Following on the recent match in Pride Park, I wondered if anyone felt that Charlton could exploit the commercial revenues that clubs like Derby have done. For anyone who wasn't there, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that almost everything about that club, ground, and match was sponsored by someone. Every corner was sponsored (a different ad appeared on the pitchside screens) Every substitution was sponsored (and the sponsor mentioned in the announcement) Injury time was sponsored. There was a strange 'fan cam' feature at half time where the screen panned across a section of one of the stands and they asked folk to wave. That was sponsored. Every stand was sponsored. Not like Huddersfield where the stands and ground change names every year, but seemed more like 'The Jimmy Seed Stand brought to you by Andrews Air Conditioning' There were enormous banner ads outside showing former captains advertising a car brand The ground has been renamed for a sponsor. Other companies operate from shops contained within the stadium building (a bakery, a coffee shop and a gym, at the least), providing revenue throughout the week. I just wondered if some of this stuff could/should be done at the Valley. Obviously, the Valley is not located in an industrial estate, so the retail outlets and large outdoor ads would not be viable. The sponsorship of corners worked because of the pitchside screens, which are also not available. There would also likely be some objection to the ground being renamed. But some of the other things could be tried. The club could even look for sponsorship for, say, every 10 minutes. Instead of having the full teamsheets on the big screen, it could be the score and that company's ad, with the teams scrolling across the bottom of the screen. I don't think any ads are shown on the screen at half time, when people might actually watch the moving pictures. Would people actually mind if the announcer mentioned a random company after each substitution? Of course this isn't the top priority for the club, but could it provide more revenue to the club to push for those priorities. If it was something the club *could* do, I'd think it might be a good idea to get another company to do the selling and take commission. Or is this all too commercial/'American' for Charlton? Maybe some of this stuff is being looked at? Just seems every time I'm at the Valley it's the same tired ads for the same companies. Don't get me wrong, if I'm ever looking to buy an elevator, I'll know where to go... Also, I think the Breamteam ad (not the one with the fish), is really bad, hurts my eyes.
As long as they don't name the ground I don't mind it. So yeah, do what you want just don't rename the valley
I'm shocked! I was at Pride Park or whatever it's called and didn't notice any of this stuff, IA. Completely passed me by. I suppose we need the money to pay the contracts of the likes of Reza and Nego, and the loans of Thuram and Astrid and Sordell, so it may well happen.
Maybe I noticed more because I used to work nearby and have been a few times now. That would suggest that some of the options could be done without harming the fan's experience
Can't say I noticed it - but when in League One Steve Waggott was advocating duel sponsorship on kits etc but the board didn't seem to want to go down that route.
