Sports Marketing Machine Podcast

Send us a textIs your ad traffic up but ticket sales down? In this episode, Jeremy Neisser dives into the most overlooked reason sports teams struggle to convert traffic into revenue: misaligned messaging and retargeting. He outlines a smarter, segmented funnel approach that turns casual ad viewers into committed buyers. Learn how to optimize each stage of your ad strategy—from TOFU to BOFU—and stop wasting budget on clicks that don’t convert.Key Topics Covered:Why more traffic isn’t always better (and can even hurt your results)The hidden danger of relying solely on ROASHow to fix message and audience misalignmentBuilding segmented funnels: TOFU, MOFU, BOFU explainedMatching ad creative to the fan’s buying journeyRecognizing and preventing ad fatigueLeveraging video views, cart activity, and timing for retargetingCreative that converts: proof over promotionTimestamps:00:00 – Understanding the Conversion Problem04:11 – Rebuilding the Retargeting Funnel09:00 – Creating Effective Ad Creative11:27 – Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsCall to Action: 📥 Grab the free audience segmentation download at sportsmarketingmachine.com/125 📞 Want a free single-game ticket sales audit? Schedule a call directly with Jeremy.Quote Pulls / Social Teasers:"Eyeballs don’t equal buyers.""More traffic isn’t always better—especially if it’s the wrong traffic.""A good ROAS can hide weak performance."Keywords: sports marketing, ad conversion, retargeting, ticket sales, audience targeting, ad creative, marketing strategy, conversion optimization, sports teams, advertising effectiveness, ticket marketingSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Send us a textIn this episode, Jeremy Neisser sits down with two seasoned college athletics marketers: Scott Peace (Senior Associate AD for Revenue Generation at UNI) and Kelly Wilga (Assistant AD for Marketing at Sacramento State). Together, they dive into what it takes to successfully plan and execute a football marketing campaign.From budget discussions and scheduling promotions to engaging students and running creative, on-brand theme nights, this episode is packed with actionable insights. They explore how even teams with limited resources can deliver unforgettable fan experiences and improve attendance through collaboration, strategy, and bold creativity.TakeawaysStart football marketing planning early — often as early as March.Prioritize student engagement, especially for early-season games.Build partnerships across campus to extend your budget and reach.Theme nights and experiential promotions (like hot tubs or tattoo artists) can dramatically boost attendance.Always evaluate the ROI of long-standing marketing traditions — and be willing to scrap or evolve them.Focus on controllable factors of fan experience from “driveway to driveway.”Giveaways still work, especially when they're creative and unique.Use athletics as a platform to highlight broader university initiatives.Even with a tight budget, you can get creative and make a big impact.Don’t accept the limitations of a small team — lean on relationships, data, and smart execution.Memorable Quotes💬 "You can never have enough money to get your messaging out." 💬 "Flooding the zone with digital retargeting is essential." 💬 "We're not going to settle for the norm anymore." 💬 "Delivering a memorable fan experience should be your #1 priority." 💬 "Think creatively. That isn’t always expensive." Chapters00:00 – Kickoff: Importance of Football Marketing 02:52 – Budgeting and Scheduling 05:49 – Student Engagement Strategies 08:39 – Enhancing Game Day Experience 11:51 – Creative Promotions & Brand Alignment 14:42 – Innovation & Risk-Taking 22:26 – Balancing Fun with University Identity 25:35 – The Rise of Theme Nights 32:03 – Lessons Learned and Venue Improvements 38:25 – Fan Experience as the Ultimate Driver 43:42 – Advice for Small Teams with Tight BudgetsSports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

In this engaging discussion, Denise Sicheneder from Spinzo, an expert in sports marketing, reveals the magic behind successful theme nights. She shares how nostalgia, cultural relevance, and smart strategies have led teams to sell out stadiums for events like Grateful Dead Night and Hello Kitty Night. Learn why community champions matter in crafting unique experiences and how innovative merchandise can drive ticket sales. Denise emphasizes the importance of collaboration and timing, showcasing fun ideas from dog-friendly mini plans to vibrant themed promotions that resonate with fans.

Discover innovative strategies for harnessing ChatGPT to supercharge ticket sales and marketing efforts. Learn how to craft compelling emails, analyze ad performance, and create engaging social media posts. Get tips on writing clear scripts and FAQ sections to streamline customer queries. Explore ways to translate campaigns for broader audiences and enhance your overall marketing efficiency. This podcast is packed with practical insights that can help marketers maximize their resources and achieve real results!

Discover why consistent video content is now essential for sports marketing success. Short-form videos can effectively warm cold audiences and lower advertising costs. Uncover how retargeting those who watch your videos can dramatically boost ROI. Get real-world examples of using highlight reels and event recaps to bring back past ticket buyers. Most importantly, remember: fans purchase experiences, not just tickets. No need for fancy gear—just start creating! Your ads will really thank you for it.

Discover two innovative tools designed to revolutionize sports marketing. A Dynamic Survey Dashboard captures actionable fan insights, overcoming the limits of traditional surveys. Meanwhile, an all-in-one Sponsorship Management Tool consolidates contracts and performance data, reducing chaos for marketing teams. Say goodbye to generic feedback and endless spreadsheets—it’s time for smarter solutions that enhance engagement and drive ROI!

Join Jonathan Hufnagel, the founder and CEO of Dash, a fan activation platform transforming engagement for over 400 sports teams. He shares the journey of evolving from a digital auction tool to a comprehensive e-commerce solution. Discover how teams can drive revenue with creative promotions like mystery tickets and auctions. Hufnagel emphasizes the importance of data in enhancing fan experiences and urges teams to embrace digital engagement. Real-world success stories amplify the impact of innovative strategies in connecting with fans better than ever.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Sports Marketing Machine Podcast, Jeremy Neisser sits down with Arthur, the CEO of Vibe.co — a self-serve streaming TV ad platform changing how sports teams approach fan acquisition and ticket sales.Arthur pulls back the curtain on why CTV (connected TV) advertising isn’t just for big brands anymore, and how teams with modest budgets can now launch high-impact TV campaigns that are trackable, targeted, and ridiculously easy to set up — no agency required.Whether you're trying to sell more tickets, build brand awareness, or just find a new way to get in front of fans, this episode shows how streaming TV can (finally) be part of your playbook.✅ Top Takeaways:TV Ads Are Now Self-Serve: No contracts, no reps — just launch like you would a Meta ad.Start with Warm Audiences: Use Vibe’s pixel or upload your CRM list for retargeting.TV That Performs: Streaming campaigns have shown better ROAS than Meta or Snapchat in many cases.Minimum Budget to Start: 3x your average order value per day, for at least 2 weeks.Keep Your Creative Sharp: 30-second ads work best — and sound matters more than you think.Skip the Freebies: Every impression is trackable, and every dollar can be measured.🗣️ Sound Bites:“Your local TV rep won’t give you conversion data. Vibe will.”“If your mom couldn’t launch a campaign on it, we didn’t build it right.”“Streaming TV retargeting might be the best silver bullet in marketing right now.”“It’s not just ads — it’s insights. You’ll know which channels and audiences convert.”🧠 Topics Covered:What Vibe.co is and how it simplifies TV advertisingWhy teams should treat CTV like a performance channel, not just brandingHow to retarget site visitors and CRM audiences on streaming platformsThe compounding power of running TV, Meta, and search at the same timeWhat budget and campaign length really work (and what’s a waste)How to approach creative: format, duration, and call to actionWhy sound is 50% of your ad’s effectiveness on TVWhat audience size makes TV worth it (and when to wait)⏱ Episode Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Vibe and CTV Ads01:37 – Why TV Advertising Isn’t Complicated Anymore04:51 – Start with Retargeting, Not Branding07:36 – Vibe vs. Meta: Similar Tactics, New Medium08:57 – Combining TV with Other Channels10:43 – Measuring Incrementality: Why Vibe Beats Most Platforms11:30 – Campaign Budget Guidelines That Actually Work13:08 – Reusing Video Across Platforms14:47 – Why Audio Is Everything for TV Ads15:45 – Audience Size & When to Launch Your First Campaign17:40 – Final Thoughts + How to Get Started📣 Ready to Test TV for Your Team?Want to launch your first streaming TV campaign?▶️ Watch the tutorial Jeremy made - HERE🚀 Try Vibe for yourself - SIGN UP HERESports Marketing Machine on LinkedInSports Marketing Machine on InstagramBook a call with Jeremy from Sports Marketing Machine

Join a deep dive into the complex world of loss leaders in sports marketing. Discover how promotions like $1 hot dogs can fill stands but might harm your brand if mismanaged. Learn the significance of perceived value and why a free ticket often feels less appealing than a discounted snack. The discussion emphasizes clever bundling of offers to boost attendance and drive incremental revenue, all while protecting your full-price strategy. Tune in for insights on tracking success metrics that elevate fan engagement!

Discover the hidden potential in youth programs as key data points like birthdays and school names can transform engagement into revenue. Explore how simple tracking can lead to effective marketing strategies and increased ticket sales. Learn about personalized offers to enhance family connections and future business opportunities. Uncover the importance of strategic follow-up that can turn participation into lasting fan loyalty. Unlock the true value of your youth events and capitalize on every interaction!