If you were a Rockets executive how would you get more people to the games?

i knew someone would do it...

 

Let my guards run. Why the Rockets don't sell because the team doesn't have the personallity of the city. Houston is a fast late night city. That will beat you up every oncein a while. Were not rugged tought all the time and slow. Thats why the tickets aren't selling.

 

What is this Lexus Lounge that Walton keeps talking about? Is he talking about the Red and White place?

 

I like these two ideas. The 24 Second violations can be done by McDonalds even. If the Rockets force the opponent to... lets say two 24 second violations, then everyone gets small fries. If they can force more... lets say 4, the fans get medium fries or something.... This would be a GREAT idea. The liveliness in the arena will be electric! You can change how many shot clock violations are needed for a small fry but the idea in general is great. And I think its beneficial for McDonalds. Everyone loves the idea of free food but when they go to McDonalds for a small fry, they're not going to be satisfied with that, they'll by a hamburger and drink along with it. Plus, everyone will be cheering to get the next bigger size of fries. I'm sure there are different ways we can incorporate the 24 second clock with a different sponsor, doesn't necessarily need to be fast food. But anyways, this idea is pure genious!

Second idea, I always liked going by the Compaq Center and it reminding me that the Rockets were still there and there was a game coming up. It puts Rockets on your mind while you are driving through traffic. The Rockets need this simple, yet effective method of marketing. The Be Big billboards are great, but if you put an actual game in everyone's head, they're thinking... wow, Iverson vs. Francis tommorow... gotta check out that game... or Yao vs. Duncan... this generates good publicity. Another good idea! All you need is one of those Billboards that are electronically hooked up that will display the next game. The radio stations have billboards that change every five minutes saying which song is playing on the radio. Surely the Rockets can have a billboard with an electronic message (the whole billboard won't be electronic, just a strip that says: Rockets v. Spurs: Yao v. Duncan, Francis v. Parker, etc....) The billboard keeps the Rockets on the minds of Houstonians.
Two great ideas that can generate publicity in Houston about the Rockets. Good thread.

 

It's a bar/lounge under the stands on the west (LaBranch) side of the arena that was built for courtside suite and courtside ticket holders. It was celebrity central on Wednesday night.

(For those who don't know, we have 14 courtside suites located under the west stands. They're for people who like most of the aspects of a suite -- it's easy to mingle with guests, host a dinner, there's extra catering options, etc. -- but also want closer seats than a traditional suite typically gives you. They typically buy the courtside suite and courtside seats as a package deal.)

The Lexus Lounge is also not that big, so access is pretty restricted. (I don't go there unless I'm entertaining a big customer.) On the other hand, the Red & White is open to everybody. All you have to do is call to make a reservation or call 713-627-DUNK if you want to buy a ledge dining seat and watch the game while you eat. It's also becoming a see-and-be-seen place as well, and has also been completely full every game lately. We've had a lot of national restaurant critics in over the last few games, and the food has gotten rave reviews.

Tim

 

Setup a forum where Season ticket or Corperate ticket holders can trade their ticket for half of the ticket price if they do not going to the game. Or better yet, Houston Box office can handle this type of transaction where ticket holder can register and auction off their ticket thru them for a fix half price. That way, it will be a win win situation for both party.
We could also encourage ticket hold to call the box office a day or half day prior to the game if they do not intend to attend. The box office can then reach out to some of the charity organization or under privelege children to come to the game. I think this is good for the ticket holder who know they are doing a good deed and benefit all party involved. I hope the IRA can make this a tax deductable donation.

 

If you were a Rockets executive how would you get more people to the games?

Simple. Put a decent product on the floor. Sure, some folks will come out for the ancillary benefits, but if the main attraction is cr@p, then no one is going to come out.


-VL

 

Hot girl on girl action with Jessica and Leandra...or...

Baby Oil wrestling with Jessica and Leandra...

 

A decent product IS on the floor. They're in the playoffs in the West!

Yes, I know they're not perfect. The reasonable question is why teams like Denver can get such crowds while Houston (4th largest city, blah blah) cannot.

I really believe it has to do with the lack of connection with the city. In Texas, a community is seemingly personfied by its football team, whether it's the local high school, college, or pro team. Basketball and baseball are at a natural disadvantage.

To alleviate this, you have to make the team something the community can identify with. The Rockets marketing team (and Tim) see this with their campaigns ("Be part of something big", the community commercials)... more can be done, though.

I wonder what would happen if there was a "Sugarland Night" or "Clear Lake Night" where each community was told to come and raise a ruckus to show which part of town has the best fans. Save a section or two for them (DECENT seats) and sell them first-come, first-serve. Parents bring kids... marketing people know EXACTLY which section these people are in and can attempt to sell packages. Having a family there (and whiny kids) could result in a few more sales.

Of course, I hate the animosity between Houston suburbs, so I wonder if this could be done in a classy yet fun way.

I re-emphasize the need to market to non-corporations.

 

get Smeg and wife well paid jobs in Houston so they can buy Rockets tickets

 

You're right, but it's a catch 22. The tickets are already sold so the Rockets are okay with it on most part. How much time and effort should management put into making the stadium "look full" just for good TV when the tickets have already been sold.

And Houston crowds have been late arrivers since before the Barkley era. So, if one day, it becomes "hip" to be punctual and "trendy" to be at a Rockets game, those corporate seats will be full.


Every once in a while, I'm fortunate enough to date a girl, or know a girl, or have a friend that hook me up corporate style. It's cool and it ain't. I have more fun with the better fans at the top. But damn, the view near the court is great. Man, a few years ago I was in with Postolos' babysitter man....damn...fukked that up...man....oh well.


Anyhow, unless there's a class warfare revolution and the people rise up and jack the corporate seats, I doubt things will change. People down there just don't care enough to go all the time and arrive on time consistently. And...they own the seats, so you know, screw it. Marry rich or win the lotto or make it big time, and then we could change things ourselves.

 

For starters it's having a team with a small semblance of consistency. Another Brother is obviously doing quite well with his career and doesn't mind blowing (yes, blowing) a c-note taking family or friends to a Rockets game only to watch them CHOKE vs some cr@p-a$$ team like the Jazz. Good for you - I'm glad someone will go to the games.

I don't know. Isn't that why we have GM? What I do know, Another Brother, is that we've watched the same Rockets team make the same exact mistakes for almost 5 years running. Bring in JVG, it doesn't matter, they're doing just about as good as they were a year ago - right on pace to choke down the stretch and miss the playoffs again. Yao gets the benefit of doubt only because he is only in his second year. Steve and Cutturnover on the other hand have the combined basketball IQ of a sponge. These guys are dumb as they come(Cato's not too bright either), and no longer can be shielded by the 'we're still young' or 'we're learning a new system' excuses. It's basketball, not brain surgery. So maybe we do need some fresh faces in there. At least we'd know that the PG isn't going to dribble the ball off his foot come clutch-time. In other words, why would I ( or any other sensible person) want to shell out hard earned cash to go to a game when we already know what's going to happen. Again, I cite the previous 4.5 years of consistently being inconsistent as proof!

No, you listen, Another Brother. Steve is no all-star caliber guard. The guy is regressing, not improving. And while I'm pleased Yao and Steve both got voted in, it doesn't change the fact that the Rockets are inconsistent. The team makes mistakes that most high-school teams don't make because all they think about is being on Sportscenter. I'm telling you, the product is awful because it is painfully inconsistent.

Allow me to make an analogy that maybe even you could understand, Another Brother. Going to a Rockets game is the same as going to a nice restaurant. If you go to said establishment and the filet mignon is impeccable, then you would likely return, no? If on your return the filet mignon is tough and overcooked, you might brush it off as a one bad night. Then you go again but receive the same piece of rawhide disguised as filet mignon. So, how many times do you have to be served the same awful, tough, overcooked filet mignon before you decide the restaurant is bad(or at least the chef)? It's called consistency, and even though the restaurant may be pricey and have excellent service, it doesn't matter because the food still sucks!

Agreed wholeheartedly

kind regards,
-VoltaireLied

 

how about winning a home game when u have a sold out crowd so people will want to come again.

 

I am a Houston native and have followed the Rocks for a long time, and I can tell you from experience that Rockets fans are terrible supporters of their team (Clutch fans excluded). Frankly I think they suck. My solution is simple:

Every game they should bus in underpriviledged kids and fill the front 20 rows (or any vacant seat really) with these kids until the weak ass season ticket holders come to the game. I am so sick of seeing empty seats or wannabes that don't cheer and talk on the cell phone during the game. And if the season ticket holder doesn't show up until the fourth quarter they are out of luck because a cheering kid is in their seat, the way it should be!!! Additionally they could set up a 'Green' room so that when these kids are moved from the seats by that lame ass ticket holders the kids can watch the game on a big screen. The Rockets don't need any more money and the season ticket holders that don't show are hurting the team by leaving empty seats on nationally televised games. Not to mention what it does for a team to see empty seats or people who clearly are uninterested in the game and are there only to be seen.

The other benefit is you cultivate a new generation of Rock lovers to replace the slag that attend the games now. Imagine the impact this would have on these kids seeing their idols up close or possibly meeting them after the game.