Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the University of Michigan spring football game.  It was a great experience to be a part of the fifty-some thousand people that were there to sing "The Victors" and see the new look Wolverines prepare for the upcoming season.  Being that this was only an exhibition, and the crowd totals were only about half of what they will typically be in September, but this did not keep marketers away.  As we were walking in, people were passing out and promoting the movie "Wolverine" which comes out in May.  I thought it was very interesting the way they incorportated the word Wolverine with the U of M Wolverines.  Throughout the game they had a variety of promotional events going on in conjunction with the game.  Each of these promotions had local endorsements and sponsorships.  Some of the promotions they had were kicking a field goal for free books, sponsored by the M Club and having fans text in what plays they want to see next on the field, sponsored by one of the local cell phone companies.

From this experience, I learned two things: a) the Michigan defense has more holes in it then Bernie Madoff's testimony, and b) marketers don't have an off-season.  Even at seemingly meaningless events like Spring Football games rely heavily on sponsorships and promotions in order to provide a desirable product.  

Predictions for the 2009-2010 season: 9-3, 2nd place in the Big Ten, Rose Bowl Victory over UCLA.  Call me ambitious, I call it true fanhood.

God Bless the Maize and Blue