2016 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES (828) 322-3000 hickorycrawdads.com
ABOUT THE CRAWDADS The Hickory Crawdads are the single A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, and a member of the South Atlantic League. 2016 will mark the 24th year of the Crawdads in Hickory and their 8th as a member of the Rangers organization, rated as one of the top 10 minor league organizations in all of baseball. The 2015 season was an exciting one as the Crawdads won the 2015 South Atlantic League Championship., marking the third time in franchise history (2001, 2004). The Crawdads won 81 games for the sixth time in franchise history, while also boasting some of the top prospects in the SAL. To date, more than 145 former Crawdads have ascended to the Major Leagues! The 2016 season is sure to be just as, if not more, exciting than 2015. The Crawdads have rebranded its team identity, complete with redesigned logos, lettering, numbers, jerseys, and hats. The new look already has fans excited for the 2016 season!
PARTNERSHIP GOALS The Hickory Crawdads are dedicated to providing goals and positive outcomes to all of our partners. We believe that a corporate partnership must: - Generate new business - Increase sales and market shares - Gain name recognition among an influential targeted demographic of consumers - Receive access to Crawdads fans and supporters - Positively influence potential customers to visit your business location or to test your products and services - Demonstrate community support and involvement - Support the growth of Hickory while partnering with an exciting entity - Obtain access to extraordinary hospitality As a corporate partner, the Crawdads will work with you to implement programs that will generate new sales leads, enhance customer loyalty and make your business stand out from the competition, making you look good in your decision to do business with us. Creating awareness and exposure is easy when fully utilizing one of the most unique and exciting sporting venues in Minor League Baseball.
OUTFIELD BILLBOARD - Create a tremendous amount of name recognition in front of a captive audience for an average of 3 hours each game - Your sign is up year-round: a minimum of 70 home games, plus all outside events (company outings, local and national baseball tournaments, etc...) - Not only do our fans see your business during the game, but billboards are often caught in the background of photos used online and in newspapers - Dimensions: 20 x 8
SCOREBOARD SIGNAGE Your Business - Prime location for direct crowd attention for approximately 3 hours during all 70 home games - Back-lit sign attached to scoreboard to enhance visibility at night - Dimensions: 10 x 8
PRESS BOX SIGNAGE - Strategically placed to be the first thing fans see as they enter the ballpark - Location is a hub of activity during all Crawdads home games - Dimensions: 8 x 2.5
CONCOURSE SIGNAGE Crawdads in the Majors Board - Located on upper concourse on first base side - Dimensions: 8 x 2.5 Crawdads Hall of Fame Board - Located near main gate SAL Hall of Fame Board - Located on upper concourse on third base side - Dimensions: 8 x 2.5
EXIT SIGNAGE Ticket Office Sign Exit Sign - Fans will see the sign as they - Sign is in direct field of vision enter and exit the ballpark as fans leave the ballpark - Dimensions: 7.8 x 2.8 - Dimensions: 8 x 2.5
CONCESSIONS SIGNAGE Your Business Your Business Menu Boards Full Panel: 16 x 22 Half Panel: 16 x 11 Concessions Signage - Located next to 3rd base concessions stand, a heavy-traffic area - Dimensions: 5.75 x 4.6 - Full, half, and quarter panel options available Your Business
FREE STANDING SIGNS - Free standing tower is located on the concourse during games as well as outside the main gate as fans leave the stadium - Your name/logo will appear on all 3 panels
PICNIC AREAS PICNIC DECK - Official sponsor of picnic deck - 12 x 2 banner across the main entrance - Up to 10 x 10 banner on the roof of the deck, visible to the concourse and stands - Option to include additional signage around the deck if it is provided - Option to distribute coupons to groups in picnic areas -Option to provide food for picnics PICNIC PAVILION - Official sponsor of picnic pavilion - Banner across the main entrance - Banner across the front rail of the pavilion, visible to the concourse and stands - Additional signage around the pavilion: stairs, rails, directional signage - Option to distribute coupons to groups in picnic areas - Option to provide food for picnics Crawdads promotion of deck and pavilion: -Website promotion, mentions over public address and radio broadcast, promotion in releases and newsletters, your business name is also included in general promotion of picnics at the ballpark
TABLE DISPLAYS - Generate leads and distribute information to your target audience while you interact and build relationships with our fans - Choose any Crawdads home game (based on availability) - Info table set up in high-traffic location on concourse
PROGRAM AD NORTHERN DIVISION Delmarva Shorebirds Baltimore Orioles Greensboro Grasshoppers Miami Marlins Hagerstown Suns Washington Nationals Hickory Crawdads Texas Rangers Kannapolis Intimidators Chicago White Sox Lakewood BlueClaws Philadelphia Phillies West Virginia Power Pittsburgh Pirates southern division Asheville Tourists Colorado Rockies Augusta GreenJackets San Francisco Giants Charleston RiverDogs New York Yankees Greenville Drive Boston Red Sox Lexington Legends Kansas City Royals Rome Braves Atlanta Braves Savannah Sand Gnats New York Mets - Full, half, quarter, or eighth page ad in color souvenir program Dimensions: Full: 5.5 x 8.5 Half: 5.5 x 4.15 Quarter: 2.65 x 4.15 Eighth: 2.65 x 2 Your Business Spring After Market Sale MAY 1-3 North Carolina s Most Trusted Furniture & Design Resource for Over 50 Years 2220 Hwy 70 SE (I-40, exit 126), Hickory, NC Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm www.hickoryfurniture.com 1-800-462-MART (6278) Championship Chase: A 5 Win Journey By Aaron Cox The 2015 Hickory Crawdads are headed to the South Atlantic League playoffs for the first time since 2011. By winning the first half Northern Division title with a league-best record of 44-24, the Dads accomplished something that none of the last three years talented squads could. Since their inaugural season in 1993, the Crawdads have appeared in the playoffs five times while claiming a pair SAL Championships in 2002 & 2004. The Dads have enjoyed plenty of success since their last postseason birth, but the playoffs have proven elusive. It s not easy to get to the playoffs, much less win, said Crawdads third year manager Corey Ragsdale. In 9 years (of my playing career) I made the playoffs two times. Ragsdale is in a unique position to reflect on the history of the Hickory franchise. The All-Star skipper is now in his 5th season as a member of the Crawdads in some fashion, including playing as a relief pitcher in 2009, beginning his coaching career as an infield coach in 2011, and now as the club s manager since 2013. It s different as a player and as a coach, said Ragsdale. As a player you tend to get wrapped up in it all a little bit. You live in the moment and a lot of times you don t see the big picture. As a coach you need to step back and see the big picture. Part of that big picture is determining how to maximize the team s potential and hopefully have them playing their best baseball when it counts the most. An endless number of factors combine to shape a team s fortune over the course of 140 games, and when the dust settles it s not always the squad with the most high profile prospects that earns a shot at a title. Is this the most talented team we ve had here in 3 years? Probably not, admitted Ragsdale, This group is probably the best team we ve had. They come together and they talk a lot of trash to each other, they care about each other, they play hard for each other, they hold each other accountable. They want to be good and they want to help make each other better. When you get guys feeding off each other like that, I think as a manager, as a coach, it makes your life so much easier. It s a lot of fun to watch and be a part of everyday. - Distributed to all fans free of charge as they enter the gates - Opportunity to change your messaging 4 times throughout the season - Drive traffic to your location with directions and attractions - 30,000 programs distributed each season
SCHEDULE SPONSOR Your Business Pocket Schedule - Pocket schedules are the #1 way our fans know when we re home and this is your chance to get your business on them! - 300,000 pocket schedules are printed and distributed throughout the community and surrounding counties Poster Schedule Magnet Schedule Schedule Pens Your Business Your Business - 5,000 posters are given away during a select game in the 2016 season - 5,000 magnets are given away during a select game in the 2016 season - One of our most unique partnership options - Full panel, color ad on the back of 1,000 pull-out schedule pens - Pens are distributed at no charge to citizens of the Unifour at community events, ballpark events, local businesses, etc...
ON-FIELD PROMOTIONS - Your business is attached to an in-game, on-field contest for 75, 35, or 20 games - Opportunity to award prizes to participants - During contest, receive mentions on the public address along with your logo on the video board - There s nothing more memorable than interactive entertainment
THEME NIGHTS Showcase a traveling entertainment act Present a celebrity appearance Attach your brand to a significant market Crawdads promotion of theme nights: - Website, social media, pocket schedules, newspaper ads, in-stadium promotions, Crawdads e-newsletters, live mentions on radio, etc...
FIREWORKS SPONSOR - Present one of ten spectacular fireworks shows - These are our top-attended games, boasting sell-out crowds - Your fireworks night will be mentioned in all promotional materials: pocket schedules, newspaper ads, in-stadium promotional flyers, live mentions on radio, in-game promotion, Crawdads e-newsletters, hickorycrawdads.com - Option to have table on concourse ($500 value)
GIVEAWAY ITEMS - Branded giveaway item distributed to the first 1,000 fans on your night - Opportunity for a concourse display on giveaway night ($500 value) - Promotion of giveaway nights include: website, social media, pocket schedules, newspaper ads, in-stadium promotions, Crawdads e-newsletters, live mentions on radio, etc...
GAME BROADCASTS SPECIALTY PACKAGES 60-SEC SPOT 30-SEC SPOT Sponsor a broadcast specialty (pitching change, play of the game, interactive contests, etc...) Minimum of one 60-second spot during each of the 140 home and away games Minimum of one 30-second spot during each of the 140 home and away games Broadcast Information - The Crawdads broadcast at least 140 home and away games each season - Your name will be heard by thousands of potential clients - All production is included in your package with the ability to update copy as needed - With only a handful of off-days, your business is on the air just about every night during the six-month season, providing consistent exposure for your brand
WEBSITE ADS Banner Ad - Secondary Page Carousel Ad - Homepage Your Business - Ads are up on the website throughout the season - Ads are clickable to direct fans to your business s website - There were more than 344,000 visits to the Crawdads website in 2015.