The Marketing of Men's Gymnastics
The Marketing of Men's Gymnastics
The Marketing of Men's Gymnastics
In the end- it all comes down to marketing.
There have been some great products which failed because of poor marketing. There have been some incredibly crappy products that made millions because of good marketing (and some luck).
In my opinion- such is the state of Men's gymnastics in the USA. I have just returned from USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade show that was held with the VISA Championships. As a coach of women's (girls) gymnastics, I don't often get a chance to see a men's competition. After watching the first day of competition I was so impressed. What a GREAT PRODUCT on the floor. The sad part was- there were very few spectators to see it. OK, it was a Wednesday night. Maybe the 2nd day, Friday night, would bring in more spectators. It was better, but still not good.
Face it- Gymnastics is the original X GAME. The original extreme sport.
You want to see people fly? We've got that.
You want to see people flip? We've got that.
You want to see guys risk their lives? Yea, we've got that too.
For girls gymnastics, we want to market the "All American Girl". But that doesn't work for guys. We don't want the "All American" image. We want to Rebel, the bad ass. Look at the movies that are popular, look at the TV shows and even comic books. The Bad Boy image works.
Market that Image everywhere-
On a cooking show
On the Travel Channel
On the Speednetwork
On ESPN commercials during the X-games.
As a coach and former gymnast, I know (and believe) that gymnastics is the real base for all sports. Especially X-Game type stuff. THIS SHOULD BE OUR CALLING CARD.
Let's see the men's team roll up to workout on motor cycles. Go into the gym and show Shawn White how to do a triple-triple.
OK- time for me to breathe again
Tony
www.atlanticgym.com/tonyretrosi.html
http://wp.me/p1N4Bw-d
There have been some great products which failed because of poor marketing. There have been some incredibly crappy products that made millions because of good marketing (and some luck).
In my opinion- such is the state of Men's gymnastics in the USA. I have just returned from USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade show that was held with the VISA Championships. As a coach of women's (girls) gymnastics, I don't often get a chance to see a men's competition. After watching the first day of competition I was so impressed. What a GREAT PRODUCT on the floor. The sad part was- there were very few spectators to see it. OK, it was a Wednesday night. Maybe the 2nd day, Friday night, would bring in more spectators. It was better, but still not good.
Face it- Gymnastics is the original X GAME. The original extreme sport.
You want to see people fly? We've got that.
You want to see people flip? We've got that.
You want to see guys risk their lives? Yea, we've got that too.
For girls gymnastics, we want to market the "All American Girl". But that doesn't work for guys. We don't want the "All American" image. We want to Rebel, the bad ass. Look at the movies that are popular, look at the TV shows and even comic books. The Bad Boy image works.
Market that Image everywhere-
On a cooking show
On the Travel Channel
On the Speednetwork
On ESPN commercials during the X-games.
As a coach and former gymnast, I know (and believe) that gymnastics is the real base for all sports. Especially X-Game type stuff. THIS SHOULD BE OUR CALLING CARD.
Let's see the men's team roll up to workout on motor cycles. Go into the gym and show Shawn White how to do a triple-triple.
OK- time for me to breathe again
Tony
www.atlanticgym.com/tonyretrosi.html
http://wp.me/p1N4Bw-d