Rachael Minucciani’s Post

I saw a guy wearing a Miami Dolphins beanie in the coffee shop. One brave soul always wears a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt in the gym. The crazy people that wear Carolina Panthers garb … well, never mind. __ These are fascinating, daily lessons on brand loyalty. Seth Godin suggests there are only two things people seek: →  Status  →  Affiliation __ Status is:  Who’s up and who’s down..  ↳  Did my team beat your team? Affiliation is: Dignity. Belonging to a group. ↳  Am I being respected? When people bicker, they are arguing over status or affiliation. →  Whose needs aren’t being met? When we put on our team's colors or logo, we're not just expressing support. We're seeking status and affiliation. We’re seeking validation from our peers. __ SUMMARY: As March Madness begins - The next time you find yourself in a passionate debate over the Sportscenter highlights - Take a moment to reflect on the underlying motivations. Are you asserting your status? Or, maybe you’re seeking validation for your affiliation? __ Ultimately, observing the dynamics of brand loyalty offers fun insights into human behavior. And… the profound connections we forge with the brands we choose to support. Oh - and, before I forget . . . Go Heels! #marketing #branding #GDTBATH

Here's what can happen when you don't know your audience 🤦🏻♂️ If there's one thing to know about New Yorkers, it's that many of us have strong opinions about our sports teams. Our sports teams are often inherited at birth, with us until we die. For better or worse. I am a Mets fan. So, it is often for the worse. For those who are not NY sports fans, this bag has the Yankees logo. Fresh Direct is a NY-based grocery delivery service. They should know their audience better than to send unverified sports paraphernalia. This is a light hearted example without any real consequence. I was annoyed then I got rid of the bag. But we can use this to understand the potential consequences when the stakes are higher. When organizations make similar decisions without fully understanding and considering who the audience is and what their experiences are. Inclusion work does not always have to be complicated but it does have to be intentional. It does have to be thoughtful and does require that we seek to understand others experiences before we take action. and for my Mets fans "Ya Gotta Believe!" #Inclusion #Marketing #Communication

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀? 🚀 Check out these insights from a sports industry legend!🏟️ This week, I had the pleasure of listening to David Brady speak at the Fulshear Regional Chamber FOR Commerce Monthly Meeting hosted by Don McCoy IOM . 💢 David has had roles in every major professional sports organization in Houston. More impressively, he's the iconic 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 Houston Texans 🎙️ What struck me is how David has mastered the art of creating 𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴. It's not just about engagement; it's about forging a deep emotional connection. 🤝 Imagine having your brand evoke the same passion fans feel for their favorite team. That's the power of creating raving fans! David shared invaluable insights on how 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙮. His experience is a goldmine for any organization looking to go beyond customer satisfaction. Curious about transforming your customers into raving fans? Let’s discuss! 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹?

Here at BLACKLABEL, we believe that true success lies not only in business achievements but also in making a positive impact on the communities we serve. In addition to our effective products, our journey to success has been fueled by two key factors: athlete sponsorship and community engagement. Here's how we use these factors to fuel our business and build a brand dedicated to optimizing customer performance. Athlete Sponsorship: We have strategically partnered with exceptional athletes who embody our brand values and resonate with our target audience. By aligning ourselves with these remarkable individuals, we have been able to leverage their influence and reach to amplify our brand message. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence inspire us and our customers alike. Community Engagement: We firmly believe that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities that support them. Through various community engagement initiatives, we have built strong relationships and fostered a sense of belonging within our communities. By combining athlete sponsorship and community engagement, we fuel our business and build a brand dedicated to optimizing customer performance while making a difference.

🤩 This is the partnership that brands & public figures dream about! Finding the right public figure that perfectly matches your brand can be a tricky feat. Angel Reese, a bright rookie star on the Chicago Sky WNBA Chicago Sky, had already (aptly) been calling her fans "Reese's Pieces," when after a few social post exchanges between herself and the The Hershey Company's Reese's brand, an exemplary partnership became established. It revolves around merch cross promoting Angel & her WNBA career with the chocolate brand, though Melissa Blette of Reese's brand has reported thousands of social posts, and higher-than-average engagement for the brand coming out of this deal. As a marketer, I'm always working to make partnerships as authentic as possible; this one is the perfect example of an authentic symbiotic relationship. Blette even shared how Angel also exudes the brand's values because she is "so unapologetically herself, and that’s very much representative of the Reese’s brand." Even though I'm not much of a sports fan, I'll remember Angel Reese because of this partnership story, and may actually follow along when she's brought up by WNBA watchers. 🏀 ...and I'd totally try any Angel Reese's candy that could potentially be created 😍 💡 Do you have any marketing partnership tricks/tips/advice when it comes to finding the right public figure or creator? Article by Alyssa Meyers for Marketing Brew https://lnkd.in/g6_G7XcS

3 Reasons Why Athletes Struggle to Secure Sponsors! 1. Arrogance: You believe that brands should come to you instead of actively seeking out partnerships. Proactive outreach is key otherwise, you may miss out on valuable opportunities. 2. Lack of athlete branding: A strong personal athlete brand is essential for attracting sponsors. Start investing in the shaping of your image. 3. Neglect of social media: Social media is one of the strongest tools to connect with fans and showcase your worth to potential sponsors. You see, securing sponsorships is about much more than athletic talent, many different factors influence which brands will or will not support an athlete at the end of the day. 👆🏾 What other key factors do you consider crucial in attracting sponsors? Share your opinion in the comments below! #AthleteSponsorship #PersonalBranding #SportsMarketing #AmmariDiedrick #OktagonMMA P.S. As we all know, I'm a real food guy, and nothing would suit me better than a food sponsor. That's why I couldn't be happier with my new/old sponsor BURGERHOOD, who joined me as a supporter a few weeks ago for the year 2024! I'm looking forward to another year with BURGERHOOD! 🤝🏾

Now that you’ve met the stable of athletes, and a little bit about them, it’s a good chance to point out that while there is a focus on commercial considerations for athletes, the athletes at Coppel Sports have an audience to help you grow your brand! Whether you’re looking for brand ambassadors, CSR opportunities, or investing in an athlete that will help your brand grow and thrive, there are opportunities across the roster. If any athlete in particular takes your interest, or if you want to have a chat about which athlete’s brand might fit yours, please reach out!

What lays ahead for my business in 2024-2025? 💭 …i was asked this question yesterday during the Buffalo Jewish Federation #MadeInBuffalo event and my answer was simple: building brand ambassador programs for more Buffalo-based businesses. I love sharing about Rec Sweat during my workshops, as an example of a brand that understands the power of ambassadors. These types of programs are GOLD - especially for small businesses with strong local communities like Buffalo. 🤓 Brand ambassador programs drive more awareness, increase engagement and impressions, AND generate a library of valuable and influential content for brands. Not to mention, they open doors for building relationships with key customers. 👏 And MAN, do I geek out about how incredibly impactful programs like this are for brands’ bottom line. What brands do you think do #influencermarketing or ambassador programs well?! I’d love to check them out! 🤗

Do you know what the different types of "non-apologies" are? No? Alright, let's talk about them for this weeks Friday's Featured Creative. 1. Shifting Blame: "I'm sorry if you were offended by what I said." 2. Minimizing the Issue: "I'm sorry you feel that way." 3. Deflecting Responsibility: "I'm sorry you misunderstood me." 4. This Anaheim Ducks Rebrand: "We are sorry you want the original brand back, how about we meet in the middle?" No thank you. The 2006 buyers, The Samueli Family, are fighting to distance themselves from the The Walt Disney Company era ownership of the Mighty Ducks. This recently unveiled change feels like a non-apology from the organization for killing one of the most beloved brands of the league nearly 20 years ago. Sure, VP of Marketing Merit Tully makes a good point that the orange better represents the citrus heritage of Orange County, their home. and yea....the only Stanley Cup they have ever won was in the second era of branding. then maybe...dropping the "Mighty" from the name both reflects the general nomenclature around the team and offers a stronger business platform. Wait did I just negotiate myself into liking this? Aaron Teats Amanda Le Nice work. #professionalism #rebrand #sportsmarketing

My thoughts already quoted in the post!