The Orioles last year were ranked in the “bottom five for in-game entertainment” of all 30 MLB teams, but now the team is “trying to change that” with new CMO Mark Fine, according to a source cited by Danielle Allentuck of the BALTIMORE BANNER. Fine, who was hired in January, has “taken on that project as one of his first acts, bringing in Cuento,” a San Diego-based marketing agency, “to spearhead” a reinvention of the in-game experience. Fine met with Orioles P Dean Kremer and other members of the club this season and asked them “what entertainment factors they’d like to see added during the game.” They told him that they “really like the ‘woo woo’ noise the Red Sox play” at Fenway Park after a strikeout, “so the Orioles added a sound effect of their own after strikeouts.” The players also noted that “sometimes the crowd loses its momentum during a pitching change or break in the action, so they now have prompts such as ‘make some noise’ or put a noise meter on the scoreboard during these times.” Additionally, the club “changed the music, parting with longtime DJ Bob Popik in favor of someone who would add more pop and electronic dance music into the mix.” The Orioles have “done away with the beloved digital hot dog race and soundtrack,” and instead they “stage a live hot dog race at every home game.” Although it has taken time, the stadium “is catching on to the new version” and “starting to react to it” (BALTIMORE BANNER, 6/23).
Orioles look to boost in-game entertainment behind efforts of new CMO
