Rebrand - Success or Flop : Mon Jun 26, 2023 9:47 am  

The Last Tackle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lc54uPgnhk contains an interview with Derek Beaumont, which got me thinking, "Was the Rebrand a success?" Obviously the team have achieved the primary goal of survival, at a very important juncture in the game, with Franchising coming in next season. The team are now focused on Playoffs and Challenge Cup, but what about the other aspects of the Rebrand?

The Last Tackle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lc54uPgnhk contains an interview with Derek Beaumont, which got me thinking, "Was the Rebrand a success?" Obviously the team have achieved the primary goal of survival, at a very important juncture in the game, with Franchising coming in next season. The team are now focused on Playoffs and Challenge Cup, but what about the other aspects of the Rebrand?

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:20 pm  

I have been watching Leigh since the 50s and was totally against the rebrand. To cut a long story short, i now can’t wait for Friday nights when I flash my member’s pass and enjoy watching our excellent team perform, while wearing my Leopards Shirt and Cap.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:41 pm  

Yes, it has been. Got to say that it could be a master stroke. A huge chance to develop year on year and build the club and brand. Watch the next Leopard roar. This is the start of something very big. Asiata to do something we could only dream of.....

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Mon Jun 26, 2023 4:48 pm  

A fantastic team on the field, game day made in to a superb event, and a playful new image for the club.

It's been a masterstroke, but I think it's taken all those elements to make it stick. Just rebranding wouldn't have worked.

If I was from Wigan I'd give it three thumbs up, as it is two will have to do.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Tue Jun 27, 2023 2:21 am  

I could go on and on about why I think it was done, how well it was done (despite the constraints of needing to announce it before it was meant to be due to SL pressure), and how it has become the new identity of our club in an unbelievably short time for this kind of move,
But all I am going to say is, read Reffy’s post and that sums it up.
Master stroke for me.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Tue Jun 27, 2023 10:03 am  

The Leigh Leopards rebrand was the cause of much hilarity around the Rugby League world with even Vossy having a laugh at the thought of meeting a Leopard on the streets of Leigh. Let's face it Sports Monikers are not usually about the local wild life, Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos and my absolute favourite the long forgotten Huddersfield Barracudas.

Leopards are cute and friendly, but dangerous and fast, and the same is true of this team. The Leopards have wiped the slate clean on the field and have a new found admiration from neutrals, for a side playing exciting Rugby.

Not everything about the Rebrand has been a roaring success. Last years flaky website as been down since the Million Pound game, and rumours of it's phoenix like rebirth are always without merit, even when uttered by the Leopard skin print wearing owner DB just last week.

The first team kit is an eyesore, and the compromise of adding a little cherry to the off-white Leopard/Jaguar stalking on the players shirts never really worked. The Names and Numbers on the back of the shirts are not clearly defined from a distance. On the plus side, merchandise with anything using Leopard print is selling like hot cakes.

Success on the field will allow for an easier job of retention and recruitment. According to Derek this is now all wrapped up, allowing Chezzy more time to mooch around Morrison's at lunchtime.

The Leigh Leopards have put a smile on my face, and that does not happen often.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:03 am  

Regarding retention, has it been said that Kai O’Donnell has resigned.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Tue Jun 27, 2023 1:49 pm  

Resigned or re-signed? Please let it be the latter.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Tue Jun 27, 2023 8:55 pm  

This season has seen Leigh RL (under any of it's "sobriquets") achieve success on the field never previously savoured by we fans during the SL era. DB, on launching The Leopards, stated that the brand "Centurions" was obviously outdated (more than another quarter century on), but was also associated with previous failures to remain in Super League. Though mathematically possible that Leigh could still be relegated after garnering ten wins (as London Bronx recently were (albeit in a 29 game season)), it is highly unlikely.

Survival (with no squeaky bum time) reflects well on the re-brand but is not caused by it.

Is it the rugby or the pre-match entertainment that has seen a rise in attendances? Bongser's attendance is well down on last year due to the timing of most home games. SkY Sport's attendance is poopey poor as well!

Haven't bought (and won't buy) this season's abhorrent shirt and don't, on the whole, wear leopard print dresses - but am seeing a LOT more leopard print on the streets of Manchester - and increasingly so. Perhaps it's catching on?

Is the re-brand a success, Sev? Hard to say. People have stopped laughing at it, at least.

Re: Rebrand - Success or Flop : Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:09 pm  

The biggest success of any sporting rebrand in the UK