As part of their '96 Season Ticket Campaign, the Astros
debuted a series of TV spots yesterday featuring four prominent
residents and Astros fans: President and Mrs. Bush, former
Oilers Coach Bum Phillips, and Rockets star Clyde Drexler. The
campaign, titled "What are you doing this summer?," starts
running on January 29. Astros Owner Drayton McLane said the team
wanted to illustrate how rooting for the Astros has become an
important part of civic pride in Houston over the past 35 years.
The campaign was written and produces by Chicago-based Coudal
Partners, an advertising agency specializing in sports marketing
(Astros). John Williams writes in the HOUSTON CHRONICLE that the
spots are designed to help boost a season-ticket drive which will
play a major in role McLane's decision on whether to keep the
team in Houston. McLane is reportedly "a little disappointed" in
season ticket sales thus far. As of Monday, the Astros had sold
6,200 season tickets, roughly one-third of the target McLane set
to double last year's sales of 8,600 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/23).
