Cole emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo, especially when met with skepticism about new ideas. According to him, the very questioning of whether something will work is often a sign that it might, precisely because it deviates from the norm. Rather than conforming to traditional methods, the Savannah Bananas used criticism as…

Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas baseball team shares a compelling narrative on the transformative power of creativity in business. The core philosophy at the Savannah Bananas is the “fans first” experience, driven by an endless stream of innovative ideas—ideas that are not just theorized but executed with precision. Cole underscores the critical importance…

According to Cole, the essence of the Savannah Bananas’ strategy lies in personalization. Whether it’s a tailored video greeting for new subscribers or a personal phone call to thank them, every touchpoint is an opportunity to forge a deeper connection. It’s this human element that sets their digital strategy apart. Cole draws inspiration from…

In a recent discussion, Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas highlighted the fundamental shift needed in promotional strategies to genuinely resonate with audiences. Moving beyond traditional promotional items like keychains and t-shirts, Cole advocates for a more personalized approach to make a real impact on customers. In essence, Jesse Cole’s message to marketers is…

In a groundbreaking shift, Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas redefined what it means to attend a sports event. They introduced an all-inclusive pricing model that has since become a hallmark of their approach to fan service. This strategy was not just about changing how tickets were sold; it was about transforming the entire…

When you think of a baseball game, you might picture the crack of the bat or the roar of the crowd as a home run sails over the outfield fence. But for the Savannah Bananas, the game is just one part of the spectacle. Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind this innovative team, shares how…

In a compelling narrative by Jesse Cole, the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team known for its unconventional approach, has declared advertising dead. Cole emphatically asserts that while advertising may attract customers, it is the fan experience that fosters lasting loyalty. In a bold move, the Savannah Bananas have eliminated all forms of advertising at…

In a compelling dialogue centered on brand differentiation, Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas underscored the pivotal shift from being merely better to becoming distinctly unique in one’s industry. He introduced an insightful framework called “ONLY,” which stands for Owning the industry’s problems, creating Noise, cultivating Love, and understanding your Why. Owning the Problems:…

Jesse Cole, the visionary behind the Savannah Bananas, shared the innovative approach his company takes to ensure a captivating customer experience by first focusing on employee engagement. According to Cole, the journey starts from the very first interaction with potential employees. The hiring process at Savannah Bananas consists of three unique steps designed to…

In a compelling conversation on fostering innovation within corporate culture, Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas highlights the importance of embracing change as a tool for continuous improvement. Cole underscores that change should not be seen as change for its own sake but as an essential part of striving to better serve customers and…

In the storied confines of Grayson Stadium, Jesse Cole, the frontman of the Savannah Bananas, unveils the cornerstone of their marketing success: transforming traditional sports advertising into a vibrant, self-sustaining media operation. The team’s forward-thinking approach not only entertains but captivates a global audience far exceeding the stadium’s seats. The off-season? That’s just a…

In this captivating episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, share with us that in the competitive sports marketing landscape, understanding and enhancing the fan experience is crucial to prioritize fan satisfaction and engagement The key challenge posed to sports marketers and business leaders is to rethink their approach: stop considering patrons…

In his recounting of experiences at the stadium, Jesse Cole reveals a deep-seated passion for engaging with fans and the impactful memories created at the end of each game. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, the stadium becomes a place where joy is palpable as fans of all ages and players alike celebrate together, demonstrating the…

In this episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, shares with us that in the vibrant world of marketing, creativity knows no bounds—a philosophy embodied by a prop room and studio teeming with eclectic costumes and outlandish ideas. This creative hub, seemingly disconnected from conventional themes like bananas,…

In this episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, shares with us that in the heart of a once-abandoned storage building, a remarkable transformation unfolded, birthing what is now a vibrant office space brimming with life and creativity. The journey began in 2015 when a small, determined team—including…

In this episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, shares with us that in the competitive world of sports entertainment, delivering an exceptional customer experience is crucial, even more so when faced with uncontrollable challenges like inclement weather. The Savannah ballpark’s approach to customer service exemplifies how businesses can…

In this captivating episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, shares with us that in the competitive world of marketing, standing out often means taking bold, unconventional steps. A prime example is a company that captured the essence of St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah by doing something unprecedented:…

In today’s competitive landscape, simply meeting industry standards is insufficient for long-term success. Businesses must strive to exceed these benchmarks by creating unique and memorable customer experiences, as demonstrated by companies like Netflix and Shoreline Construction. Netflix transformed the movie rental industry by challenging conventional practices. Instead of requiring customers to visit stores and…

In a world where most businesses adhere to traditional practices, the Savannah Bananas baseball team stands out by doing the exact opposite. The organization’s philosophy is simple yet revolutionary: “Whatever’s normal, do the exact opposite.” This approach not only distinguishes them from competitors but also creates unforgettable experiences for their fans. Most companies stick…

In this captivating episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, delves into the transformative business philosophy of “listen carefully, respond creatively.” This approach has not only skyrocketed the Savannah Bananas to fame but also serves as a universal blueprint for revolutionizing customer service and engagement across all sectors….

The Savannah Bananas are a baseball team – but owner Jesse Cole knows they aren’t in the baseball industry. They’re in the Fans First Experience industry. The game of baseball comes with a slew of challenges – it’s too slow, or too boring, or too long, or too antiquated. But, instead of seeing friction, Cole…

A lifelong baseball fan, Jesse Cole has seen it all. From potential big-league dreams to a journey toward finding how best to engage with the game after his career came to a close, Cole eventually landed an internship with a small team in South Carolina. Since, he’s held key roles in several organizations and innovated…

When Cole, his wife and their small team began working to replicate past success in Savannah, they sold two tickets…in three months. The lowest point came shortly after, when the team was informed it had completely overdrawn the organization’s bank account. Instead of folding, Cole and his wife doubled down. They sold their house, going…

It was time to pull out all the stops. From renaming the team to the Bananas to senior-citizen dance teams, male cheerleading squads, dancing players and a mascot named Split, the Bananas now have a waitlist for tickets that numbers in the thousands. To follow that fans-first lead, you’ll need to ask some key questions,…

The best business model in the world is to stop doing what your customers hate. Sounds simple, right? Each day, your organization does something that frustrates customers and prevents them from becoming the true fans you’re after. Work toward solutions for those frustrations.

Think about what you want to be known for and what you’re known for now. Do they align? It’s time to consider every interaction and touchpoint and craft a Perfect Fan Testimonial. Figure out what business you’re really in. If you could have one review perfectly sum up what you want your fans to feel,…

Cole and the Bananas’ team are constantly looking elsewhere. If you ask Cole who the organization’s competitors are, he won’t tell you the rest of the teams in the Coastal Plain League. He’ll rattle off the likes of Google, Amazon and Starbucks, because he’s not putting on a baseball game – he’s putting on an…

As Cole said, the Bananas aren’t in the baseball industry. The organization is in the Fans First Experience industry. When looking to craft your own customer experience, don’t be afraid to look outside your industry and learn from successes elsewhere. What inspires you? How can you leverage that to inspire customers, turn them into fans,…

It’s a simple relationship – normal gets normal results. Question everything and make two lists – one for the normal and one for the remarkable. Look at what’s normal in your industry and think about what you can do to become remarkable. Further, don’t break the rules. Make the rules. The Bananas have made their…

While the world is speeding up, baseball is slowing down, and the Savannah Bananas are determined to provide the best fan experience anywhere in the world. MarketScale followed the team during their week-long lead-up to Opening Day 2018 to see how the Bananas sellout games in a town where baseball has failed for decades. If you haven’t watched…

While the world is speeding up, baseball is slowing down, and the Savannah Bananas are determined to provide the best fan experience anywhere in the world. MarketScale followed the team during their weeklong lead-up to Opening Day 2018 to see how the Bananas sellout games in a town where baseball has failed for decades. If…

Nothing says summer in America like our National Pastime. Terence Mann (played by James Earl Jones) may have said it best in the classic baseball movie Field of Dreams: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt,…

Opening Day is a time of eternal optimism for baseball fans across the United States. A blank slate, a fresh start, and a new opportunity to make a lasting impression. For the Savannah Bananas, a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plains League, every season means starting from scratch. A brand new roster, dozens of…

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows the Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On this episode, we chat with Corey Brandt, General Manager for Food & Beverage…

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows the Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On this episode, we chat with Chip Maxson, General Manager for the Sacramento River…

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows the Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On this episode, we chat with Josh D’PenhaD’Souza, who works in Sports Sales for…

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows the Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On this episode, we chat with Zach Brockman, general manager of the Modesto Nuts,…

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows the Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On this episode we’re joined by the front office crew of the Savannah Bananas! …

Extra Innings gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes looks and commentary on MarketScale’s Welcome to the Show, a reality television series that follows Jesse Cole and his Savannah Bananas, the collegiate summer league baseball team that is changing the sport with their brand of Fan-First Entertainment. On today’s episode we’re joined by Hunter Horenstein, Director of Fan…

The classic line from Field of Dreams is, if you build it, they will come. In Savannah, Georgia, a more appropriate baseball saying might be, if you make it fun, they will come. Jesse Cole, Owner of the Savannah Bananas, is truly in a league of his own. Cole is a trailblazer and an…

Baseball has occupied an important place in the fabric of American society for well over a century. The game carries a strong sense of history and nostalgia for many of us, conjuring memories of playing catch in the yard or passing through the turnstiles to see the outfield grass for the first time. As the…

As the United States molded itself into the country it is today, it underwent change after change. Throughout the last 150 years though, it has had at least one constant. Baseball has tied generations together since its invention in the nineteenth century, becoming America’s pastime. The city of Savannah, Ga. has been afforded the consistency…