Owner Jesse Cole is making people fall in love with the game of baseball again one inning at a time with promotions not found anywhere else in the sport, delivering one sell-out after another. Summer nights at the Bananas’ Grayson Stadium are nothing short of magical, with the perfect fusion of good college baseball, and unmatched ‘fans first’ experiences.
Third Inning: Whatever is Normal, Do The Exact Opposite
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 […]
Listen Carefully, Respond Creatively
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 Story Behind the Massive Success of the Savannah Bananas
If you’ve browsed social media recently there’s a decent chance you’ve seen a video of the Savannah Bananas. Everything from hitters doing the splits, to dancing grandmas, to flaming bats – nothing is off-limits. He LITERALLY went up with his bat on fire and got on base 🔥 @TheSavBananas pic.twitter.com/M6phO6qULY — ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) April 12, […]
Pre-Game: Normal Gets Normal Results
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 […]
Fans First by MarketScale
Third Inning: Whatever is Normal, Do The Exact Opposite
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 […]
Listen Carefully, Respond Creatively
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. […]
Pre-Game: Normal Gets Normal Results
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 […]
First Inning – Warmup
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 […]
First Pitch: The Savannah Bananas Take the Field
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 […]
Second Inning – Creating a Better Experience
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, […]
Stop Doing What Your Customers Hate
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.
What Do You Want to Be Known For?
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, […]
Learn from Experiences in Other Industries
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 […]
Create Shareable Moments
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, […]
Whatever is Normal, Do the Exact Opposite
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 […]
Welcome to the Show
Welcome to the Show: Episode 3
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 […]
Welcome to the Show: Episode 2
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 […]
Welcome to the Show: Episode 1
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, […]
The Official Savannah Bananas Trailer
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
Extra Innings with Corey Brandt of the San Francisco Giants AAA Affiliate
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 with Chip Maxson of the AAA Affiliate for the San Francisco Giants
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 with Joshua D’PenhaD’Souza of the AA Affiliate of the Texas Rangers
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 […]
Listen: Extra Innings with Zach Brockman of the California League Affiliate for the Seattle Mariners
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: Live! With The Savannah Bananas Crew (August 4th, 1:30 PM ET)
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! […]
Listen: Extra Innings with Hunter Horenstein of Chicago Cubs Affiliate, The Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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 […]
Bonus Content
Being Fans First Created a Team Bigger Than Baseball
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 […]
Three Perspectives on How Major League Baseball Can Reverse its Sagging Popularity
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 […]
Welcome to the Show Bonus Content: History of Baseball in Savannah
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 […]
Live Events
MarketScale Live: Turning Customers into Fans
Original online learning by MarketScale. Learn how to turn your customers in to fans in this high energy course, complete with a downloadable workbook, instructional video content and more.
The Evolving Hospitality Business Model
Welcome to “The Evolving Hospitality Business Model” roundtable, a gathering of industry experts and thought leaders who are passionate about understanding and navigating the dynamic landscape of the hospitality business.
Business vs. Leisure: How to Strategize for Different Travelers
Join us for an engaging and insightful event that delves into the dynamic world of travel and explores the strategies needed to cater to the unique needs of business and leisure travelers.
Courses
Fans First
Learn how to turn your customers into fans from author, speaker, and Fans First phenom Jesse Cole, Owner of the Savannah Bananas. When your customers becomes fans, they do your marketing for you. This course is a must for anyone looking for organic business growth built upon a tremendous customer experience.