A 'Two Hot' Spicy Combo: University of Louisiana and Tabasco®

[cajunhawk]

Think what can happen if Bob Marlin produces what we all hope he can and get our Basketball team back to a sun belt power, Tony builds off this past seasons regional appearance, Softball...well we don't have to ever worry about Softball, and Bustle busts that 7 win cherry. That will make this University's athletic program very marketable. Tobasco is a big step. Mcillhenny company is a big big corporation. That's the kind of money we need. Lafayette still has more money to be tapped. Win and the money comes.

[CajunNation]

Think what can happen if Bob Marlin produces what we all hope he can and get our Basketball team back to a sun belt power, Tony builds off this past seasons regional appearance, Softball...well we don't have to ever worry about Softball, and Bustle busts that 7 win cherry. That will make this University's athletic program very marketable. Tobasco is a big step. Mcillhenny company is a big big corporation. That's the kind of money we need. Lafayette still has more money to be tapped. Win and the money comes.

This is awesome news!

And, you're right Hawk. This is the kind of thing that could trigger an avalanche if it is accompanied by winning in the major sports.

[ManAboutTown]

Maybe us "fanatics" on RP aren't so "delusional" after all! I've seen Tabasco referenced several time over the years.. This is really outstanding news. A big kudos to all parties involved! There are some serious upgrades evolving in this University.. Dam I'm excited.. We gotta be UGA Boys!!!

[moorecajun]

_ Winning starts this year and on the heels of the Tabasco announcement, UL upsets UGA to open the season. There is something different about UL football this year. It is all coming together. _

This may be your most positive post I have ever read.

Keep up the good work!

[rhineaux]

_ WHY?

This is something great! Why is there always negativity? Unbelievable! _

I’m not being negative just to be negative. When there is something positive going on at UL, I’m going to point it out. At the same time, when there is something negative going on at UL, I’m going to point it out. And just like all of you, I have no idea if this will be positive OR negative.

Like Turbine, I’m interested in learning more about the arrangement and what it entails. I didn’t say it was a bad idea. I just said that I’m a little worried about the “co-branding” and subsequent logos. It’s been some time since the school has gotten the branding and marketing thing right, so I’m a little skeptical.

To your other points, I don’t think it’s a good idea to start changing the name of Cajun Field, or changing the name of the official color, or anything. “Tradition” is a big deal for universities. It’s one of the main things that will tie a student/alumni to their school. Changing those sorts of things that are supposed to be permanent, and that actually have ties to the school’s roots, is a bad idea and unnecessary, especially when tied to corporate sponsorship that can come and go. And the tradition aspect also relates back to my point above and how drastically the school changed it’s branding ~10 years ago.

The other thing is that this is a Major University. Tabasco is a hot sauce. The way in which UL will/should/does market its product is A LOT different than the way the McIllhenny’s will/should/does market their product.

Like I said, I didn’t say that this is a bad idea…there’s no way to know whether it’s a good idea or bad idea until all of the details are known. If a MAJOR company like Tabasco wants to write UL a check in exchange for doing some major advertising at our events, or for the rights to setup and sell certain food products at games, or whatever, then great. I think that’s a great thing. But when the relationship goes further than that, to the point where logo’s and branding are involved, especially when the difference between these two products is this vast, I have some concerns.

If it makes you guys feel better, I do apologize for being the cloud that darkened this ray of sunshine and I hope to return tomorrow and find out that my concerns were unnecessary. :-)

[NOCajun]

_ People may be blowing this out of proportion, but Cajun Field at Tobasco Stadium does make sense. _

That's what I want to see!!

[Just1More]

I'm liking this a lot. Some were saying that Tabasco was too big for UL and they had no reason to advertise with us. The fit is just too good.

I really appreciate Spedale's Florist... but I sure would like to hear something like:

"That's another smokin hot eye watering fire breathing ass burning Cajun Tabasco first down!!!"

Of course... a shorter version could be utilized as well.

[NOCajun]

_ I’m not being negative just to be negative. When there is something positive going on at UL, I’m going to point it out. At the same time, when there is something negative going on at UL, I’m going to point it out. And just like all of you, I have no idea if this will be positive OR negative.

Like Turbine, I’m interested in learning more about the arrangement and what it entails. I didn’t say it was a bad idea. I just said that I’m a little worried about the “co-branding” and subsequent logos. It’s been some time since the school has gotten the branding and marketing thing right, so I’m a little skeptical.

To your other points, I don’t think it’s a good idea to start changing the name of Cajun Field, or changing the name of the official color, or anything. “Tradition” is a big deal for universities. It’s one of the main things that will tie a student/alumni to their school. Changing those sorts of things that are supposed to be permanent, and that actually have ties to the school’s roots, is a bad idea and unnecessary, especially when tied to corporate sponsorship that can come and go. And the tradition aspect also relates back to my point above and how drastically the school changed it’s branding ~10 years ago.

The other thing is that this is a Major University. Tabasco is a hot sauce. The way in which UL will/should/does market its product is A LOT different than the way the McIllhenny’s will/should/does market their product.

Like I said, I didn’t say that this is a bad idea…there’s no way to know whether it’s a good idea or bad idea until all of the details are known. If a MAJOR company like Tabasco wants to write UL a check in exchange for doing some major advertising at our events, or for the rights to setup and sell certain food products at games, or whatever, then great. I think that’s a great thing. But when the relationship goes further than that, to the point where logo’s and branding are involved, especially when the difference between these two products is this vast, I have some concerns.

If it makes you guys feel better, I do apologize for being the cloud that darkened this ray of sunshine and I hope to return tomorrow and find out that my concerns were unnecessary. :-) _

Rhineaux, I think everything you're saying is reasonable to a point. If the University and Tobasco were to share the "pepper" logo and it were to end up on our helmets and other unis, who knows what kind of major response we could get from that nation-wide, and that's just one example. With a little imagination in the shared marketing, the possibilities could be endless.

[NOCajun]

I really appreciate Spedale's Florist... but I sure would like to hear something like:

"That's another smokin hot eye watering fire breathing ass burning Cajun Tabasco first down!!!"

Of course... a shorter version could be utilized as well. _

LOL!!! That's awesome, though we might want to make it sound a little more "family-friendly"...

[CajunNation]

I'm all for the co-branding, logo development.

Tabasco's logos exude class, an ingredient that has been sorely missed in the logos of THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.