San Francisco Giants Introduce New Programs, Promotions and Capital Improvements for the 2013 Season at AT&T Park
The San Francisco Giants enter the 2013 season as the reigning World Series Champions for the second time in the last three years. During their annual Media Open House held at AT&T Park on the Virgin America Club Level today, Giants President and Chief Executive Officer, Larry Baer and other team officials highlighted many of the new promotions, food offerings and capital improvements that Giants fans can expect to find at AT&T Park this season.
"We are thrilled to welcome our incredible fans back to AT&T Park for the upcoming season," said Baer. "We are in the unique position to have our entire starting line up and pitching rotation back with the team. They are eager to get back on the field to defend the championship and to thank our fans for their tremendous support and dedication to the orange and black."
In 2012, AT&T Park led all sports venues in social check-ins and Instagram photos. The hashtag #SFGiants was the top sports themed hashtag on Twitter. Responding to both the fans' and the team's desire to connect via social media, the Giants will open a social media center inside the former Build-A-Bear store located above centerfield. The official name will be announced when the social media center opens in late April or early May. It will be a place for fans to gather and participate in real time social chatter with other fans both in the ballpark and around the world.
In order to keep all visitors to AT&T Park better connected, the Giants and AT&T have also made significant improvements to the park's WiFi system and have added mobile device and tablet charging stations, manufactured by Fully, throughout the park.
Together + Again is the theme of the Giants 2013 marketing campaign and celebrates the unique connection the players have with each other and the fans.
The Giants will open the season in Los Angeles on Monday, Apr. 1, and will be reunited with the fans for the home opener on Friday, Apr. 5 (1:35 p.m.), when they raise the 2012 World Champions Flag during pre-game festivities. AT&T Opening Week will continue with a pre-game celebration of National League MVP Buster Posey on Saturday, Apr. 6 (1:05 p.m.) which will feature a Buster Posey bobblehead giveaway to the first 40,000 fans presented by Toyota. On Sunday, Apr. 7 (1:35 p.m.) the 2012 players and coaches will receive their world championship rings during a pre-game ceremony. The first 40,000 fans will also receive a fan championship ring presented by AAA.
The 2013 promotional schedule will include 10 World Champion-themed giveaways, including a snow globe presented by Comcast SportsNet, an umbrella presented by Coca-Cola/Raley's, a charm necklace and a beach towel. Player-themed giveaways include bobbleheads of Posey presented by Toyota, Barry Zito presented by Bank of America and Ryan Vogelsong presented by PG&E; gnomes of Sergio Romo presented by Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Tim Lincecum presented by Coca-Cola and Lucky; Angel Pagan knit beanies; Marco Scutaro t-shirts presented by StubHub; and Pablo Sandoval kids jerseys. The Giants Announcers will also have their own giveaway when the Giants hand out broadcaster-themed bottle stoppers presented by See's Candies on Saturday, May 11 (1st 20,000 fans).
Fans can participate in many of the Giants group promotions and events with the purchase of a special ticket. Some of these events include Metallica Night on Friday, May 3, where this legendary Bay Area rock band will be on hand for pre-game festivities and proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Bill Graham Foundation. On the 20th anniversary of Until There's A Cure Day, Tuesday, May 21, fans with a special ticket will receive a bobblehead of legendary closer Rod Beck who lent his support to this important event since its inception back in 1993. Elvis Presley Night will be held on Monday, Sept. 9, with fans purchasing the special tickets receiving a Giants-themed Elvis bobblehead and the 1st 20,000 fans with general game tickets receiving a Giants-themed poster featuring the King of Rock-n-Roll joined by some familiar faces from the 2013 Giants.
Coca-Cola and the Giants have been partners since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958, and have extended that relationship for another seven years ensuring that Coke will continue to be the "Official Soft Drink" of the World Champion Giants. The centerpiece of the partnership will continue to be the branding on the newly painted iconic 80-foot Coca-Cola bottle located in the Fan Lot. As part of the new agreement, Coca-Cola will introduce a commemorative line of Coca-Cola bottles and cans in the Northern California marketplace featuring the Giants 2012 World Champion logo. Coca-Cola and the Giants will also introduce a community focused "Salute to the Military" program this season.
Two of San Francisco's historic restaurants will have a presence at AT&T Park, with Lefty O'Doul's Bar, featuring its famous Bloody Mary mix and specialty cocktails located at the top of the O'Doul Gate entrance; and the Original Joe's burger served at the Derby Grill specialty burger stand located on the Promenade Level in left field. Playing on the popularity of mobile food carts, pop-up bistros will be advertised only via the @sfgiantfoodie Twitter feed. #GiantPopUp will feature treats not currently available at the park, including made-to-order hot pastrami sandwiches and knishes, oysters on the half shell, hot apple cider and warm turnovers.
In addition to the Giants Dugout Flagship Store at AT&T Park, fans can find a second location, which will be open on game days only, at the corner of 2nd and King Streets. Access to the store is off of King Street with no in-park access. Inside the park, fans will find a new location for From the Clubhouse, behind home plate on the Promenade Level. The store features authenticated, game-used and other unique Giants memorabilia. Fans will also find an expanded and more accessible customer service center, located behind home plate on the Promenade Level next to the new Advance Ticket Sales Office.
Fans who visit the Oracle Suite Level will find newly renovated suites which include improved WiFi coverage, Fully charging stations, modern furnishings and fully retractable glass doors and windows. In addition, reception spaces have been reconfigured to accommodate the needs of corporate clients.