Dave Brandon's blinder continues, folks.
First, Michigan used free donuts to entice students to attend noon games in a timely fashion. (It failed.) Then they turned to GroupOn to peddle Michigan alumni membership. (That too failed.)
Then, despite Brandon's promise to bring innovation to the marketing of tickets, Michigan's students rejected tickets in droves.
Add it all up, it's a recipe that led our Michael Citro to speculate on if the Horseshoe could outdraw the Big House this season.
But those speculating about an Ohio State attendance crowd should take heed, because it appears Dave Brandon has been hiding an ace up his sleeve!
From James Jahnke of Freep.com:
The U-M athletic department has asked the university’s Board of Regents to approve fireworks shows after the Wolverines’ football games against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 13 and Penn State on Oct. 11 to “further enhance the fan experience for these important games.”
I'm not a marketing guru like Dave Brandon — and I don't want it to seem like I'm disrespecting his genius or going out of my way to help Michigan — but you know what might go along way to "further enhance the fan experience?"
A team that doesn't lose five a games a year. Fireworks, after all, would do little to dull the pain of a loss to Miami (OH) or Penn State. Hell, it might even give someone the impression the losses were being celebrated.
