NCAA Tournament Basketball Marketing: What we can learn from #8 Seed Texas

Today we continue on our journey into the East Region, from a marketing point of view. We're in search of inspiration - things that all of us can take and apply into our worlds. And, for fans, of each team, that's a look into what makes you special.

Thus far, we've reviewed top seeded Kentucky, #2 West Virginia, #3 New Mexico, #4 Wisconsin, #5 Temple, #6 Marquette, and #7 Clemson.

We previously broke down Texas Athletics' marketing efforts (here), and I'll do my best to add a new perspective.

Let's roll.

East #8 Seed Texas (Link Here)

What's Inspiring about the Texas Longhorns Marketing?

1. Official Music of the Longhorns on iTunes

I did a double take when I saw "Longhorns Music" in the Multimedia dropdown menu. Clicking in takes you to the image below (linked here), where you get a collection of 11 Longhorns favorites.

Music is an interesting one to me for many reasons. Audio plays a really big role in the experience fans (and recruits) have at one of the games. Fans burst out into fight song chants at Pep Rallies and in ticket lines before big events. It's a part of the culture. And we very seldom find this reflected in athletics sites. (nicely done, UT.)

How could this be better?

• Don't charge to hear it. I get the reasons to sell this for $9.99 on iTunes. But how can you bring that to life, for free, within the fan experience on TexasSports.com? Take what you have and repurpose it!
• Add crowd chants. How can we expand the sound factor? Crowd chants could be a big one -- and would be another thing that could be offered up for free...
• Longhorns playlists. Create playlists of what's in each player's iPod. This will serve as a nice way to connect fans with the Horns and build upon the UT music presence.

2. Wallpapers!

Wallpapers are almost too easy. But we hardly ever see what we saw on the UT site -- wallpapers that are customized by sport. I like them, as if you're on the site, they are an easy way to let you keep the Horns in front of you, always. It's very easy to create and it can have a nice impact.

How could this be better?

There are a couple things that jump out at me.

• Tie wallpapers to player Bios. Essentially allow fans to check out their favorite player's bio and then download his wallpaper with them!
• Leverage insider photography to create these. UT can create what no one else can do by leveraging their inside access to the team and turning that into exclusive wallpapers
• Make wallpapers for mobiles! Don't forget that most prospective student athletes are spending time on their mobile, more so than on their laptop.

3. Texas Text Alerts

Speaking of mobiles, I was excited to see that Texas is offering mobile alerts (see the image below). Just click in and sign up and you can be updated on the latest news from Longhorns athletics wherever you are. It's a nice move towards the device that most of us are beginning to fully rely on.

How could this be better?

• Allow customization. Let me know what my options are for alerts and choose what I do and don't want. The deeper the better -- naturally by sport is critical but I'd also like to know what options I have within basketball...
• Connect with Social Media. If more and more fans are getting their real time alerts via Twitter or Facebook, it feels only natural that UT would move this way. This is a simple way of fitting into the prospective student athlete's world, rather than expecting things to work the other way around. Plus it feels a lot less forced, and many people are on limited text messaging plans.

That's it. Come back on Monday as we keep moving through the East Region!