FOX Sports Ohio's "Countdown to Face Off" Builds Excitement for Blue Jackets Season

In preparation for Columbus Blue Jackets season, FOX Sports Ohio launched a preseason promotional campaign, “Countdown to Face Off,” to create excitement for the upcoming season.

Highlights include:
*Special preseason programs, including a Summer Tour show shot in Canada
*Fans selected Showcase Games via voting on FOXSportsOhio.com
*Marketing campaign including player profile spots, tune-in spots, digital advertising, & on-site events
*Social media promotion resulting in 10% increase in FOX Sports Ohio Facebook fans
*Hour-long live pregame show Opening Night on the arena plaza & pregame party

Production/Programming
*Utilized Countdown to Face Off to promote 79 games in HD
*Preseason programs:

• 4 Blue Jackets Showcase Games – Fans voted for their favorite CBJ games on FOXSportsOhio.com. The top 4 of 9 games made the air.
• 4 Summer Tour Shows – FOX Sports Ohio went to Canada to tell the story of what CBJ players do in their off-season. Additional excerpts are available on BlueJackets.com:

• Blue Jackets Slap Shots Summer Special
• Morning Sports Report Special

Marketing/PR

*Branded campaign with customized logo and theme for all preseason tune-in spots, opens, and additional elements



*Created a series of four (4) player profile spots, including this one on Nash.
  


*Utilized outdoor digital boards in Cincinnati and Columbus

*Hosted a Preseason Blue Jackets Fan Cam where fans could be answer trivia to be on Blue Jackets Live postgame segments

*Garnered coverage: Columbus Dispatch, Puck-rakers blog, Dark Blue Jacket blog, jacketscannon.com, lightthelamp.com, thenhlarena.com, yardbarker.com   

Website/Social Media
*30 Prizes in 30 Days promotion: garnered 10% increase in FOX Sports Ohio Facebook fans

• Supported team promotion for 30 days prior to Opening Night, where fans could enter via Facebook for great prizes, including autographed merchandise, tickets, and experience prizes.

*Promoted Countdown to Face Off elements via Facebook and Twitter

*Invited fans to on-site events and posted photos and video via social media

Opening Night

*One-hour special Blue Jackets Live pregame show on Opening Night, featuring live pregame coverage from Nationwide Arena Plaza.

*Hosted FOX Sports Ohio pregame party at R Bar

*Partner in the fan gate giveaway in conjunction with month-long presenting sponsorship with Game On Columbus.