2019 Partnership Opportunities

Transcription

1 2019 Partnership Opportunities

2 Put your mark on the Glendale Raptors Whatever your objectives, whether it be brand recognition, onsite activations or just tapping the vibrant rugby audience with it s prized demographics, Glendale Raptors Rugby has a program for you! We pride ourselves on creating custom sponsorship packages that meet your company s objectives along with delivering fulfillment in a way no other rugby team in America can. Our depth of experience and facility amenities provide opportunities for brands looking to get in on the fastest growing team sport in the United States. The following information will guide you through the Glendale Raptors story, demographics, the inaugural 2018 Major League Rugby season and more. The final page will provide you with information regarding sponsorship package options which can be customizable to fit your initiatives. Please call me once you have had a chance to review the following information so we can get started on a marketing and sponsor strategy that fits your objectives. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you. Contact Diana Anderson Director of Marketing & Sponsorship Glendale Raptors Rugby diana@glendalerugby.com

3 Table of Contents 4 Rugby A rich history; a bright future 5 Demographics: The rugby fan in the USA 6 Television Markets: Major League Rugby 7 Glendale Raptors Who we are 8 Demographics: Glendale Raptors Fans the numbers 10 Infinity Park RugbyTown USA Where we play 11 Partnership the opportunities 12 Glendale Raptors Rugby Program Opportunities: Raptors in the Community 13 Glendale Raptors Rugby Program Opportunities: Glendale Youth Rugby 14 Glendale Raptors Rugby Program Opportunities: FanZone

4 RUGBY A rich history; a bright future That s when it all began. An inventive and unconventional William Webb Ellis picked up the football during a game in the town of Rugby, England, and the sport of rugby was born. In the nearly 150 years since, the game has spread across the globe, with international play dominating Europe, Asia, and Oceania. In modernity, rugby is the second most popular sport on the planet, the rugby World Cup one of the most watched television events annually. Millions upon millions play and watch rugby globally, and the game s focus on safety, respect, camaraderie, and inclusion has made it the fastest growing team sport in the world. Today, the future is bright for American rugby. Major League Rugby (MLR), the nation s first commercially successful professional league, kicked off its inaugural season in With seven founding member teams and a 31-match season, MLR was a boon to diehard fans and an introduction to future rugby lovers young and old across the United States and abroad. The Glendale Raptors are proud to be a part of the rugby movement in the United States, a linchpin in the robust and growing professional rugby movement. Rugby's domestic growth and wide-reaching global fan base combine to create a unique environment for a professional league in the American market. Uniquely American, the U.S. rugby story is told by the sport s grassroots spread across the nation, being championed along the way by thousands of local men s, women s, and youth clubs from sea to shining sea. Major League Rugby builds on the U.S. rugby story by uniting these fans under a common banner as the sport enters the American mainstream. Major League Rugby has reinvigorated the already potent American rugby development pathway, providing players and coaches an aspirational crown jewel for which to strive. Growing the game of rugby is at the core of the MLR model, and that intent will only continue to pay dividends. Creating local destinations where families, friends, and fans can celebrate the highest level of the game has created stadia that don t simply home sporting events, but community gathering points. Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. - NELSON MANDELA By connecting the national to the local, MLR invites America to join the unique, vibrant rugby family. Featuring current internationals, provincial all-stars from top rugby nations, and professionals from around the world, Major League Rugby joins the best domestic players in a professional competition that showcases the best that American rugby has to offer.

5 DEMOGRAPHICS: The Rugby Fan in the USA 2018 featured seven Major League Rugby teams that played 31 regular season matches in an abbreviated Inaugural Season that ran April June features 9 teams and 16 league matches between January June. 22 million millennials* in the US identify as rugby fans, more than any other age group Americans ages x more likely to be interested in rugby than those over 45 Global & Educated Played or exposed in college Played adult club rugby Rugby nation expatriate Multi-Cultural Gender Balanced - 50% male - 50% female Niche Sports Fan - Cross over fans Soccer, Hockey, Golf, Formula 1 MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY: 9,000 + single game high attendance 500,000 total viewers domestic and international Nearly 200,000 social media followers Rugby is now the second most popular sport in the world 7.3 million play the game internationally 1.4 million play domestically* 2,500 amateur clubs in the US 40 million rugby supporters in the US Coveted Demographics: Millennials, Affluent, Families 55% (22 million) Millennial 67% (27 million) have kids under 18 64% are college educated 29% have Household Income over $100k Gender Balanced Demographic: 50% male - 50% female** Rugby Fans are: 97% more likely than the general public to be trend setters 22% more brand loyal than the general public 72% more likely than the general public to purchase a partner company s products and/or services Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from: Nielsen Report: USA Rugby Research Insights, November 2016 *Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Rugby - Single Sport Participation Report, 2016 **SMG YouGov Insight; USA Rugby Global Fan Base of Rugby Union, 2016 *Source:

6 2019 TELEVISION MARKETS: Major League Rugby Austin, TX DMA Rank ,210 TV Homes Denver, CO DMA Rank 17 1,630,380 TV Homes Houston, TX DMA Rank 8 2,450,800 TV Homes New Orleans, LA DMA Rank ,620 TV Homes Toronto, ON DMA Rank 1 (Canada) New York, NY DMA Rank 1 7,348,620 TV Homes San Diego, CA DMA Rank 28 1,065,700 TV Homes Seattle-Tacoma, WA DMA Rank 14 1,808,530 TV Homes Salt Lake City, UT DMA Rank ,960 TV Homes 2019 League-wide average viewership: 100% of matches televised broadcast in season two 72 matches between January June 2019 CBS SportsNet Game of the Week produced by Major League Rugby 9News / My 20 all Raptors home matches broadcast live + streaming online ESPN+ streaming Facebook Live (international) Source:

7 GLENDALE RAPTORS Who we are The Glendale Raptors Rugby Football Club has been one of the nation s flagship rugby organizations, both on and off the field, for over a decade. Utilizing an existing foundation of excellence on and off the field, in 2018 the Raptors joined the nation s professional rugby league, Major League Rugby. The Glendale Raptors are more than just a club the Raptors are the embodiment of the Rugby Family; an inspirational, characterdriven model of sport and athleticism, teamwork and diversity, participation and community. From their home at Infinity Park, the Raptors provide a focal point for fans, aspiration for young players, and opportunities for businesses to engage with the sport. Accolades: 2018 Finalist Major League Rugby Championship 2016 Pacific Rugby Premiership Champions 2015 Pacific Rugby Premiership Champions 2014 Pacific Rugby Premiership Runners Up 2012 Division I USA Rugby National Runners Up 2011 This is American Rugby Club of the Year 2011 Division I USA Rugby National Champions 2008 Division I USA Rugby National Runners Up

8 DEMOGRAPHICS: Glendale Raptors Rugby Fans The rugby fan base increased by 14% from while every other sport was stagnant or declined From it s inception in 2007, the Glendale Raptors Rugby Football Club has earned the hearts of rugby fans across the United States, while setting the bar for club rugby teams across the nation. It s fans are loyal, passionate and dedicated followers of the team. Participating in multiple competitions over the years, including USA Rugby Division 1, the Pacific Rugby Premiership, Major Rugby Championship and now, the echelon of rugby in the US, Major League Rugby. Multi-Cultural Webcast: fans from over 80 different countries 32% of Twitter followers are from outside the US 42% of Facebook followers are from outside the US 13% of website traffic is from outside the US Population demographics of Glendale: Two or more races: 4% Asian: 6% Black or African American: 7% Other: 12% Hispanic or Latino: 32% White: 68% High Income Earners 31% of fans HH Income $75k+ 9% of fans HH Income $125k+ Gender 71% male 29% female Highly Coveted Age-Groups #1 - Gen X (ages 35-54) #2 - Millennials (ages 25-34) Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from: Nielsen Report: USA Rugby Research Insights, November 2016 Source: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter insights; Google Analytics

9 2018: The Numbers GLENDALE RAPTORS RUGBY: 11,069 total attendance; 2,214 average attendance; 84% increase over ,000 Glendale specific viewership of matches 48,000 OTT or social Glendale specific viewership of matches 18,000 YouTube Views* 25,115 social media followers* (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) 4.2 million social media impressions 121,830 unique website visitors annually* 16,451 followers 4,788 followers 4,487 followers *as of : The Projections 20,000+ project match attendance 50% increase in overall Glendale specific viewership of matches TV, OTT 75,000+ social media followers and YouTube views 2018 MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY: Nearly 75,000 tickets sold league wide 518,000 league wide total viewership of matches 3,500 Facebook Live Average Households per match (international) 192,000 YouTube Views* 186,019 social media followers* (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram)

10 INFINITY PARK RUGBYTOWN USA Where we play Glendale s Infinity Park is a stronghold for rugby in the United States. Promoting local engagement and participation, the Raptors club builds on its established support and encourages Glendale, as well as the broader American audience, to experience the unique and vibrant rugby community. Sponsorship at Infinity Park is an exceptional opportunity to reach the existing and robust rugby fan base, as well as the legions of future fans that make rugby the fastest growing team sport in the U.S. As the epicenter of American rugby since 2007, Infinity Park is uniquely positioned to provide sponsors with a depth of experience in delivering customized sponsor fulfillment that rivals other professional sports in the US. Infinity Park: The first rugby-specific stadium built in the US State-of-the-art HD LED Digital Jumbo Screen and advertising boards A dedicated FanZone in the stadium prior to each match An experienced team of rugby professionals

11 PARTNERSHIP: The Opportunities Let s Start With Customizing Your Brand Sponsorship Brand sponsorship is a marketing strategy in which a brand is supporting an event, activity or in our case, a professional rugby team. In today s aggressive business climate, sponsorship allows companies of all sizes to partner with other organizations in order to generate a relationship that aims to economically gratify both parties. What are the benefits of brand sponsorship? Increased brand loyalty / premium prices: this is true, especially for sport sponsorship. In fact, it is statistically proven that fans of a particular team are more willing to buy from the sponsors than from its competitors. This leads to brand loyalty, which leads itself to customers being less sensitive to premium prices. Increase brand awareness / visibility: whether a new brand or a well-established company, sponsorship is an activity that can help you gain awareness or increase your visibility addressing a broader target. Increase your sales / acquire customers: the ultimate goal for every business. Getting to the top of the mind of new or existing customers not only increase awareness but can also directly drives sales. Gain publicity: businesses of all types and sizes have the ability to sponsor a professional sports club with the media further promoting your business across the air waves. Furthermore, people will share the news on social networks gaining additional exposure, for free. Some of the benefits of putting your mark on the Glendale Raptors professional rugby team include ownership of exclusive categories naming rights media and digital advertising cross promotional opportunities on-site activation community events and outreach social media exposure collateral inclusion media relationships website exposure customized partner activations Media packages start at $3,500 Advertising packages start at $5,000 Sponsor packages start at $25,000

12 Program Opportunities Raptors in the Community (glendaleraptors.com/community-events) Exceptional rugby play isn t what sets the Raptors apart from the competition; it s the team s inextinguishable spirit and emboldened sense of community. From the very beginning, the Raptors have been dedicated ambassadors of rugby, intertwining their love of sport with the people of Glendale and beyond. Exclusive Partner Opportunities include: Promotional Activities Glendale Raptors players and staff onsite at local businesses throughout the season Player Activations at sponsor cause-related events Community Engagement Glendale Raptors players and staff participated in community events, visited youth patients at Denver-area hospitals, engaged students in the Denver-metro area through our Rugby In The Schools program, partnered with several youth related organizations to conduct coaching clinics to area clubs for both youth and their adult coaches Digital promotions including e-newsletter, website, social media exposure Media, editorial and press release activations

13 Program Opportunities Glendale Youth Rugby (glendaleyouthrugby.com) Critical to the future of rugby is the participation of community youth, who will comprise the next generation of rugby fans, coaches, and players. Infinity Park s programming has a long history of community investment and involvement, and Glendale Youth Rugby further demonstrates that commitment. Supporting Partner Opportunities include: Glendale Raptors players and staff regularly coach in our Glendale Youth Rugby programs throughout the year (Spring, Try League, Flag, Girl s High School, Fall, Girl s Fall Flag and Winter sessions) Rugby In the Schools teaches youth the game of rugby at recess and in PE classes throughout the year Clinics are offered year-round to area clubs, high schools and youth programs Logo recognition on program materials, t-shirts and jerseys Digital promotions including e-newsletter, website, social media exposure Media, editorial and press release activations

14 Presenting Partner Opportunities Fan Zone (glendaleraptors.com/fan-zone) The game day experience in the Raptors Fan Zone is second to none. Adding to the excitement of 80 minutes of hard-hitting, nonstop, professional rugby action, the Fan Zone is a one-hour pregame fan experience that promises to impress. The Glendale Raptors Fan Zone includes rugby-themed games, food trucks, music, craft breweries, Rugby 101, merchandise sales and the team mascot, Rudi the Raptor. Presenting Partner Opportunities include: Naming Rights Logo recognition on all Fan Zone collateral, signage and graphics Logo recognition as Presenting Partner on FanZone webpage In-stadium jumbo screen advertisements including announcements In-stadium digital advertising board advertisements Onsite activations on all game days Partner specific cross promotions Digital promotions including video, e-newsletter, website, social media exposure Media, editorial and press release activations