Ball in fans' court: Marketing campaign focuses on Grizzlies against the world

[La Bomba]

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When the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers come to town, the Grizzlies love to see FedExForum at or near capacity.

 

What they don't like are all the Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and LeBron James jerseys donned by a good portion of those in attendance. Nor do they like the cheers the visitors receive

 

While the Grizzlies made a host of moves this offseason to improve the product on the court, the marketing department, too, was busy coming up with ways to get the city behind its only major league sports franchise. They are looking to build a "Griz Nation."

 

''What's happening on the court right now is very exciting,'' Grizzlies senior director of marketing communications John Pugliese said. ''We had a lot of great additions. This is a better time than ever for fans in Memphis to be excited about Grizzlies basketball.

 

''We want the fans to rally together and really support this movement and become this kind of Griz Nation and take pride in what the team has done, and what the team and city together can do.''

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/05/ball-in-fans/