METS, CITIGROUP, PR & BRANDING
Although I was raised in the Bronx and spent innumerable days at Yankee Stadium, I will nevertheless admit to having attended the Mets home opening of the $800 million Shea Stadium last night. It was quite a memorable experience. I went with a top-tier journalist and a major client (who has season tickets), and we sat in the 2nd row behind home plate, celebrity center, listening to Governor Patterson make small talk as he was loudly booed by the stadium.
Sitting up there was a social event, with everyone constantly moving around. I spent an inning in the front row with a colleague with whom I sit on a non-profit board, met a lot of potential sources for new business and had face time with influencers. In terms of the brand, the stadium itself is breathtaking: small town feel, part Disney, and certainly nothing like the old Shea. The immaculate, luxurious Sterling Club felt more like a high-end hotel than a baseball game.
One thing which jumped out at me was the lack of big-name advertisers. A local, small construction company, small car dealerships, and even Caesar’s Palace in Atlantic City – all prominent advertisers at the stadium, but very odd brand fits for the Mets. Sign of the times, even with Citigroup spending their millions and millions.
April 14th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I only went to the old Shea once, nine years ago almost to the day. I didn’t enjoy the park at all – I’d mostly been to games at Camden Yards before that, and to me that will probably always define what a baseball park is supposed to feel like. Since I was a big Yankees fan growing up, I almost never forgave myself for going to the Mets game.
Fortunately, I got to go to lots of Yankees games in the 2000-2003 seasons. I always took the subway, always sat in the bleachers and always had a great time. I just wish I’d been alive to go to Yankees games before they renovated their park in the 70s.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for the Stadium review, look forward to visiting often as a Mets fan.
I like that the local advertisers are prominent at the stadium – smaller companies are really the life blood of US baseball – starting with sponsoring local little league teams – and encouraging future major league stars. Also, they are important in the professional minor leagues.
Keith