Problem Statement: Bringing in more participants and volunteers to events and increase general marketing, advertising, and awareness of the events and volunteer oppotunities.
Concept #1: Website Improvement (irunfortheparty.com)
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Volunteer and Participant Blogging.
- Calendar of events
- More information: Volunteer opportunities, Races, Sponsors, Etc.
Concept #2: Have based runs with other options and have a Grand Marshall for the event:
I ________ for the __________ .
- Run -Party
- Tri -Charity
- Walk -Etc.
Concept #3: Water coolers/small cups on a running loop. (Vanderbilt campus loop, Centennial Park, etc.)
- Advertisements/Bumper stickers with "irunfortheparty.com"
- Banner and traning group to train/exercise at this area
I did a run for the party on halloween. We had a group of 6 dress-up as mario kart characters and it was awesome.
ReplyDeleteConcept 1: this one is not groundbreaking, but is a must for them. They should definitely be using all social media and it would be a good medium for them since a lot of their participants are young.
Concept 3: This is a great idea. It would be really good to execute it ASAP as so many people are out training for the marathon. It could give the message of enduring the marathon to have fun at their 5K on Cinco De Mayo
1) I think this concept is necessary, but not sufficient. If information is easily accessible, people may be more likely to participate/volunteer. However, one main constraint is that if people have not heard of the event in the first place, they may be unlikely to check out the improved website.
ReplyDelete2) This does not seem to address the core problem. There would probably still need to be a solution regarding additional PR.
3) I like this idea, but I'm not sure I completely understand it. Would all of this take place before that actual race day? If so, how would you make people aware of the training groups?
I think the first idea is the one most likely to produce results. While the second idea would be neat, I don't think it would be worthwhile to launch new events while still trying to gain more footing with the existing events. The third idea is cool, but I'm not sure it would be enough.
ReplyDeleteI would further suggest having group incentives, trying to incite groups of friends, office mates, gym groups, etc to compete. Cash of gift certificate prizes go to largest group, most creative, fastest group, oldest group, etc.
Additionally, I think hosting training groups geared towards completing these events would increase participation. Specialized groups, such as 65+, new runners, speed walkers, etc, could train together for each event.
1) I think that this idea is good. However, I doubt if it could really attract more people to join. I think that having a blog on the website and letting people to share their event/volunteer/marathon experience on the website would have more positive impact.
ReplyDelete2) This seems not to adress/relate to the major problem.
3) I don't understand this idea. I need more detailed information on this.
#1: Is a necessity in today's world since everybody is doing it.
ReplyDelete#2:Good way to attract people
#3: This would help in creating the buzz for the company.
Run for the party definitely needs to incorporate social networking to try to increase the participation. I also like the idea of #3, if you choose a good location for your marketing. However, one problem with that is that people will be focused on working out, not so much on advertising.
ReplyDeleteConcept #1 is a must as others have already indicated. I think what is most important is that you place it right within the social media realm so it is easily accessed and found.
ReplyDeleteConcept #3 has great value and might be a better method to target the population of people that would be most inclined to attend the run. With this idea I think it is important that you get the message out about what "irunfortheparty" is.
I agree with many before about concept #1 - a must-have. However I wonder why this has not already been done. Consider why Emmet has not done this yet and be sure to work up a solution that doesn't suffer from the same constraint as he currently faces around this issue. #2 seems like a good vision for the future- you should probably encourage him to get some placeholders or options reserved for that kind of future expansion. #3 - I cannot help but think of the litter likely to be produced in this way - but like the idea of a branded "training ground".
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to be posting after the Prof has given his comments :)
ReplyDelete#1. This is a necessity but there will be an issue of accountability and effort for doing this
#2. Seems kind of vague. I see a shifting from their core strategy in this and maybe resistance
#3. Nice idea but again some one will have to put effort and have accountability in doing this regularly to sustain the brand
I am not sure I understand number two. Number one seems like it would be easy to implement. I would complement it with something with Vanderbilt to start the networking of the event. Or you could see if they have any existing email lists to send out the initial social networking advertisements too. That being said I will be buried deep in the cold ground before I become an avide technologically savvy social networker.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Granpa
I love all three ideas. I think #3 is probably the most difficult to manage, though, since theft will probably be an issue. If you are interested in getting that info out on running routes (a great idea), I recommend trying to sponsor or at least provide water/bananas during a weekend training run that people do out at Percy Warner in preparation for the Music City Marathon. There are always 100s of runners out there, and getting a nice cool water from "I Run" would be cool.
ReplyDelete1.) Website will definitely help. I'm not sure it would drive people the way an in-your-face like #2 or #3 would.
2.) Everyone likes a theme. This will give people with different drivers a chance to self-select and find their own posse.
3.) With a few tweaks, this could be a great way to create a presence.
I am going to jump to the most rocking idea ever......#3 kicks but.
ReplyDelete3. You have no idea how coveted the coolers are at the running store by Belmont on the weekends. I am freaking dying of thirst and it is the best. I would say this is an amazing way to get awareness among your most active group.\
1. Obvious and needed. This will just take a sustained effort.
2. I am not so sure about other run based options, but i love the "grand Marshall" idea. If you can get a big personality it could bring the atmosphere up a notch.
Andrew - the Mario Kart characters were pretty awesome. I was in the group from Vandy that did the pirates vs. the commodores. We made two ships out of shopping carts and staged a huge sword fight as we crossed the finish line.
ReplyDeleteFor all of these ideas, I would encourage you to spend some time with your client getting to know more about him and his business and assessing his needs. I'm fairly certain Emmit is already on Facebook, but I also know he has started the process of improving his website and presence in the virtual community. Try to get a sense of where he is at in the process and how you could be of help to him. Regarding the second idea, I think starting a new race is a HUGE undertaking that can't be realistically accomplished in the time frame you have been given to complete the assignment, but the "grand marshal" idea has some potential. How can you tie that idea in with Emmit's goals for this event? Regarding the third idea, I know Emmit started a running group last fall, but I'm not sure whether or not they are still active. How do your ideas tie in to what he already has going? Where is there room for improvement? You are lucky to have a very enthusiastic client who is very open to incorporating new ideas into his business, so be sure to use him as a resource as much as possible.