Ashes, Squishing A Promo, and Propping Up The Gates; Three Fun Ideas…

Some fun notes for the week…

Marquette Brings The Ashes: It hasn’t been the best of years for Marquette basketball, but the Jesuit school found a unique way to make sure the religious mojo was brought to their Wednesday…Ash Wednesday…game at FiServ Forum against St. John’s. Rev. John D. Laurance, S.J., Marquette men’s basketball team chaplain, and Rev. D. Edward Mathie, S.J., Marquette women’s basketball team chaplain, distributed ashes at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday, for all who are observing but chose hoops over mass. Then for those not eating meat…there will be a Fish Fry available as well. Nice touch for the Golden Eagles and although it didn’t bring a little extra pop from above against the Johnnie’s in a loss Wednesday.

Vandy Looks To Squish A Trend: It has been a great year for all things Vanderbilt athletics this year, so why not keep innovating. Latest example,  Squishmallows the global plush phenomenon will make their collectable college debut with the men’s and women’s hoops teams. The ‘Dores host Georgia in men’s basketball on February 25 and Alabama in women’s basketball on February 26 and both games will feature giveaways of exclusive Sawyer and Reza Squishmallows sporting the Vanderbilt apparel, pregame activations, and Squishmallows-inspired game breaks and halftime entertainment.

It will be fun activation generating lots of social buzz for two of the most celebrated programs in the SEC this year, as fans can jump into Squishmallows-themed fun, with additional on-court moments throughout the night. Guests can also look forward to special appearances by Cam the Cat in his own Vandy jersey, teaming up with Vanderbilt’s Mr. Commodore for plenty of on-court mascot mayhem and photo-worthy moments.

Let’s see how fast this Vandy-ignited giveaway takes hold.

Lastly, let’s theme the gates. It’s not easy to transform things like parking lots or airports away from the traditional, but Lehigh Valley Airport is taking a shot at it, naming it’s gates (which still have numbers) after the local teams in the area. While it would be hard to do an bigger airports, it is a pretty creative way to market and have people use the gates for social posts. The Iron Pigs gate is pretty cool, anyone thinking about Disney-inspired gates in Orlando, or how about gates names after legends in close by Hall of Fame airports, or heck, even in Super Bowl or Bowl cities. A little unique thinking worthy of a pop for those travelling in The Valley.

Well played by all.