, know your demographics.
Florida is a recruiting mecca, so that makes sense. In fact, Pahokee High School in South Florida might have as many college prospects as some states.
As much money as UT is investing in recruiting quarterbacks in Southern California, it would be just as appropriate to advertise on I-405 in Los Angeles. For at least four hours a day, you would be assured of a captive audience.
It also would be wise to keep your billboard messages timely.
Suppose UT loses by a lopsided margin to the Gators this September. Monday’s billboards in Florida and LA could read: “We need help. Are you man enough to Volunteer?”
If you think UT would be messaging an uneducated audience, you haven’t been paying attention. Given its increased television exposure, SEC football is hardly a regional venture. Thanks to ESPN, the conference now has the largest college sports syndication television package in the country.
Imagine a five-star running back riding a school bus somewhere in Illinois. He glances out the window and sees Kiffin pointing from a billboard and saying, “We want you.”
Note to advertising campaign manager: Just make sure the billboard doesn’t include the running back’s name.
As much as this could do for recruiting, it doesn’t have to end with recruiting. Surely, a creative thinker like Kiffin will realize that billboard advertising could be directed at opponents as well as recruits.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive made it clear at the spring meetings that he wouldn’t stand for coaches sniping at other conference schools. So subtlety would be the key.
For example, if UT defeats Kentucky for the 733rd consecutive time this November, you wouldn’t have Kiffin taunting the Wildcats on a Lexington billboard the following Monday. Instead, the UT coach’s message could be something like: “Kentucky never quit. I’m honored to be a part of such a great traditional game.”
The messages between the lines: “No matter how hard Kentucky plays, it still can’t beat UT,” and “It’s a great traditional game for the Vols because they win and Kentucky loses.”
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. As any coach knows, you take one billboard at a time.
As for the one in Florida, how about: “There’s more than one shade of orange,” accompanied by a Kiffin smirk.
And make sure the billboard is within sight of the Pahokee practice field.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 102
ALL_VOL75 writes:
UT FOOTBALL BILLBOARDS IN FLORIDA......HAHAHAHAHA I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!
Bigger_Al writes:
We need high-tech billboards with LED's that we can program and change from an office in Knoxville...
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor suggestion get thrown out every time, but here Witch Doctor go....(Billboard reads)
"Tennessee..where you're less likely to be assaulted/killed by a team-mate."
Witch Doctor know some have better ones than that..Witch Doctor like to even hear interloper ones..
Bones never lie
arlvol writes:
Im for anything that helps us land 4 and 5 star talent. However, make sure you dont advertise next to a Stuckeys...Pecan roll anyone?!?!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor think Kiffins billboard idea working pretty good on you already. Witch Doctor say Kiffin in your head. Bones never lie
kman29 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor call mulligan on first two. Witch Doctor leave floor open for discussion. Witch Doctor not poke with malice..just in fun. Witch Doctor not take sports so serious cant have fun. Bones never lie
kman29 writes:
its all good. Hopefully nobody takes things said in here seriously. It is just a college sport.
rockytopfrog writes:
Number of current Gator players under the leadership and mentorship of Urbane Meyer and the Lord Tim Teabow who have been arrested?
Too many to count.
Number of current Volunteers under the leadership and mentorship of "rogue" Coack Kiffin who have been arrested?
No need to count. Like most Gator grads, you wouldn't get past 0.
Go Vols. Suck it Gators.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say if you ever read any Witch Doctors post(have/havent) Witch Doctor call it straight down middle(Witch Doctor BIG Vol fan but fair)Witch Doctor say many times over Florida cream of crop and Tebow great QB. Witch Doctor on otherside say Kiffin be judged on next couple of classes, not this one(Witch Doctor impressed with what he HAS done) Witch Doctor say "shots" at Florida should be taken as HUGE compliment because nobody's harassing Kentucky(sorry Kentucky). Bones never lie
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor laugh. Bones never lie
arlvol writes:
Buy a joke book Mr. Comedy Zone. It might help your lame arse material.
kman29 writes:
I understand what Tennessee is trying to do with this sort of Ad campaign. But in the end I honestly don't think it is going to make that much of a difference. Recruiting is all about relationships with the high school coach the recruit and recruits family. Coaches like Randy Shannon, Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer for years now have built relationships with kids and their coaches that they are looking to sign for 2010 in addition to 2011 and probably started with some 2012 kids. You really think that a kid playing at a school like Miami Northwestern that Randy Shannon has been talking with for the last couple years is going to be more persuaded by a billboard to sign with Tennessee? Maybe Im wrong, but I just don't see it having that big of an effect. Rutgers has employed the same tatics and while they have been able to recruit some florida kids, it mostly came from Greg Shiano's previous connections with the area and the highschool coaches. And yet even with that they aren't exactly blowing up on the national scene.
tdforvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say ditto. Bones never lie
kman29 writes:
apparently #1 rated LB Jeff Luc is rumored to be the next big name to commit. Normally don't get too hyped about a highschool kid but when you watch some of his videos, the kid is just unreal.
Chartervol writes:
The point that resounds in this story is the ESPN investment in the SEC. If this deal had been struck 15 years ago no one would have ever heard TELL of Charles Woodson.
ESPN takes care of its own, and the SEC is its new baby. Watch where this goes.
lt4vols writes:
How about "If Lane was good enough for GatorGirl Layla, he's more than good enough for the rest of Florida..." GO VOLS!!!!!!!
DennisVols writes:
Rebuilding the Reputation of a team and a coach. Lane Kiffin and the UT Volunteers
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Denn...
lt4vols writes:
We all know an anagram for Coach Lane Kiffin is "CLK", so what would be the same anagram for Coach Urban Meyer? I'm just saying...........
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Great idea...and the gators can post Coach McCarneys billboard in Iowa that says the same thing.
DennisVols writes:
MMMMMMMMMmmmm Signing day is not until Feb. '10 Maybe the NCAA should look into Meyer getting recruits to sign in July.
Probably a big time violation to the NCAA rule book.
tennezz writes:
Does this mean you are going to stop taking viagra because of a billboard?
lt4vols writes:
Come on, Loper.... Don't make me say it..
lt4vols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor think the Wizard mad. Witch Doctor notice interlopers post disappearing. Witch Doctor say DUCK! Bones never lie
(Witch Doctor respect Wizard authority, not want to come back to board as "Witch_Doctor_2") Bones never lie
BolivarBob writes:
Does anybody know who the big fish/whale is that Kiffin, Cregg and Chaney are talking about?
allvol32 writes:
KNS - time get the 'loper broom out again. These few bad apples certainly have an extreme obsession with UT which is funny to me but very sad for them judging by how often they post and how persistent they are at creating new govolsxtra accounts when they keep getting banned.
I pity them in the way that I pity someone with a mental illness (OCD in this case).
Having them on this site can be likened to playing a nice round of golf while being annoyed by gnats. It's still a great experience but would be more pleasant without the annoying pests.
The monikors change but the repetitive drivel is so easily identifiable from name change to name change.
Thanks to KNS for the excellent site and the good job they've been doing lately kicking the morons off - please do it yet again KNS.
blitzshoot writes:
How about :
WILL WORK FOR QUARTERBACK
TommyJack writes:
Or, "Tennessee. Where you won't be Frenched by a teammate".
walter1998 writes:
I don't post very often. I simply enjoy reading all of the different points of view, even from the "lopers". However, I really tire from reading posts from whiners like you who do nothing but complain. If you don't like a certain poster, simply DON'T READ THEIR POSTS.
Thank you.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor chuckle..Witch Doctor been working on something about pumping gas, but cant find punchline(?) Bones never lie
VolGraduate writes:
A shot of nukeese in his ut uniform would be a nice touch to a billboard near the uf campus....with a caption like "it's never too late to volunteer"
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
WD, I can see it now:
CLK in the middle and to one side a picture of a full Neyland Stadium and on the other side is a USC player in uniform pumping gas. The caption would read "Fill'er up! The choice is yours"
belayvol writes:
How about....Come play for Tn. Where wearing orange does not involve handcuffs or strip searches?
VolGraduate writes:
LOL... I was wondering where they went
Go4Two writes:
This is a dumb idea. What would happen to a Bama billboard in Knoxville...
Witch_Doctor writes:
Eureka! I think we have a winner. Bones never lie
teampenny#658108 writes:
I do not know about putting billboards up in Florida, but put a Gator billboard in East Tennessee it would not last a week. It would be painted on or burned down. Unusual wait to get FB players to come to our school. Hope it works on QB's. Go Vols
lt4vols writes:
I've been a bad boy.......... Site staff must have not liked the movie "Brokeback Mountain"......
lt4vols writes:
How about "Come to Tennessee... Where the football is steeped in tradition, and the ladies actually have most of their teeth..."
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
How about one of Smokey with his jaws locked onto a gator tail and the sign would say:
"HELP TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME"
lt4vols writes:
Or "Come to Tennessee......Where we don't name our men 'Ariel'!!!"
cloudodust writes:
Maybe the billboard will reach out to the many decent players that don't want to be attached to any of the three specific 'Florida's Criminal Institutes of Get High While Learning' programs.
allvol32 writes:
Follow your own sage advice there Walt and don't read my posts if they bother you so much.
If you think that the incessant, repetitive, childish and negative posting by the same 'lopers that keep getting banned over and over again is in some way interesting then you and I have different opinions.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
A picture of EB holding the Heisman Trophy and the sign says "This is you brain" next to that is a UF fan in jorts and wifebeater shirt and it says "This is your brain on drugs.
VolNWA writes:
SIMPLY HILARIOUS!!!
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
you know... here's a job I would actually be good at. I have an advertising degree from UT, why don't they bring me on and let me have do this.
Buy up the cable systems ESPN time in South Florida and be all over sportscenter down there. We could have our video department cut the commercial for us and save big-time on production costs. And cable itself is cheap if you already have a good commercial.
BigOrangeVol writes:
The Barn is blowing these up all over the entire state of Alabama and the Crimson Turds are P.O'd...while retaining their self-acknowledged superiority obviously! They do have Satan on their sideline and are expecting their 13th mythical National Championship this season so why worry about the Barners?
Papashango needs to put a special voodoo spell on every billboard we have in Florida.
Hey, all we need is this pic with an orange and white checkerboard background and we're in like Flynn with every recruit we want!!! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TXXG8yAXxx0... Papashango says, "Come to Tennessee or Witch Doctor make you sorry".
RichRollinz2 writes:
FUNNY AS HELL!
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