In a move that will surely shift the culture of slow-pitch softball from that of laid-back, beer-swilling friends out for a good time to that of washed-up athletic communicators and aging softball veterans taking themselves and this coed sport way too seriously, two-time defending CSC Champion Boom Goes the Dynamite has announced a landmark marketing, promotions and broadcast deal with a variety of major organizations.
A cornerstone of the deal is the release of the 2007 team poster (click photo above for hi-res version) and the announcement of a fan-fueled voting system to choose the Boom Goes the Dynamite marketing slogan. Candidates for the slogan include "Boom-Shacka-Lacka!", "Feel the Boom", "A Culture of Mediocrity", "The Steve Geller Experience" and "Insert Catchy Slogan Here." Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite slogan (or come up with one of their own) by commenting at the bottom of this release.
"When attendance at Boom games dips to that of the I'm With Stupid era and interest in your team wanes to Minnesota Lynx-levels, you know it's time to take some drastic measures," new Boom Goes the Dynamite director of marketing, promotions, ticket sales and broadcasting Aaron DeBerg of Dubs Marketing announced at a press conference in Fairmont, Minn. "Boom is just not attracting the fans like they did in its hey-day. We need to bring the Laura Kurtts, the Shane Sandersf***s, The Noths, the Lisa Carlsons, the Kodas and the Tory Kukowski's real or imagined girlfriends of the world back to the bleacherless ballfield. We're hopeful this deal will do that."
In addition to the team poster and marketing slogan, Dubs Marketing also announced the following corporate partnerships:
• craigslist - official footwear sponsor of Boom Goes the Dynamite
• University Printing Services - official provider of Bob Swoverland, purveyor of team posters
• Fairview Southdale Hospital - official provider of orthopaedic surgeons (deal negotiated by Shane Sandersf***)
• Meshbencer & Spence - official arbitration attorneys for Lisa Hardy's weekly arguments and Cooper's legal troubles
• RC Cola and Old Milwaukee beer - official beverage provider (deal negotiated by Steve Geller and Kevin Noth)
• Fantasy Tan - official spray-on tan supplier (deal negotiated by Meghan Potter and Alicia Jerome)
• Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference - official sponsor of the Nick Joos/M. Lochrem Goat of the Week and Disappointment of the Year awards
"Adding these corporate partners to the Boom family will allow us to do some monumental things," Boom vice president for corporate communications Alicia Jerome (Kirkland, Wash.) said. "We'll be able to get Kukowski, Geller and Lady Kurtt some cleats; we'll be covered when Coughlin inevitably gets hurt again; we'll keep Hardy and Cooper out of jail; and we'll continue to disparage the name of Mike Lochrem. What more can you ask for?"
In conjuction with Boom's corporate sponsors, the franchise announced several promotional events that will surely bring fans back to the Lake Nokomis Athletic Fields this summer:
• Aging utility player Steve Geller (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) will be making several public appearances in the next few weeks and months to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and do household chores. Already the featured guest at the May 4 grand opening of the University of Minnesota boat house, Geller will appear at the House of Hanson on May 17, superfan-in-training Emily Wickstrom's 23rd birthday party on May 22, Tory Kukowski and Shane Sandersf***'s going-away parties on June 1 and 15, and the birth of Kevin and Casey Kurtt's first child on Nov. 4.
• Kevin Noth Bobblehead Night, presented by Curtis K. Walker Law Offices
• Cooper Frisbee Show and Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, presented by Wham-O
• Run the Bases with Lisa Hardy Postgame Party, presented by Pam
• Remembering Shane Sandersf***, emceed by Mike Max and presented by Brew's Crew, free neck braces to first 10 fans
• Cooper vs. Koda Dogfight Match, presented by Ron Mexico & Associates (cancelled)
• Bloody Kiddie Pool Night, presented by All-American Recreation, free Kyle Coughlin Celebri-lame-ducks to all fans in attendance
• Arrogant Hockey Player Night, presented by Maynard's Restaurant
• Bob Swoverland Appreciation Night, presented by Bob Swoverland, free team poster to the first fan
"We're going to ignite the excitement of Boom Nation with these promotions," adjunct promotional director Deb Diamond said. "Who wouldn't want a Kevin Noth Bobblehead? Who wouldn't want to run the bases with Lisa Hardy? Who wouldn't want a Shane Sandersf*** Memorial Neck Brace? Well, I wouldn't, but I hear the Kurtt family would and they know good freebies when they see them. If the Kurtts aren't a good barometer of the public's interest in Boom Goes the Dynamite softball, then I shouldn't be in the marketing and promotions business."
The final piece of the major announcement revolved around the addition of several broadcast partners for Boom Goes the Dynamite games and ancillary events. Through negotiations with Dubs Marketing, Victory Sports announced it will televise the 2007 season in its entirety and will dig into its archives to broadcast Classic Boom Contests from previous seasons.
"We'd like to welcome Victory Sports to the Boom family," team president Jeff Keiser (Avon, Ct.) said. "With Dave Lee on play-by-play and Sara Berhow on color, we know we'll be getting top-notch announcing at every game. I, for one, can't wait for the Classic Boom Contests against Yep, Capella and the Humpday Hackers. This is the greatest television deal in the history of the world."
Boom's extended the contract of its long-time radio partner, La Mera Buena 107.5 FM, to last through the 2011 season, not coincidentally the final season of two-time MVP/salary cap killer Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.). In addition to broadcasting all games live, La Mera Buena will produce weekly shows for the Boom Radio Network, including Gabbin' with Geller (Tuesdays at 3 p.m.), The Meghan Potter/Kyle Coughlin Relationship Advice Hour (Wednesdays at 11 a.m.), Keiser Say So (Thursdays at 11 p.m) and the Shane Sandersf*** Dance Party (Fridays, 2 a.m.). The Doritos & Coke Pre- and Post-Game show, hosted by Rita Maloney and Mike Grimm will continue to provide the Boom fan with interviews, postgame reactions, feature stories and made-up stats.
"With La Mera Buena on board, everyone within a three-square-mile radius of the station in St. Bonafacius will be able to hear Boom games in digital radio quality, both in English and Spanish," Keiser said. "Calling the games will be the ubiquitous Tom Witschen with up-and-comer Cameron Noth as analyst. Tony Oliva will continue to call the games in Spanish."
Boom's internet partner, Mr. Heavyfoot, has and will continue to be the ultimate destination for all things related to Boom Goes the Dynamite.
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