Mozambique Basketball Association received sponsorship from Vodacom to revive their basketball through the National League as reported on www.mybasketball.co.za . Vodacom is making itself known through this sponsorship campaign in that country. I was tempted to ask myself the reasons the company does not involved with basketball in the country. But they do, through the winning Wheelchair Basketball League.
I am sitting with what I call Donor Directory as well as the book called Best Companies to work for in South Africa. The question arose, why does not basketball get sponsorship in the country? There are ample companies which are making strides out there.
However it will be complicated to think about the answer. Nevertheless I have one solution for consideration. Well known advertisers are sponsoring the big three sporting codes. But they are a lot of listed companies with big purses. I can mention the Blue Label Telecommunications company as an instance. It is not that well know company but it is making a lot of money. Why don't we get basketball officials to approach Peppadew International? See, this will be an opportunity for them to make the target market aware of the nice tasting Peppadew which is an exclusively South African product.
The idea is that we should try to focus on the companies that do not advertise. Let us focus on those companies which I will call second tier organisations. These companies do not really advertise but they can do with an awareness of some sort.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Are Numbers Crucial?
It is interesting how numbers seem to attract sponsorship. A team such as Bloemfontein Celtics managed to have full attendence when they hosted matches at Seisa Ramabodu. Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Vodacom entered into a partnership (ZOK) whose audience is a massive followership of Zion Christian Church. Absa has been stuck with rugby through thick and thin. But something interesting happened in cricket. The Free State Eagles does not attract many people to their games. This has resulted in Cricket SA's lack of interest as far as Outsurance Oval hosting an international match. In our subject, does basketball have what it takes to bring the numbers for the marketers?
Remember that sponsorship is a tactic as well as a strategy for a marketer to have massive consumption of their product.
Through my experience in local basketball I note that basketball has the capability of bringing numbers. It takes a black and white pamphlet to get a few people at the local games. And that number increase with the consistency of hosting the basketball matches.
Research by reputable companies can tell another story. But an educated person will tell you to be careful of statistics. Just the other day a company made an impression that 65% of former graduates of one institution earn above R250 000 per annum. Yours truly asked the person from tha institution how many people provided answers to the questionnaire. He replied 64 did. Is that a true reflection of the population of that institution. No ways. 64 is too small a number.
Marketers must take this in consideration. There are more than 650 000 people who have their televisions on for a basketball magazine. Basktball is probably watched by a million people. Think about that.
Remember that sponsorship is a tactic as well as a strategy for a marketer to have massive consumption of their product.
Through my experience in local basketball I note that basketball has the capability of bringing numbers. It takes a black and white pamphlet to get a few people at the local games. And that number increase with the consistency of hosting the basketball matches.
Research by reputable companies can tell another story. But an educated person will tell you to be careful of statistics. Just the other day a company made an impression that 65% of former graduates of one institution earn above R250 000 per annum. Yours truly asked the person from tha institution how many people provided answers to the questionnaire. He replied 64 did. Is that a true reflection of the population of that institution. No ways. 64 is too small a number.
Marketers must take this in consideration. There are more than 650 000 people who have their televisions on for a basketball magazine. Basktball is probably watched by a million people. Think about that.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sponsors Need Awareness
I had a hectic time on Friday and missed the opportunity to publish. One crucial decision to write today is my absence until this week on a conference.
Over the last two weeks I watched with awe the talent in the high schools through two tournaments in the target market. The skill depicted in the game of basketball is art. How it is done must be the questions raised by the sports scientists.
Although there is immense talent, there is no more funding to basketball which will advance the pedigree of the sport. Engen Petroleum Company ended their partnership with BasketballSA earlier in the year. On observation, the termination of the sponsorship was due to the inability of the Federation to meet its obligations to the sponsor. The sponsor want the maximum exposure as possible which they could not get. The Engen Advertisement that ran on television advertising basketball was late. There could have been a marketing strategy to enhance the sponsors earlier in the partnership. But the authorities relied on their own knowledge and ignored the public awareness the Engen needed. This must be a lesson to the authorities that when a sponsor put in so much money, a budget for the marketing mix must be put aside from that money. The sponsors must be well catered from the money that they give out. The sponsor cannot put away money that was not budgeted for, to promote the code which is responsible for promoting them.
As an example, the chunk of the money given to the Premier Soccer League goes into advertising. The broadcaster in turn give the PSL a discount on the placement of the advertisements on radio and television. These ads are produced by the agencies on behalf of the sponsors, where the agency will be commissioned to place the ad on behalf of the PSL.
Sponsorships are a tactical means for a company to create an interest from the public. Over the last few years this money has increased sharply because it is a cheaper way for companies to let the public know about them.
When BasketballSA overlooked their responsibilities, little did they know that they were pushing the sponsor away from them.
Sports is a business and must be conducted that way. There are no sentiments in business but the facts that will make organisations grow.
It is unfortunate that the high school basketball had to suffer through the Federation and individuals in the schools sport all in one year.
But as business people will point out, if a business can go through a recession, they will make bigger profits thereafter. In the same way, basketball seem to be getting better through participation in tournaments such as these. Once the sponsorship hit the ceiling in soccer, basketball will be the alternative to give sponsors the best of their returns.
Over the last two weeks I watched with awe the talent in the high schools through two tournaments in the target market. The skill depicted in the game of basketball is art. How it is done must be the questions raised by the sports scientists.
Although there is immense talent, there is no more funding to basketball which will advance the pedigree of the sport. Engen Petroleum Company ended their partnership with BasketballSA earlier in the year. On observation, the termination of the sponsorship was due to the inability of the Federation to meet its obligations to the sponsor. The sponsor want the maximum exposure as possible which they could not get. The Engen Advertisement that ran on television advertising basketball was late. There could have been a marketing strategy to enhance the sponsors earlier in the partnership. But the authorities relied on their own knowledge and ignored the public awareness the Engen needed. This must be a lesson to the authorities that when a sponsor put in so much money, a budget for the marketing mix must be put aside from that money. The sponsors must be well catered from the money that they give out. The sponsor cannot put away money that was not budgeted for, to promote the code which is responsible for promoting them.
As an example, the chunk of the money given to the Premier Soccer League goes into advertising. The broadcaster in turn give the PSL a discount on the placement of the advertisements on radio and television. These ads are produced by the agencies on behalf of the sponsors, where the agency will be commissioned to place the ad on behalf of the PSL.
Sponsorships are a tactical means for a company to create an interest from the public. Over the last few years this money has increased sharply because it is a cheaper way for companies to let the public know about them.
When BasketballSA overlooked their responsibilities, little did they know that they were pushing the sponsor away from them.
Sports is a business and must be conducted that way. There are no sentiments in business but the facts that will make organisations grow.
It is unfortunate that the high school basketball had to suffer through the Federation and individuals in the schools sport all in one year.
But as business people will point out, if a business can go through a recession, they will make bigger profits thereafter. In the same way, basketball seem to be getting better through participation in tournaments such as these. Once the sponsorship hit the ceiling in soccer, basketball will be the alternative to give sponsors the best of their returns.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Olympics
It is time for the quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympics. Olympics are the biggest stage for the sport of basketball. Africa has one spot of qualification. Of course Angola is representing the men division and Mali surprising represent women.
Vision2008 was a programme with good intentions by South African Basketball. It was launched at the same time as the new brand image of BasketballSA. The image was to distinguish basketball from other sports particularly boxing federation commonly referred to as BSA. The launch was pretty exciting especially when one thought about the positive development of basketball. I remember vividly that there were talks in the corridors about the new national league which was to be sponsored by the third mobile operator. Of course those were just rumors.
A question arises as to what stopped the Vision2008 from being achieved. The basic answer would be that the national team did not perform according to expectations. However I would not see South Africa beating Angola out of the blue and qualify for the Olympics. Perhaps the strategy of the authorities was to get FIBA to vote on have two African teams as representative in the Olympics. It is quite easy to listen to South Africans since the country is well developed as compared with other countries in Africa. Our country is also economically sound.
Nonetheless it is unthinkable that FIBA would agree to such a proposal seeing that South Africa does not have a professional league. It would be taking the organisation back to 1989 when they passed a motion to have professional players to participate in the Olympics. That is a cool 19 years back. Even with the good intentions they had, the basketball authorities' argument would be taking the sport back.
It is critical for the Professional Basketball League to resume. The league will give youngsters an opportunity to showcase their talent in a competitive environment. This environment is crucial for the strong competition that athletes face at the African qualifiers for world events such as the Olympics. There is no shortcut to becoming a competitive nation. The PBL is the only solution for South Africa to represent Africa by participating in the Olympics.
Vision2008 was a programme with good intentions by South African Basketball. It was launched at the same time as the new brand image of BasketballSA. The image was to distinguish basketball from other sports particularly boxing federation commonly referred to as BSA. The launch was pretty exciting especially when one thought about the positive development of basketball. I remember vividly that there were talks in the corridors about the new national league which was to be sponsored by the third mobile operator. Of course those were just rumors.
A question arises as to what stopped the Vision2008 from being achieved. The basic answer would be that the national team did not perform according to expectations. However I would not see South Africa beating Angola out of the blue and qualify for the Olympics. Perhaps the strategy of the authorities was to get FIBA to vote on have two African teams as representative in the Olympics. It is quite easy to listen to South Africans since the country is well developed as compared with other countries in Africa. Our country is also economically sound.
Nonetheless it is unthinkable that FIBA would agree to such a proposal seeing that South Africa does not have a professional league. It would be taking the organisation back to 1989 when they passed a motion to have professional players to participate in the Olympics. That is a cool 19 years back. Even with the good intentions they had, the basketball authorities' argument would be taking the sport back.
It is critical for the Professional Basketball League to resume. The league will give youngsters an opportunity to showcase their talent in a competitive environment. This environment is crucial for the strong competition that athletes face at the African qualifiers for world events such as the Olympics. There is no shortcut to becoming a competitive nation. The PBL is the only solution for South Africa to represent Africa by participating in the Olympics.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Pick and Roll
Every day at the playgrounds we see the best of the pick and roll offense. When done right this is the formidable play of all times. We are talking about the most elementary play of basketball. This basic rule was the one set the hearts of Americans on fire at the past World Championships in the hands of Greece.
I understand that those athletes that understand and implement the basics of the game are usually the ones who get picked for the national teams. These players have an exceptional intelligence of the sport. Their talent is what make them the superstars of the game. Even when they practice on their own, they focus on the basics.
The basics are also important in the business of the sport. A good friend of mine told me how he was being taught the most basic things in his accountancy class at university. It was the stuff he does everyday in his quest to become a business man. The elementary way of promoting basketball is crucial. There are no short cuts to the success of basketball. The leaders must stick to the basic principles of the sport and everything will follow.
Back to the Americans, they went back to the drawing board and selected players who would play for what is written at the front of their apparel. It seems like the Beijing Olympics will be great for them. Whilst at the back is their names written, the front is for their country. This focused mind of doing things for the country is a great motivator. It is about carrying the hopes of million other people on your shoulders. They count on you to represent and play with excellence.
It is important for the authorities of basketball to focus their minds on the number of people they represent. They are carrying the dreams and hopes of all South Africans that love the sport of basketball. It is critical for them to make a decision and implement a different tune in the game. A tune that will bring smiles to the people of South Africa.
Our leaders should consider humility as a winning attitude. They will realise this by making friends with their peers in other sporting codes seeking advise of success. It is also important to befriend corporate leaders and ask them exactly what they need with regards to sponsorships.
It will be difficult to befriend but easy to become a social butterfly. It should not be a problem to buy a grand seat at functions such as Marketing Excellence Awards and pick one decision maker to establish a relationship with. If they are on the defensive, roll all over them with assistance of others leaders in sports. Your feet should always be in a triple threat mode so that it enables quick reaction. Speed in business is critical. So does speed in basketball.
I understand that those athletes that understand and implement the basics of the game are usually the ones who get picked for the national teams. These players have an exceptional intelligence of the sport. Their talent is what make them the superstars of the game. Even when they practice on their own, they focus on the basics.
The basics are also important in the business of the sport. A good friend of mine told me how he was being taught the most basic things in his accountancy class at university. It was the stuff he does everyday in his quest to become a business man. The elementary way of promoting basketball is crucial. There are no short cuts to the success of basketball. The leaders must stick to the basic principles of the sport and everything will follow.
Back to the Americans, they went back to the drawing board and selected players who would play for what is written at the front of their apparel. It seems like the Beijing Olympics will be great for them. Whilst at the back is their names written, the front is for their country. This focused mind of doing things for the country is a great motivator. It is about carrying the hopes of million other people on your shoulders. They count on you to represent and play with excellence.
It is important for the authorities of basketball to focus their minds on the number of people they represent. They are carrying the dreams and hopes of all South Africans that love the sport of basketball. It is critical for them to make a decision and implement a different tune in the game. A tune that will bring smiles to the people of South Africa.
Our leaders should consider humility as a winning attitude. They will realise this by making friends with their peers in other sporting codes seeking advise of success. It is also important to befriend corporate leaders and ask them exactly what they need with regards to sponsorships.
It will be difficult to befriend but easy to become a social butterfly. It should not be a problem to buy a grand seat at functions such as Marketing Excellence Awards and pick one decision maker to establish a relationship with. If they are on the defensive, roll all over them with assistance of others leaders in sports. Your feet should always be in a triple threat mode so that it enables quick reaction. Speed in business is critical. So does speed in basketball.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Volunteerism is Special
The involvement of basketball at this stage is coupled with a vision for better returns in the future. Yours truly got that feeling over the past few days when putting the sport into perspective. Many people go out of their way to organise fixtures and never expect anything in return. They get satisfied by realising the satisfaction of people who still want to play 'ball. It is not easy to make people happy unless you meet their needs.
It came upon the writer that there are still many people who are sitting out there hoping for the better future of basketball. These are the people who believe in the game. They can do anything for the sport. These people have great skills but just want to see something happening. These people have emotional deposits of the game, something which never really helps that much. Positive emotions are obviously good for the game. But finding fault in the sport is not at all positive. Each and everyone of us is responsible of what happens in the game. So, do not pass the buck.
Organising basketball events brings pleasure. More so when more people become involved since they approach tasks in specialised skills. It is like a party where the more the people the merrier it becomes. Yours truly has experienced satisfaction by volunteering human capacity so that other people can become involved in what they like. It is a special feeling which is coupled by a positive attitude, love and happiness.
Volunteerism in basketball is critical at this difficult time of the sport. The rewards thereof are invaluable. Many organisations are thriving because of the efforts of people who exercise purity towards the sport. Volunteerism is special and needs to be employed by all those who claim to be the number one followers of basketball.
It came upon the writer that there are still many people who are sitting out there hoping for the better future of basketball. These are the people who believe in the game. They can do anything for the sport. These people have great skills but just want to see something happening. These people have emotional deposits of the game, something which never really helps that much. Positive emotions are obviously good for the game. But finding fault in the sport is not at all positive. Each and everyone of us is responsible of what happens in the game. So, do not pass the buck.
Organising basketball events brings pleasure. More so when more people become involved since they approach tasks in specialised skills. It is like a party where the more the people the merrier it becomes. Yours truly has experienced satisfaction by volunteering human capacity so that other people can become involved in what they like. It is a special feeling which is coupled by a positive attitude, love and happiness.
Volunteerism in basketball is critical at this difficult time of the sport. The rewards thereof are invaluable. Many organisations are thriving because of the efforts of people who exercise purity towards the sport. Volunteerism is special and needs to be employed by all those who claim to be the number one followers of basketball.
Friday, August 8, 2008
An Appeal to the Masses
The game of basketball has a spiritual connotation. Like many of us, people follow the sport. This is a crusade which focuses on entertaining the guests. The excitement created by the antics in the sport is beyond measure. The superstars of the game are an extraordinary addition into the sport that we so care about. Those who are average do wonders to make the superstars to do amazing stuff.
Basketball has an emotional appeal. Those who love must do something about it. But what happens when they do all they can do to realise the true value of the game? Prayer is a solution.
All mankind believe in a Supreme Being Whom they call by different names. Some say it is God, while others have a name Allah. Others will follow the spirit of Ancestry. Human Being communicate with the Superior Being for guidance and many other things. What do basketball followers in South Africa do to seek divine intervention for the game of basketball?
Let us consider praying for basketball. It is important to look for assistance in the Republic of South Africa. The Superior Being we communicate with knows our situation and will provide assistance. This is an appeal to the masses to pray for the development of basketball in South Africa. It is an appeal to pray for the creation of jobs through the followership of basketball. I guess nothing is too heavy for the Superior Being. Let us put basketball in South Africa in our prayers and thoughts.
Basketball has an emotional appeal. Those who love must do something about it. But what happens when they do all they can do to realise the true value of the game? Prayer is a solution.
All mankind believe in a Supreme Being Whom they call by different names. Some say it is God, while others have a name Allah. Others will follow the spirit of Ancestry. Human Being communicate with the Superior Being for guidance and many other things. What do basketball followers in South Africa do to seek divine intervention for the game of basketball?
Let us consider praying for basketball. It is important to look for assistance in the Republic of South Africa. The Superior Being we communicate with knows our situation and will provide assistance. This is an appeal to the masses to pray for the development of basketball in South Africa. It is an appeal to pray for the creation of jobs through the followership of basketball. I guess nothing is too heavy for the Superior Being. Let us put basketball in South Africa in our prayers and thoughts.
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