Phantoms_Press_Release

Youngstown Phantoms Partner with 898 Marketing

Partnership will Focus on Enhancing Fan Affinity, Driving Revenue and Creating a Stronger Brand Presence in the Mahoning Valley

(Youngstown, OH) August 29, 2016- 898 Marketing, a strategic marketing and creative consultancy based in Canfield, OH, has been chosen as the strategic marketing partner of the Youngstown Phantoms for the 2016-17 season.  The partnership will focus on developing a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy designed to achieve core business objectives and goals of the locally owned USHL hockey team.
“The Phantoms organization plays a vital role in the unity and success of our community here in the Mahoning Valley. It is much more than sports and, as a strategic marketing partner of the Phantoms, 898 Marketing is committed to helping the organization maximize every opportunity to deliver a complete experience for their fans, corporate partners and the community we call ‘home’,” said Jeff Ryznar, President and Owner of 898 Marketing.
898 Marketing will be responsible for assisting the Phantoms organization in formulating and delivering a marketing strategy to increase the brand recognition and affinity of the team in the community, as well as maximizing revenue opportunities for the organization in all areas of operation.  The partnership will also take a deeper look into the branding and communication elements the organization utilizes, both internally with their team members and corporate partners, as well as externally to its fans.
“Locally, in hockey, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Lake Erie Monsters and the Wheeling Nailers either won or were in the finals for The Stanley Cup, The Calder Cup and The Kelly Cup, respectively.  Hockey talent continues to grow in our surrounding areas.  The Youngstown Phantoms are proud to be a part of this hockey talent for professional hockey and the NCAA. Through our partnership with 898 Marketing, we look forward to sharing in the excitement of hockey as a sport through our games, community outreach and corporate partners.”  said Aafke Loney, Co-owner  of Youngstown Phantoms.
898 Marketing is no stranger to the sports industry.  In addition to working with several sports properties, Ryznar was the Director of Strategic Marketing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2007-2011) the VP of Marketing for Phizzle (2011-2015), a fan engagement solution platform for Sports and Entertainment organizations, and, currently, serves as a member for the Defiance College Sports Management Board of Directors. “With our proven history in delivering actionable and accountable results within the business of sports, 898 Marketing is excited to have the opportunity to make a positive impact in creating “phans” for our home town hockey team.”

About the Youngstown Phantoms

The Youngstown Phantoms are part of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the country’s top junior hockey league, classified as Tier I, which is the highest, and only junior hockey league in this category in the United States.  As an organization, the Youngstown Phantoms are dedicated to delivering quality, affordable entertainment through a “Complete Experience,” inspiring and empowering a championship culture for its community of “Phans,” partners, athletes and employees.  The team is co-owned by Bruce Zoldan, CEO of Phantom Fireworks, America’s largest fireworks company, and Troy and Aafke Loney. Troy, who played 12 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and served as the inaugural team captain of the Anaheim Ducks, joined the ownership group with Aafke in March of 2014.  As an organization, the Phantoms have seen over 100 players take their championship culture on to NCAA Division I schools as well as to the NHL.  The team plays its home games in the Covelli Centre, located in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, which seats 5,000 fans.

About 898 Marketing

898 Marketing is a strategic marketing and creative consultancy delivering accountable business development campaigns with a relentless commitment to brand growth and digital innovation.  Located in Canfield, Ohio, 898 Marketing has proven that customized strategic marketing plans incorporating traditional, video, digital, mobile and social tactics do not have to be costly for small and medium size businesses in order to be effective.  In addition to crafting custom marketing direction designed to achieve collaborative business objectives, 898 Marketing serves as a trusted network of resources, including their in-house video production team, TV Eye Productions. To find out more about 898 Marketing and the list of partners who have experienced positive results through its expertise and services, visit marketing898.wpengine.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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