ADS PURCHASED: 0, FANS AT DRAFT PARTY: 10,000
Welcome to the NYI blog-Tweet-mania webolution
(Thanks, Rich from RVC)
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
7:20 pm - How do you get 10,000 fans to watch the NHL draft on the scoreboard of a rusty arena? Three ways:
1. JOHN TA-VA-RES
2. Have C. W. Snojanks keep it a secret
3. Watch the Islanders webolution do the rest
Make no mistake Islanders fans, there were two stories coming out of Friday night: Tavares and you.
The Islanders did not spend a dime on mainstream media advertising for the Draft Party, and they didn’t have to. No, they did not plan on coming in last and winning the lottery, but they have been planning for a crescendo like Friday night for the last two years…
NYI Blog Box: The Islanders now have 17 fan-bloggers providing editorial content all for the cost of cooperation, a press pass and a link to the official team site.
Islandermania as official team message board: At last check, 6,207 registered users.
Yup, Islanders Point Blank: Friday’s stats: 1,469,880 hits. 147,710 page views. 38,831 unique visitors.
Executive accessibility via smart customer service: Countless times since this blog began, I have received emails from fans looking for direction on who to speak with at the Islanders if they had a complaint, wanted to vent or even needed a favor. As far as I can tell, they have been 100% satisfied. Good on the NYI.
Of course, it does not end there. There are several outstanding places to talk about the team on the www, such as the HF boards and Islanders Country. Feel free to promote your message board of choice in the Comments section of this post.
There are many strong bloggers outside of the NYI Blog Box, including Islanders Independent and Lighthouse Hockey. NHL-wide bloggers like Puck Daddy and SB Nation have taken notice of the intense passion on the web for Islanders content and have increased their coverage. And by now it should go without saying that Greg Logan and only Greg Logan of Newsday blogs on the team 24/7 from wherever the Islanders lace their skates.
(thanks, Joe D)
The Islanders-affiliated programs were put in place starting two years ago under the direction of team president Chris Dey, who had the crazy idea to have the former media VP cover the team is his own unique way. In the wake of the exhilarating success of the Draft Party and subsequent John-anza, I asked him if the franchise plans to stay connected to its fans at such innovative and extensive lengths.
“The one thing I keep coming back to is, we are a team named after our fans,” said Dey. “We understand what our team means to them, how emotional a connection there is between the fans and the Islanders. We’re going to continue to give the fans outlets through the digital media. But above all else, we want to continue to be friendly, responsible and accessible to our fans at all levels.”
Comments on this story only. Scott Gordon, the enforcer issue and plenty of hockey talk below. More on UFAs coming in next post.
65 Responses to “ADS PURCHASED: 0, FANS AT DRAFT PARTY: 10,000
Welcome to the NYI blog-Tweet-mania webolution”
Please Wait
one of the best posts from you, Chris. maybe I am still juiced up about friday but I really do see the worm starting to turn for this franchise. i do not see why this team can’t be a playoff team in a couple of years.
was awesome to watch the videos on youtube for the draft party. Looking forward to this coming season!
What does this mean for you CB?
its not a messgage board but
savetheisles.com
Nice!!!
I turn to Islanderspointblank several times a day. Make that several dozen times a day… lol.
DOC
this site has been the best thing that has happened to the Islanders besides drafting JOHN TAVARES!
In terms of the Islanders web presence there is only one more thing that I could ask for: the ability to purchase a seasons pass to watch Islanders games online. NHL Centre Ice is great, but it is WAY too much money. If they allowed you to buy single teams for cheaper, it would be much better. I know this is the NHLs doing, and not the Islanders though, so I won’t hold it against them.
It says a lot that I get ALL the Islanders information I need online, and I almost never have to go to the official team site to do so, and I honestly believe that if the team wasn’t so open to bloggers it wouldn’t be nearly so easy.
I’m with beatlebailey, will islanderspointblank continue for next season? Besides the drafting of Tavares, this blog was the best thing about the Islanders this past season
I’m with you Mo it’s bin a real treat come on POINTBLANK
The Tavares jersey has a nice look. I haven’t been this pumped for a season in a long time. I realize there is still a longggggggggg way to go,but this was a great step.
Great post. I’ll be devastated if PB goes by the wayside.
I frequent Mania, HF, and the NHL forum on MetsRefugees (because you can swear all you want there (: )
This blog is awesome, the content is fantastic. Why else would I check in on the train to and from work, at lunch, and before I go to bed??? Because I love hockey and I am obsessed with my Islanders.
Long live CB/PB.
soon, you won’t be able to get a ticket to the coliseum. this team’ll be the hottest ticket ‘in town’ again.
I will echo the inquiry regarding PB. Im glad Dey said they are going to “continue to give the fans outlets through the digital media” but I really hope that means PB specifically. This is one of if not the best Islanders site on the Internet.
CB, I think this may be your best post yet. Why? Well I don’t know if I’m reading a little to deep into this, but it seems as if Islanders Point Blank is here to stay. There is really only 1 place Islander fans go for information. We know it, the NHL knows it, Wang and Dey know it. Thank you Chris for everything, and I’m looking forward to another great year.
This almost reads like a farewell, CB. Please, don’t do that to us!
great work as usual CB. This blog will be around next season?
I agree with Priest (#5), that the NHL needs to allow us to purchase team-specific online passes. Thankfully the radio feeds are free and there are other shadier ways of finding NHL games streaming online (but not always live), but the NHL should make this happen, and the Isles should continue to lead on this online front. Even the online Playoff Day Pass was nutso, for like $20 a day. Even a per-game charge could work–$3/game?–or online viewing packs, like purchase any 10 games to watch.
Kudos to this blogger army, which allows those that no longer live on LI (like me) to continue to stay rabid, informed fans!
You know, I really thought Johnaroo was going to stick. Now we have Johnanza and Johnstock, soon Johnapalooza.
Great post CB…what does this mean for you? Is point blank going to continue??
This website has been my main source of info regarding this team since I have been away at school and I hope it is here to stay!!!!
And a dozen of us “fan bloggers” have you to thank (or condem) for all of it. You were the innovator and the creater that then evolved into the creation itself.
We all know that hockey is a niche sport that receives minimal coverage from mainstream media. However true fans are as passionate as you can find, consuming every last drop of content we can get our fingers on.
I have always been impressed with the isles approach to non-traditional media. They continue to innovate and should be lauded as (professional sports) industry leaders in the digital marketplace.
The reality is that this site has evolved into more of a community and less of a blog. One that I hope exists at some capacity long term. When you’re done CB, it would behoove NYI to takeover.
The Islanders truly made a great organizational move in more ways than one with the addition of John Tavares. The connection between the fans and the team through this blog and the blog box was another great organizational move. Things are much brighter around here!
-Justin M.
New York Islanders Net
( http://islesnet.blogspot.com )
the stats speak for themselves. Nearly 1.5 million hits on friday along with over 38,000 visitors. CB and Point Blank rule!
i agree with what 7th woman just said. If you have been a reader for a while, you know she is right and says it like no one else can.
I too agree with Derek #15. I read this as your confirmation of your future without anyone publicy saying anything. At least thats what a fella can hope.
I feel like the past 2yrs with mostly you, then bd and logan’s writing….i have been more into the Islanders as a result. I follow you on twitter, bd on facebook & twitter and check newsday, pb and islesindependent on my blackberry, office and home computers. To say the Islanders made a smart move to engage their mostly upscale, male and digital savvy fans is an understatement. They will reap the benefits of it for years to come, if the product on ice continues in the right direction.
CONGRATS CB - on those very impressive web stats. I hope you are doing well selling the ads. You should get some direct response clients (on those historically higher than normal traffic days and get this site to take some video ads, not just static display ads.
Did the Islanders always have multiple leaderboard and side ad space on your site as they do right now?
Thank you and best of luck.
Speaking of fan relation and accessibility, has there been any mention of where John Tavares will be living? Would be cool if he made a new home for himself on the island.
I am a sports fan. I watch Tennis, Golf, Football, Baseball, and I root for every NY team except the Rangers. But Hockey is by far my favorite. Of course I am an Islander fan. We are passionate about our team.
Forged in my youth watching the Dynasty there was this palpable mystic about the Islanders. One of the best professional Hockey teams ever assembled. Still the only team to win 19 consecutive playoff series. For that record to be beat a team would have to win five Stanley Cups in a row. Not likely in todays NHL.
Watching them toil in one debacle after the next then enduring Milbury who basically destroyed this team, to the spectre of them moving its been very difficult being an Islander fan. The blogs have been huge in energizing the fanbase. Hearing other fans as passionate as you are is great especially with the lack of local news media coverage.
This team is well on its way. Its gonna be fun watching….
AS I said in one of my comments in the pre draft hysteria, Drafting Tavares was as much a business move as it was a hockey move. I know the fans are not scouts, but when 85% of your customers say something it has to be listened to, even if it is not in the end followed. Now, Mr. Dey, while we have experienced an increase in the number of quality Islander blogs, please know that THIS BLOG is the lynch pin. It was a great decision to give someone with Islander connections this forum, and you and the team know by now, that we have come to embrace and respect this blog, even more so than the one major media outlet, and I am not trying to “disrespect” it, just stating a fact. You correctly read the market, by allowing this blog to happen, make the proper decision and let it continue. Howie Rose, who gets ripped for being an admitted rag$ fan (this has nothing to do with his work) has said it best about the fans of this team…they have not gone anywhere, they have just been dormant…I believe that Friday night proved him correct.
LONG LIVE ISLANDERS POINT BLANK!
There’s also another thing I want to add.
I go to school at Penn State, amongst, mainly, Pens fans. A friend of mine who is a Penguins fan checks this site every day. Not because he cares about hockey, but because he thinks it’s the best blog on the internet and loves seeing someone who isn’t just a fan, who has real access to the players and coaches and media, but doesn’t have to hold their tongue. You really have made an impact, not just on all us Isles fans, but in the hockey blogosphere.
Chris
All those hits wouldnt be the case if the content wasnt as good as it is. So its realy you.
How do we email Chris Dey and voice our desire to keep you around for good????
Its the least we can all do. Dont you think everyone?
Good post cusi (25) especially how smart it is to engage technologically connected fans. But I dont see any of this kind of marketing as being particularly “male”. In fact, I think one of the greatest things about PB is the fact that it is about the team and the area and the sport itself, not about being any kind of a boys club. Thats one of the things that makes it so good.
1.4 million hits. Holy frick.
CB - The question has already been asked, but I’ll ask it again to add my two bits. What’s the latest on the state of the blog? As I recall, the most recent word was that there was no commitment (by the team) beyond the draft…
So when do we get word that you have come to a profitable agreement with the Isles and will be continuing Point Blank long term?
CB, I sure hope this blog continues. I don’t know where I’d get the information you provide elsewhere. Hell, I’d even pay a subscription fee if that meant it’ll continue.
Suggestion: Don’t quote hits. Quote your visits. Hits are misleading. Take the time and look up why..
Comment: At the PointBlank post-draft party, Jaffe said he was coming back to the booth next year.. Botta was more concerned about the whereabouts of the chicken wings..
Glad to be a part of the “revolution” at Hockey Night on Long Island.
(www.hockeynightonlongisland.com)
#33. Agreed. If CB could somehow keep this thing up and running, his “insider access” alone is worth paying a subscription fee.
Chris-
All I can say is thank you for the hard work.
mm
(http://tavarescountry.blogspot.com)
Not necessarily an Islanders site, but Let There Be Light(house) is doing what it can to spread the word about the project that will keep our team where it belongs
(lettherebelighthouse.com)
Otherwise, I think the Islanders have done a wonderful job nurturing bloggers. Also, I think bloggers have done a tremendous job filling the vacuum of coverage that exists in the mainstream media.
Best site on the net! Did Tavares actually confirm he’ll be wearing #91? If he didn’t know he was the pick I can’t believe he would have before all the folks had their jerseys customized. I just remember Bailey wore 89 in junior but then took the very normal 12 on the Isles.
This site is better than porn. Keep it up Chris. LETS GO ISLES!!
Not a message board but I’d love everyone to watch my Pandemonium on the Pike video. Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qKHsa7LgbU
now I could enjoy the rest of the summer…
HFboards.com is my favorite forum. Tons of knowledgable hockey fans from all teams. There are a lot of subforums that are interesting (such as the draft, trade/rumors, history, general discussion), and there are individual team forums. The Isles one is real good with people constantly on it and talking Islanders.
If you haven’t checked it out, I would highly recommend it.
i’ve loved the islanders my whole life. i really got back into them when wang bought the team. ever since last year, mainly because of this blog, i have found myself more in tune with the team than i ever have been. i care more about this team than ever before. even though the team ended up last in the league this is a team that is starting to turn itself around.
Well, I’d certainly highlight hfboards as a great source for Islanders discussion. However, as of late it has been extremely quiet. Given the circumstances of summer hockey talk, it’s expected. Tavares has upped the discussion. But anyway, I learned A LOT about hockey from pure forum discussion. One thing being this great blog!
love to see Puck Daddy and others taking more note of the passion Islanders fans have.
honestly never thrilled to read Greg Logan. i don’t mean to knock him, but he never seems to say anything really interesting (in Newsday at least) and is often lacking key insight and speculation.
This is the only blog I turn to unless you link out another. I do read http://jtbourne.wordpress.com/ to see how our super breed Islander is coming along plus he is funny as all hell.
#7 even if this were an option or even if you purchase the entire package you still cant watch Isles Rangers or Devils games online unless you purchase from an address outside of the NY area. MSG has the rights to this tied up. Do what I did get a sling box
This is by far the best and most informative Islander site on the net.
There are many good places to talk NYI on the web. Islanders Country is my favorite as it’s the most impartial and honest. HF is very good especially on prospects, history, business of hockey etc. This blog has the most information and newsbreaking updates but doesn’t allow for honest opinions of ownership and management IMO. Islandermania is the best resource for newspaper articles for NYI related stuff but many people post less and less there because of a group of fans who refuse to allow anyone with a negative slant on the team or team’s management even during recent terrible times. It’s gone downhill. Puckdaddy is good. Islanders Independent is brutally honest and of high quality. It’s nice to have a choice. 7th Woman blog has a unique outlook.
Imagine how many more NYI fans there would be if Dey marketed NYI past LI’s border into the rest of the tri-state area like NYC, parts of Westchester, Jersey and Conn. The LI only mentality is a big reason for such a small fan base. Getting the games on AM radio would help. So while affiliation with the web has grown, the radio access has suffered.
JIMMMYYYYYYY UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
This is a great CB. Please do not go you are so insightful. You really do a great job.
Great post, CB, I love all the Isles blogs…I read almost all of them…I believe the most important work being done is by Nick, on his blog, LetThereBeLight(house)…Nick is all about moving the LHP forward…If you care about the LHP and keeping the Isles right here on LI then “join the movement”!!!
http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com/
I find myself reading about the Isles all day because of this innovative idea by Chris day and the Isles PR staff…There’s definitely NO shortage of Isles coverage on the web these days and to be honest I entered the contest but lost, I’m not a writer but I have passuion for this team, it wasnt enough…:-@
That’s the way to do it … The Underground … Isles don’t need to promote themselves via main stream media … the MSM is filled with cookie cutter messages that tend to be nothing but a blurry pitch to purchase such n such product or service.
I think back to Metallica in the 1980s (God I love that decade. LOL!) and how they became a Super Group without having ONE music video for the MTV crowd. Ironically … when they did eventually make a video … it was to the song ONE. LOL!
The Isles especially now can take advantage of this new mass media and grow the ranks of Isles fans and bring back some old ones. I however sometimes have to remind my LI based fans that Islander Country bursts beyond the boundaries of Nassau and Queens … and even many time zones away.
Way to go!! 1.4 million hits on Friday - 121,693 were mine
First, I can’t see that you are going to be allowed out of PB any time soon. That would be a massive blunder by the Isles and I think they know it.
Secondly, I am here to tell you that that when Chris Dey talks about keeping communication open with the fans, he’s not kidding. I was very upset at a letter over his signature requesting me to re-up for and additionl 2 years of season tickets - Particularly when I hadn’t finished paying the first 2 years, pre-draft, etc. So I fired off a snail mail letter (contents of which are between me and Christ - tho he did show it to my rep). Although I was at work, he personally called me to discuss some of the issues I had. Hey - how many execs personally call letter writers as follow-up. You’re lucky if you get a form letter back.
So kudos to all.
Lets go Islanders.
P.S. Senator Schumer came out today (6/30) in favor of the Lighthouse.
Hopefully the organization figures out a way to make this more profitable for the amount of time you pour into this blog. Its become daily routine to start/end my day reading IPB. Sure theres a bunch of boards and other blogs out there, but nothing comes close to this.
1972 to today they still bleed orange and blue. season ticket holder since 1972.
Well, to say that your a Huge outlet to the Fans and others is an understatement!
I can tell you this for whatever it is worth, and hopefully you dont delete me as you do. But the PR dept and the Org realy enjoy your blog and they were even on your site at the draft table. So with that said it is in God’s Hands.
I would like to thank you for your outstanding coverage and hard work, for it shows tremdously and you kept us all in the game, thankyou.
Keep it coming and i feel although there are other Blogs and outlets for the fans to go, yours is the best and the fact that you have a history of working with the Islanders, you know how they tick and you are pretty much dead on, who needs other sites when you get the real info at Point Blank.
Regards
CB, is this your way of saying, “Don’t worry, kids. Even if I’m gone there are all these other places to get your Isles news. You’ll be fine without me.”???
Say it ain’t so!
CB… Any idea how the Isles came up with the number of us who showed up Friday night? I saw a very specific number quoted in Newsday on Saturday (10,118 I think). That was curious to me, because, speaking for myself, nobody so much as looked at our tickets, much less scanned or otherwise counted them. I was about to show the security guys the tickets I printed, but they just waved us in. I could have printed out two pages worth of reasons why Matt Duchesne was the better draft pick - kidding people, calm down - and we still would have gotten in with them. It looked like around 10,000, but having an exact number has me confused.
Chris - you do a great job.
(Can’t believe Taveras was in a MET uniform. Have to keep an eye on him.)
Babe Ruth
Marc from Troy — #62 — thank you for asking the obvious question. When they went with that specific number on the attendance, I had to LMAO.
One other thing: that’s a great quote from Chris Dey…the team is named after its fans.
Post #51 TM.
THere are a select group of fans who won’t let you be negative about the team? Sometimes the negativity is too much for me to handle. And seeing as there are over 6,000 members I find it hard to believe that a “group of fans” is not letting people have their say. All opinions are as ALWAYS, welcome.