Florida Panthers motto for 2010-11: "We Came To Play". Yes, seriously.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 3, 2010 7:36 PM EDT
28 comments
Really, it is.
The Cats today announced the above marketing brilliance will follow in the footsteps of memorable taglines from seasons past, such as the unforgettably original "Drop That Puck!", blazing a trail to professional sports respectability.
"We Came To Play". No exclamation point? Was Tallon informed of this?
Granted, the club is located in a non-traditional market, needs to reach out, make some local noise, blah blah...but I'm not sure to which demographic this was designed to appeal: children? The elderly? The opposing team?
On the other hand, I am definitely sure this isn't aimed at existing hockey fans. Recalls the scene in Slap Shot when the newly acquired, pumped-up Hanson Brothers storm out of a locker room for their Chiefs debut, prompting Johnny Upton's timeless - and NSFW - retort.
Obviously a significant amount of research and polling went into the result of today's announcement, so it must be effective.
Oh well, that's progress. Seemingly all the teams do it now, like spotlights and fireworks and t-shirt throws and cheerleaders. A billion years ago I had to cringe through Hartford regurgitating lowball schlock like "Fire on Ice" and "Meet The New Boys in Town!" (that last one represented what The Whale received in return for Ronnie and Ulfie from Pittsburgh. The local gentry famously didn't buy it.); unfortunately those marketing tricks were far better than the club they represented.
Ultimately - for fans - it's about the product Dale Tallon puts on the ice, not what Michael Yormark is using to sell it. If this campaign gets a few extra buttocks firmly planted in the 19,250 16,750 seats, call it a smashing success.
UPDATE: our pal John from the awesomeness that is Raw Charge wants to know what your alternate suggestions may be...
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I don’t want to root for a team that just comes to play. I want a team that wins!
The goal of all sports, as was so eloquently put by then NY Jets head coach Herm Edwards: “We play to win the game!”
by IceCat69 on Jun 3, 2010 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
“Together we will” was Tampa Bay’s tagline from last season — trying to invoke inclusion and the importance of fans being part of the team. One of the interactive ticket recruitment tools stressed this with custom data displaying on a movie clip. Really cool.
The point fo this rant is that the phrase was supported from a full season marketing perspective. I can’t envision the same with a phrase like that… Guys skating and smiling and other cheesy stuff, but beyond that…?
Would the simple (and oft-used) “Kick Ice” be better?
"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.
Would the simple (and oft-used) "Kick Ice" be better?
Yep…the Whalers used that one too. Didn’t seem to work.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 3, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
UGH
Play like champions
Winning is everything
Believe in each other
etc etc,
I appreciate the effort, but it leaves room for comments to follow it.
We came to play, but we weren’t ready
We came to play, but we didn’t feel like it
We came to play, but we ran out of time
We came to play, but we have to play 60 minutes/
Ok, so it’s not the best. I would hope that Tallon had nothing to do with this.
We might as well go with, There’s Winning and there’s misery!
It doesn’t convey a seriousness; something this team needs & team lacked immensely this past year. Now, when you go to their updated website, it is conveying a “party! party! party!” atmosphere. All I see is this being another way for people to keep thinking we aren’t serious & the joke of the NHL. I am all for a good time, on & off the ice, but not the way they are portraying the coming year. Granted, wins are a must., to be taken somewhat serious. This new ad campaign doesn’t seem to mesh with what Tallon wants to bring to the team & South Florida.
I agree with TRT, the “we came to play” is way too open ended. We need to show that the team is serious to win.
We came to play, but the other team came to win…
We came to play, but only 82 games a season. April is perfect golfing weather.
Anyways… My thoughts? Whatever. There haven’t been many marketing campaigns I’ve liked, apart from my other love Seattle Sounders FC very simple, “Give Us Your Full 90.” (It’s so simple, yet can be the fans urging on the team, or the players asking for fans support. Give us your best for a full 90 minutes, and we’ll be proud. Love it.)
We Came to Play is definitely a step up from Feel the Growl, in my eyes anyway. Marketing is marketing, it’s what Yormark does best. Lord knows he is clueless when it comes to what’s actually on the ice. Hopefully, that’s what Tallon can do for us.
How about -
They have a contest to have the fans suggest the new “motto?” The winner could get season tickets and a Matchbox Zamboni…
I don't care so much about the stupid slogan
At least it’s not as lame as “Feel the growl.” What worries me is the prominence of those hideous third jerseys.
Florida Panthers: Giving the league a punching bag since 2000.
Agreed, JB. The line is beginning to grow on me; could be a lot worse as you stated. Still no love for the thirds, eh?
by Donny Rivette on Jun 4, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
No. I think they’re as half-assed as Panthers game presentation. I feel they were slapped together so the Panthers would have more product to sell. I realize we don’t have a cool old vintage style to go back to like Philly or Toronto or New York, but don’t tell me Reebok couldn’t come up something better than that awful thing.
Florida Panthers: Giving the league a punching bag since 2000.
The Panthers probably fired all their marketing department in the first round of budget cuts…
Personally, I would have gone with something to promote the upcoming high draft pick and the fact that the team is now dedicated to building a winner (hopefully)
“A new era begins…”
“The rising of a new sun…”
or something that is probably equally as hokey, but maybe promotes the beginning of a new hope…*cue references to Star Trek
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
But it works. It goes with an image and it can be drawn out.
Lemme compare to TB again real quick. 2000 or so, there was a team marketing phrase that was bulky but it was pretty exacting: We’re younger, we’re bigger, we’re faster, we’re stronger. What came with it were a bunch of deliberately ridiculous videos of Lightning players exemplifying these things. The point was that the team was young and fresh compared to a rehash of cast-offs and re-treads.
Some peoplae hated it. As a fan, it actually endeared me more to the roster of young players.
"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.
I like the idea of pushing the players and making them more visible. Haven’t had that since Val Bure’s brother was here. It’s the lack of (player) identity that needs to be addressed. Admittedly, that’s hard to promote when none of your team are statistically near the top of any positive category.
In the end, credit has to be given to the folks that put this campaign together, with so little to work with at this stage; what else could they do?
by Donny Rivette on Jun 4, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's a good one
How about “Why Not Us?”
by G.moneyinthebank on Jun 4, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
Embrace Being A Laughingstock
How about: “Florida Panthers: 50% of the time, we win every time.”
sad
I live in pompano and wonder how you people can root,well kinda for such a joke of an organization.Lets see what bullcrap players they sign this offseason.Maybe they will trade Horton to the Rangers ,for who redden? Sad ,sad team ,i am sorry for you!
No big offseason signing splash – that goes directly against the theory of rebuilding – and Redden’s not coming here. The organization’s been questionable at best historically but give Tallon some time; he’ll get the house in order.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 5, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
WOW...I can't believe all the Negativity I'm reading...
If the team COMES TO PLAY every game….we will be a better team ..win more games…and make the playoffs….FINALLY! I still feel that if Booth were playing the entire season ….we might have made the playoffs..[ Thank you Mr. Richards……GO BLACKHAWKS !.].it would have been very close…… “GIVE DALE A CHANCE” might be a better slogan.
To the playoffs and beyond?
That conveys hope and just maybe a winning attitude, but I think someone else has used that.
I’d rather see a marketing of the players, especially out in the community or somewhere that people can seand meet them, but you really cannot start that kind of project until after the free agency dust settles and you can see who and how you are going to market. Kind of like a variation of “Is this the year”… with the players themselves making comments, etc. – and advertise during other sports events on TV or at the event itself to hit a broader audience, like during Marlins games, for example.
Remember – how few people expected the Flyers to go as far as they are. They are living the beyond – at least for now. But that’s my point. Look how they got into the playoffs in the first place.
Off the soapbox.
Just a thought.
It's always a great day or night for hockey - no matter the time or place!
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