" Now it's all about positives!" was the catch phrase thrown about when some Warriors PR genius stumbled upon the idea of handing out free Dunkin' Donuts to all and sundry at Aotea Square in Auckland City, the downtown shopping Plaza and not forgetting the hub of the Newmarket retail area one Friday lunchtime in April to catch the so called Warriors supporters, and to 'give something back to the fans'.
Brilliant idea! We'd finally left the -4 behind us, and were on the NRL ladder at zero. So why not have some pretty young ladies with Warriors t-shirts and big smiles offer the donuts to anyone and everyone passing them by in busy Auckland City!
I'm sure Mr and Mrs Hi-Ching visiting from China enjoyed the gesture, or even the rowdy American couple arguing all the way up Queen Street may have paused briefly for a taste of home, wondering who or what these Warrior people are.
With back to back wins in the two previous rounds against the reigning Premiers, Wests Tigers, in Christchurch, and then an away win in front of a packed Energy Australia Stadium in Newcastle, the Warriors management needed a top line promotion in the week leading up to the Manly Sea Eagles game at Ericsson Stadium to build on the momentum of winning and the positive vibes finally coming across from the New Zealand media.
Instead they fell flat on their faces with a dismal 7888 patrons making the effort on the Sunday afternoon.
And I have to wonder, did the visiting Chinese couple find their way to Penrose? Or how about the Americans? I think not. More than likely, those big fat round sugared donuts were not given a second thought as the tourists headed away to see the sights of our fair country. One thing that did cross my mind on that chilly Sunday afternoon watching the game against the Sea Eagles, was how many of those 7888 diehard fans managed to get a free Dunkin' Donut as part of their Friday lunch?
Yes I acknowledge something needs to be done to entice the crowds back to Ericsson Stadium.
The ' Back to Zero' promotion sounded good, a bit of humour with a positive air. The execution in my opinion, not good.
Far better to 'give back to the fans' to coin a phrase by the Warriors management, by targeting those who would benefit from any promotion the PR folk in Beasley Ave can come up with.
Be it the regular season ticket holders of which there are quite a few, who have stood by their club and team through good and bad times for 11 years.
Maybe involve the younger league players who try week in, week out to emulate their heroes whom they see play in the Warriors colours for at least 26 weeks of the year.
Or how about entice the good folk from the whole of New Zealand in a promotion. There are strong league competitions throughout the country, with a lot of interest from young to old.
Feasible? I'm not sure but then I'm not paid as a Warriors public relations person to think up ideas like the Dunkin' Donuts to promote the Warriors and thank their supporters.
