Spitfires promote Bomber’s birthday and local businesses

Windsor Spitfires mascots Bomber, Spike and Ace made an appearance at the What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory last Saturday, interacting with customers and promoting Spitfires Mix popcorn.

On the next day, What’s Poppin’ presented a generous cheque for $2,000 to the Windsor Spitfires Foundation, part of the proceeds from the sale of Spitfires Mix, on the ice before a late afternoon hockey game at the WFCU Centre.

The Spitfires were also promoting Bomber’s birthday who has been their mascot since 2006.

“It is a win-win when we get to partner with local businesses,” said Nick Welsh, the communication and media coordinator for the Windsor Spitfires. “As we have just seen with Bomber’s birthday, a new business like the What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory was able to sponsor the game and bring awareness to their brand while also being able to promote their product on site.”

A crowd of 5,000 fans, the attendance for the Spitfires 7-4 victory against the Flint Firebirds, can bring a lot of recognition to a brand or business.

“And the Spitfires organization works well in advance before the game to make sure the business gets what it’s looking for,” said Welsh. “It can range from a table in the concourse to signage in the arena.”

This year marks the 75th anniversary season of the Spitfires and there were six celebration nights spread throughout the season for different hockey eras. Other fun and popular promotions besides Bomber’s birthday is the superhero night and the Teddy Bear Toss toy drive, where stuffed animals are thrown onto the ice by fans for Christmas gifts which were distributed to under-privileged children.

“This year the teddy bear toss was at limited capacity, but we made a fantastic donation to Sparky’s toy drive just in time for Christmas,” said Welsh.

Promotions like the Teddy Bear Toss are aided by volunteers of the Community Activation Team which goes out to local businesses, events, and schools to help promote the Spitfires. On game nights they act as customer service representatives and work with support staff.

“Mostly what we do is fan-engagement and promotions during TV timeouts, intermissions and greeting them when they come in and out through the gates,” said Brendan Warnock (28), a game-day coordinator. “A lot of stuff under the radar and behind the scenes.”

One of Warnock’s crew’s duties include the shoveling of ice during time-outs. His crew also goes out to pick up the hats thrown on the ice when a Spitfire player score a hattrick. The crew was also busy picking up the hundreds of teddy bears donations during the Teddy Bear Toss.

The Windsor Spitfires fan appreciation night promotion night was on Thursday, April 7th against the Guelph Storm. The Ontario Hockey League playoff schedule is to be determined and will be announced before the end of the regular season on Sunday, April 17.