hsnterprize
04-30-2004, 09:32 PM
I was at the ballpark for the first time this season, and even though the game itself was rained out, I was able to use whatever little clout I had to talk with some people...I think many of you would've like what I said.
Once I checked in, I noticed there are 2 "scrapbooks" on end tables inside the main media foyer behind home plate. Those scrapbooks are binded letters from fans thanking the team for supporting a particular event (i.e., field trip, player visit to a school, etc.). I found many of the letters touching, such as one where a girl in a group trip got sick, and someone from the first aid staff gave her 1st class care and treatment, or a letter from Lt. Governor Pat Quinn (a "lifelong Sox fan") thanking Minnie Minoso for speaking at an event. There were plenty of "thank you's" from kids, letters from out-of-town visitors, and letters from people representing organizations whom the Sox helped with either player visits or tickets. In short, if any of you would've seen these letter, I think your heart would melt, and any perception the Sox weren't reaching out to people would melt as well.
I then talked with an associate with the team working at the security desk and told her with Brooks Boyer, the team's new Marketing Director, there should be an "aggressive" effort by him and his staff to promote the Sox and draw the fans in. Let's face it...we here at WSI are sick and tired of going to other cities, and people there automatically assuming every Chicagoan is a Cubs fan. How many people have posted stories about such a misperception? Anyway, I gave her other ideas, and I'm sure she liked them. Long story short...I told here that outside of a consistently winning team, it'll take lots of promotion about the Sox and all-things-Sox to draw the "casual fan" to U.S. Cellular Field. And the Sox will have to take it to the Cubs' marketing machine and debunk the many myths about White Sox baseball vs. Cubs baseball. Like it or not, a big reason why there's so much negativity towards the Sox is that the Cubs have all the positivity, perceived or real.
Once I got on the field, I saw Christine O'Reilly, the team's community relations director. I had the same kind of conversation with her, and she really admired my passion for the Sox. She told me that I should write Mr. Boyer and tell him my ideas...and I do have a few of them...and I replied that I know people who would like to do the same. And that's where YOU come in...
This is our big chance as fans to have legitimate input as to how our team gets promoted and its image improved. Brooks has only been with the Sox for 4 days as of this post. He doesn't have established e-mail with the team, so until he gets an address, the best thing to do is snail-mail him. Here's his address...
Brooks Boyer, V.P. of Marketing
c/o Chicago White Sox
333 West 35th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60616
I'd say in your letter, let him know how much of a Sox fan you are, and tell him that you're tired of all the negative perceptions about our team that have gone unchecked for far too long. Brooks said on the radio tonight that he'll listen to the fans...he took suggestions from fans on Wilsy's broadcast from the Bullpen Sports Bar while it was raining, and he said he's concentrating on celebrating the uniqueness of south side baseball. He says he's not going to try to imitate the Cubs..."let them do what they're gonna do. We're gonna do what we wanna do here." Amen to that, brother.
Here's an inside scoop...there's going to be some kind of announcements from Brooks and his staff coming up soon, so when you hear something buzzing about "new promotions" happening with the Sox, keep your eyes and ears open. Staffers at the Cell told me Brooks is working on marketing this team heavily, but he's not talking about specifics until things are finalized. I think the first set of announcements is set for mid to late May...but don't quote me on that.
The ballpark looks great in person. I went to the UD, and saw the renovations for myself. They are OUT-DOGGONE-STANDING!!! A breeze can still blow in the upper deck concourse area, but it's not as cold/windy as in years past. The brick facing to the UD concourse is a good sight as well as the murals of past and present Sox players on the walls.
Send your letters to Brooks, and maybe, he'll be able to do his part in changing the perception of Sox baseball. The team is doing its part to improve itself, from ballpark renovations to an exciting team on the field. Now, let's do our part as fans to tell the team what we want. There's someone there who says he'll listen to us. Let's give him something good to listen to.
Once I checked in, I noticed there are 2 "scrapbooks" on end tables inside the main media foyer behind home plate. Those scrapbooks are binded letters from fans thanking the team for supporting a particular event (i.e., field trip, player visit to a school, etc.). I found many of the letters touching, such as one where a girl in a group trip got sick, and someone from the first aid staff gave her 1st class care and treatment, or a letter from Lt. Governor Pat Quinn (a "lifelong Sox fan") thanking Minnie Minoso for speaking at an event. There were plenty of "thank you's" from kids, letters from out-of-town visitors, and letters from people representing organizations whom the Sox helped with either player visits or tickets. In short, if any of you would've seen these letter, I think your heart would melt, and any perception the Sox weren't reaching out to people would melt as well.
I then talked with an associate with the team working at the security desk and told her with Brooks Boyer, the team's new Marketing Director, there should be an "aggressive" effort by him and his staff to promote the Sox and draw the fans in. Let's face it...we here at WSI are sick and tired of going to other cities, and people there automatically assuming every Chicagoan is a Cubs fan. How many people have posted stories about such a misperception? Anyway, I gave her other ideas, and I'm sure she liked them. Long story short...I told here that outside of a consistently winning team, it'll take lots of promotion about the Sox and all-things-Sox to draw the "casual fan" to U.S. Cellular Field. And the Sox will have to take it to the Cubs' marketing machine and debunk the many myths about White Sox baseball vs. Cubs baseball. Like it or not, a big reason why there's so much negativity towards the Sox is that the Cubs have all the positivity, perceived or real.
Once I got on the field, I saw Christine O'Reilly, the team's community relations director. I had the same kind of conversation with her, and she really admired my passion for the Sox. She told me that I should write Mr. Boyer and tell him my ideas...and I do have a few of them...and I replied that I know people who would like to do the same. And that's where YOU come in...
This is our big chance as fans to have legitimate input as to how our team gets promoted and its image improved. Brooks has only been with the Sox for 4 days as of this post. He doesn't have established e-mail with the team, so until he gets an address, the best thing to do is snail-mail him. Here's his address...
Brooks Boyer, V.P. of Marketing
c/o Chicago White Sox
333 West 35th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60616
I'd say in your letter, let him know how much of a Sox fan you are, and tell him that you're tired of all the negative perceptions about our team that have gone unchecked for far too long. Brooks said on the radio tonight that he'll listen to the fans...he took suggestions from fans on Wilsy's broadcast from the Bullpen Sports Bar while it was raining, and he said he's concentrating on celebrating the uniqueness of south side baseball. He says he's not going to try to imitate the Cubs..."let them do what they're gonna do. We're gonna do what we wanna do here." Amen to that, brother.
Here's an inside scoop...there's going to be some kind of announcements from Brooks and his staff coming up soon, so when you hear something buzzing about "new promotions" happening with the Sox, keep your eyes and ears open. Staffers at the Cell told me Brooks is working on marketing this team heavily, but he's not talking about specifics until things are finalized. I think the first set of announcements is set for mid to late May...but don't quote me on that.
The ballpark looks great in person. I went to the UD, and saw the renovations for myself. They are OUT-DOGGONE-STANDING!!! A breeze can still blow in the upper deck concourse area, but it's not as cold/windy as in years past. The brick facing to the UD concourse is a good sight as well as the murals of past and present Sox players on the walls.
Send your letters to Brooks, and maybe, he'll be able to do his part in changing the perception of Sox baseball. The team is doing its part to improve itself, from ballpark renovations to an exciting team on the field. Now, let's do our part as fans to tell the team what we want. There's someone there who says he'll listen to us. Let's give him something good to listen to.