Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Golf Courses. The following are the predicted Top 5 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• Golf courses are increasingly working to attract young people to the sport through high school sponsorships.
• Some courses are trying to extend the season by placing heated tents at certain holes.
• Public events, such as weddings, are becoming more common at courses.
• Golf closures continue to be disproportionately public, stand-alone 9-hole facilities or short courses that offer value-priced green fees.
• An overabundance of courses are becoming a challenge, particularly because demand is slowing.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Golf Courses is available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research. March 18, 2010]

Rob Stecklow, NFL director of advertising, has a vision for football’s licensed products sales and it extends to ‘year-round marketing programs.’  According to a recent article in Sports Business Journal, Stecklow is looking to a  new “Back to Football’ marketing program and the women’s market to achieve his goals. This marks a change from the marketing that has traditionally been done from September through January.

Licensed product manufacturers have long been accustomed to setting up deals with football franchises during the annual NFL Kickoff program. This year, the Back to Football marketing program will coincide with the start of the training camp period in July and will run until the regular season starts in September.

To fuel interest in this new program, football franchises have reached agreements with marketers who will sell a wide range of newly licensed products.  Sales of licensed apparel should climb during the back-to-school period which occurs during the pre-season time.  According to the report, only 15% of licensed apparel sales are  currently linked to women’s products so new products will be introduced to grow that market segment.  Other newly licensed products that target women include Lonaberger baskets and scented candles. For the broader market, Original Mini’s chef coats that contain embroidered logos may be sold as tailgating accessories.

As pro football executives seek to increase their brand across the calendar, look for more marketers to advertise licensed products to core and non-core fans.
[Source: Lefton, Terry. "NFL licensing targets: ‘Back to Football’ and women’s market." Sports Business Journal. 8 Mar. 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2010]

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Sporting Goods Manufacturers. The following are the predicted Top 5 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• Manufacturers must contend with lower-cost imports so over 80% now use factories in China for at least part of their production.
• Camping equipment may continue to be a bright spot in 2010 as families seek inexpensive alternatives for family vacations.
• The most popular fitness machines  are treadmills and ellipticals.
• Older Americans and Baby Boomers are turning to sports to stay physically fit and purchasing home equipment so the home fitness market is now three times bigger than the institutional market.
• The economic slowdown has pressured manufacturers and retailers in this industry.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Sporting Goods Manufacturers is available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research, February 26, 2010]

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Racetracks. The following are the predicted Top 5 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

• Some tracks are adding slot machines to attract gamblers.
• Synthetic tracks (rather than the traditional dirt) are gaining interest.
• Horse racing still raises concerns about animal safety among many Americans.
• Racetracks must compete with other forms of entertainment for consumers’ leisure time and money.
• Some states are considering closing racetracks to help strained budgets.

The Industry Marketing Insights report for Racetracks is available on Ad-ology.com (Research Store) for $195 USD with local market data for any U.S. market.

[Source: Ad-ology Research. February 24, 2010]