Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I’m not a huge sports fan, but I love baseball, particularly when I get to see it played live. Last year when my husband and I went to see the Baltimore Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays together, he joked after the game that he’d never seen me pay so much attention to anything for so long. He actually was more interested in getting up on occasion, grabbing some food, etc., while I was glued to my seat in fear of missing the next big play.

So, to be honest, I didn’t really notice the ads around me or whose sign was behind home plate during each inning; I was pretty focused on the game itself. I think the only ads that did catch my eye were the major ones shown on the big screen during various breaks. So when I read a recent article by my fellow editor here at Key Communications, Tara Taffera, who edits our sister publication, Door and Window Manufacturer magazine, I was surprised to learn that sporting events are pretty popular advertising venues for many door and window dealers. I had learned in the past that Giant Glass in Boston has had a pretty large presence at the games of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park over the years, and that JN Phillips is the official auto glass company of the Boston Celtics, but beyond Boston, I hadn’t thought much about this.

Now, I realize advertising at major venues such as Camden Yards, Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium might not be a viable option for a smaller business, but I’m wondering what chains out there have tried this, and what success they’ve had.

I also come across stories all the time about small, independent shops sponsoring a local Little League team or something of that sort; these companies are always coming up in my online searches for auto glass, and I’m sure their customers—and potential customers—take note of this as well as a way to support the community.

I’d love to hear from readers who’ve tried either method as to what works, what’s been successful, etc. Please e-mail me at pstacey@glass.com.

And, next time I go see the Orioles play, I’ll try to take a glance around myself to see who’s advertising.