Team Thread - Albuquerque Thunderbirds

[abqtbirdspr]

Hey Thunderbird fans, just wanted to drop a quick line to say that the team WILL be playing next year, and that season tickets are already selling faster than ever.

I am the new marketing and public relations coordinator for the team, and wanted to reach out to you, the fans, for your insight as to what we can do as a team to improve your overall experience. Please feel free to shoot me a message or respond to this post with thoughts.

The thunderbirds are also now on Twitter, so you guys can stay up to the minute on team activities during this busy offseason
www.twitter.com/Abqtbirds

[skippy]

Okay, I'll shoot. Firstly, what did ownership hope to accomplish by the negativity at the end of last year?

2ndly, Tingley sucks.

I know MANY people who will not support any event held there because it is such a yucky venue. I know of the venue difficulties in Albuquerque, but play at hotel convention center before that place, because it really, really, really sucks.

Your tickets prices are way out of whack for the position you hold in this market, which is behind Lobo Football, Lobo Basketball Men's and Women's, High School boys and girls hoops. That makes you sixth in term of discretionary sporting event income. Price yourself accordingly. $76 dollars for courtside is garbage, especially when you don't enforce who else comes down there. Read up on how the Lobo women started drawing people to their games ($2 adult, $1 child) tickets, and do the same.

There is constantly obnoxious rap music blasting over the loudspeakers, when the people in your seats are families. Not everyone has attention deficit disorder, and does not need to be entertained every second of the game. The game is supposed to be a big part of the entertainment, not what goes on between, "Let's get it Started in Here", and "Hey, Mickey", some stupid sumo wrestling that anyone who has been to a sporting event in the last twenty years has seen ad nauseum.

Get your mascot off the court or stands unless he is doing something, Trey looks bored 90 percent of the time. Tell him to visit the cheap seats.

Tell the PA guy to stop yelling into the microphone. It reeks of desperation when there are less than 400 people in the seats and it hurts our ears.

You can't charge the premiums the Isotopes do, because PEOPLE HATE TINGLEY COLISEUM.
You can be the lower priced alternative for families. Use marketing that was in vogue before people relied on their "new" facilities to get people in the seats. You can't do it, because of Tingley. The 5 buck seats are still too expensive. More black tarps to make that place seem smaller. It feels like HUGE AND EMPTY. More intimatcy, the cheapest seat should be able to get hit with sweat!


If Bregman needs help, I'm here. :)

Here's the good:

Coffino is your best asset.
Albuquerque loves characters, and he definitely not something people are used to around here. Very nice man.

The basketball is fun to watch when it's not a revolving door.

Bregman cares, appears to want to do well.

Henry T, while goofy, will pimp you out 24 hours a day on his station.

[abie10]

I can agree with a lot of what you said. I held season tickets for 2 years. I moved to Phoenix so I no longer go to games. However I held 3rd row seats and there was constantly people that were sitting around and in front of me...and it was different people every time. People come down from the top all the time...buy a $5 dollar ticket and just go down to front row...it's to easy.

I don't mind the entertainment...My kids love it...especially the time I got in the Sumo suit.

I really agree with the music and the announcer though. He yells at times when he shouldn'[t and really doesn't get the crown into the game.

I wouldn't ever use Tingley as a reason to NOT attend a game, but I do think it's not the best place to play. Smaller would be better, especially if it livens up the atmosphere. Even with 2500 people there the atmosphere wouldn't be as good...

I like the T-Birds and have been a fan of them forever. I still try to follow them even though I am in Phoenix now...I hope you all pull everything together.

[nksports]

If the venue is that bad, how about the new arena in Rio Rancho now that the Scorpions have taken the year off?

[Minor League Man]

My other suggestion: GET NEW LOGO FONTS/UNIS!

The ones you've got are so 2005...

[abie10]

in my opinion the Rio Rancho arena is just to far out of the way. I know that Rio Rancho is supposed to develop this area a lot, but right now it's so far...I don't think that would help much at all...

[skippy]

There's the convention center, and if Bakersfield is allowed to play in a practice facility, I see no reason that the T-birds couldn't find a suitable smaller venue and play there.

Heck, even play in the Winrock Mall. Plenty of vacancies there. (I'll take my check for that idea later)

Wanted to add that the Rio Rancho arena is one hour from the population of Albuquerque, and requires traffic light stopping for a majority of the ride, and has police officer speed traps entirely along the way. Not a very fan friendly experience. Added to that is the fact that it is literally located on a completely empty mesa, with no other development at all, and they charge 5 dollars for parking.

[TBirdCrazy]

Ok people...everyone knows that Tingley is not the best place for anything besides a Rodeo. So lets throw that discussion out the door as there really is no other facility that is viable for this at this time.

I do agree with the people getting on the floor, even after buying just the $5 tix...and me being a 4 season ticket holder of the lower floor seats (first year was box), you would think I would be perturbed by this. Surprising I am not that much...why you ask...well, we all go to the game to have fun and be entertained. We buy the floor seats why? So we get get "close to the action" and get up close and personal with the players. If those seats are available half way through the game, why not offer them to the people who are in the cheap seats...may get them to come back again, which they may have not been thinking about. Just pure marketing, that is all. I see both sides equally.

What this team lacks, I feel, is a strong marketing presence. And lets face it, in this town, its hard to pass the Lobos. But why not work with them, having the Lobos come to games when they can, Alford coming to the game, supporting the Birds. We need more community awareness...community functions. More community marketing would go a long way

Also, give perks for season ticket holders. The first year we had a season ticket holder only party - was absolutely great...we got to come down to the court, play against the players, etc, talk to Coop, etc. It was a lot of fun. Those kind of things have been removed from the "playbook" since. Now we have a "community wide party" which is good, don't get me wrong...but done in supplement to the other "exclusive" ones.

I believe also in fan give - away nights. A few years ago, we had a give a way night (one of our first) we drew a huge crowd. Fans love to get free stuff...have a more regular promotional night...and not some cheesy pencil or something...something worth while...hats have been done too many times...think of something creative.

Better half time entertainment would help the whole experience. I forgot what team it is in the dleague...but they have their mascot who dunks off a trampoline during half. I'm not saying that is a crucial aspect of getting people in, but it adds to the whole experience.

While we are on mascots, I agree Trey has to be more active. Last year we had a pretty good mascot (some nights)...but he has to interact with the people more...going up into the cheap seats, etc.

Also, as a last note...I think to go along with the community outreach, the Tbirds need to branch out there name. I myself come from 1.5 hours away every single game (I think I missed three total in the last four years)...I know where I live there are absolute basketball nuts. If the Tbirds marketed outside of Albuquerque too, I think it would do them well. They may not get a lot more season ticket sales, but they would start to get people from outlining areas knowing who they are, and thus coming to games on occasion and building a broader fan base.

One more note, sorry...There has to be an offseason plan. I understand that players have other obligations: summer league, etc. But more events during the offseason needs to be planned...and if possible - in affiliation with past players (ie Tony Bland, Coop - (seeing he already comes here to do a camp), etc).

There are plenty more ideas, for sure.

By the way - abie: That's why I have not seen you...makes sense now. Hope PHX is treating you well. We'll have to catch a PHX game when I am in town.

[skippy]

The New Mexico Slam played at the convention center downtown, after suffering through one season at Tingley. It was a much better, more intimate venue.

Tingley literally smells like horse----.

As far as marketing, it needs to be grassroots, because I believe they tried it the other way, and found it to be like flushing money down the toilet.

I've seen some commercials and whatnot, but there is no connection to this team from the community.

[abqtbirdspr]

Thank you for the responses, guys. Regarding the stadium issue, Tingley may not be the best, but they are willing to house the team 24 nights a year and give the team a reasonable deal, which is something that cannot be said about the Rio Rancho facilities.

I like the ideas for improving the fan experience, and growing the team at a grassroots level (which i COMPLETELY agree with). We need to engrain the team in this community, arena notwithstanding, and the only way to do that is with the support of you guys, the fans.

As far as reducing ticket prices and other cost cutting ideas, we will have discounted promotions throughout the offseason, which will be advertised exclusively on www.twitter.com/abqtbirds and the team's facebook page. There will also be a number of offseason events that will be geared towards generating excitement and increasing awareness, and I encourage you all to come out and support the team at one (or more) of these events. Plans are in the works, but as they become finalized, they will be advertised in the local media and through the Thunderbirds various communications channels (website, blogs, twitter, etc.)

Lets keep the conversation going guys, and please feel free to shoot me an email at any time.

-Tyler

[Minor League Man]

Thank you for the responses, guys. Regarding the stadium issue, Tingley may not be the best, but they are willing to house the team 24 nights a year and give the team a reasonable deal, which is something that cannot be said about the Rio Rancho facilities.

I like the ideas for improving the fan experience, and growing the team at a grassroots level (which i COMPLETELY agree with). We need to engrain the team in this community, arena notwithstanding, and the only way to do that is with the support of you guys, the fans.

As far as reducing ticket prices and other cost cutting ideas, we will have discounted promotions throughout the offseason, which will be advertised exclusively on www.twitter.com/abqtbirds and the team's facebook page. There will also be a number of offseason events that will be geared towards generating excitement and increasing awareness, and I encourage you all to come out and support the team at one (or more) of these events. Plans are in the works, but as they become finalized, they will be advertised in the local media and through the Thunderbirds various communications channels (website, blogs, twitter, etc.)

Lets keep the conversation going guys, and please feel free to shoot me an email at any time.

-Tyler
Any word about new uniforms/wordmark modification? (The one you got right now is SOOO 2005-looks kinda out of date)

[skippy]

What kind of discount for two front row courtside seats?

Don't you think those kind of deals should also be on the official website?

Who is the team president now? I saw a blurb in the Journal that you guys were having an online job fair.

[abqtbirdspr]

Season ticket options are available from:
Fun Zone Seating $4/game opposed to $5/game
Bonus Zone $6/game opposed to $10/game
Box Seating $15/game opposed to $20/game
Third Row Seating $30/game opposed to $35/game
Second Row Seating $35/game opposed to $45/game

We also have flex vouchers available in the Fun Zone, Bonus Zone and Box Seats that include 10 vouchers good for any game, available at the same discounted rate. Again, give me a call at 505.265.3865 and I can get you set up with the ticket package that is right for you.

[skippy]

Cool.

I'll buy the $4 season tickets and move to the front row this year. (just kidding, but see how obnoxious it is?)

Who is the new team president?

[abqtbirdspr]

The goal of our office and sales staff is to sell out the lower levels, which would prevent the opportunity to move down to a lower level seat (a lofty goal, but a goal nonetheless).

So I really do encourage you all to get your tickets soon - especially if you are interested in lower level seating.

-Tyler

[TBirdCrazy]

Tyler,

How's the lower level seating looking...is it almost sold out? Also, don't forget about the local tryouts this weekend (July 11, and 12th) at Highlands HS.

[abqtbirdspr]

Lower level is filling up fast (courtside seats/tables are already virtually sold out). If you want a lower level seat, give me a call and we can take a look at the available seating and get something figured out for you.

As TBirdCrazy mentioned, there is a tryout this weekend, from 9am-3pm (Sat/Sun) at Highland High School. It will be open to the public, so if you want to come check out the action, feel free to stop by!

[Minor League Man]

Any answer about the uniform updates yet?

[TBirdCrazy]

Minor - I doubt they will change them anytime soon....just be glad the logo does not look like the Armor or the Red Claws (though I do like their court)

[abqtbirdspr]

The uniforms will likely be updated during the 2010-2011 season. So this season could very well be a fairwell tour for the uniforms in their current design!!

[skippy]

I'd really like to know who the team president and new staff are.

When will you release that information?

[abqtbirdspr]

There was a great article in the Journal today about our new VP, Adam Minnick. In terms of new staff, we haven't finalized the coaching staff (with the exception of Coach Coffino), but our front office staff has new personnel (including myself).

Hope to see you out at the games this year! Early Bird season ticket rates are still available, but only for a limited time!

[TBirdCrazy]

I am curious what everyone thinks of the announced move to Rio Rancho next year? and what about the name change to "New Mexico Thunderbirds?"

[diehard birdy]

T-birds were a joke this year. Think the move is a mistake, we see how well the Scorpions did. Now that its there I will maybe make one game at most (if that). Announced today in ABQ Journal Coffino wont be back as coach.....although they struggled this yr they wont be able to get anyone else willing to do all he did throughout the community. Good luck Coffino!