Two Constructive Ideas

RP recently received two PR-related letters:


'A quick suggestion - the club shop should sell big team posters. The Evening Leader and Daily Post didn't hand them out this year during the summer as they have done in the past and I miss not having a glossy team poster to put on my wall. I especially wanted one for my room at university to show my true colours - but at the moment I've resorted to cutting pictures out of programmes! Also cut-price student admission to games is a must. I can appreciate it now as I know how much money I've been able to save via my NUS card at university!'
Gareth Venn

'On two occasions my company has sponsored the matchball and, as Red Passion will know, it is a great day out...bucks fizz reception, lunch and wine in the Centenary Club, tour of the ground, see the players in the changing rooms, stand in the tunnel with the players as they go on the pitch, present ball on the pitch, photo taken, back to Directors Box seats for the match, free programme with your name in it, name flashing on the scoreboard, cuppa at half-time, post- match presentation gift from one of the players, mingle with the players after the game, photos of the big day sent to you after the match...just a dream day out for the likes of me, an ardent Wrexham fan for 25 years. 

Now, I know that not everyone can afford it, but I reckon £150 for 2 people is tremendous value. For each additional guest it is £50. So, on both occasions we have sponsored the ball, we took five people in total - it worked out at £50 a head and everyone loved it (still cheaper than a stand ticket, programme and burger at many Premier League clubs). Anyhow I reckon a great idea would be to offer a sort of 'Chairman's Day' along similar lines for individuals to give as birthday presents etc. You could even get former players to host the days (or a few currently injured ones) and use some of the unfilled executive boxes to house the event. This may not get the crowds in, but it would increase the revenue for the club...perhaps you could even organise these as Red Passion days, building on your relationship with the club and helping to increase revenue.

One idea (sort of tongue-in-cheek, but count me in, and at least four other people I know, if you did it) would be to have Mickey as the host. He could do a presentation on 'how to make money' (to keep the businessmen interested at half-time) and then sign a commemorative screwdriver for all attendees to take away as a momento! Anyhow, hope this is of help to Cindy...mind you let's hope that her job will be made easier by our late trundle towards the play-offs, a trip to Cardiff to beat Stoke in the play-off final, and then swolen crowds as we perform in the First Division next season.'
Colin Williams