بازی ذهن: شامل چیزهای بی اهمیت به عنوان یک ورزش در بازی های Pan Pacific Masters  Mind games: The inclusion of trivia as a sport in the Pan Pacific Masters Games

1. Teaching note and overview for class use This case explores the complexities of marketing and promotion for a non-traditional sport. The case is focused on theinclusion of trivia as a sport in the Pan Pacific Masters Games (PPMG) and provides instructors with an opportunity to discussand debate the fundamental definitions of sport (and whether trivia is a sport) before tackling more complex marketingissues that flow from it being included in the PPMG. The case narrative allows students to follow Shane, an advocate andstakeholder for advancing trivia as a sport, as he plans for, and prepares to host the first ever trivia event at the PPMG. Thecase could be used in either undergraduate or postgraduate courses that discuss sport or event marketing. The discussionquestions included as part of the teaching note are applicable for either undergraduate or postgraduate students. It might beexpected that postgraduate students provide more in-depth analysis and critique, and therefore additional readings andguidance for instructors to tailor the use of the case accordingly is provided. The PPMG has approximately 12,000 participants aged 30 and over in 42 sports. After an email to various stakeholders soliciting interest in new sports to be added, the PPMG announced that trivia was to be included in the 2014 Games. Shane, a regular participant in the PPMG and board member of Quizzing Australia (the governing body for trivia), was elated, as he had successfully proposed the addition of trivia. As the case describes, after his successful bid, Shane was faced with many decisions on how to appropriately market and stage a trivia event at the PPMG. Shane’s success hinged on securing at least 100 participants in trivia for the inaugural event, as it would be excluded from any future PPMG if the 2014 event (upon which this case is focused) was unsuccessful. Participation was therefore a key driver for any of Shane’s marketing actions in planning and preparing for the event. Students are invited to assume the role of Shane as he develops a marketing plan to ensure trivia is successful at the PPMG. While it is noted that the case is written in an Australian context, the case could be used in international classrooms as trivia has similar contextual relevance in both the USA and the UK. For example, in the USA, trivia nights started in the 1980s after the success of the board game Trivial Pursuit. Currently, it is estimated that 2000 weekly trivia nights are held in the USA. Further, it is estimated that approximately 22,445 weekly trivia events are held in the UK (Pagels, 2014). Suggested readings are provided in the subsequent sections of the teaching note that instructors can use in order to further develop contextual relevance.