While most MLB fan promotions may involve free hats, balls or tote bags, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a really cool promotion coming up for their Friday night, June 21 game, involving the rock band Linkin Park. The Dodgers will be playing the New York Mets, but fans who attend the game get some musical bonuses.
The Dodgers and Linkin Park are offering a special ticket package, for each game ticket purchased, fans get a free digital download of Linkin Park's new album, "Living Things." As a Dodger fan, I like to see the team involved in creative marketing ideas and think it's cool they are reaching out to this younger, "rock and roll" audience. I also think it's an example of some of the new thinking and ideas we will be seeing from the new ownership and management. While maintaining the family feeling and vibe, I do believe they are doing things to make the team cool and hip again.
Although the Linkin Park will not be performing at Dodger Stadium, band member Mike Shinoda will be at the game to participate in "pre-game activities." When other celebrities appear at the stadium, this usually involves maybe taking some batting practice and also signing autographs for fans.
Each Friday night home game at Dodger Stadium features post-game Friday Night Fireworks and after this game the fireworks will be launched to Linkin Park music, which actually sounds like a lot of fun. The new Linkin Park album comes out June 26 and fans who purchase this ticket package will get a code to redeem for the album on June 26. Tickets can be purchased on the Dodgers website.
I hope the Dodgers continue doing innovative promotions like this one and I would like to see more music events. I really like the idea of post-game full concerts, other MLB teams do it. The Tampa Bay Rays do this a lot, just this season, they will feature post-game concerts with Earth, Wind & Fire, LL Cool J, Train, O.A.R., ZZ Top, Three Doors Down and even The Wiggles for kids.
I'm also a fan of any promotion that allows fans to actually walk on the field. On June 30, the Dodgers will hold their On-Field Photo Day, where fans can walk in the outfield. There are fenced off areas where fans can stand and take pictures of the players.
Freddy Sherman grew up in Philadelphia, which didn't make being a Los Angeles Dodgers fan easy. He has lived in Los Angeles for twenty years, now able to follow the Dodgers openly and attends games frequently. You can follow him on Twitter -@thefredsherman.
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