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Dear Mike Raita
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UAB?IAB Offline
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Post: #21
RE: Dear Mike Raita
UAB is in a very difficult circumstance, much of which we have discussed ad nauseum. To me, it all goes back to leadership or the lack thereof.

UAB athletics should be run like a small business competing against much larger companies.

- Stop trying to grow the fan base with a shot gun and start using a rifle.
- Focus on the city of Birmingham and work it's way out.
- Develop clear, concise, and comprehensive message of who we are and what we are about.
- Identify 1 or 2 media partners and focus their ad dollars with those partners, would have A LOT more leverage.
- Have stated and measurable goals
- Develop a results driven marketing/advertising campaign
- Bring in a highly skilled public relations manager
- Be more proactive and less reactive when it comes to issues concerning the athletics department.
- SCRAP THE BILLBOARDS
- Primary target should be people 12 - 34
- Make game day an event, from pregame, halftime, to post game. More than boucies and face painting.
- Give REAL added value to tickets stubs
- Create an incentive program for students to attend games
- OF COURSE WIN!!!

I could go on and on but I am not being paid. UAB only needs to attract .03% of the Bham metro area on average to have 30,000 people show up at the games. We can be the Avis of Alabama football.
12-03-2012 11:12 AM
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KevMo4UAB Offline
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Post: #22
RE: Dear Mike Raita
The local media aren't doing UAB any favors. All the jokes and negativity toward UAB reinforces the myths UAT fans have about us. The media are feeding the UAT fans, just like they always do. Response from UAB fans is just noise compared to the response from UAT fans. The media are just playing the system, and the system is all about building up UAT and Tuscaloosa at the expense of UAB and Birmingham.

The media couldn't care less about UAB sports. They don't need UAB sports! They survive on sports coverage of UAT and Auburn, and would be just fine if UAB sports disappeared.

Complain and get upset all you want, it doesn't matter. It wasn't aimed at UAB fans, it was just another attempt to feed the UAT fans. They enjoy hearing negative stuff about UAB. It builds them up. And that's the essence of the system in place.
12-03-2012 11:14 AM
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uabbean Offline
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Post: #23
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 12:47 AM)the Dragon Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 12:15 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  What did he say?

Was it the same old crap?

I really wish the local media would just move to Tuscaloosa, where they belong.

He said McGee got lucky that Tulane and ECU, who both beat UAB this year, are leaving CUSA and were replaced by MTSU and FAU who lost as many games as UAB. If only UAB could do something about powerhouses like Marshall and Rice, they could dominate this league! Raita was clearly jabbing UAB and he knew it. Obviously, his "facts" were wrong, but he didn't care. He could say all sorts of negatives about UAB and I would take it. But to make a joke of UAB with incorrect information is unprofessional and unacceptable.
Hi that show is about jabs about making things up just to stir up the fans.

There were more jabs against Auburn and UAT simply because that will provoke more viewers to watch. For example the worst jab of the show was against UAT when after an interception they whipped out the GA QB and called for player’s suspension for roughing the passer which was factually wrong also

IF we ever get big enough you should expect and I actually hope for more jabs at UAB - it would mean we have fans to stir up.

In other words to expect sport writers to be cheer leaders and never critical is unrealistic especially on a show like that one (remember UAB football was not very good and DESERVED arrows). Further to claim a sportswriter is a UAT drone because he jabbed at us is past being paranoid into redneck whiners like the UAT mass
(This post was last modified: 12-03-2012 11:59 AM by uabbean.)
12-03-2012 11:17 AM
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backyardblazer Offline
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Post: #24
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 11:12 AM)UAB?IAB Wrote:  UAB is in a very difficult circumstance, much of which we have discussed ad nauseum. To me, it all goes back to leadership or the lack thereof.

UAB athletics should be run like a small business competing against much larger companies.

- Stop trying to grow the fan base with a shot gun and start using a rifle.
- Focus on the city of Birmingham and work it's way out.
- Develop clear, concise, and comprehensive message of who we are and what we are about.
- Identify 1 or 2 media partners and focus their ad dollars with those partners, would have A LOT more leverage.
- Have stated and measurable goals
- Develop a results driven marketing/advertising campaign
- Bring in a highly skilled public relations manager
- Be more proactive and less reactive when it comes to issues concerning the athletics department.
- SCRAP THE BILLBOARDS
- Primary target should be people 12 - 34
- Make game day an event, from pregame, halftime, to post game. More than boucies and face painting.
- Give REAL added value to tickets stubs
- Create an incentive program for students to attend games
- OF COURSE WIN!!!

I could go on and on but I am not being paid. UAB only needs to attract .03% of the Bham metro area on average to have 30,000 people show up at the games. We can be the Avis of Alabama football.

Great post. I wish all those in the offices at Bartow and Wallace could read the above post and learn from it. If they took action on some of your suggestions, the sky would be the limit. +1
12-03-2012 11:18 AM
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WhoDatBlazer Offline
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Post: #25
RE: Dear Mike Raita
in no particular order:

- most people 12-34 can't afford donations or season tickets
- have you met UAB's Marketing Manager ?.....he's pretty good
- have you seen his budget ? .....meager would be a generous statement
- do you KNOW that he DOESN'T have measurable/attainable goals ?
- looks to me as if the focus begins @ UAB and works its way out
- McGee and Haase have been more in the public pre-season than any coaches ever
- what would your "clear & concise message of who we are and what we are about" be....exactly?
- incentive programs for students have been around for many years....how's that workin' out?

how about your SPECIFIC solutions ?
12-03-2012 11:58 AM
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UAB?IAB Offline
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Post: #26
RE: Dear Mike Raita
- most people 12-34 can't afford donations or season tickets
1. Adults can afford single tickets/My 13 y/o loves the go cart track so I take him - most parents do similar things for their kids. (see mcdonalds). They have to be exposed to the product and develop a connection before they become donors and season ticket holders

- have you met UAB's Marketing Manager ?.....he's pretty good
2. I don't need to meet a MM to know if he's good, all I need are the results of her strategies. Sales are declining.

- have you seen his budget ? .....meager would be a generous statement
3. Hence shooting with a shotgun vs a rifle and scrapping billboards and establishing 1 or 2 media partners.

- do you KNOW that he DOESN'T have measurable/attainable goals ?
4. No, but I do know that if you ask employees/students/fans what they are, they couldn't tell you and that's not good.

- looks to me as if the focus begins @ UAB and works its way out
5. Is UAB within the Birmingham city limits? Last I checked it was.

- McGee and Haase have been more in the public pre-season than any coaches ever
[b]6. They can only be one place at a time, that's why MASS MEDIA has survived over the years.


- what would your "clear & concise message of who we are and what we are about" be....exactly?
7. I don't have access to all of the data necessary to make such a statement, but with an in-depth CNA and a S.W.O.T analysis, I could come up with one.

- incentive programs for students have been around for many years....how's that workin' out?
8. Not a discount to snoozy's but comprehensive incentive program, motivated people spend money

how about your SPECIFIC solutions ? How about signing a contract making my company the agency of record, agree to a compensation package, and I will give all the specific you could ever hope for.
12-03-2012 12:33 PM
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Matrix Offline
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Post: #27
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 11:18 AM)backyardblazer Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 11:12 AM)UAB?IAB Wrote:  UAB is in a very difficult circumstance, much of which we have discussed ad nauseum. To me, it all goes back to leadership or the lack thereof.

UAB athletics should be run like a small business competing against much larger companies.

- Stop trying to grow the fan base with a shot gun and start using a rifle.
- Focus on the city of Birmingham and work it's way out.
- Develop clear, concise, and comprehensive message of who we are and what we are about.
- Identify 1 or 2 media partners and focus their ad dollars with those partners, would have A LOT more leverage.
- Have stated and measurable goals
- Develop a results driven marketing/advertising campaign
- Bring in a highly skilled public relations manager
- Be more proactive and less reactive when it comes to issues concerning the athletics department.
- SCRAP THE BILLBOARDS
- Primary target should be people 12 - 34
- Make game day an event, from pregame, halftime, to post game. More than boucies and face painting.
- Give REAL added value to tickets stubs
- Create an incentive program for students to attend games
- OF COURSE WIN!!!

I could go on and on but I am not being paid. UAB only needs to attract .03% of the Bham metro area on average to have 30,000 people show up at the games. We can be the Avis of Alabama football.

Great post. I wish all those in the offices at Bartow and Wallace could read the above post and learn from it. If they took action on some of your suggestions, the sky would be the limit. +1

Print this up and mail it to Mackin?
12-03-2012 12:48 PM
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the Dragon Offline
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Post: #28
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 11:17 AM)uabbean Wrote:  In other words to expect sport writers to be cheer leaders and never critical is unrealistic especially on a show like that one (remember UAB football was not very good and DESERVED arrows). Further to claim a sportswriter is a UAT drone because he jabbed at us is past being paranoid into redneck whiners like the UAT mass

With our results on the field, I don't expect any cheerleaders for UAB. I never said that in any way. I expect shots. In fact, I think what he was saying could have been said as a shot and it would not have bothered me. It was the sarcastic grin as he said "if they (UAB) could do something about powerhouses like Rice and Marshall, then they could dominate this league!" (smirky grin). If he would have made the point that CUSA could be getting weaker, therefore UAB has a chance to do better despite the "demotion" then his point would have been understandable.

It is the smirky comments that aren't even true (we beat Marshall and MTSU is actually a good team) that show that he is just looking down his nose at little ole UAB.

Are you saying that I'm a redneck whiner like a Bammer fan? Why? Because I expect a Birmingham sportscaster to be professional? He can criticize all the millions of things wrong at UAB, but instead he makes a joke while he uses false information to make UAB look pitiful. That sounds like a Crimson tool to me. It is the same thing Bama's trustees do to us. You disagree? I'm not paranoid about people's distaste for UAB. I'm pretty sure the signs are obvious.

And for the record, I'm not even that mad. I'm just disappointed in Raita, who used to be fair minded toward UAB. He wasn't so condescending like Rick Karley on Fox. Now, he reminds me of him.

I like the idea of UAB focusing on one or two stations for their ad dollars. I'll watch one of them.
(This post was last modified: 12-03-2012 01:13 PM by the Dragon.)
12-03-2012 01:11 PM
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the_blazerman Offline
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Post: #29
RE: Dear Mike Raita
Agreed. Being a dick on tv & checking this board out to see if people recognized him being a dick is worse than being a dick.

Act like a professional for a change instead of being a ratings crazy low life.
12-03-2012 01:15 PM
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mobileblazer Offline
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Post: #30
RE: Dear Mike Raita
I've always liked the thought of having a UAB football ticket table set up at EVERY B'ham metro high school home game during the high school season. UAB could do this without much cost and sell to a large part of our target audience.
12-03-2012 01:37 PM
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FNblazer Offline
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Post: #31
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 11:12 AM)UAB?IAB Wrote:  UAB is in a very difficult circumstance, much of which we have discussed ad nauseum. To me, it all goes back to leadership or the lack thereof.

UAB athletics should be run like a small business competing against much larger companies.

- Stop trying to grow the fan base with a shot gun and start using a rifle.
- Focus on the city of Birmingham and work it's way out.
- Develop clear, concise, and comprehensive message of who we are and what we are about.
- Identify 1 or 2 media partners and focus their ad dollars with those partners, would have A LOT more leverage.
- Have stated and measurable goals
- Develop a results driven marketing/advertising campaign
- Bring in a highly skilled public relations manager
- Be more proactive and less reactive when it comes to issues concerning the athletics department.
- SCRAP THE BILLBOARDS
- Primary target should be people 12 - 34
- Make game day an event, from pregame, halftime, to post game. More than boucies and face painting.
- Give REAL added value to tickets stubs
- Create an incentive program for students to attend games
- OF COURSE WIN!!!

I could go on and on but I am not being paid. UAB only needs to attract .03% of the Bham metro area on average to have 30,000 people show up at the games. We can be the Avis of Alabama football.

UAB?IAB's 14 theses! Nail these to Mackin's door.
12-03-2012 01:51 PM
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the Dragon Offline
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Post: #32
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 01:37 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  I've always liked the thought of having a UAB football ticket table set up at EVERY B'ham metro high school home game during the high school season. UAB could do this without much cost and sell to a large part of our target audience.

That is a great idea, but I wonder if it is an NCAA violation somehow.

If it's not, it would take a lot of manpower, and it would need to be cheap manpower (volunteers?).
12-03-2012 02:10 PM
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mobileblazer Offline
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Post: #33
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 02:10 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 01:37 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  I've always liked the thought of having a UAB football ticket table set up at EVERY B'ham metro high school home game during the high school season. UAB could do this without much cost and sell to a large part of our target audience.

That is a great idea, but I wonder if it is an NCAA violation somehow.

If it's not, it would take a lot of manpower, and it would need to be cheap manpower (volunteers?).


Marketing major students could do it to put on their resume......
12-03-2012 02:12 PM
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UAB?IAB Offline
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Post: #34
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 02:12 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 02:10 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 01:37 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  I've always liked the thought of having a UAB football ticket table set up at EVERY B'ham metro high school home game during the high school season. UAB could do this without much cost and sell to a large part of our target audience.

That is a great idea, but I wonder if it is an NCAA violation somehow.

If it's not, it would take a lot of manpower, and it would need to be cheap manpower (volunteers?).


Marketing major students could do it to put on their resume......

Start small with a pilot program of about 15 area schools (30 fan bases every Friday night) and staff it with volunteers from each school. Each volunteer has VIP access to home games that includes 4 tickets, 4 meal vouchers, and preferred parking pass. As the kinks are worked out and it proves to be a success, you expand from there.
12-03-2012 02:24 PM
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Matrix Offline
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Post: #35
RE: Dear Mike Raita
a cascading, constant chorus of "boos" should rain down on raita the rat-faced reporter any time he shows his face at a UAB sporting event.
12-03-2012 03:01 PM
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Post: #36
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 02:12 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 02:10 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 01:37 PM)mobileblazer Wrote:  I've always liked the thought of having a UAB football ticket table set up at EVERY B'ham metro high school home game during the high school season. UAB could do this without much cost and sell to a large part of our target audience.

That is a great idea, but I wonder if it is an NCAA violation somehow.

If it's not, it would take a lot of manpower, and it would need to be cheap manpower (volunteers?).


Marketing major students could do it to put on their resume......

You would also need the agreement of the schools / local Bd of Ed to have a kiosk at the game. They may not agree due to concern over the precedent they may set by allowing any sales kiosks at their games. They may ask, "Who will show up next week and want to sell their tickets?"

It is worth looking into for next season and for other sports.
12-03-2012 04:29 PM
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blazerwkr Offline
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Post: #37
RE: Dear Mike Raita
Back to the OP, it didn't surprize me that he said it or something along those lines as its par for the course. Yes it did bother me but that was probably why he said it to get a reaction out of someone. The media in this mkt is all & has always been about negatives not positives. The only positive press (human interest/feel good) they'd give would be mostly to UAT due to it being their core/majority viewership but there'd be a bone thrown in from time to time to others rarely.
(This post was last modified: 12-03-2012 06:08 PM by blazerwkr.)
12-03-2012 06:07 PM
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Post: #38
RE: Dear Mike Raita
I am about to go take a big Mike Raita now. I may have to double flush. Support the guys from BlazerTV and let's help them grow.
12-03-2012 06:11 PM
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Post: #39
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 06:11 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Support the guys from BlazerTV and let's help them grow.

I wouldn't be concerned too much with that much longer...but who knows. Go Blazers!
(This post was last modified: 12-03-2012 11:53 PM by demiveeman.)
12-03-2012 11:51 PM
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Post: #40
RE: Dear Mike Raita
(12-03-2012 11:51 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  
(12-03-2012 06:11 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Support the guys from BlazerTV and let's help them grow.

I wouldn't be concerned too much with that much longer...but who knows. Go Blazers!

That federal grant coming thru, huh.
12-04-2012 12:27 AM
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