Ascent Entertainment CEO Charlie Lyons said the Nuggets
"must devise a new marketing plan this summer," according to
Curtis Eichelberger of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS. Ascent is
parent company to both the Nuggets and Avalanche. Lyons,
speaking on the 17-40 Nuggets, said, "It would not be
surprising if there were some financial incentives built
into our offering (to season ticket holders) next year."
Eichelberger notes that after the team traded away four
players last week, the Nuggets "resembled a car that had
been stripped to its chassis and set on cinder blocks. Now
it's up to the marketing department to put a 'For Sale' sign
on the wreck and convince the public only a few tires are
needed" Nuggets President Ellen Robinson, on the challenges
marketing the team: "I disagree with the notion that things
are going to be more challenging than they were in the past.
I'm not at all convinced there is a long time before we see
pay dirt" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/25).
EXTRA CHEESE AND YOU GOT A DEAL: DENVER POST columnist
Woody Paige, noted Lyons' comments on possible incentives,
and suggested a marketing plan called "We'll Give You $30
And A Pizza To Come See The Nuggets." Paige: "What about
the 'fans' who purchased tickets this season? They're stuck
with ... a bunch of CBAers and bricklayers." Paige also
suggests a 100-point money-back offer: "What if the
organization returns one dollar to every ticket-holder for
each point over 100. The crowds could get excited and maybe
stay past the third quarter" (DENVER POST, 2/26).
