Bobbleheads and other give-aways?

[Parkdale]

So I was at the Raps game last night, and they were giving away bobbleheads.
I got a Jose Calderon one, and last year I got a different Jose one and a Bosh one.



*not exactly as pictured.


so here's the question:
Would you like a Toronto FC set of bobble heads?
Would you like to see more giveaways like this from Toronto FC?
(obviously, on the way OUT of the stadium after the game).



My personal take on it.....

We don't need anything like this, but I wouldn't turn it away.
I think hats and toques are more useful, and are better giveaways.






------disclaimer:
This is just a question for the sake of discussion.
I'm trying to kill time until the pub night tonight.

[Afra]

I am not much of a bobblehead fan and I agree with you that the toques and hats are way more useful. The Raptors have an established market - moreso than TFC. Stuff that people are likely to wear while out and about seems like a better way for them to go in order to spread awarness and recognition.

[Parkdale]

Stuff that people are likely to wear while out and about seems like a better way for them to go in order to spread awarness and recognition.

that's a good point. Those Kia/TFC toques were nice,
but they just don't cut it for people with big heads (insert parkdale joke here).

One size fits all is really just a cruel lie.

[BuSaPuNk]

^ Yeah I have to agree. Hats, Tooques, T-shirts is they way to go. They should do a promo for the release of the new jersey. First 100 fans get a free jersey!! Now that i'll be all over!!

[flatpicker]

[Damien]

How about a tshirt with the PICTURE of a bobblehead on it?

The best of both worlds... problem solved. NEXT!!

[jb831]

I got one last night too -- since when is Calderon blonde? lol!

[Parkdale]

I got one last night too -- since when is Calderon blonde? lol!

they never look the same. Last year's didn't even have pointy sideburns, which is kind of his trademark look.

[Hitcho]

Tacky, pointless and worthless. Not a fan of bobbleheads at all.

They could give away key rings I suppose since they have some utility, but I am happy with the ssh scarves we keep getting and the odd toque giveaway. I'd much rather have few giveaways of decent stuff than multiple giveaway of plastic crap. I think the club's got it about right so far.

[Stouffville_RPB]

i like free stuff. they don't need to do it but i wouldn't refuse it.

[Hitcho]

Also, the TFC player turnover has been way too high to make a bobblehead giveaway wrth doing, unless you limit it to core players only. Sutton, Brennan, Marshall, Wynne, Robbo and Dichio are the only obvious candidates.

[SQUIRREL]

I actually like the bobbleheads, I have a bunch of bluejay one's in my sports/entertainment room. It would be awesome to get some TFC one's. Oh but I'll never pay for one, only as a freebee. I do agree with you guys though I'd rather get hats and t-shirts or funny hats stuff like that.

[Afra]

that's a good point. Those Kia/TFC toques were nice,
but they just don't cut it for people with big heads (insert parkdale joke here).

One size fits all is really just a cruel lie.

That Kia toque and the ones they were giving away with the $25 gift certificate thing last Xmas are both small. My 2 year old boy wears them just fine. Mine looks like a swimming cap.

Soccer balls would be a cool hand out - even if they are smaller for office footy.

[BuSaPuNk]

^ Good old office footy!! Love it!

[Parkdale]

unless you limit it to core players only. Sutton, Brennan, Marshall, Wynne, Robbo and Dichio are the only obvious candidates.

last year for the Raps, Garbajosa (sp?) was out like the day after his doll came out.


I think the best Candidates for 'bobble status' are Dichio (obvious), Brennan, Sutton and Wynne.

[Fort York Redcoat]

I'm not a fan of bobbleheads and most other free stuff on offer.

[Nuvinho]

They can do a TFC team poster. But they will probably have to give it out after the game, else we may see half of it on the field.

[Steve]

The only free stuff should be sponsored by another company (like the toques). MLSE doesn't need a gimick to get people to go to the games, and I'd rather they spend their money on other things (stadium upgrades, etc). As I said, clothing that is paid for by another company is perfect, no cost to TFC, but you still get your marketing out there (people wearing it advertise the team). Bobble-heads are entirely useless, have no marketing power, and just cost money. Free is never free (someone pays for it) and if MLSE is going to spend money, I'd rather it be on something useful.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yes, i want more free shit for my shrine

[olegunnar]

I'm not a fan of giveaways pre-game. What are you supposed to do with the stuff? Hold onto it? Not likely since there's a team to support for 90+ minutes. How are you going to do that when you're trying to hold on to swag and that's occupying your hands and attention

I mich prefer post game giveaways whee you actually have a chance to hold and carry what you've been given.

[Parkdale]

MLSE doesn't need a gimick to get people to go to the games, and I'd rather they spend their money on other things (stadium upgrades, etc).

As I said, clothing that is paid for by another company is perfect, no cost to TFC, but you still get your marketing out there (people wearing it advertise the team). Bobble-heads are entirely useless, have no marketing power, and just cost money.

this is where it gets interesting:

MLSE gave away thousands of bobbleheads last night. MLSE clearly has enough cash to spend on their own marketing. I'd rather NOT see kia or some other sponsor on the thing.

now, if they can do it for the Raps, why not us?

[Mark in Ottawa]

if they can do it for the Raps, why not us?

Maybe because the Raps fans aren't known for throwing their free stuff (like seat cushions ) all over the place!

[Steve]

this is where it gets interesting:

MLSE gave away thousands of bobbleheads last night. MLSE clearly has enough cash to spend on their own marketing. I'd rather NOT see kia or some other sponsor on the thing.

now, if they can do it for the Raps, why not us?

Having cash doesn't mean it's a good idea to spend cash. MLSE is a profit based corporation (like... every other corporation). That means they will only spend money if they think they will get more money back.

So, why give away bobble heads at a raptors game? The simple explanation? Because they don't sell out. By giving out little toys at games, people say "hey, I want a bobble head, maybe I'll go to a game (just in case they give them out again)". People see them in their friend's house, ask where they got them, and buy tickets. TFC sells out every game. People already want to come to the games. Why should MLSE spend money to make people want to come to the games more? There are no tickets left to give them. And I don't honestly see many of their current season's ticket holders saying "what? No bobble head? That's it, I'm never coming to a game again!".

[Parkdale]

^ good point. I didn't think of the sell-out angle.

[zeelaw]

Shit like that his so tacky. Why? They get attendance they don't need to influence people to come? People should come for the experience of BMO, not what its giving out that day.

[jb831]

^ good point. I didn't think of the sell-out angle.

Silly Parkdale.

Yep... all the Raptors Bobblehead giveaways this season are for "crappy" games:
- Bobcats
- Bucks
- Timberwolves

[Parkdale]

Yep... all the Raptors Bobblehead giveaways this season are for "crappy" games:
- Bobcats

The bobcats who could very easily have beaten us last night?

[jb831]

The bobcats who could very easily have beaten us last night?

Yes, the Bobcats who are currently 4-10 (0.286), and second last in their division.

The fact they could have beaten us only reflects how poorly we were playing -- it doesn't change the fact they have don't have much attendance-drawing capacity.

So THERE.

[Parkdale]

two posts with the same smiley?

you really need to diversify

[jb831]

^^ Shouldn't you be talking / writing / dreaming about poutine or something?

Oh.. and before I forget: