11-23-2017, 01:03 PM
I'm not sure the Bengals will get support from a 12th man unless they first support the fan base and fan or season ticket experience gets a lot better.
As a season ticket holder, I would be of the opinion that the Bengals are bare minimum in fan events, appreciation, and involvement. They miss a huge opportunity, I would think, to keep fans excited and involved around or coming to PBS during the off-season - which is when season tickets are typically sold. It would be really cool if once a month or even every two weeks they held a fan event down there in the club areas or the practice fields. This could range anything from having guest speakers come in about the team, getting fan incites on how to make game day experience and involvement better, charity or community functions, lunch events for local businesses or business workers down town, etc. The Bengals ownership group just aren't very fun - and I think that's definitely a reflection of their personalities or all about business mentality. It's 2017 and people are starting to expect MORE from the companies they support. Overall, the Bengals are missing a HUGE opportunity to engage and entertain fans and keep them interested outside of getting wasted on game day. This type of involvement would, I think, keep fans engaged enough to continue to buy season tickets and merchandise rather than the "catch and release" in-season/off-season cycle, regardless of winning or losing.
My general attitude is this: The Bengals can lose (as long as they are trying or exhibiting effort organizationally to do better*) and I can still have a great time being a fan, spending money, and enjoying my time at PBS. It's not all about winning a Superbowl or playoffs every year. Being a fan and supporting the Bengals/local team is about enjoying the experience... YEAR ROUND.
While I no longer put on-field success on ownership and upper management, I definitely DO think the 12th man engagement starts at the top. That's not on Marvin or the players. The Bengals need to be the ones to first put down their sword in regards to the way they look at their fans. That has been a contentious relationship for a long time. It's time to let that go and for them to give FIRST. Those dividends will pay off.
Lastly, I found it weird to get an email the other day for a Bengals season ticket holder referral program with tiers and rewards for each season ticket account you refer. I'm not sure they had ever had this before. Someone in their marketing program needs to realize that fans want tangible involvement and positive experiences in and around the stadium. THAT will lead to referrals. NOT the promise of a $50 jersey you can buy at any sports store. People will sell your product for free if it's excellent. I'm not even talking on-field performance here. The marketing team at PBS needs to figure out how to evolve before a 12th man will show up knocking on their door.
*We'll see if they bring back Marvin or not. That, to me, would be a final sign of status quo and I would stop going to games and buying merch/tickets until Marvin is gone. I've bought in enough on Marvin Lewis/status quo and am cashing out my Marvin stock at the end of this season.
As a season ticket holder, I would be of the opinion that the Bengals are bare minimum in fan events, appreciation, and involvement. They miss a huge opportunity, I would think, to keep fans excited and involved around or coming to PBS during the off-season - which is when season tickets are typically sold. It would be really cool if once a month or even every two weeks they held a fan event down there in the club areas or the practice fields. This could range anything from having guest speakers come in about the team, getting fan incites on how to make game day experience and involvement better, charity or community functions, lunch events for local businesses or business workers down town, etc. The Bengals ownership group just aren't very fun - and I think that's definitely a reflection of their personalities or all about business mentality. It's 2017 and people are starting to expect MORE from the companies they support. Overall, the Bengals are missing a HUGE opportunity to engage and entertain fans and keep them interested outside of getting wasted on game day. This type of involvement would, I think, keep fans engaged enough to continue to buy season tickets and merchandise rather than the "catch and release" in-season/off-season cycle, regardless of winning or losing.
My general attitude is this: The Bengals can lose (as long as they are trying or exhibiting effort organizationally to do better*) and I can still have a great time being a fan, spending money, and enjoying my time at PBS. It's not all about winning a Superbowl or playoffs every year. Being a fan and supporting the Bengals/local team is about enjoying the experience... YEAR ROUND.
While I no longer put on-field success on ownership and upper management, I definitely DO think the 12th man engagement starts at the top. That's not on Marvin or the players. The Bengals need to be the ones to first put down their sword in regards to the way they look at their fans. That has been a contentious relationship for a long time. It's time to let that go and for them to give FIRST. Those dividends will pay off.
Lastly, I found it weird to get an email the other day for a Bengals season ticket holder referral program with tiers and rewards for each season ticket account you refer. I'm not sure they had ever had this before. Someone in their marketing program needs to realize that fans want tangible involvement and positive experiences in and around the stadium. THAT will lead to referrals. NOT the promise of a $50 jersey you can buy at any sports store. People will sell your product for free if it's excellent. I'm not even talking on-field performance here. The marketing team at PBS needs to figure out how to evolve before a 12th man will show up knocking on their door.
*We'll see if they bring back Marvin or not. That, to me, would be a final sign of status quo and I would stop going to games and buying merch/tickets until Marvin is gone. I've bought in enough on Marvin Lewis/status quo and am cashing out my Marvin stock at the end of this season.
