2017
BLOOMINGTON EDGE P A R T N E R S H I P
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
V I S I O N
S T A T E M E N T :
“By 2018, the Bloomington Edge will be the premier national destination for professional football players to showcase their talents.” ALL EDGE HOME GAMES PLAYED AT:
WHY SPORTS MARKETING WORKS 1. People are passionate about sports. 2. Captive audience of hundreds of thousands
3. It offers long-term branding opportunities
4. Sports bridge the gaps among all demographics 5. It allows for interactive, hands-on marketing
MARKETING TO CONSUMERS THROUGH SPORTS 1. Sports has to be part of an integrated campaign
Including sports into your overall marketing strategy allows you to think and act both regionally and nationally when it comes to marketing.
2. Sports isn’t only about young males
Behind every athlete - there is a mother - typically the decision maker in the family and the person managing the family budget.
3. Sports reaches an audience, it is not an end in itself
Sports marketing is merely a process. You have activate it. Marketing with the Bloomington Edge includes a guide for fulfillment/activation that helps maximize your advertising inventory. Whether it’s coming up with ways to distribute the season tickets you receive or what to put on the dasher board advertisement in your sponsorship package, we will work with you to make sure you’re utilizing the pieces of advertising inventory you receive to their fullest extent.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net
OUR METRICS* SEASON TICKET SALES
SPONSORSHIP SALES
36% FACEBOOK LIKES
108% TWITTER FOLLOWERS
155%
65%
8,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED EDGE GAMES IN 2016
10,500 VIEWERS WATCHED EDGE GAMES ONLINE IN 2016
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net BLOOMINGTONEDGE .net INFO INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE @BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net @BLOOMINGTONEDGE .net *Metrics used in graphics illustrate changes between 2015 and 2016 seasons
BRAND ENGAGEMENT The Bloomington Edge can help you drive consumers’ emotional connection to your brand, product, or service by incorporating your brand within ours. Through this partnership, Edge fans become engaged in your brand. Here’s how the brand engagement flows:
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net
HERE IN BLOOMINGTON Located in central Illinois, in a thriving community rich in tradition and hard work, Bloomington has long been known for its big-city atmosphere with small-town appeal. Bloomington is a community of friends and neighbors rooted in teamwork, dedication and discipline. Those principles serve as the foundation of the Bloomington Edge. Entering the franchise’s twelfth season, the Edge ownership group has built a strong foundation for the future of professional sports in in the greater Bloomington-Normal area. The Edge were founded in 2006.
ABOUT THE EDGE
The Bloomington Edge will kick off their 12th season in franchise history in February of 2017 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in downtown Bloomington. Most recently, the Edge defeated the Sioux City Bandits in the CIF Northern Division wild card round before bowing out to the Wichita Force in the Northern Conference championship game. Through the previous 11 seasons, the Edge have compiled a 82-71 record including three post-season wins and one division championship in 2008.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net
ABOUT THE CIF Champions Indoor Football is a professional indoor football league that was formed after a merger between the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) and Lone Star Football League (LSFL) in 2014. Teams play across the greater Midwest from Illinois to Texas, with additional expansion teams to come. The league is dedicated to bringing professional indoor football to markets that would otherwise not have a professional team to cheer for. How is the CIF different from other leagues? The CIF has a unique style of indoor football. The 8-on-8 format allows for high-scoring, high-energy action, giving teams an opportunity to score on any play. Many teams score over 50 points in any given game. The CIF League Office is structured similar to the NFL in that it has a Board of Directors, giving each owner a vote along with a front office staff to provide transparency to its owners and team officials. What is the purpose and mission of the CIF? The CIF is a stepping stone for its players. The league was created to give players the opportunity to play professional football and work toward a career in the National Football League or the Canadian Football League. Just as important to the success of our players, the CIF strives to provide families with an affordable opportunity to enjoy professional football right in their own hometown.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net BLOOMINGTONEDGE .net INFO INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE @BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net .net
PUBLICITY & EVENT PROMOTION We target our media and publicity efforts to McLean county residents (specifically Bloomington and Normal), along with families that reside in central Illinois. We target middle and upper-middle class families who, as research says, tend to have greater loyalty to our sponsors. We reach our targeted demographic using a number of tools, both traditional and emerging. Some of those tools include: TRADITIONAL MEDIA We place buys with precision to targeted demographics and household zones when possible. We utilize radio spots to increase awareness and geo-targeted electronic ads from local newspapers and other advertisers to promote our events and special promotions that occur. WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA The Edge continually update news and information regarding the team on our website, BloomingtonEdge.net. In addition to its educational and informational purpose, our website can be used to run sponsor-related online promotions and web contests. We are also active in social media, continually promoting our events and our sponsor promotions on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. E-MARKETING We have an extensive email database of fans who have opted in and want to be kept abreast of events, news, and special offers from us and our sponsors. The Edge will continue to build that asset, while also marketing to other local clubs and organizations. PROMOTIONAL EVENTS & APPEARANCES Throughout the year, and especially during our season, the Edge participate in community and promotional events designed to build awareness of our team and sponsors. These appearances and events range from toy drives to appearances at local sports banquets, and everything in between. Our philosophy is that one-on-one interaction with our fans, and potential new fans, will continue to establish goodwill in the community and build our base of loyal followers.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net
SPONSOR ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS We gain much of our promotional strength through the advertising of our sponsors. Generally, companies that invest in a sponsorship of the team will incorporate their partnership with the team in their own advertising and marketing throughout the season. This may consist of inclusion within traditional advertising or inclusion within promotions at their locations that feature our players. In order to make their sponsorship as valuable and impactful as it can be, it is in the sponsor’s best interest to help drive people to our events and encourage our continued success.
SIGNAGE OPPORTUNITIES DASHERBOARDS Dasherboard pads on the sidewalls of the playing surface offer powerful exposure at Edge home games. It sends a message to the crowd that your company has a strong presence in the community. Dasherboards are often photographed and used in magazines, newspapers, and online media.
FIELD LOGOS There is nothing bolder than seeing your company’s logo on the actual playing surface at a sporting event. Not to be missed by a single fan or news camera all season.
INFLATABLE HELMET With a 15-foot inflatable helmet tunnel being a key feature of an Edge game introduction, your company will be noticed in a bold and unique advertisement.
CHAIN GANG SPONSOR Your company logo will be mounted on top of both measurement sticks and the down marker. And throughout the game, your company will be known when we announce after each Edge first down: “That’s a YOUR COMPANY First Down!”
VIDEO SCREEN One of the first things fans will notice as they walk into the arena is the gigantic 18’ x 12’ high definition screen that can broadcast your company’s ad. Catch the attention of every fan as your commercial airs on these Illinois-sized screens located in all corners of the arena.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net
SIGNAGE OPPORTUNITIES GAME BALL SPONSORSHIP Partnering company will own the “Official” status of our game ball. Fans will have the opportunity to catch a game ball and see the logo on every game ball used during the upcoming season.
LANYARD SPONSORSHIP Your business will be prominently displayed on all official Bloomington Edge lanyards as “Proud supporter of the Bloomington Edge.” These will be distributed at signings and appearances throughout the B-N market.
RIBBON BANNER ADS Have your business logo displayed during all Edge games on the LED Ribbon Display System. High-visibility messages can be seen throughout the game on both sides of the arena for maximum exposure.
PROMOTIONAL BLIMP As the sponsor of the blimp, you will have YOUR COMPANY in front of incoming fans before the game and at halftime where the blimp will fly through the arena and drop romotional materials.
BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net INFO@BLOOMINGTONEDGE.net