| It's about connecting with fans. It's about | | | | tranquil. Blue is the laid-back color. "Battle Red" |
| communicating. It's about building a brand. | | | | makes more sense than "Battle Blue" as a phrase, |
| Fans want a team to rally around, a team we can | | | | it resonates in the marketplace (as evidenced by |
| be proud of, and believe in, and support, a team | | | | the cash register receipts). |
| that is relevant to who we are as a group. Fans | | | | Add to that the fact that the Texans' blue is a |
| want to be loyal. | | | | very dark blue and the result is a receding, shy, |
| Of course winning football games has an awful lot | | | | or conservative effect. A nice effect for a sport |
| to do with it, but other factors have significant | | | | coat or blazer, but hardly the effect appropriate |
| influence. Especially if it takes time to build a | | | | for an aggressive sport like football. As a |
| contender. | | | | secondary color, dark blue is a nice compliment to |
| But if winning the Division, or making the Playoffs | | | | Battle Red. But all indications are, Battle Red |
| is years down the road, other things will be | | | | should have been the primary color. It seems |
| needed to generate, and then maintain, fan | | | | management in the beginning, may not have had |
| support. One of those things is their visual | | | | a visual communications strategy to support their |
| appearance. Nike proved that visual presentation | | | | team goals. Visual identity should be carefully |
| can be a powerful tool in building customer loyalty. | | | | thought out and carefully managed, not decided |
| The same applies to fan loyalty. | | | | on a whim. Not ignored or treated lightly. Visual |
| How can the uniforms contribute you ask? | | | | identity should be strategic: relevant, distinctive, |
| Excitement and revenue. | | | | credible. |
| They can create the first and generate the | | | | Distinctiveness has its Advantages. |
| second. Concerning increasing revenue, the | | | | With the dark blue or white jerseys, it is not easy |
| Texans seem to want to provide more options | | | | to distinguish between the Texans' players and |
| to jersey buyers than just one or two color | | | | many opponents during action on the field. For |
| schemes. They probably ascribe to the notion | | | | example, when the Houston Texans are playing |
| that more options equals increased sales of | | | | the Patriots, Cowboys, Bears, Bills, Giants, Falcons, |
| jerseys. But it also dilutes the value of the apparel | | | | Ravens or Panthers, it takes a second to |
| as a brand symbol. Nevertheless, consider the | | | | determine who's who after the snap. And the red |
| success both on the field and off the field of one | | | | jersey outfit resembles Atlanta's red outfit since |
| of the color schemes offered: the Texans' Battle | | | | the Texan's blue is so dark it's almost black - a |
| Red jerseys. | | | | softened black. |
| Red Hot Jersey Sales! | | | | Teams most easily distinguishable are the |
| The red jerseys were instantly popular when | | | | Steelers, Bucs, and Packers because they have |
| introduced and the team is undefeated this year | | | | the most distinctive color schemes. No confusion. |
| when wearing them. Add to that the fact that | | | | Distinctive color schemes could even impact a |
| sales of red jerseys are now hotter than the blue | | | | quarterback's completion/interception ratio, |
| or white versions. And the Texans sold 50,000 | | | | especially when he is under pressure and has to |
| red wristbands at $1 each benefiting the | | | | make snap decisions. |
| Methodist DeBakey Heart Center. During the days | | | | Non-verbal communication is critical. |
| surrounding the Texan's "Battle Red Day" the | | | | Even in the game of football. The coach on the |
| website drew record traffic. And Academy | | | | sideline sends non-verbal signals to the |
| Sports and Outdoors has also benefited as the | | | | quarterback. The quarterback send non-verbal |
| official "Houston Texans Battle Red Day" retailer. | | | | signals to the wide receivers. Signals are sent |
| Why is "Battle Red" so popular? | | | | from the coach to the defensive backs; and the |
| As colors go, the Texans' regular predominantly | | | | referees identify all of the penalties and |
| dark blue color scheme is dull visually. The red | | | | touchdowns, touchbacks and extra points with |
| jerseys are far more exciting and distinctive on | | | | non-verbal signals. |
| the playing field. There is a physiological | | | | In the same way, the team's uniform also sends |
| explanation for that: The color red is focused | | | | signals. The logo (or graphic symbol), the logotype |
| slightly in front of the retinas in the eyes while | | | | (or signature), the colors and the patterns - all |
| blue, on the other hand, is focused slightly behind | | | | send signals to viewers. |
| the retinas in the eyes. Because of this, red is the | | | | Make the signals as meaningful as possible. |
| color of energy and excitement. Red is the "in | | | | Do the signals correspond to their intended |
| your face" color. This explains why red is the | | | | meanings. Are they appropriate signals? Will they |
| predominant color in 45% of all national flags. Blue | | | | communicate effectively? Or will they confuse (or |
| dominates in less than 20%. Blue is peaceful and | | | | worse, contradict) the message? |