The votes are in for the January winner of the Creative Challenge … congratulations to Iowa State for winning the Best Community Initiative. Their colleagues liked this idea because it gave them access into the schools to reach families, healthy lifestyle provided an activity the children would benefit from and in order to receive a ticket, the kids need to complete the worksheet. Of course, these kids can’t attend the game alone, so their reward also drove ticket sales. This is another great program that continues to help Iowa State build relationships with the people in their community.
“We partnered with a local school district by offering a general admission ticket to students who successfully completed a healthy activity checklist over winter break. We then took members of the team for an assembly with the entire school (all wearing Cyclone gear!) where they spoke about living a healthy and active lifestyle, being a good teammate, and most importantly a great student. Students were then given a congratulations letter along with their ticket and an email was sent out by the principle to parents with information on the game and purchasing extra tickets. Over 40% of the K-5 students successfully completed the worksheet and received a ticket.”
Iowa State and these students aren’t the only winners in January. Our wildcard winner is the University of Miami for it’s Free Hug promotion where they set the Guinness World Record of most mascot hugs in a minute with 100 during the game on National Hug Day. Creating a buzz around the game has a positive impact on the game atmosphere (the hugs happened during a timeout) and garners attention via social media is a great way to reach people in the community who haven’t attended a women’s basketball game. Using social media to show people all the fun they are missing at the game.
Each school will receive a donation to its women’s basketball marketing budget to help with future creative ideas. There are more chances to win this season with entries being accepted for our February challenge “Best Pink Game” until February 27. You can submit your entries for “Best Pink Game” to Erin at evarley@ncaa.org. The voting will begin in the WBB Marketing Facebook group on March 2. For questions, please contact me at thitz@ncaa.org.
Past Creative Challenge Winners
October:
Best Poster: Marquette Women’s Basketball
Wildcard: Cal Women’s Basketball Team Website
November:
Best Video: Baylor Women’s Basketball
Wildcard: Oklahoma Sherri Coale’s 400th Win
December:
Best Holiday Promotion: Drake Cross Promotion Clinic
Wildcard: Mississippi State Grassroots Marketing
Remaining Chances to Win
Best Pink Game:
Entries accepted February 9-27, 2015
Voting March 2-6, 2015
Attendance Increase:
Attendance recaps submitted by March 31, 2015
Winner announced during the semi-final games in Tampa Bay on April 5, 2015
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