I think our marketing program could use a real boost too!.
I notice how you see signs for USAirways at the Carolina Panthers Football games..this reaches pretty much the same group of Stadium Dwellers 8 sundays out of 52.
I'm sure USAirways does alike things in the other markets where we have a dominant presence too...but again due to people being in attendence being pretty much the same folks week after week because of being Season Ticket Holders...is the cost of this advertising really reaching out and inviting New Customers?
Many have been critical of USAir's past delving into NASCAR sponsorship..basically this was just an inherited issue from the days of Piedmont...but it did in fact keep the name out there for people to see over 32 weekends a year.
NASCAR wieher or not you like it..or hate it? is the largest and fastest growing Sports Market there is. Attendance range from 60,000 to almost 200,000 at every event...and you are not subjected to the same viewership at almost every event like a football or basketball games tends to do.
NASCAR reaches across the entire market that USAirways serves..the days of the fans being Toothless , Beer Guzzling Rednecks are over!! Maybe a re-think of our marketing could reach out to more people..and more locations by returning to a Race Team Sponsorship...or at least an associate sponsorship?
A NASCAR team to be competative , needs about 15 Million annually to function...this of course is a business deduction that can be benefitted from too. I'm not implying that U would have to foot the bill for the entire amount to do this...but something needs to be done to draw attention to us..beyond the barrage of bad news and lay-offs be written in every news paper where we fly.
For those that do not see the reach that NASCASR afilliation gives you..Consider that tracks are located in both Northern California..Southern California..Phoenix , Chicago , Kansas City , Los Vegas , Detroit area Dallas/Ft.Worth...and the entire length of the eastern seaboard.
Being aligned with a sport that is very agressive in self-promoting could not do us any degree of harm...and could reap benefits beyond calculation , if handled properly?
NASCAR fans are very loyal...sponsors have always benefited from the association with racing...if we can't afford to sponsor a team..we should at least look into advertising our presence in these markets better...Would a special Race Package Fly-away promotion hurt?