Honestly I think we are not seeing much activity is maybe people don't like the current state the game is in right now. There is something in the game that is driving people away and playing other source games, What is that? Can you fix it? How will we reach back to those people who stepped away temporary?
Maybe we should start pumping out more custom maps just to keep the community active.
I am all in for a weekly tournament or weekend tournament. Perhaps something like gungame, capture the babe. Something like these people will play all day if done correct. Look at counter strike source, im sure Wake can explain that the game is so simple, but the gameplay is great. If we work on some new ways to enhance the gameplay, people will likely come back and fill our servers.
I don't think advertising is the culprit. The mod is all over the internet. Even students in my school play it after classes.