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Marketing predictions are everywhere—but most don’t help sell tickets. In Episode 146, Jeremy Neisser shares 13 practical marketing predictions for 2026, filtered through one question: does this sell more tickets, or is it busy work? This episode focuses on controlling the buying moment, personalization, signal-based marketing, and why the revenue loop replaces the funnel.

Key Topics Covered

• Personalization as a ticket-sales differentiator
• Creative as the new media buyer
• Signals over pixels (Buyer data)
• Saves, comments, & DMs as buying intent
• Zero-click checkout & social selling
• Data reclamation from marketplaces
• First-click ownership as a revenue KPI
• Warm audiences vs. cold acquisition

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
 01:08 Personalization
 04:31 Creative as Media Buyer
 06:51 Signals Over Pixels
 10:34 DMs as Soft Leads
 12:56 Zero-Click Checkout
 15:15 Social Selling
 18:04 Data Reclamation
 19:58 First-Click Ownership
 21:26 Warm vs Cold
 23:49 Per Persona Campaigns
 25:10 Marketing as Inside Sales
 26:35 Revenue Loop

Supporting Links

https://www.jonloomer.com/meta-advertising-changes-2025/
https://www.jonloomer.com/understand-meta-advertising-8-episodes/
https://www.jonloomer.com/interactions-post-engagement/
https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-commerce-2024
https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/social-commerce/
https://www.brightedge.com/resources/webinars/owning-the-first-click
https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/search/brand-vs-non-brand-search/
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/secondary-ticket-market
https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate
https://baymard.com/blog/checkout-usability
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/03/02/retargeting
https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics
https://www.facebook.com/business/help/146787991656572?id=561906377587030
https://hbr.org/2016/07/ending-the-war-between-sales-and-marketing
https://www.forrester.com/blogs/b2c-marketing-and-sales-alignment/
https://www.meta.com/business/help/1438417719786914

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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser reviews his previous predictions for sports marketing and fan engagement for 2025, assessing where he was right, where he was wrong, and what the implications are for 2026. He discusses the impact of AI and personalization, the shift towards membership models, the rise of short form video, the importance of user-generated content, and the challenges of holistic attribution. He also delves into the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in sports, donor engagement strategies, and the significance of focusing on fan quality over quantity.

Key Themes Covered

• AI & personalization (where it works and where it doesn’t)
• The continued shift from season tickets → membership models
• Short-form video becoming the backbone of ticket marketing
• Why creative is now the targeting
• The messy reality of attribution
• NIL’s impact on ticket sales and sponsorships
• Donor engagement at scale
• Why fan quality matters more than fan quantity

Takeaways

• AI and personalization are crucial for sports marketing success.
• Membership models are replacing traditional season tickets.
• Short form video has become essential for engaging fans.
• User-generated content builds trust and engagement.
• Holistic attribution is challenging but necessary for understanding marketing impact.
• NIL has complicated the landscape of college athletics.
• Donors seek meaningful engagement beyond transactions.
• NIL platforms need to simplify for small market teams.
• Focusing on fan quality leads to better outcomes than quantity.
• Auditing marketing strategies is essential for future success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Self-Audit of Predictions
01:01 AI and Personalization in Sports Marketing
03:54 Membership Models and Fan Engagement
05:46 The Rise of Short Form Video
08:04 User-Generated Content and Micro Influencers
09:28 Holistic Attribution Challenges
13:11 Navigating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
16:31 Donor Engagement and Experience
18:54 NIL Platforms and Market Scaling
20:20 The Importance of Fan Quality Over Quantity
22:13 Conclusion and Advice for 2026

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Episode 95 – 12 Marketing & Fan Engagement Predictions for 2025
• 80/20 Principle (Pareto Principle)
• Sports Marketing Machine Strategy Call

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The marketing landscape changed fast in 2025—and sports teams felt it in their revenue. In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down 13 real-world marketing lessons that directly impacted ticket sales, renewals, and average order value. No trends, no platforms, no vanity metrics—just the decisions that actually showed up on the revenue report and matter heading into 2026.

Key Topics Covered

• Why buying friction quietly kills impulse ticket sales
• How revenue exposes bad marketing faster than engagement metrics
• Why timing beats messaging when it comes to conversions
• The costly mistake of choosing clever over clear
• How personalization (not tech) drove higher sales
• Why owned channels became the safest revenue engine
• How creative replaced targeting in paid media
• Why familiar offers outperform “new and shiny” ideas
• Bundles vs. discounts—and why bundles win
• The overlooked revenue power of single-game buyers
• How promotions train (or damage) fan behavior
• Why retention quietly became cheaper than acquisition
• How top teams turned marketing into a revenue system, not a department

Episode Chapters / Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why these aren’t trends, platforms, or vanity metrics
• 01:30 – Lesson 1: Buying friction kills impulse sales
• 04:53 – Lesson 2: Revenue exposes bad marketing
• 07:15 – Lesson 3: Timing > messaging
• 09:07 – Lesson 4: Clarity always beats cleverness
• 10:54 – Lesson 5: Personalization as a revenue lever
• 13:32 – Lesson 6: Owned channels = owned revenue
• 15:28 – Lesson 7: Creative became the new targeting
• 17:24 – Lesson 8: Familiarity sells faster than novelty
• 19:20 – Lesson 9: Bundles beat discounts
• 20:17 – Lesson 10: Single-game buyers as a growth engine
• 21:42 – Lesson 11: Promotions train fan behavior
• 23:09 – Lesson 12: Retention beats acquisition
• 25:00 – Lesson 13: Marketing as a revenue system

Call to Action

If this episode sparked an idea—or exposed something you need to fix—reach out at sportsmarketingmachine.com or connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn. And if alignment still isn’t happening between sales and marketing on your team, this episode is required listening.

Why This Episode Matters

The teams that won in 2025 didn’t shout louder or spend more—they reduced friction, showed up at the right moment, personalized their offers, and aligned sales, marketing, and data around revenue. These 13 lessons are your blueprint for turning marketing into predictable ticket sales in 2026.

Links mentioned:

Episode 140: Mystery Park Promo that Sold 700 Tickets

Episode 137: Make Your Black Friday/Cyber Monday Offer So Good! 

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The way fans decide where to spend their money has fundamentally changed—and many sports teams are still marketing like it hasn’t. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the post-COVID “experience shift” and explains why fans are choosing experiences over products, convenience, and even price. By studying how restaurants reinvented themselves after COVID, Jeremy shows sports marketers how to drive urgency, attention, and ticket sales by turning games into moments worth sharing.

 Key Topics Covered

• How consumer behavior shifted dramatically after COVID—and why it didn’t “go back to normal”
• The rise of the experience economy and why experiential spending has exploded since 2019
• Why restaurants leaned into the weird, the wacky, and the visually shareable
• What “the experience is the marketing” actually means for sports teams
• How social media now directly influences purchasing decisions, not just awareness
• Why Millennials and Gen Z choose events based on what they see online
• How attention and urgency outperform discounts and promotions
• What every game needs to have to stand out in a crowded entertainment market

 Timestamps

• 00:00 – The post-COVID landscape and the experience shift
• 02:35 – Why restaurants are the best case study for sports marketers
• 05:45 – The experience economy and why attention beats paid media
• 08:33 – Social media as a buying decision, not a branding tool
• 11:51 – What sports teams should steal from restaurant marketing
• 13:30 – Selling moments instead of schedules and discounts
• 15:51 – Final takeaway: how experiences create urgency and revenue

Links mentioned:

1. Forbes – Experience Economy Growth Post-COVID
   https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2023/11/09/gen-z-and-affluent-consumers-are-re-shaping-the-experience-economy/
2. Restaurant Dive – Thriving in the Experience Economy
   https://www.restaurantdive.com/spons/how-restaurants-can-thrive-in-the-experience-economy/728365/
3. Restaurant Social Media Statistics (Discovery → Purchase)
   https://cropink.com/restaurant-social-media-statistics
4. Deloitte – Social-First Restaurants & Revenue Growth
   https://www.deloittedigital.com/us/en/insights/perspective/social-media-strategies-restaurants.html
5. Gen Z & Social Food Trends
   https://www.fb101.com/why-84-of-gen-z-are-trying-social-media-food-trends-and-what-that-means-for-restaurant-marketing/

6. Episode 90: How Chili’s Leveraged User-Generated Content to Driv

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In this episode, Jeremy breaks down one of the most overlooked—but most profitable—windows in the entire sports marketing calendar: Q5, the five-to-seven-day stretch between Christmas and New Year’s. While big advertisers shut down campaigns and CPMs plummet, fans are at home scrolling with gift cards, holiday cash, and a “treat yourself” mindset. Jeremy explains why Q5 consistently delivers cheaper traffic, higher conversions, and a massive edge for teams who prepare simple, compelling offers. You’ll walk away with tactical ideas, best practices, and pitfalls to avoid so you can win that week without increasing your budget.

Key Topics Covered

• What Q5 is and why marketers consider it the “hidden fifth quarter.”
• Why ad costs drop 20–50% and how sports teams can capitalize
• The psychological mindset of fans between Christmas and New Year’s
• The four big benefits of Q5: cheaper ads, impulse buying, treat-yourself energy, and better-performing creative
• Tactical promos perfect for Q5: mystery packs, January/February packs, flash offers, family-focused bundles
• Why storytelling ads and light content crush during this window
• What NOT to do during Q5 (complicated offers, pausing spend, ignoring warm audiences)
• How Q5 builds momentum for January–March ticket sales

Suggested Timestamps

00:00 — What is Q5 and why sports teams ignore it
01:06 — Why advertisers disappear (and why that's good for you)
03:33 — Cheaper CPMs, CPCs, and conversions: the Q5 advantage
05:55 — The “treat yourself” mindset and holiday buyer psychology
08:15 — Q5 offer ideas: mystery packs, winter ticket packs, flash promos
10:27 — Using content to cheaply warm audiences
11:38 — Q5 cautions and best practices
12:49 — Final thoughts + why Q5 is the easiest win of the year

Call to Action

Got a Q5 idea you want to pressure test? Want help shaping an offer, promotion, or ad angle for that week? Send Jeremy a message or schedule a quick 10–20 minute call to brainstorm your Q5 plan and set up your January–March sales for a major lift.

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Buyout nights are one of the most misunderstood tools in sports marketing. Some teams swear by them — others won’t touch them with a ten-foot pole. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down exactly why buyout nights can be a revenue machine and a sponsor slam dunk… but also how they can quietly erode your ticketing strategy, overwhelm your operations, and reposition your brand as the “free entertainment option” in your community.

You’ll learn the financial upside, the hidden dangers, the operational realities, and a step-by-step framework for running buyout nights with intention — including the essential data capture, segmentation, bounce-back offers, and sponsor recaps that turn a one-night giveaway into long-term revenue.

Whether you’ve done buyout nights for years or you’re debating your first one, this episode gives you the guardrails you need to do them right.

Key Topics Covered:

✔ Why Buyout Nights Work — When They Work

• Guaranteed revenue upfront, regardless of opponent, weather, or win-loss record
• Perfect for teams in unpredictable climates or with volatile attendance rhythms
• Creates a “manufactured” packed house that directly enhances game entertainment
• Strengthens sponsor relationships through visibility, goodwill, and community impact
• Functions as a massive sampling event for new or casual fans
• Acts as one of the cheapest fan acquisition channels when data is captured properly

✔ The Hidden Downsides Most Teams Ignore

• Training your market to wait for free tickets (the “coupon culture” problem)
• Risk of season ticket holders questioning their investment
• Free/discounted attendees spend less, engage less, and convert less
• Turning your brand into the low-price entertainment option in town
• Sponsor expectations ballooning after their first successful buyout night
• Operational meltdowns when attendance jumps from 2,000 to 7,000 unexpectedly
• Lost marketing value if fan data isn’t collected every single time

✔ Why Email & Contact Capture Is Non-Negotiable

• Turning “visitors” into “buyers” starts with having their information
• Free ticket = free lead… only if you set the system up correctly
• Simple Google Form strategy: name, email, phone, zip, and one qualifying question
• How these leads power future meta audiences, family offers, and retargeting campaigns
• Why collecting data turns buyout night into one of your highest ROI events of the season

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction: Why buyout nights spark so much debate
01:30 — The benefits: guaranteed revenue, packed buildings, sponsor wins
04:02 — How buyout nights boost community goodwill and brand visibility
06:06 — The lead-generation opportunities teams often miss
09:02 — The downside: discount culture, low-value fans, and pricing damage
12:50 — Operational challenges when attendance explodes overnight
14:49 — The secret sauce: bounce-backs, segmentation, sponsor POP recaps
17:23 — Final takeaways: Intentional vs. accidental buyout nights

Call to Action

Thinking about running a buyout night? Not sure how to price it, structure it, or avoid the pitfalls? Reach out and schedule a call — Jeremy can help you build a buyout stra

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In this episode, Jeremy breaks down one of the strangest ticket offers he’s ever seen—a “mystery pack” that moved nearly 700 opening day tickets months before first pitch. He unpacks why fans lined up to buy something they couldn’t fully see, using four key levers: price, surprise, giftability, and game-specific demand. You’ll walk away with plug-and-play mystery pack ideas you can adapt for your team this season.

Key Topics Covered

• The “Mystery Pack” Breakdown – How a minor league team sold 100 packs at $50 and 70 more at $40, pre-selling almost 700 opening day tickets in November.
• The 4 Levers That Make It Work – Price, surprise, giftability, and game-specific demand—and how each one lowers friction and boosts perceived value.
• The No-Brainer Floor Test – Why your base offer (even without the mystery items) has to pass a simple, “Would I buy this anyway?” sniff test.
• Designing Smart Surprise – How to keep the experience known and only make the extras mysterious so the offer feels fun, not risky.
• Turning Packs into Perfect Gifts – Structuring bundles that can go under the tree, into a stocking, or become an easy “one and done” gift for families, dads, or grandparents.
• Game-Specific Demand & Early Momentum – Using mystery packs to pre-sell your keystone nights (Opening Night, fireworks, theme nights, etc.) and build urgency months in advance.
• Ready-to-Use Mystery Pack Templates – Kids Holiday Pack, Father’s Day Dad Box, Theme Night Mystery Pack, and National Ice Cream Day bundle you can copy and customize.
• Guardrails So It Doesn’t Backfire – Avoiding junky merch, setting quantity limits, nailing fulfillment, and tracking new buyers, usage, and per caps to prove ROI.

Episode Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to the Mystery Pack Promotion
• 01:21 – The Offer That “Shouldn’t Work”… But Does
• 07:06 – The Four Key Levers: Price, Surprise, Giftability, Game Demand
• 13:53 – Pre-Selling Opening Night & Keystone Games
• 19:54 – Plug-and-Play Mystery Pack Ideas You Can Steal
• 23:37 – Guardrails, Metrics, and Final Checklist

Call to Action

Testing a mystery pack this season—holiday, Father’s Day, theme night, or something wild your GM dreamed up? Jeremy wants to see it. Send your offer, pricing, and results his way, or head to SportsMarketingMachine.com to schedule a call and workshop your own mystery bundle that makes fans say, “I don’t totally know what’s in it, but I’d be dumb not to buy it.”

Episodes Mentioned:

137: Make Your Black Friday Offer So Good Fans Feel Stupid Saying No To

40 - Savannah Bananas President Jared Orton Talks Social Media & Improving the Fan Experience

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n this episode, Jeremy breaks down Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) in the simplest, most actionable way for sports teams. You’ll learn what CRO actually means, which parts of the process you can control, and how small tweaks to your copy, creative, and landing pages can turn more fans into ticket buyers. If you’ve ever wondered why your ads get clicks but not sales, this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been missing.

Key Topics Covered

• What CRO really means for sports teams and why it matters
• The difference between controllable and uncontrollable factors (hint: your ticketing software isn’t one of them)
• How to improve conversion rates through stronger copy, visuals, and offer clarity
• Why “Buy Tickets” beats “Click Here to Learn More” every time
• The importance of landing page congruency with your ads
• Tracking the right metrics: website visitors → buyers
• How email simplicity boosts conversions
• Why CRO isn’t magic—it’s math, momentum, and message clarity

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction: What CRO is (and what it isn’t)
 01:06 — Breaking down conversion rate basics
 03:30 — What you can’t control (ticketing software headaches)
04:00 — What you can control: copy, creative, CTAs, and layout
05:49 — Metrics that matter: website traffic → single-game sales
07:00 — Email mistakes teams make and how to fix them
08:11 — Seasonal conversion rate trends and how to optimize
09:45 — Final thoughts + how to get help diagnosing your sales and marketing performance

Sound Bite Pulls

• “You only have one offer.”
• “One offer per landing page.”
• “They want to buy now.”
• “CRO isn’t magic. It’s math.”

Social Teaser Hooks

• “If your ads get clicks but not sales, the problem isn’t the targeting—it’s what happens after the click.”
• “Sports teams don’t need more traffic. They need more conversion.”
• “Stop overwhelming fans. One page. One offer. One clear next step.”

Call to Action

If this episode helped you understand CRO in a new light, share it with someone on your team who’s trying to sell more tickets or sharpen their digital marketing. If you want Jeremy to review your sales + marketing performance and uncover growth opportunities, you can always connect at SportsMarketingMachine.com.

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Not all surveys are created equal. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down the crucial difference between community surveys (awareness audits) and fan surveys (experience audits)—and how using both strategically can turn feedback into real ticket sales. Learn when to deploy each, what questions to ask, and how to connect survey results directly to your CRM to uncover actionable insights that boost revenue and fan loyalty.

Key Topics Covered

• The real difference between a community survey and a fan survey
• How to use surveys to uncover brand awareness gaps and fan experience issues
• Why perception (community) and behavior (fans) require different approaches
• How to segment survey data by purchase history and fan type
• Turning survey results into ticket sales, renewals, and sponsorship leads
• How attention and retention work together to build community momentum
• Common mistakes teams make when collecting and analyzing survey data
• Practical examples of survey insights driving smarter marketing and ad placement

Chapters & Highlights

00:00 – Understanding surveys in sports marketing
01:00 – What a community survey really measures (perception, not performance)
03:20 – The fan survey: your experience audit
05:40 – When and how to deploy each type of survey
08:00 – Turning raw feedback into an actionable ticket sales strategy
10:30 – How to segment and analyze survey data to uncover buying intent
12:00 – Final takeaways: attention + retention = community momentum

Quote Pulls

“A community survey tells you what people think about your brand. A fan survey tells you how they feel about your experience.”“Always connect survey results back to ticket information — that’s how you turn feedback into ticket sales.”“Think of surveys not as paperwork, but as your next year’s playbook.”

Call to Action

If this episode got you thinking about how your team collects feedback, don’t wait until the end of the season—start now. Learn more about building smart, segmented survey dashboards at sportsmarketingmachine.com
under the Fan+ Survey service.

And if you found this helpful, share it with a fellow marketer or GM who wants to use their data better and sell more tickets.

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no longer about slashing prices — they’re about stacking value. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser breaks down how sports teams can create irresistible, high-perceived-value bundles that fans can’t resist. Using Alex Hormozi’s “Value Equation” as a foundation, Jeremy shows you exactly how to build, time, and promote a Black Friday offer that feels too good to pass up — without cheapening your brand.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Black Friday isn’t a clearance sale — and how to stop competing on price
• The Value Equation for sports teams: dream outcome, effort, and likelihood of success
• How to “stack value, not slash price” when building your ticket bundle
• The secret power of abundance framing (“Buy 3, Get 1 Free” beats “25% off”)
• Adding risk reversal and scarcity to drive urgency and trust
• A three-phase launch plan (Tease → Reveal → Drop) for maximum conversion
• The Five Ad Apocalypse strategy to warm up your audience before launch
• Copy, email, and landing page templates that make your offer a no-brainer
• Common conversion killers to avoid — and how to track what really worked

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why most Black Friday offers flop
 01:20 – The “Value Equation” for ticket sales
 03:40 – Stack value, don’t slash price
 06:05 – Competing on experience, not discounts
 08:20 – The 3-phase launch plan (Tease → Reveal → Drop)
 10:50 – The Five Ad Apocalypse for Meta ads
 14:00 – Landing page & email copy that converts
 16:20 – Measuring success & analyzing what worked
 18:40 – Common pitfalls that kill conversions
 21:00 – Final takeaways & challenge to listeners

Main Takeaways

1. Stack value. Bonuses beat discounts every time.
2. Follow the three-phase plan: tease, reveal, and drop.
3. Warm your audience with five ad types to build anticipation.
4. Show the math and the deadline in every message.
5. Document your results to double down next year.

Call to Action

If you create a killer Black Friday bundle, send it to Jeremy on LinkedIn
or via his website — he’ll be featuring standout examples in December. And don’t forget to rate and review the show to help more teams turn their marketing into ticket sales.

Alex Hormozi's - 100M Launch Book (AMAZON LINK)

Showpage - LINK

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Minor league veteran and Game Day Advising founder Mike Van Hise breaks down how teams can squeeze more revenue from the same building—without gutting budgets or fan experience. We talk menu engineering, speed vs. margin at concessions, season-seat strategy, staffing math, and a simple “3% better” rule that compounds into real profit. If you lead marketing, ticketing, or operations, this is a tactical roadmap you can use this homestand.

Key Topics Covered

• Clarity over cuts: Why operational efficiency starts with knowing where money flows (and leaks), not slashing line items.
• Concessions that move: Menu simplification, bottles/cans vs. fountain, and designing for speed so fans buy twice, not once.
• Presentation = price: “Cook to order” stations (grill, tacos/nachos) that lift perceived value and per caps.
• Ticketing mix that protects you from weather: Targeting a 33/33/33 revenue blend (season seats / groups / singles) and pushing pre-sold to 55–66%.
• Season seats the right way: Focus on business buyers; don’t waste cycles trying to jump a single-game fan to 70 games.
• Change management: Killing “this is how we’ve always done it” by building trust and showing a clear plan.
• Smart staffing: Use entry-gate data, cross-train roles, and cut idle time early to avoid morale hits later.
• The 3% Rule: Micro-efficiencies across 150–200 budget lines, vendor prepay discounts, and compounding gains.
• Per-cap wins: Right number of beer taps, local SKUs for pricing power, and distributor intel (what’s actually selling).
• Fail small, learn fast: Encourage $100–$500 tests; avoid the $10,000 mistake. Keep a “Book of Bad Ideas.”

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why operational efficiency = clarity, not cuts
• 02:53 – Defining operational efficiency for sports teams
• 06:01 – Concessions: menu design, SKUs, and speed vs. margin
• 08:59 – Ticketing strategy: groups vs. season seats (and when to push each)
• 11:57 – Overcoming “we’ve always done it this way”
• 15:03 – Baseball’s timing reality: build for 90–130 sec windows
• 17:53 – Game entertainment efficiency (and why fireworks always work)
• 20:56 – The “Book of Bad Ideas”: inventory, concerts, and learning loops
• 21:21 – Over-prep vs. under-prep: where margins die
• 23:22 – Culture: allow small mistakes; forbid big ones
• 28:12 – The 3% improvement rule (and vendor discount plays)
• 33:11 – Per-cap levers: cook-to-order, local beer, the right number of taps
• 37:40 – What Game Day Advising actually does (and how to engage)

Call to Action

• Book a 30-minute consultation with Mike and the Game Day Advising team to map your top efficiency wins for next season.
• Check out Mike’s article on season seat strategy and grab his full-club assessment overview. (Links in episode description.)

Resources Mentioned

• Game Day Advising – Operational efficiency, ticketing, F&B support (link)
• Season Seat Strategy article by Mike - (link)

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In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down a simple, data-driven way to build — and defend — your marketing budget. Forget complicated spreadsheets and vague “awareness goals.” Jeremy shows how using your single game ROI as your north star can turn every budget request into a business case. Learn how to project spend, justify investment, and track your performance with a system built specifically for sports teams.

Key Topics Covered

• The easiest way to calculate single game ROI (and why it’s your strongest budget tool)
• How to project next year’s budget using last year’s data
• Proving efficiency gains to leadership with small, measurable improvements
• The 70-30 rule for smart budget allocation (sales vs. awareness)
• Why simplicity sells: how to make your budget “bulletproof” in one conversation
• Tracking ROI month-by-month like an investor — not a guesser
• Turning your marketing budget into an investment plan

Chapters

00:00 – Building a Marketing Budget Framework
 01:01 – Understanding Single Game ROI
 04:05 – Projecting Future Budgets with Historical Data
 07:53 – Improving Marketing Efficiency
 10:10 – The 70-30 Rule for Budget Allocation
 12:35 – Tracking ROI and Adjusting Strategies
 14:54 – Key Takeaways for Marketing Directors

Call to Action

Want help connecting your ad data to your ticketing results so your next budget meeting is a breeze? Head to SportsMarketingMachine.com
to grab time with Jeremy and build your marketing ROI dashboard.

View Episode age with details

Episodes mentioned: 

Episode 67 – Why Your Return On Ad Spend (ROAS) is WRONG – Case Study

Episode 111 – Building Your Marketing Budget Like a Funnel: Awareness to Action

Episode 125 – “I Saw Your Ad—But Didn’t Buy”: Fixing the Fan Follow-Up Funnel

Episode 121 – How Video Content Makes Paid Traffic Easier (and Cheaper)

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Season ticket holders give you stability; single-game buyers fuel reach and growth. In this episode, Jeremy maps a practical “ticket plan ladder” to convert first-timers into multi-game, mini, half-season, and ultimately full season ticket holders. You’ll get concrete plays—post-game bouncebacks, perk-led nurturing, and data-driven upsells—plus how marketing and sales should operate in lockstep to make it happen.

Key Topics Covered

• Why season ticket holders still matter: bankable revenue, sky-high LTV, and culture/word-of-mouth impact
• Single-game buyers as your largest conversion pipeline (and why flexibility-first offers win)
• Rethinking budget mix: stop spending 70–80% only on single-game ads; invest in mid/long-term plan growth
• Building the ticket plan ladder: single → multi-game → mini/flex → half → full season
• The post-game “bounceback” play: targeted email/text offers that turn 1 game into 2–3
• Perk-led nurturing: exclusive experiences that sample season-ticket value (create FOMO)
• In-season, data-driven upsells: flag 3–4 game attendees as warm leads (don’t wait till year-end)
• Using STH testimonials as “Yelp reviews” in ads, email, and on-site to add trust + urgency
• Marketing x Sales alignment: shared intel, warm lead routing, timing, and messaging

Timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction & NSF Fall Summit preview (Oct 9, 2025)
• 02:08 Why season ticket holders matter (stability, LTV, culture)
• 06:23 Single-game buyers as a growth market (flexibility, data capture)
• 10:41 Budget allocation pitfalls and fixes
• 12:29 The Ticket Plan Ladder explained
• 17:57 Walking fans up the ladder: bouncebacks, nurture, perks
• 20:24 Marketing + Sales must operate as one
• 22:42 Key takeaways & next steps

Call to Action

• Tune in: National Sports Forum Virtual Fall Summit on October 9, 2025—Jeremy joins the “Hot Takes in Marketing” panel (link in show notes).
• This week’s play: Run a post-game bounceback to opening night/next promo buyers and test a 2-for-1 or “prime + value” two-game bundle.
• Upgrade engine: Add STH testimonials to your mini/flex upgrade emails and landing pages, then route multi-game attendees to sales as warm leads.

Quote Pulls / Social Teasers

• “Season tickets are stability; single-game is your conversion pipeline.”
• “Fans crave choice and digital-first options—meet them there.”
• “Stop ending the sale at the first sale. The ladder starts after Game 1.”
• “Use your season ticket holders as your Yelp reviewers.”
• “Sales and marketing must work hand-in-hand—or the ladder collapses.”

Keywords

sports marketing, season tickets, single game tickets, fan engagement, marketing strategies, ticket sales, audience conversion, marketing budget, sports teams, sports business

NSF Event - LINK

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All You Can Eat ticket plans sound like a fan’s dream—one ticket, unlimited food—but are they really a win for your team? In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the pros and cons of these packages, from predictable revenue and marketing appeal to margin risks and operational headaches. You’ll learn how to structure these plans strategically so they elevate the fan experience while still protecting your bottom line.

Key Topics Covered

• Why fans love the simplicity and value of All You Can Eat plans
• How bundling food into tickets creates predictable, upfront revenue
• The operational efficiencies (and pitfalls) of prepaid concessions
• Margin risks and how heavy eaters can wipe out profits
• Menu design, alcohol clarity, and the importance of perceived value
• Structuring plans using per caps, pricing buffers, and sponsorship offsets
• Positioning All You Can Eat as an entry-level ticket plan without cannibalizing premium options
• Long-term strategy: renewals, upsells, and loyalty building

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction to All You Can Eat Ticket Plans
• 01:00 – Pros of All You Can Eat Packages
• 05:38 – Cons and Risks of All You Can Eat Packages
• 08:53 – Structuring All You Can Eat Plans Smartly
• 12:14 – Long-Term Strategy for All You Can Eat Packages
• 16:02 – Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Sound Bites / Social Teasers

• “One ticket, unlimited food.”
• “It elevates the experience.”
• “Define the package clearly—or risk an all you can lose plan.”

Call to Action
Tried an All You Can Eat ticket plan before? Jeremy wants to hear how it worked for your team—DM him or reach out through Sports Marketing Machine. If this episode gave you some food for thought (pun intended), share it with a colleague and leave a review on Apple or Spotify so more sports pros can sell smarter and build their fan base.

Links mentioned: 

David Salyers - Chick-Fil-A "Creating A Value-Inbalance"

Loss Leaders - Episode 117

Episode page - Episode 133

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More traffic doesn’t always mean more profit. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser unpacks a real case study from a minor league baseball team that saw website visitors surge from 27,000 to 35,000—but lost $15,000 in profit along the way. He explains why chasing vanity metrics like clicks, impressions, and raw attendance can mask deeper problems in profitability. From understanding diminishing returns to prioritizing average order value (AOV) and smarter budget allocation, Jeremy gives sports teams a playbook for turning data into dollars.

Key Topics Covered

• Why more traffic can actually hurt your bottom line
• Case study: 35,000 visitors that led to declining ROAS
• The difference between quality vs. quantity traffic
• Diminishing returns: when extra spend stops paying off
• The role of average order value (AOV) in real growth
• How to use the 60-40 rule for smarter budget allocation
• Avoiding the vanity metric trap (traffic, impressions, and “sellouts”)
• Why profitability > popularity in sports marketing

Chapters

• 00:00 – Understanding Marketing Data for Minor League Baseball
• 01:29 – The Impact of Traffic on Profitability
• 04:43 – Quality vs. Quantity in Traffic
• 09:26 – Diminishing Returns and the 60-40 Rule
• 12:21 – The Importance of Average Order Value
• 16:37 – Key Takeaways and Action Plan

Call to Action
Before you chase big traffic numbers, dig into your AOV and ROAS data. If you need help unpacking what actually happened with your team’s marketing this season, reach out to Jeremy for a free 30-minute breakdown.

Episode Page: Episode 132 

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In this episode of the Sports Marketing Machine podcast, Jeremy Neisser unpacks Meta Advantage Plus—Meta’s automated ad system for Facebook and Instagram. While it promises simplicity, Advantage Plus often hurts sports teams by prioritizing clicks over actual ticket sales, lumping all fans into one generic audience, and masking true performance with misleading metrics.

Jeremy explains why manual ad setup, audience segmentation, and conversion tracking are essential to avoid wasted spend. He also highlights when Advantage Plus can be useful, such as for merchandise sales, but makes it clear: selling tickets requires a more hands-on, strategic approach.

Takeaways

• Advantage Plus is Meta’s autopilot for ads.
• It often works against sports teams trying to sell tickets.
• Personalization in ads is critical for success.
• Manual setup helps you better understand your fans.
• Conversion tracking is essential for measuring real results.
• Wasted impressions and high frequency are red flags.
• Build warm and hot audiences for targeted marketing.
• Advantage Plus works better for broad merch campaigns.
• Don’t rely solely on Meta’s “easy button.”
• A manual, hands-on approach makes you a stronger marketer.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and context
02:15 – What Advantage Plus really is
04:32 – Why Advantage Plus fails for ticket sales
07:10 – How to tell if Advantage Plus is wasting your money
09:30 – Smarter alternatives: warm audiences and creative testing
11:30 – When Advantage Plus can help (merchandise sales)
13:45 – Final takeaways and call to action

Episodes mentioned:

• Episode 128 – 3 Changes with Meta That Affect Your Ads (and How to Sell More Tickets Anyway)
• Episode 125 – “I Saw Your Ad—But Didn’t Buy”: Fixing the Fan Follow-Up Funnel
• Episode 111 – Building Your Marketing Budget Like a Funnel: Awareness to Action
• Episode 110 – Meta Ads 101 – The Smart Way to Retarget: Website Visitors, Social Engagers & Timing That Converts (Part 4 of 4)
• Episode 109 – Meta Ads 101 – The Hidden Power of Lookalike Audiences in Meta Ads (Part 3 of 4)
• Episode 108 – Meta Ads 101 – How to Use Exclusion Lists in Meta Ads to Boost ROI (Part 2 of 4)
• Episode 107 – Meta Ads 101 – Link Clicks vs. Landing Page Views (Part 1 of 4)
• Episode 21 – The 3 Audiences You Should Have In Your Meta Business Suite

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AI isn’t just about writing better emails anymore—it’s about creating visuals that sell. In this episode, Jeremy introduces Nano Banana, Google’s new AI image-generation tool, and breaks down exactly how sports teams can use it to move more merchandise, sell more tickets, and close bigger sponsorships. If you’ve ever wished you could create pro-level visuals in minutes instead of weeks, this episode shows you how.

See all of the mock-ups and designs Jeremy made here: Episode 130

Key Topics Covered

• What Nano Banana is and why it’s like “Canva on steroids”
• How to use AI visuals to test merchandise concepts and launch pre-order campaigns risk-free
• Quick-win strategies to boost ticket sales with AI-generated graphics and personalized fan content
• Bounce-back offers: using visuals to re-engage fans right after games
• Sponsorship mock-ups that turn “maybe” into “heck yes” during pitches
• Time-saving workflows for marketing teams without huge budgets or staff
• The three-step approach to testing Nano Banana in your operation (pick one bucket, run a 30-day test, track results)
• Why early adopters of AI visuals will outpace their competition

Timestamps

• (00:00) Intro: The revenue power of AI visuals
• (01:06) What is Nano Banana?
• (03:26) Three big reasons it matters: time, money, and new possibilities
• (03:54) Revenue bucket #1: Merchandise mockups & pre-order testing
• (05:39) Revenue bucket #2: Ticket sales promotions, bounce-back offers, and personalization
• (10:15) Revenue bucket #3: Sponsorship mockups, player content, and mascot marketing
• (12:37) Why better visuals sell better
• (14:59) Where to start: a simple 4-step process
• (17:21) Main takeaways

Main Takeaways

1. Nano Banana isn’t a gimmick—it’s a real revenue driver for sports teams.
2. Start small with merchandise mockups for quick wins.
3. Expand into ticket sales and sponsorships once you see results.
4. Early adopters who build repeatable AI workflows will win big.

Call to Action
Share this episode with a colleague stuck in Photoshop or Canva who needs faster, smarter ways to create visuals.
Want help mapping AI into your team’s revenue strategy? DM Jeremy or schedule a call at SportsMarketingMachine.com

Links mentioned: 

Google Gemini

Episode: 122 - 9 ways to use ChatGPT to help you sell more tickets

Episode 117 - Good Deal or Bad Strategy? The Right Way to Use Loss Leaders

Episode 115  - “We Miss You”: The Email That Brings Fans Back

Episode 103 - Personalize It - Why it Works (Part 1)

Episode 101 - 6 Fan Experience Lessons Learned from Going to Disneyland

.

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How does a minor league hockey team add nearly 1,500 fans per game in just four seasons? In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Adam Winslow, Chief Marketing Officer for the Florida Everblades, to break down the strategies that fueled a 27% attendance jump. 

From surviving COVID challenges to building a data-driven marketing machine, Adam shares how his team turned small experiments into major wins. If you’re looking for a roadmap to sustainable ticket growth, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for sports marketers at every level.

Key Topics Covered:

• Navigating the uncertainty of COVID as a newly hired marketing director
• How technology upgrades like Dash, Podium, and StellarAlgo changed their approach
• Turning email and text platforms into real revenue drivers
• The role of personalization in ticket marketing—“don’t sell fish to steak eaters”
• Why small, methodical tests (like $20 ad spends) can snowball into big wins
• Marketing’s evolution from a “support” function to a true revenue generator
• Continuous investment in the fan experience to keep things fresh and engaging
• Staying adaptable to tech changes, from social media shifts to AI integration

Timestamps:

• 00:57 – Starting in the middle of COVID – Adam’s move to Florida, uncertainty during shutdowns, and building from scratch.
• 02:24 – Growing attendance by 27% – From 5,327 to 6,758 fans per game and the factors that drove it.
• 04:39 – Leveraging technology – From digital jersey auctions with Dash to email, text, and Meta ads.
• 06:49 – Data-driven marketing – How StellarAlgo transformed personalization, targeting, and ROI tracking.
• 12:22 – Marketing as a revenue driver – Moving beyond “sales support” and proving measurable impact.
• 18:16 – Testing, ROI, and scaling – Small ad spends, benchmarks, and learning from what works.
• 23:43 – Fan experience and community connection – Theme nights, charity auctions, and reinvesting in the arena.
• 27:17 – Looking ahead – Investing in AI, TikTok/Reels, LinkedIn ads, and building team culture.

Quote Pulls / Social Teasers:

• “Marketing isn’t just sales support anymore—it’s a revenue generator.”
• “Don’t try to target steak eaters with fish. Know your audience and deliver exactly what they want.”
• “AI is not going away.”
• “Just take one step forward.”
• “You don’t need to fill the tank—start with $20 on an ad and see what happens.”

Call to Action:
If you’d like to connect with Adam, you can find him on LinkedIn or by email - adamw@floridaeverblades.com.

Links:

Episode 119: Fan Activation, Revenue Growth, and Digital Engagement with Dash’s Jonathan Hufnagel

Keywords / Tags:
COVID-19, sports marketing strategies, attendance growth, fan engagement, technology in sports, data-driven marketing, personalization, minor league sports, AI in marketing, sports management, ticket marketing, revenue generation, ticket sales

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Meta keeps moving the goalposts—and if you’re still running ads like it’s last season, you’re wasting money. In this episode of Sports Marketing Machine, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the three biggest changes Meta has rolled out—weaker targeting, new placements, and the launch of its AI engine Andromeda—and shows you how to stay ahead so your ads actually sell tickets instead of just burning budget.

Sports marketers who adapt will get cheaper ads and more conversions while their competitors are left scratching their heads.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Meta stripped out many interest categories (and how to replace them with custom audiences)
• The power of local radius targeting paired with AI expansion
• How to use new ad placements on Threads and WhatsApp to follow fans across platforms
• Why Meta’s endgame is no longer being the “biggest social network” but the world’s most powerful AI ad engine
• How creative—not targeting—is now the #1 driver of ad performance
• What the “fishbone effect” means for testing and scaling multiple ad formats
• Tactical tips for building the right funnel with top, middle, and bottom audiences
• Practical examples of creative that sells (e.g., reels of fireworks night vs. static graphics)

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Meta keeps changing the rules
 01:30 – Change #1: Targeting got weaker (and what to do about it)
 05:40 – Building custom audiences and giving AI guardrails
 08:15 – Change #2: New ad placements on Threads & WhatsApp
 10:30 – Meta’s real endgame: AI-first ad engine
 15:20 – Change #3: Creative is king thanks to Andromeda
 17:45 – How Advantage+ campaigns scale the right creative
 20:00 – Main takeaways & what to adjust first

Relevant episodes: 

• Episode 111 - Building Your Marketing Budget Like A Funnel 
• Episode 80 - First Party Data vs Third Party Data
• Episode 37 - Cold Audiences & Warm Audience - The Differences for Your Marketing
• Episode 21 - 3 Audiences You Should Have in Your Meta Business Suite 

Call to Action

If your ads feel more expensive or less effective than last year, it’s not you—it’s Meta. Adjust your funnel, upload fresh creative, and let AI work for you.

Share this episode with a teammate running ads, and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you found it helpful.

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What happens when the world’s biggest pop star drops in on an NFL podcast? A marketing masterclass in collaboration, authenticity, and buzz creation. In this episode, Jeremy Neisser breaks down the viral Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, and Taylor Swift moment—and turns it into three concrete, locally applicable strategies any sports team can use to sell more tickets and grow their fan base. From cross-audience partnerships to personality-driven content and buzz-worthy activations, you’ll walk away with ready-to-run ideas you can launch in your own market.

Key Topics Covered

• The “cross-audience moment” and how to find the perfect local partner to expand your reach
• Why showing the human side of your players builds deeper fan connections
• Creating quirky, unexpected moments that fans can’t help but share
• Real-world examples: zoo ice cream shifts, player-chef cook-offs, and mascot mechanic makeovers
• How to turn attention into actual ticket sales with bundles, opt-ins, and QR codes
• Audience verification tips to ensure partnerships drive local results
• Balancing creative activations with bottom-line sales goals

Timestamps
00:00 – Why the Taylor & Travis podcast moment matters for sports marketing
01:33 – Lesson 1: The power of cross-audience partnerships
05:55 – How to bundle game tickets with partner offers for bigger impact
06:21 – Lesson 2: Showing your players’ human side
08:44 – Player-chef cook-off activation idea
10:57 – Lesson 3: Give fans something they’ll talk about
13:16 – Recap: Turning buzz into ticket sales

Call to Action
Ready to brainstorm your own collaboration ideas? Visit sportsmarketingmachine.com to schedule a call and map out how these tactics can fit into your ticket sales funnel.

Love the podcast? Take a moment to rate or review the podcast on your favorite platform. 

Quote Pulls / Social Teasers

• “Don’t just partner with brands your fans already love—find ones with a compatible but different audience.”
• “Your players’ content is gold. Show their personality, not just their athletic skill.”
• “Sometimes the quirky, unexpected ideas create better engagement than polished videos.”

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Nick Richardson, VP of Ticket Sales & Service at the Texas Rangers, joins the show to break down how one of MLB’s premier organizations is evolving ticket plans to match fan behavior, preferences, and expectations. From mini packs and flex plans to AI-driven outreach and unforgettable fan experiences, Nick shares powerful, tactical insights on customer service, digital transformation, and building a culture that wins fans—not just renewals.

This episode is a must-listen for marketing directors, sales leaders, and team execs looking to boost retention and modernize their ticketing approach.

Key Topics Covered:

• How the Rangers structure and position modern ticket plans (10-game, flex, theme-night bundles, and more)
• Why subscription models didn’t work in Texas (but might in your market)
• How to use promotional items and exclusive perks to drive ticket sales and renewals
• Strategies for retaining flex plan buyers who don’t schedule in advance
• The power of fan surveys—and how to turn feedback into action
• How to train reps for service-first selling (and why one rep’s 90%+ renewal rate proves it works)
• A behind-the-scenes story of a $70 gesture that created lifelong fandom
• Where AI fits into the sales funnel—and where it absolutely doesn't

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Nick Richardson
• 01:00 – Evolution of ticket plans: from full season to flex
• 04:30 – Why theme-night mini packs are a hit
• 07:00 – Subscription models: what works (and doesn’t)
• 08:45 – Value perception: experience > discount
• 11:00 – Digital ticketing: overcoming resistance
• 13:00 – Turning survey feedback into real changes
• 17:30 – Building a service-first culture
• 22:30 – Creating magical fan moments (on a budget)
• 31:00 – How the Rangers measure customer service
• 38:00 – Where AI helps (and where it can't replace humans)

Call to Action:

Looking to revamp your ticketing strategy? Take a page from the Rangers playbook—prioritize flexibility, experiences, and service. And don’t underestimate the power of small, surprising moments.

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Is your ad traffic up but ticket sales down? In this episode, Jeremy Neisser dives into the most overlooked reason sports teams struggle to convert traffic into revenue: misaligned messaging and retargeting. 

He outlines a smarter, segmented funnel approach that turns casual ad viewers into committed buyers. Learn how to optimize each stage of your ad strategy—from TOFU to BOFU—and stop wasting budget on clicks that don’t convert.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why more traffic isn’t always better (and can even hurt your results)
• The hidden danger of relying solely on ROAS
• How to fix message and audience misalignment
• Building segmented funnels: TOFU, MOFU, BOFU explained
• Matching ad creative to the fan’s buying journey
• Recognizing and preventing ad fatigue
• Leveraging video views, cart activity, and timing for retargeting
• Creative that converts: proof over promotion

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Understanding the Conversion Problem
• 04:11 – Rebuilding the Retargeting Funnel
• 09:00 – Creating Effective Ad Creative
• 11:27 – Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Call to Action:
📥 Grab the free audience segmentation download at sportsmarketingmachine.com/125
📞 Want a free single-game ticket sales audit? Schedule a call directly with Jeremy.

Quote Pulls / Social Teasers:

• "Eyeballs don’t equal buyers."
• "More traffic isn’t always better—especially if it’s the wrong traffic."
• "A good ROAS can hide weak performance."

Keywords:
sports marketing, ad conversion, retargeting, ticket sales, audience targeting, ad creative, marketing strategy, conversion optimization, sports teams, advertising effectiveness, ticket marketing

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In this episode, Jeremy Neisser sits down with two seasoned college athletics marketers: Scott Peace (Senior Associate AD for Revenue Generation at UNI) and Kelly Wilga (Assistant AD for Marketing at Sacramento State). Together, they dive into what it takes to successfully plan and execute a football marketing campaign.

From budget discussions and scheduling promotions to engaging students and running creative, on-brand theme nights, this episode is packed with actionable insights. They explore how even teams with limited resources can deliver unforgettable fan experiences and improve attendance through collaboration, strategy, and bold creativity.

Takeaways

• Start football marketing planning early — often as early as March.
• Prioritize student engagement, especially for early-season games.
• Build partnerships across campus to extend your budget and reach.
• Theme nights and experiential promotions (like hot tubs or tattoo artists) can dramatically boost attendance.
• Always evaluate the ROI of long-standing marketing traditions — and be willing to scrap or evolve them.
• Focus on controllable factors of fan experience from “driveway to driveway.”
• Giveaways still work, especially when they're creative and unique.
• Use athletics as a platform to highlight broader university initiatives.
• Even with a tight budget, you can get creative and make a big impact.
• Don’t accept the limitations of a small team — lean on relationships, data, and smart execution.

Memorable Quotes

💬 "You can never have enough money to get your messaging out."
 💬 "Flooding the zone with digital retargeting is essential."
 💬 "We're not going to settle for the norm anymore."
 💬 "Delivering a memorable fan experience should be your #1 priority."
 💬 "Think creatively. That isn’t always expensive."

 Chapters

00:00 – Kickoff: Importance of Football Marketing
 02:52 – Budgeting and Scheduling
 05:49 – Student Engagement Strategies
 08:39 – Enhancing Game Day Experience
 11:51 – Creative Promotions & Brand Alignment
 14:42 – Innovation & Risk-Taking
 22:26 – Balancing Fun with University Identity
 25:35 – The Rise of Theme Nights
 32:03 – Lessons Learned and Venue Improvements
 38:25 – Fan Experience as the Ultimate Driver
 43:42 – Advice for Small Teams with Tight Budgets

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What do Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, and Grateful Dead have in common? They each helped sports teams sell out stadiums.

In this special episode, Jeremy Neisser welcomes Denise Sicheneder from Spinzo to break down the Top 10 highest-performing theme nights of the past year — from licensing and community engagement to surprise breakout hits.

We unpack:

• How teams use nostalgia, cultural relevance, and smart strategy to build packed promotions
• Why some nights succeed wildly while others fall flat
• How to build long-term momentum with fan groups, community partners, and themed mini plans

Whether you work in college athletics, minor league sports, or pro teams — this episode is full of practical, repeatable insights you can use today.

Top Takeaways:

• Theme nights = more than ticket deals — they’re emotional marketing engines
• Community champions are your secret weapon to grow niche nights
• Licensing matters — do it right with Hello Kitty, Batman, Star Wars, and more
• Go all in — concerts, costumes, contests, concourse activations = full takeover
• Nostalgia sells — fans love reliving what they grew up with
• Don’t ignore merchandise — hats, jerseys, and collectibles drive urgency
• Short promos can work — if you go heavy on email, SMS, and retargeting
• Mini-plans are evolving — think dog ticket plans, comic bundles, and repeat-night strategies

Featured Theme Nights:

1. Grateful Dead Night – 6,844 tickets
2. Star Wars Night – 4,112 tickets
3. Hello Kitty Night – 2,444 tickets
4. First Responders Night – 2,932 tickets
5. Bark at the Park – 1,670 tickets
6. Batman Night – 955 tickets
7. Margaritaville Night – 770 tickets
8. Filipino Heritage Night – 539 tickets
9. Dia de los Muertos – 432 tickets
10. Harry Potter Night – 323 tickets

Chapters & Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Intro: Why Theme Nights Still Work
• 02:58 — #10 Harry Potter Night: Fast, Focused, Effective
• 05:58 — #9–8 Cultural Nights: Dia de los Muertos & Filipino Heritage
• 08:50 — The Power of Local Partnerships & Authenticity
• 12:04 — #7 Margaritaville: Music, Merch & Massive Sales
• 15:03 — #6 Batman Night: Licensing + Fandom = Revenue
• 17:49 — #5 Bark at the Park: Dogs Sell Tickets
• 20:25 — Expanding Bark into Mini Plans & Membership
• 22:06 — #4 First Responders: Honoring & Engaging Heroes
• 26:18 — #3 Hello Kitty: Surging Demand, Big Smiles
• 29:43 — #2 Star Wars Night: Timeless. Scalable. Profitable.
• 31:48 — #1 Grateful Dead Night: Cult Fans, Sold-Out Stadiums
• 33:07 — Final Takeaways: Build Better Nights with Community

Links & Resources:

•  Spinzo Pulse Interview Series - includes the top 10 article and Margaritaville and Bark in the Park interviews
•  TicketPlaybook.com: Theme Night Articles
• Contact Denise at Spinzo to explore theme night tools - denise.sicheneder@spinzo.com 

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In this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, host Jeremy Neisser reveals nine powerful ways sports marketers can use ChatGPT to boost efficiency, save time, and most importantly — sell more tickets. From crafting better emails and social posts, to analyzing Meta Ads data and fan surveys, to writing scripts and FAQs in seconds — ChatGPT can act like your own virtual marketing assistant.

Each tip is practical, easy to implement, and designed for busy marketing directors looking to stretch their resources and drive real results. Plus, Jeremy includes links to companion YouTube videos so you can see these prompts in action.

💡 Key Takeaways

• 🧠 Always give ChatGPT context by assigning it a role — like your team’s marketing director.
• ✉️ Generate high-converting subject lines that boost email open rates.
• 📝 Enhance email copy, social posts, and even social captions with tone-appropriate writing.
• 📊 Analyze Meta Ads performance and surface trends you might have missed.
• ❓ Create detailed FAQ sections to reduce customer service questions and increase conversions.
• 🖥️ Improve ticketing and group sales pages to drive more clicks and revenue.
• 🗣️ Summarize fan surveys and reviews to uncover common themes and new opportunities.
• 🎙️ Write scripts for video, radio, or PA announcements faster — with better clarity and tone.
• 🌐 Translate and localize your campaigns for multilingual fans to boost reach and inclusion.

🎯 Sound Bites

"Make your work more efficient and your marketing more effective."
 "Give ChatGPT a role, and it works like a teammate."
 "Analyze fan feedback in seconds — and act on it."
 "Scripts, emails, FAQs — ChatGPT can handle it all."

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Intro: 9 ChatGPT Tips to Sell More Tickets
00:37 – Tip #1: Give ChatGPT Context for Better Results
02:32 – Tip #2: Write Catchy Email Subject Lines
03:13 – Tip #3: Improve Email and Social Media Copy
05:24 – Tip #4: Analyze Your Meta Ads Data
07:10 – Tip #5: Create Detailed Promotion FAQs
09:47 – Tip #6: Optimize Website Copy for Ticket Sales
11:52 – Tip #7: Summarize Fan Surveys & Reviews
13:58 – Tip #8: Write Promotional Scripts in Seconds
16:44 – Tip #9: Translate & Localize Marketing Campaigns

YouTube Tutorial Videos:

• Tip #1: Give ChatGPT Context for Better Results
• Tip #2: Write Catchy Email Subject Lines
• Tip #3: Improve Email and Social Media Copy
• Tip #4: Analyze Your Meta Ads Data
• Tip #5: Create Detailed Promotion FAQs
• Tip #6: Optimize Website Copy for Ticket Sales
• Tip #7: Summarize Fan Surveys & Reviews
• Tip #8: Write Promotional Scripts in Seconds
• Tip #9: Translate & Localize Marketing Campaigns

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