WHY DO NFL PLAYERS KEEP CHANGING UNIFORMS?

Why do NFL players keep changing uniforms?  One word–MARKETING!

The National Football League (NFL) is considered the “top brand” in all of American professional sports.  Why?

They protect it” very well, ensuring consistency among uniforms, league discipline beyond even what the court of law might “dish out” i.e. Michael Vick serves almost 2 years in prison…of course not playing a down of football during those two years, and then upon his being reinstated to the NFL, was suspended for a few games at the beginning of this season.

Regarding the uniforms, this year the league has been celebrating the American Football League (AFL) which merged with the NFL in 1970 (think Joe Namath… and the “guaranteed victory” for the upstart New York Jets vs. the “mighty NFL” Baltimore Colts).  As a part of the celebration, the “original” AFL teams, now part of the NFL, have been wearing the “throwback” unis!  Lots of fun…get a load of the Denver Broncos’ unis! (below, left) WOW!!!

What’s the point here?  Not only do they keep “designing, manufacturing, displaying, and showcasing” new uniforms for teams on a regular basis so those die-hard fans will buy those, but an even “deeper marketing point” is the emotion this stirs in those “Baby Boomer fans” who grew up in the 1960’s rooting for their favorite  AFL team!  It is not only about the product itself, but it is about the emotion that it stirs in the consumer, in this case, the NFL Fan.  It brings back memories of childhood, teen-age years, or early adulthood and evokes generally positive, romantic-type feelings.

SO…THINK ABOUT NOT ONLY HOW YOU CAN “DISPLAY YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICES IN NEW UNIFORMS,” BUT THE EMOTION THAT IT WILL STIR IN YOUR TARGET MARKET!

NFL Football Playoffs and Small Business Marketing

Now…how do we tie those together?  As I watched with intrigue this past weekend the NFL Playoffs, I thought about how the best teams “stick to their knitting” or put differently, they “do what they do best!”  Quite an upset, with the Arizona Cardinals defeating the Carolina Panthers…how and why?  To me, one of the simplest of reasons is they threw the football to their major strength–Larry Fitzgerald–who is showing himself to the rest of the NFL fandom as one of the best, if not, THE BEST receiver in the NFL!  As a matter of fact, his first “big catch” of the game was almost a duplicate of the previous playoff game…ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE GRAB!!! 

What’s the point? 

Do what you do best and continue to do what you do best!  GOT IT?  Don’t veer off course and do something that is “not you or your business!” 

This is what “we teach/coach” all of our small business owners in building a marketing system for their Chicagoland business!  GO LARRY FITZGERALD!!!

Finding Your Niche…even applies to Football!

Here on January 1, I am watching Bowl Games, as I am sure many of you are…I am intrigued by USC and Head Coach, Pete Carroll, who has built a powerhouse there!  Interesting career as a coach, having been an NFL Head Coach, but with very limited success (over 4 seasons with 2 different teams, barely above .500 record). WOW…though, he has been dominant as an NCAA Head Coach, having lead the Trojans to two national titles and “always in the hunt” for a national championship!  So…is he a better coach simply because he is where he is or…I believe, he has found his niche!  College Football is who he is!  As a Small Business Marketing Coach in Naperville, I work with clients to help them to determine their niche and to be the best they can be!  Congrats to Pete Carroll for finding his niche!  Please let me know if you are interested in finding your niche!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!