Lee Adams Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Yesterday was one of the few,maybe the only time I can remember a football crowd in Akron becoming somewhat and only somewhat intimidating. If there were any games at the Bowl I can't really remember. Certainly none at Info. I think the officials will remember what happened on Saturday. Even though the crowd wasn't big it got involved in the game. They will remember that there was actually a reason for them to be escorted off the field by the PD. Thats the kind of 'home field advantage' we need to develop here. When tthe opponents and officials start thinking about how the crowd might get involved it can give the Zips an edge. Not talking about throwing things on the field. But when the officials and opponents realize they can't come in here screw up and ignore the crowd it changes their game. Even 12,000 people can get in your head if they make the right kind of noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZipsFan Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Yesterday was one of the few,maybe the only time I can remember a football crowd in Akron becoming somewhat and only somewhat intimidating. If there were any games at the Bowl I can't really remember. Certainly none at Info. I think the officials will remember what happened on Saturday. Even though the crowd wasn't big it got involved in the game. They will remember that there was actually a reason for them to be escorted off the field by the PD. Thats the kind of 'home field advantage' we need to develop here. When tthe opponents and officials start thinking about how the crowd might get involved it can give the Zips an edge. Not talking about throwing things on the field. But when the officials and opponents realize they can't come in here screw up and ignore the crowd it changes their game. Even 12,000 people can get in your head if they make the right kind of noise. Couldn't agree with you more. I have been in some of the country's greatest college football stadiums -- and to me, the #1 most impressive "feature" is how involved the crowd is in the game. The atmosphere in Info should be loud and intimidating - maybe even before the gates open to the crowd. The Dave Matthews music being played as the players started coming out for pre-game was, well, Dave Matthews music I personally like DMB, but isn't my first choice to listen to when standing outside waiting to come into a football game. The people in Knoxville had a very interesting point -- (they were all incredibly nice and hospitable - from 2 hours before the game all the way until we saw the players/coaches get on the buses to leave) - they said we needed an identity - something that would make other teams/fans remember us... Of course - they pointed to their own, "Rocky Top" (which I heard in my sleep for about 3 days after the game). I was thinking about that - but also about how many teams have a "greeting" or "rallying cry" when they see other fans.. i.e. "Roll Tide", "Hook 'em Horns", "Guns Up", "It's all about the U", "War Eagle" etc... I guess when you become a top program, even just "Go Gators", "Go Dawgs" or "Go 'Noles" become adequate. I like "Fear the Roo" -- but I guess until people actually start "Fearing" the Roo - it won't resonate... Sorry for the rambling thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I like "Fear the Roo" -- but I guess until people actually start "Fearing" the Roo - it won't resonate... Sorry for the rambling thoughts Believe me, "Fear the Roo" resonates ... just ask the Michigan Wolverines Men's Soccer team about their last visit to Akron. It could resonate again if the students would start showing up in huge numbers at Men's Soccer games and for football games. What happened to the student section next to the band? I thought it was filled at the UCF game, but for the past 2 games, it hasn't even been 1/4 full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpsjugglerdude Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Unfortunately, "Fear The Roo" is not in the rebrand that the marketing department is undertaking. It is being fazed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Unfortunately, "Fear The Roo" is not in the rebrand that the marketing department is undertaking. It is being fazed out. I feel like they are shifting away from a unified brand, to having each season/sport unique. For example football this year uses "Bowden Ball", baseball used "the Mob", and basketball is using a "bigger" campaign. I think having "Fear The Roo" as the main slogan works stronger, then have each sport use something specific per season as a secondary slogan. "Fear the Roo" may be kind of cheesy but I've always loved it. Maybe because I was at UA when it started, but it was really the best thing to happen at UA since the new Zippy logos were introduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I feel like they are shifting away from a unified brand, to having each season/sport unique. For example football this year uses "Bowden Ball", baseball used "the Mob", and basketball is using a "bigger" campaign. I think having "Fear The Roo" as the main slogan works stronger, then have each sport use something specific per season as a secondary slogan. "Fear the Roo" may be kind of cheesy but I've always loved it. Maybe because I was at UA when it started, but it was really the best thing to happen at UA since the new Zippy logos were introduced. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpsjugglerdude Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I feel like they are shifting away from a unified brand, to having each season/sport unique. For example football this year uses "Bowden Ball", baseball used "the Mob", and basketball is using a "bigger" campaign. I think having "Fear The Roo" as the main slogan works stronger, then have each sport use something specific per season as a secondary slogan. "Fear the Roo" may be kind of cheesy but I've always loved it. Maybe because I was at UA when it started, but it was really the best thing to happen at UA since the new Zippy logos were introduced. I agree 100%. Don't expect to see many kangaroos in the future either, other than Zippy herself of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Yesterday was one of the few,maybe the only time I can remember a football crowd in Akron becoming somewhat and only somewhat intimidating. If there were any games at the Bowl I can't really remember. Certainly none at Info. I think the officials will remember what happened on Saturday. Even though the crowd wasn't big it got involved in the game. They will remember that there was actually a reason for them to be escorted off the field by the PD. Thats the kind of 'home field advantage' we need to develop here. When tthe opponents and officials start thinking about how the crowd might get involved it can give the Zips an edge. Not talking about throwing things on the field. But when the officials and opponents realize they can't come in here screw up and ignore the crowd it changes their game. Even 12,000 people can get in your head if they make the right kind of noise. Good point Lee. In the book Scorecasting, currently on the "GP1 Must Read List",the issue of home field advantage is tackled. It is real and is largely a function of intimidation by the fans. You are right on the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmytheZip Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I like "Fear the Roo!" It feels good to say. It has been my battle cry for the last few years especially when I go on the road. I guarantee that a good number of Vol's fans now know what Fear the Roo means. Although on the Friday before the game I got a lot of strange looks. Fear the Roo won't have enough weight until we get more students involved. Thats where the energy will reall resonate from. Go Zips! Fear The Roo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZipsFan Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 I feel like they are shifting away from a unified brand, to having each season/sport unique. For example football this year uses "Bowden Ball", baseball used "the Mob", and basketball is using a "bigger" campaign. I think having "Fear The Roo" as the main slogan works stronger, then have each sport use something specific per season as a secondary slogan. "Fear the Roo" may be kind of cheesy but I've always loved it. Maybe because I was at UA when it started, but it was really the best thing to happen at UA since the new Zippy logos were introduced. If that's true -- that's a shame. Successful marketing/advertising begins with BRANDING. When there are too many logos, slogans, etc. it just confuses the consumer and does not "stick". Why can McDonalds, Coke, Apple, etc. do 10 second advertising or print ads/billboards with just their logo?? Because everyone knows what/who they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 If that's true -- that's a shame. Successful marketing/advertising begins with BRANDING. When there are too many logos, slogans, etc. it just confuses the consumer and does not "stick". Why can McDonalds, Coke, Apple, etc. do 10 second advertising or print ads/billboards with just their logo?? Because everyone knows what/who they are. BINGO... The Roo does resonate with people, it would be dumb to drop that. I feel like we should have at least two kangaroo statues on campus. Ideally at the Buchtel and Union plaza outside of Olin, and then another one on Exchange near the Lee R. Jackson field entrance so people attending football or soccer pass by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Unfortunately, "Fear The Roo" is not in the rebrand that the marketing department is undertaking. It is being fazed out. The marketing department at UA turns over so much that it's no surprise that they are so ineffective and irrelevant. But it's absolute stupidity to phase out such a great slogan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 The marketing department at UA turns over so much that it's no surprise that they are so ineffective and irrelevant. But it's absolute stupidity to phase out such a great slogan. I think the marketing department takes their guidance from IMG. Is the slogan a great slogan? At one time, when we stole the idea from Maryland, yes. Watch enough college football and you are going to see a lot of students at games sporting shirts that say "Fear the Whatever". Time to rebrand. If you want to know what the next one will look like, find a really creative marketing program out there in college athletics and within three years, everyone will be doing it. That's why marketing departments are ineffective and irrelevant....in addition to IMG making their decisions for them, because they were so ineffective and irrelevant. IMG dominates college marketing. Whatever they decide to do, we will do. Ben Sutton started IMG. You can read his attached bio. How much of an influence do they have and how much money does it make? Ben Sutton just donated a student recreation center to Wake Forest. Fear IMG, but Fear the Marketing Departments Actually Getting Their Power Back more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 So far the "fear the roo" campaign has been the only successful marketing campaign in over two decades. How long have we been with IMG? When is this marketing machine going to start "rollin?" I did see that Bart Simpson said "dadgum" on this weeks episode, so maybe IMG can build off of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 So far the "fear the roo" campaign has been the only successful marketing campaign in over two decades. How long have we been with IMG? When is this marketing machine going to start "rollin?" I did see that Bart Simpson said "dadgum" on this weeks episode, so maybe IMG can build off of that. If my memory is correct, IMG came to Akron right around the end of the Mike Thomas era...beginning of the Mack era. Not exactly sure when. I want to say Mike Thomas brought it to town because I knew a guy who was considering going to work with people he met at IMG while working for UofA. Can't use the Force to remember that far back as I get older. My guess is the success of the Fear the Roo campaign and winning the MAC/Motor City Bowl Game had a lot to do with each other. Back then, if we had a t-shirt that said, "We Beat Can't, Won The MAC and Are Going To A Bowl Game Bitches", half of the Akron crowd at Ford Field would have had one on that day. My guess is, half of that half would still be wearing the same shirt to various games today, but that is why they need to freshen up the campaign or better yet, challenge themselves to come up with a better campaign. The next time we win the MAC in any sport, we should print up t-shirts that say, "Take That Bitches" and then put the sport and date of the championship on the t-shirt. It couldn't be any worse than what we currently do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZipsFan Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 If my memory is correct, IMG came to Akron right around the end of the Mike Thomas era...beginning of the Mack era. Not exactly sure when. I want to say Mike Thomas brought it to town because I knew a guy who was considering going to work with people he met at IMG while working for UofA. Can't use the Force to remember that far back as I get older. My guess is the success of the Fear the Roo campaign and winning the MAC/Motor City Bowl Game had a lot to do with each other. Back then, if we had a t-shirt that said, "We Beat Can't, Won The MAC and Are Going To A Bowl Game Bitches", half of the Akron crowd at Ford Field would have had one on that day. My guess is, half of that half would still be wearing the same shirt to various games today, but that is why they need to freshen up the campaign or better yet, challenge themselves to come up with a better campaign. The next time we win the MAC in any sport, we should print up t-shirts that say, "Take That Bitches" and then put the sport and date of the championship on the t-shirt. It couldn't be any worse than what we currently do. It is my understanding that IMG handles season ticket sales, and also sponsorships for TV/Radio shows and in-game promotions, etc. They do not drive the marketing for the Athletic Department or the University. They are a support system for our marketing department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Adams Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Actually wasn't referring so much to marketing. I am talking about fans who actually show up at games and are vocal and animated about what goes on during the game. Whether it is a good play by the Zips,a lousy call by the officials or letting opponents know that they will have to deal with the crowd as well as the team. Scare the hell out of the opponents and the officials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipgrad01 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I like "Fear the Roo!" It feels good to say. It has been my battle cry for the last few years especially when I go on the road. I guarantee that a good number of Vol's fans now know what Fear the Roo means. Although on the Friday before the game I got a lot of strange looks. Fear the Roo won't have enough weight until we get more students involved. Thats where the energy will reall resonate from. Go Zips! Fear The Roo! What is scarier?.....an angry kangaroo or a volunteer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmytheZip Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 It's not a volunteer. Fear the Roo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 What is scarier?.....an angry kangaroo or a volunteer? Kind of depends on what the person is volunteering for doesn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 What is scarier?.....an angry kangaroo or a volunteer? If it's kangaroo vs. volunteer, the volunteer wins because he has a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipgrad01 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Kind of depends on what the person is volunteering for doesn't it? It was an inside joke....the person it was meant for didnt answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 The next time we win the MAC in any sport, we should print up t-shirts that say, "Take That Bitches" and then put the sport and date of the championship on the t-shirt. It couldn't be any worse than what we currently do. Haha I would buy that shirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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