MELT Sports/Culinary/Entertainment

As the civic center continues in its design phase, focus is now on creating an exterior look that compliments the city and showcases historical accents, while rumblings of a comeback with the Mysticks ice hockey team heats up.   Excitement brews as the public learns more about the new arena, including opinions on what it should look like. “There is nothing more transformative than the project we are talking about here with the new arena and as we start the demolition of the Civic Center,” Stimpson said. “This is, I think, a special interest to so many citizens. What we had and what are going to have the opportunity to have. We are working on a venue but will also have the very best and most exciting entertainment anywhere that will be in that arena setting,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.   Plans for the interior space include retail spaces, where local businesses could be integrated to create the Mobile experience, along with luxury suites, VIP clubs, premium seating, great sightlines, and acoustics. The new arena’s flexible seating configurations will accommodate a range of activities, including smaller shows and larger events with more than 10,000 spectators and fans. In addition to the main event space, multiple ballrooms are part of the design, where the mystic societies will host their Mardi Gras balls.    The Oak View Group (OVG) will operate the arena and has connections to minor league hockey and could help facilitate bringing a team, or creating a new team for Mobile. Peter Luukko, chairman of OVG360, said when discussing a local team, “To get a local flavor into the name is very important to the success, and to get the fans involved in the naming of the team.” While naming a team seems far off, many locals still harbor feelings for the Mysticks name and branding. Toby Jeffreys, former co-owner of the Mysticks, calls the original nickname “brilliant.” Contact Vince Thompson to learn more about sponsorship opportunities at the new arena.

Vince Thompson, President and CEO of MELT, leads re-birth of War Eagle Supper Club at the Graduate by Hilton Hotel in Auburn, Alabama.   The War Eagle Supper Club’s last call rang out in 2015. This icon of entertainment for students lasted over 70 years, and now its back and enhanced with an eagle view of campus and Jordan-Hare Stadium.   The old plywood door and smell of staled beer is gone but plenty of memorabilia has been saved and now displayed in the new rooftop restaurant and bar a top the Graduate by Hilton. Auburn jerseys, photos from some of the bands that have performed, and the recipe from the famed pizza is now framed and on a wall. The classic motto, “Cold Beer, Hot Rock, Expect No Mercy,” now resides as a moniker above the new bar.   The Graduate and War Eagle Super Club is located on Magnolia Avenue, where Anders Bookstore previously existed, a landmark alums from Auburn surely remember.   MELT is a sports, entertainment and sponsorship agency that connects brands to fans. Please call us for future consulting opportunities for legacy trademarking, food, beverage, hotel, hospitality and on-campus marketing.

MELT activated at the third annual Dog Derby in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Dogsters Ice Cream.   Forget mud runs, this was a real MUTT-run! Over 400 dogs and their humans participated in the event created by Vinnie Somma of Say It Once Dog Training. This course brings the entire community, small businesses, dogs and their owners, as well as adoptable pets together in an atmosphere full of fun, exercise, food, and lots of wagging tails.   Dogsters recently partnered with renowned trainer Vinnie Somma and his organization, The Rescue League, which provides free training to rescue dogs to reduce the risk of them being returned or euthanized due to behavior issues. This year’s derby raised over $40,000 and several dogs found their furr-ever home that day.    As a title sponsor for this event, Dogsters got in the action with a branded ball-pit obstacle and provided a co-branded photo opportunity, sampling, couponing, and swag as the participants crossed the finish line. There is nothing better than crossing the finish line, receiving a Dogsters cooling towel and immediately trying some #WuvOnIce to cool you down after a hot day!     Brand ambassadors engaged with the dogs and their humans during the all-day event, awarded the dogs with their winning treat, shared the brands mission, as well as collected data to assist in new product research and development.    From man’s best friend taking on the tough course, encouraging adoptions, dogs and their humans enjoying a sweet treat together, to all of the content captured by our on-site social team, this event proved that you (and your dog!) can overcome every obstacle, especially if there is Dogsters Ice Cream at the finish line.

Is this the Golden Age of Mobile? Bradley Byrne, a former congressman who now serves as president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber, recalled a statement from a long time realtor that had never seen so much going on. Byrne also said he is encouraged by all of the private investment in Mobile by firms like Austal USA and Airbus. The public projects will be a major help in recruiting new businesses, like the downtown airport. while the new civic center functions as a "major talent attractor." The $200 million, 250,000 square foot Whiddon School of Medicine building broke ground at the University of South Alabama in December and is expected to be completed in December of 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will provide classrooms and a research wing. This new facility will complete the state's largest nursing school. Mobile International Airport received a $7.5 million grant. "This funding is a significant boost for the Mobile International Airport project," said Mobile Airport Authority Board Chairman, Elliot Maisel. "It's an important step in ensuring that our airport continues to grow and serve Mobile and Baldwin counties effective. We're grateful for the support and eager to continue our work on this vital Infrastructure." The international airport, located at Brookley Bay, is just minutes from downtown. Interstate 10 bridge and bayway project - planned to begin a cable-stayed bridge rising 215 feet, with three lanes in each direction, connecting to a new higher and wider bayway costing an estimated $3.5 billion. $150 million Airbus assembly plant addition is nearing completion, and they expect to add another 500 workers to the supply line by next year. The Army Corps of Engineers is nearing completion on a $38 million regional headquarters and construction is well under way on a $38.3 million parking garage next to the new building and both occupy the space on the original civic center property. Civic Center is set to be demolished next month to make way for the construction of a brand new $300 million sports and entertainment arena. The long-anticipated deepening and widening of the Mobile Harbor shipping channel is set to be completed in March 2025. In progress since 2021, the $466 million project is set to make "generational change,' according to John Driscoll, Director and CEO of the Alabama port Authority (APM). Novelis is building a $4.1 billion aluminum manufacturing plant just north of Bay Minette. The completion date is late 2026. "We are building this plant not just for today, but for the next 40 years and beyond," said Steve Fisher, president and CEO, Novelis Inc. A $72 million federal grant will pay for railroad track upgrades and new train platform to support the return or Amtrak Tor the first time In two decades. If you want to become a part of Mobile's growth, contact Vince Thompson at MELT to discuss sponsorships and how your business can contribute to this exciting project.

The growth in Mobile is happening before our very eyes! Below are images that show the growth or the Airbus facilities that started in 2015 with one plant. The facility in Mobile is their largest in North American and soon to be the fourth-largest final assembly operation for commercial aircraft assembly in the world. Their third and final plant is expected to be completed in 2025, and it will be the second assembly line for the Airbus A320-series. Airbus continues to thrive in the Mobile area and has increased the number of employees to approximately 2.400. Airbus expects to add another 100 workers to supply the line by next year. As Airbus and other manufacturing companies continue to expand, Mobile is supporting that growth by investing in infrastructure and city amenities. The city's new $300 million arena will bring major music acts, sports and entertainment programing while continuing to host the Mardi Gras traditions that are a part of the soul of Mobile. Interested in joining a growing city with economic success? Reach out to Vince Thompson to learn about sponsorship opportunities for the new $300 million arena.

We had a BARKing good time at Citi Field with our client J&J Snack Foods Corp to activate another Dogsters Ice Cream Bark at the Park with the New York Mets ⚾️💙🧡 Attendees got to walk the bases with their furry friend and cool off with a refreshing Dogsters Ice Cream, while repping their Mets orange and Dogsters branded bandana 🐶🍦🧡 The best part was definitely the kiss cam 😘🐶 #WuvOnIce 🍦 So great to catch up with our client turned friends Jillian Fuscellaro, Joanne Mizner, and Michael Powis who truly showcase "Fun Served Here" with J&J!

General Dynamics Electric Boat awards Austal USA a $450 million contract to expand their submarine module production in Mobile Al. Nearly 1,000 jobs are expected to be created in Mobile from this expansion alone. Mobile's Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Bradley Byrne, says, "This significant investment not only strengthens our local economy but also highlights the critical role Mobile plays in supporting U.S. naval defense." This contract will help Austal USA support the delivery of one Columbia-class and two Virginia class submarines annually to the Navy. The continued growth of Austal USA, is a contributing factor of the Gulf Coast's thriving industrial success story and part of why the city of Mobile's has had steady growth. Electric Boat celebrated 125 years, of developing, integrating and delivering submarines. They have supplied nuclear-powered Virginia-class fast -attach submarines to the Navy for 20 years. They engineer and design, maintain, modernize and provide fleet support for all classes of submarines. Across the river from the Austal USA facility is, downtown Mobile, where the new $300 million arena is being built. New hotels, housing developments, parks, and international airport make up a portion of the lifestyle, business, entertainment and hospitality improvements taking place in Mobile. If you want to become a part of Mobile's growth, contact Vince Thompson at MELT to discuss sponsorships and how your business can contribute to this exciting project

Check out the newest renderings of the upcoming $300M, 10,000-seat arena in Downtown Mobile! City of Mobile, AL Reach out to Vince Thompson to discuss sponsorships and learn how your business can contribute to this growing success!

The longtime sports and entertainment complex featuring an arena, theater and expo hall that opened in 1964, approximately 60 years ago, had it's last party. Crowds mixed with smiles and tears gathered together at the Mobile Civic Center to say goodbye the only way they knew how. Last Wednesday, the arena held one last party featuring a Carnival-like second line procession with members of about 15 mystic societies, including the Merry Widows of Joe Cain who began weeping and wailing as a hearse with a replica paper mâché of the Civic Center inside it, began to process through the arena. "It was a pretty unique way they have come up with this idea," said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, crediting the city's communications staff for the event. The procession followed a brief ceremony that included comments from city officials. Mayor Simpson and longtime Mobile Carnival Association representative David Cooper introduced a time capsule filled with artifacts from Mobile's mystic societies that, for years, held their annual Mardi Gras balls inside the Civic Center. That history included a period in the late 1960s through the 70s and early 80s in which the Civic Center was a popular spot for touring rock concerts. Elvis Presley played inside the venue seven times during the 1970s. Other iconic performers included Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Monkees, Kiss, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson 5, Tina Turner and others. The $4.67 million demolition contract with New York-based Sabre Demolition was approved by the City Council last month. Simpson said the company will proceed with asbestos removal first before beginning with the physical demolition of the entire structure. The demolition work is expected to be completed by February so that construction can soon begin on the new building. The entire project is under a tight timeline. The city has a goal of opening the new arena in early 2027 so the project doesn't disrupt more than two Carnival seasons. The new arena, once built, will serve as a sports and entertainment venue similar to the Civic Center which hosted indoor arena football and minor league hockey. The Oak View Group, which is responsible with programming the future venue, has targeted ice hockey as a potential attraction inside the new arena. The Mobile Mysticks hockey team played inside the arena from 1995-2002, and west Mobile resident Brian Genard served as the organization's second general manager. Reach out to Vince Thompson to learn about sponsorship opportunities for the new $300 million arena.

Vince Thompson brings the legendary War Eagle Supper Club back to life Vince Thompson has always had a love for Auburn traditions. An Auburn alum and successful businessman in Atlanta for the last 25 year, he’s hoping to keep some of that tradition alive by bringing back the War Eagle Supper Club to Auburn, Alabama. The War Eagle Supper Club, established in the 1930s, was always the spot for cold beer and hot rock. Its popularity peaked during the 1980s. From live music to the “Shot Bus” that would take patrons back to their apartments at the night’s end, to the secret pizza recipe. The War Eagle Supper Club was the home of good times for Auburn locals and students for 80 years. While Thompson was a student at Auburn, John Brandt took partnership in the War Eagle Supper Club. The two had no idea that 40 years later, their paths would cross and bring back arguably the most famous college dive bar in the world. On December 31, 2015, the club had its last call for all to enjoy one last beer and share memories, including their favorite acts, such as Telluride, Jason Isbell, and the Velcro Pygmies. In the summer of 2021 when the world had slowed down following the pandemic, Thompson had a though of licensing the name and opening the club back up. He purchased the trademark for one dollar and started making calls. “I had caught wind that a firm called AJ Capital had acquired the former Anders Bookstore stie on Magnolia Avenue to build a Graduate Hotel near the Auburn Campus,” Thompson explained. The Graduate line of hotels is also known for their rooftop bars. He tracked down the hotel’s builders, met with an attorney and city officials in Auburn and was given the greenlight at every turn. But there was one thing left to do. “I went down and had lunch with John Brandt and said, “I’m not going to do this without your permission, and I want you to be included in this, no matter how it turns out; if it turns out,” Thompson remembered. Although the new bar will be a new, sophisticated version of the club, memorabilia such as membership cars, an old tip jar, pizza recipe, an even a replica “shot bus” will be part of the time-capsule like space. “It’s a major deal for the city, university, alums, students, and parents,” said Thompson. The 200-seat bar with a view of Jordan-Hare stadium is expected to open its doors in mid-September.