Let's talk missed opportunities.
Do you remember what ISU did to remember the 95th anniversary of Jack Trice's death this past fall? Yeah, me neither. I do remember Iowa honoring Nile Kinnick with their football uniforms yet again. (It happened in their November game against Northwestern.)
Actually, there was one thing that did happen--Jack got demoted to second banana with his own stadium name. First billing is a big deal, especially in Hollywood, but in the eyes of ISU, Jack is now clearly second fiddle. It could've been so easy. Why not:
Instead of (dry heaves):
Perhaps the new football media guide next season will not "randomly" stop at the year 1924 when sharing historical numbers worn by players.
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Speaking of historical numbers, I see incoming recruit Breece Hall was given # 28, the first player to wear this number since the Davis brothers. Of course, Troy was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Ed Bock (# 38).
Remember, ISU is one of the only schools in the ENTIRE COUNTRY that hasn't bothered to retire or honor any football numbers. Will this obvious opportunity fall by the wayside again?
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On Twitter a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how the influential Louis Vuitton designer used Iowa's Tigerhawk logo among other iconic logos in his show during Paris Fashion Week with rappers Playboy Carti and Offset.
Meanwhile the bugle logo is on clearance at K-Mart.
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Fans went crazy when ISU tipped a tentative toe into pop culture by doing the recent Space Jam-themed "Cyclone Squad" (Toon Squad) hats.
That should be a clue. Why not use a College of Design intern to draw the basketball players as animated characters?
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How many of you know that the current Mr. Olympia titleholder (Classic Physique division) is former football player Breon Ansley, who has dabbled in film and commercials throughout the years?
Famously, Arnold Schwarzenegger was formerly Mr. Olympia.
Why not hire Breon in a series of spoof commercials for ISU recreating Arnold's iconic roles?
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When famed cow bodyguard Jared Homan was traipsing the world playing pro basketball and being with his former Victoria's Secret supermodel girlfriend for many years, ISU should've been supplying him with high-end ISU gear or hiring him to produce a documentary.
Imagine a former ISU star and Victoria's Secret model in a travel series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, subtly marketing ISU. What a goldmine.
Instead, we got Hooray for Ames Water.
___
ISU should already be cultivating someone like Jason Momoa (AQUAMAN!) to be a potential celebrity guest picker if ESPN College Gameday comes to Ames next season. Pay him now to come speak to the ISU football team, etc. Partner with Nike to create a WATER CYCLONE uniform.
After all, he grew up near ISU and speaks to animals--just like ISU's vet school. Why not? Bigger ad campaigns have been launched on flimsier premises.
___
In sum, THINK BIGGER!
Thoughts?
Do you remember what ISU did to remember the 95th anniversary of Jack Trice's death this past fall? Yeah, me neither. I do remember Iowa honoring Nile Kinnick with their football uniforms yet again. (It happened in their November game against Northwestern.)
Actually, there was one thing that did happen--Jack got demoted to second banana with his own stadium name. First billing is a big deal, especially in Hollywood, but in the eyes of ISU, Jack is now clearly second fiddle. It could've been so easy. Why not:
Jack Trice Stadium featuring MidAmerican Energy Field
Instead of (dry heaves):
MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium
Perhaps the new football media guide next season will not "randomly" stop at the year 1924 when sharing historical numbers worn by players.
___
Speaking of historical numbers, I see incoming recruit Breece Hall was given # 28, the first player to wear this number since the Davis brothers. Of course, Troy was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Ed Bock (# 38).
Remember, ISU is one of the only schools in the ENTIRE COUNTRY that hasn't bothered to retire or honor any football numbers. Will this obvious opportunity fall by the wayside again?
___
On Twitter a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how the influential Louis Vuitton designer used Iowa's Tigerhawk logo among other iconic logos in his show during Paris Fashion Week with rappers Playboy Carti and Offset.
Meanwhile the bugle logo is on clearance at K-Mart.
___
Fans went crazy when ISU tipped a tentative toe into pop culture by doing the recent Space Jam-themed "Cyclone Squad" (Toon Squad) hats.
That should be a clue. Why not use a College of Design intern to draw the basketball players as animated characters?
___
How many of you know that the current Mr. Olympia titleholder (Classic Physique division) is former football player Breon Ansley, who has dabbled in film and commercials throughout the years?
Famously, Arnold Schwarzenegger was formerly Mr. Olympia.
Why not hire Breon in a series of spoof commercials for ISU recreating Arnold's iconic roles?
___
When famed cow bodyguard Jared Homan was traipsing the world playing pro basketball and being with his former Victoria's Secret supermodel girlfriend for many years, ISU should've been supplying him with high-end ISU gear or hiring him to produce a documentary.
Imagine a former ISU star and Victoria's Secret model in a travel series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, subtly marketing ISU. What a goldmine.
Instead, we got Hooray for Ames Water.
___
ISU should already be cultivating someone like Jason Momoa (AQUAMAN!) to be a potential celebrity guest picker if ESPN College Gameday comes to Ames next season. Pay him now to come speak to the ISU football team, etc. Partner with Nike to create a WATER CYCLONE uniform.
After all, he grew up near ISU and speaks to animals--just like ISU's vet school. Why not? Bigger ad campaigns have been launched on flimsier premises.
___
In sum, THINK BIGGER!
Thoughts?
