Why would a visitor or tourist buy Melbourne merchandise? They have no tie to the city let alone the club. It shouldn't matter where we sell our merchandise in this day and age accessing the merch isn't the problem. Although I do agree that a shop at the end of the MCG tour would be a good idea. At the empire state building they make you exit through a merchandise shop and there's no escaping all the tacky stuff they offer there.

I think its not just about the sale of Merchandise

It is about promotion and it is about owning the Melbourne brand

this will assist us with other sponsorship.

The promotion to students will grow the awareness and the market and may help attract sponsors any merchandise sales and future gate receipts and memberships would be a bonus

We are trying to steal the kids. We are, and should remain, going to schools and doing clinics and giving away free tickets and being in their faces. If we get good we will give them a reason to follow the 'local' team that has come good. This is a long game. It's the right move.

In addition to this, we're also running the Demon Heartland program. More likely to be worthwhile when we win a few, but regardless, I'm still chipping in two (and have done for the past 3 years).

Why would a visitor or tourist buy Melbourne merchandise? They have no tie to the city let alone the club. It shouldn't matter where we sell our merchandise in this day and age accessing the merch isn't the problem. Although I do agree that a shop at the end of the MCG tour would be a good idea. At the empire state building they make you exit through a merchandise shop and there's no escaping all the tacky stuff they offer there.

I'd be quite sure that many international visitors to Melbourne, especially those that are sports nuts, would like to buy an AFL jumper that is Melbourne, rather than one that is Collingwood. Your average American knows about "Australian Rules", so if they were to go back to the USA wearing a red and blue jumper, it would be easier for them to say it's Melbourne. Everyone knows of the city that is Melbourne, they don't know the suburbs so much, so I'm sure the "Melbourne" merchandise would be of interest.

Spot on WYL

I think it will take a decade of sustained success to get new supporters.

At present we are mainly just trying to get lapsed members from the last 30 years to pay up.

Winners are grinners OD...You and i have seen many of them looking straight at US over the years...

The Club was right to sort out the big off field issues first...Debt, Training Facilities, Membership Unity....Stage 2 must move to onfield success....

which will drive the other areas....Winners buy Memberships & Merchandise because they are proud and wish to Rub it in to others...

That is Footy.

RP, I'm not sure I totally agree re the online ability to access merchandise. The reason I'd like to see something in the CBD is more for brand awareness than merchandise sales. It's about any new Melbournian or any visitors/tourists that come to Melbourne, know exactly who Melbourne is. Same as my thoughts on a Demon Shop/outlet being near the MCG tour stuff. The market I'm targeting is those that will buy on impulse, for example, that tourist/visitor who has just been on the MCG tour, learnt about the MFC's history, and on their way out can buy a Melbourne shirt/jumper/whatever.

That market won't be the ones that get on the website and buy merchandise.

Location Location Location....The MFC may get a good rental deal on the Demon Shop from the MCC, fine...But i defy anybody to get a cab to stop anywhere near that dam shop...& then after one has purchased....Finding another cab during the week is not easy..

I do not live near a railway line...and Buses are not good for me.

I'd be quite sure that many international visitors to Melbourne, especially those that are sports nuts, would like to buy an AFL jumper that is Melbourne, rather than one that is Collingwood. Your average American knows about "Australian Rules", so if they were to go back to the USA wearing a red and blue jumper, it would be easier for them to say it's Melbourne. Everyone knows of the city that is Melbourne, they don't know the suburbs so much, so I'm sure the "Melbourne" merchandise would be of interest.

I can assure you the average American knows nothing of Australian rules. Even the sports nuts.

But I agree if one was to buy a jumper as some sort of momento it would be Melbourne, after the city's name.

I can assure you the average American knows nothing of Australian rules. Even the sports nuts.

But I agree if one was to buy a jumper as some sort of momento it would be Melbourne, after the city's name.

What? I can't agree with that sorry. Aussie Rules is well known in America, I'm not saying well followed, but it is definitely well known, especially amongst the sporting enthusiasts.

I have never been the the Demon's shop due to it's location. I believe that it would be better to locate it to a more accessable location.

Yar, agreed. I work in town and could go to a CBD shop in my lunch break. I won't get off the train at Richmond on my way home after a hard days slog just to walk to the Demons shop then lose my seat on the train and stand until Boxhill

I have 4 kids and went to buy jumpers at a Casey game/family day last year but they'd sold out.

I wouldn't buy kids clothing online

Location Location Location....The MFC may get a good rental deal on the Demon Shop from the MCC, fine...But i defy anybody to get a cab to stop anywhere near that dam shop...& then after one has purchased....Finding another cab during the week is not easy..

I do not live near a railway line...and Buses are not good for me.

Spot on wyl and I can assure you it is not a lot better try to go there in a car.

I only go if I really need something in a hurry.

A second location could improve things I am sure.

I have no idea where that might be but the current one does have draw backs.

According to Damien Barret's Twitter Trenners is on the footy show tonight. An announcement for the club hopefully...

According to Damien Barret's Twitter Trenners is on the footy show tonight. An announcement for the club hopefully...

I wouldn't be holding my breath if I were you. The club has been in the news a lot recently and with Jimmy's funeral service taking place this week, they will want to get the players' angle on how this will affect the team, I would think.

Why would a visitor or tourist buy Melbourne merchandise? They have no tie to the city let alone the club. It shouldn't matter where we sell our merchandise in this day and age accessing the merch isn't the problem. Although I do agree that a shop at the end of the MCG tour would be a good idea. At the empire state building they make you exit through a merchandise shop and there's no escaping all the tacky stuff they offer there.

Why do people buy New York Yankees caps? European soccer team shirts?

If you have a team's merch available at a position at the city around tourist districts you will get sales as a result assuming you cross-promote the brand.

Why do people buy New York Yankees caps? European soccer team shirts?

If you have a team's merch available at a position at the city around tourist districts you will get sales as a result assuming you cross-promote the brand.

Yes, but teams like New York Yankees, Real Madrid, Manchester United etc etc are known all over the globe... unfortunately, I don't think the Melbourne Demons can make that boast just yet.

Because Baseball and Soccer are world games, AFL is unique to Australia and only professionally played here. Plus I can go down to Champs and buy a Yankees cap, can't buy AFL merchandise in America.

I'd be quite sure that many international visitors to Melbourne, especially those that are sports nuts, would like to buy an AFL jumper that is Melbourne, rather than one that is Collingwood. Your average American knows about "Australian Rules", so if they were to go back to the USA wearing a red and blue jumper, it would be easier for them to say it's Melbourne. Everyone knows of the city that is Melbourne, they don't know the suburbs so much, so I'm sure the "Melbourne" merchandise would be of interest.

I saw a tourist who spoke little English buying a Collingwood cap at the Adidas warehouse in Fitzroy because of the Australian flag on their emblem. That was the first time I ever wondered why Collingwood is the team that gets to have our country's flag on their emblem. Then our new one came out with the Southern Cross and I was happier again.

Does anyone remember when the Demon shop was also combined with the MCC shop? That was a good idea!

Who are FreedomSea, what do they do? They are on our banner that goes behind the coach/players at pressers.

Who are FreedomSea, what do they do? They are on our banner that goes behind the coach/players at pressers.

Pretty sure its Freedom SEO (search engine optimisation)

Who are FreedomSea, what do they do? They are on our banner that goes behind the coach/players at pressers.

Freedom SEO

Want to promote your business online & stay ahead of the competition?

Does your Website need a makeover?

Want to discover how many people search for your services online?

FREEDOMSEO is pleased to announce a special deal exclusively for Melbourne Football Club members.

All Melbourne Football Club members receive a 20% discount off the retail price of:

*A new or re-branded Website

*A mobile website / mobile App for your business

*And a free 1 hour consultation to plot your future roadmap for success

To take advantage of this offer, call one of our friendly Web Strategists on 1300 624 887.

Or you can request a free quote online.

FREEDOMSEO is a leading Melbourne digital services company. The firm’s primary aim is to provide services to clients that allow them to increase business value and improve performance through the effective application of online marketing tools and techniques.

Our Value Proposition encapsulates:

*no contracts

*use of proven traffic-measurement reporting for ROI purposes

*we utilise the latest tools and technology to keep abreast of Online trends & developments

so what is this?

so what is this?

I'm pretty sure they were with us last year. And another thing I am led to believe, and am happy to be corrected, but the bloke that owns Energy Watch also owns Freedom SEO.

My chin has been up for nearly 50 years PSD.

My neck is beginning to feel the strain.

I have said elsewhere this is the same basic lot as 2011 they are not up to it.

Get used to that result there are a lot more of them to come.

DITTO

I'm pretty sure they were with us last year. And another thing I am led to believe, and am happy to be corrected, but the bloke that owns Energy Watch also owns Freedom SEO.

yeah i knew they had been with us for a while, people seemed to think something new had happened was all, interesting link you mention though

SEO = Search Engine Optimisation. Get your company name up to the top of Google without paying them.

SEO = Search Engine Optimisation. Get your company name up to the top of Google without paying them.

Good sponsor to have. How often do you search page 2 of Google? Could be a major company in a few years as competition of net space really heats up.

yeah i knew they had been with us for a while, people seemed to think something new had happened was all, interesting link you mention though

Here you go JT...

http://www.freedomseo.com.au/blog/

"

...

Ben Polis, Managing Director of ‘Freedom SEO’ said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Melbourne Football Club. I know it’s one of the oldest clubs in the world, but for me it is also progressive, dynamic and youthful. These are all attributes that we at Freedom SEO can relate to, and it’s the reason why we’ve become involved.”

Ben is the Managing Director of Energy Watch too...