The Bradley Center with a different name

[NavinRJohnson]

Bottom line on Miller is that roughly half of the total Milwaukee jobs (admin, marketing etc.) are gone as soon as they pick a new location.  The other major, major problem for Milwaukee is that Coors is not saddled with the antiquated business killers known as labor unions. I think Coors is almost entirely non-union, so while the Miller brewing operation may stay here for the time being, the union is going to have absolutely no leverage when contract time comes around and is going to have beat the alternative (which I don't suspect they are going to be willing to do), or face extinction.

[WashDCWarrior]

If it were possible to go to fewer Bucks games than I already do, I surely would if the arena were named after any Anheiser Busch properties.  It would be an insult to Milwaukeeans, or Wisconsinites for that matter.  

For naming rights that wouldn't require a substantial investment, I think the Harley Davidson Center would be a nice fit and has a nice ring to it.  Plus it's a local company.  But no way they would pay $2 million a year for 10 years to name an old building.  I don't see anyone jumping at that.

There used to be a revolving Bud Light sign on top of the YMCA (now East Hall) that irritated Milwaukeeans to no end.

They also had a couple Bud billboards on 94 right outside Miller Park.  I always thought that was a smart move by A-B.  I think Miller now rents that add space, but I'm sure they had to pay a pretty penny to get it.

[ecompt]

I kinda like "Puerto Rican Nightmare Center", as long as TC approves.

[mu_hilltopper]

Cyganiak Centre

Saz's Centre

Art's Performing Center West

[NavinRJohnson]

R.A. Smith House of Pain

[Pago Warrior]

Regarding the MillerCoors joint venture, Chilli's post has the most accurate information.  Production will stay in MKE, while admin and and HQ personnel will be moved.  Cost savings will be realized by the sheer "profit sharing" between the two companies considering the gains from the two companies will generally now get pooled into the same bank account to combat Bud.

Regarding whether Miller will be a viable sponsor for the naming rights of the Bradley Center, I'd say highly unlikely regardless of whether or not the new MillerCoors JV will cause the corp office to move out of town.  The way Miller has assessed ROMI lately has changed quite a bit making such a deal unlikely if it's even remotely close to costing $2+ million per as being speculated.

Lastly, as far as naming goes, Chili Bowl would definately get my vote!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

WARNING: I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THE THREAD HI-JACK.

Is Miller really considering moving the majority of their operation out of the state?

I was under the understanding that the hard logistics and financial groups would be merging with Coors, but the brands would stay separate from a marketing and advertising perspective.

If that is the case, then I can believe that some jobs may be consolidated and moved, but "Miller" (and Miller brands) on the whole will still be in Milwaukee in its basic form. People will say "Miller is moving", but realistically, any employees that are integral to the brand will be staying in Milwaukee.

I could be wrong, but I thought the merger was really designed to take advantage of a larger infrastructure and distribution... consolidation of any of the brands would be a large mistake (if you ask me).

I would say its possible if not likely that some of the brewing/distribution operations stay here in the short-term..., but unless Miller Coors is not concerned with the bottom line, I don't see any way they don't condense operations as much as possible, as quickly as possible - that is the reason they merged in the first place. It is certainly safe to assume that the entirety of the Administrative/marketing functions will be gone sooner than later. I just think the consolidation will continue at a very rapid rate. They will maintain the brands, but they can brew beer, develop marketing plans and slap Lite labels on bottles in Denver or Dallas the same as they can here. Obviously a lot of variables to play in, but in my opinion, it is just a matter of time, until Miller is pretty much completely gone.

The corporate headquarters of the new joint venture known as MillerCoors will be based in Chicago (90% sure on this). This will be all of the marketing/brand people, ExCom team, accounting, purchasing, ect. It makes a lot sense to move to Chicago, mainly that all of the agencies Miller deals with have offices in Chicago.

The brewery in Milwaukee will remain open. There is also talk of Milwaukee being the brewing operations headquarters for the new JV that will incorporate Coors 2 breweries into Millers current system.

Fair enough. You could be right.

I guess I was just looking at it from the perspective that the 2 "brands" (Miller and Coors) would stay separate while the logistics would consolidate (in another market if need be) to create cost efficiencies.

Consolidation of marketing/brand teams is probably the hardest part of the process. Finance and logistics are largely the same for most consumer package goods, but brand, marketing and sales are where each company differentiates itself.

IF these companies consolidate down some of the brand related operations (even if it's just to a new city), it will be interesting experiment to watch.

I'm not saying you can't market Miller and/or Coors from Chicago, but there is something to be said for messing with the core essance of a brand (Rocky mountains of Chicago?).

[coach85]

Kohler Dome.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Allen-Edmonds Center -- "The Shoe Box."

[AlumKCof93]

The Converse Center - "Dwade's Shoe Box"

[Wareagle]

The Bowl of Schlitz

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

Allen-Edmonds Center -- "The Shoe Box."

I like this one too. Ultimate FU to the Bucky faithful.

[NavinRJohnson]

They will certainly create cost efficiencies wherever they can, and some brands will not survive long-term, the locations they are brewed will change, individual breweries will close, etc. Its going to take time for all of those things to evolve, but to suggest they are simply going to condense administrative functions, continue production as it is today, just for the sake of pool profits is wishful thinking at best. That will be the case over the next few months of course, but the goal is not to simply pool profits, but to increase them. There is one way to do that - increase revenues relative to expenses. They will not keep duplicate or inefficient operations going if it is not necessary. Comes down to dollars and cents, and time will tell. The Milwaukee Brewery may well survive, but from a cost per barrel of beer perspective, I just think Milwaukee is going to be at a huge disadvantage and for that reason will not survive when there are available alternatives.

[augoman]

just for us hold-outs, how about "The Warriors' Den",  "The Teepee", etc.

[muarmy81]

I think it's funny that people are throwing around $2 or $5 million for naming rights.  My company is building the new meadowlands stadium for the jets and giants and you would not believe the cost associated with naming the stadium among other costs like purchasing 1 of the 217 luxury boxes.  The stadium is a billion dollar project for us and the owner will easily cover that cost from advertising costs, namely the cost to out your company's logo on the front entrance.

[NavinRJohnson]

just for us hold-outs, how about "The Warriors' Den",  "The Teepee", etc.

Well, the Potowatomi's have more money than God, so perhaps "The Teepee" isn't that far outside the realm.

[Muhoops85]

If the Miller corp HQ does not move . . .

The BC could be called the Beer Can.

Sorry, could not resist.

[Chili]

They will certainly create cost efficiencies wherever they can, and some brands will not survive long-term, the locations they are brewed will change, individual breweries will close, etc. Its going to take time for all of those things to evolve, but to suggest they are simply going to condense administrative functions, continue production as it is today, just for the sake of pool profits is wishful thinking at best. That will be the case over the next few months of course, but the goal is not to simply pool profits, but to increase them. There is one way to do that - increase revenues relative to expenses. They will not keep duplicate or inefficient operations going if it is not necessary. Comes down to dollars and cents, and time will tell. The Milwaukee Brewery may well survive, but from a cost per barrel of beer perspective, I just think Milwaukee is going to be at a huge disadvantage and for that reason will not survive when there are available alternatives.

Actually, the plan is not to close a single plant. All of the Miller plants will remain open as they are almost all running at peak efficiency. Same with Coors. The only Miller plant that might close would be Eden, NC as the Coors Shenandoah Valley brewery is quite close. I do not think that will happen. You have to remember that largest Miller markets are Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Northern Wisconsin, Madison and would have issues receiving product if the Milwaukee brewery were closed. There is no way the Trenton, OH plant could produce enough product to meet demand.

The $250 million in savings is going to come a lot from administration costs as well as shared sales / local marketing overlaps. All of these positions will be merged.

[spiral97]

MUScoop.com Center


Warrior Arena

[DegenerateDish]

A few years back when the Wachovia Center in Philly was named the First Union Center, all the Sixers players called it the "FU".

[NavinRJohnson]

Actually, the plan is not to close a single plant. All of the Miller plants will remain open as they are almost all running at peak efficiency. Same with Coors. The only Miller plant that might close would be Eden, NC as the Coors Shenandoah Valley brewery is quite close. I do not think that will happen. You have to remember that largest Miller markets are Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Northern Wisconsin, Madison and would have issues receiving product if the Milwaukee brewery were closed. There is no way the Trenton, OH plant could produce enough product to meet demand.

The $250 million in savings is going to come a lot from administration costs as well as shared sales / local marketing overlaps. All of these positions will be merged.

I understand all of that, but my point is if they can find another $250 million by expanding/merging some brewing and distribution operations, they will do that too. I'm not saying that is going to happen immediately. I have no idea if they even can do that, or when, but will they try? No doubt about it. I just think that when that time comes, Milwaukee may find themselves in a weak position. However, your point about geography is a good one.  The union situation could be a big factor and the financial impact of a union vs. non-union operation. Can that make up for the additional costs of relocating an operation like Milwaukee to an expanded "Coors facility" elsewhere? I don't know that. I do suspect it is something they will take a long look at though.

[chapman]

I spoke with an employee at Miller a few days ago.  It sounds like the corporate offices will move somewhere besides Denver or Milwaukee, though they're unsure of where yet.  They want a centralized location with a big airport, which eliminates Milwaukee.  Also, the chairman and CEO of Coors will have the top two positions in the joint venture, giving them the most say, since Coors needed the chairman position to keep the family name in the operations and Coors' CEO is considered a genius.  SABMiller has a larger stake in the overall profits than MolstonCoors, but the chairman and CEO of Miller aren't going to have the very top management positions.  However, beer will still be brewed in Milwaukee, and probably some Coors too (not sure how I feel about that).  If anything, the brewing operations in Milwaukee would expand rather than be eliminated, as they're already at capacity.  The locations of breweries tend to fit markets, which makes the Milwaukee brewery even more secure.  As it looks like adding new breweries is more likely than eliminating any, the Milwaukee brewing operations are very secure.  The distribution and logistics will be combined.  The marketing will also be together; though that means the Coors people who make the funny football coach ads will get to try to market Miller products, not that you'll see a Miller and Coors commercial.  Also, this is only happening in the US.  Everywhere else, their operations remain completely seperate.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

How about

Johnson Wax - A Family Arena
Kraft Foods - Tombstone (some good marketing tie-ins), Oscar Mayer, Kraft Cheesehead Pavillion (not my favorite)
Kimberly Clark Kleenex Center
 

[Wareagle]

Kimberly Clark Kleenex Center

Only when the Bucks are playing.

[swimmer]

I like Kimberly Clark Hall.  They could call it the "KC Hall" for short, and 75 year olds would show up in droves for Friday night fish fries.