Measuring return on marketing investment in non-professional sports event organisations

Doctorate other than PhD


Seaton, Sheilagh. 2010. Measuring return on marketing investment in non-professional sports event organisations. Doctorate other than PhD Doctor of Business Administation. University of Southern Queensland.
Title

Measuring return on marketing investment in non-professional sports event organisations

TypeDoctorate other than PhD
Authors
AuthorSeaton, Sheilagh
SupervisorSummers, Jane
Johnson Morgan, Melissa
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameDoctor of Business Administation
Number of Pages234
Year2010
Abstract

Non-professional sports event organisations share many of the characteristics of small businesses. Non-professional sports event organisations often find it difficult
to implement marketing theories and processes that would lead to improved strategic insight and organisational decision-making, which are characteristics associated in
the literature with small business. This study focuses on the measurement of return on marketing investment and in particular, if and how, non-professional sports event
organisations can apply this measurement process. It was expected that measuring return on marketing investment may be difficult to implement in the sports event context due to a number of barriers identified in this study and including a lack of resources, limited marketing skills, a multidimensional product, and the diverse goals
of government and corporations involved in the marketing of sports events.

To explore these potential barriers further, case studies were undertaken of twelve non-professional sports event organisations in Canada. The research initially
explored the context of non-professional sports event organisations and then tested a methodology for calculating return on marketing investment (ROMI). This research
identified that measures of return on marketing investment were not currently being used by the non-professional sports event organisations sampled in this study. The
research also confirmed that barriers existed to adopting strategic marketing concepts and marketing planning approaches including limited marketing skills, insufficient
time, and a lack of organisational will. Moreover, even after being presented with a simple methodology for incorporating a ROMI calculation in the marketing process,
the case organisations found more value in applying the process rather than in the results of the calculation. Consequently, a distinctive gap exists between the
theoretical justifications related to measuring return on marketing investment and the methods and understanding of this process being applied by non-professional sports
event practitioners.

The findings of this study provided some valuable insights for marketing academics and practitioners alike in relation to the need to consider the applicability and relevance of theoretical concepts for small business applications. Whilst the case organizations were able to identify and intuit the benefits of adopting a more strategic marketing approach, most were struggling to implement basic marketing concepts. However, through exposure to a simple model for calculating ROMI, two case organisations were willing to consider adopting simple methods for measuring return on marketing investment. Small business practitioners may not currently apply advanced marketing concepts, but the results of this study indicate it may be possible to reduce the gap between theory and application. To succeed, academics and policy makers must minimize barriers through the development of simplified processes and by explicating the value of undertaking strategic marketing planning and analysis.

Keywordsfinancial returns; marketing; investment; non-professional; sports event organisations
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350606. Marketing research methodology
350208. Investment and risk management
Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Business
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Determination of the financial return on marketing investment for sports events in Canada
Johnson Morgan, Melissa, Seaton, Sheilagh and Summers, Jane. 2008. "Determination of the financial return on marketing investment for sports events in Canada." James, Jeffrey, Summers, Jane and Johnson Morgan, Melissa (ed.) 6th Annual Sport Marketing Association Conference: Bridging the Gap: Bringing the World Down Under 6th Annual Sport Marketing Association Conference (SMA 2008). Gold Coast, Australia 17 - 19 Jul 2008 Toowoomba, Australia.