British Speedway Promoters Meeting

[ColinMills]

 

I understand what you are saying but in this case it is the younger generation that are most valuable to the sport. Based on what I have seen on my various speedway visits it would appear obvious that audiences are overwhelmingly of an older generation. I guess the blunt way to put it is who will take over when this generation is too old to attend?

Young people know what young people want. We know what appeals to them and we know how to pluck their strings.

you spot on mate, agree with you totally..

[Elephantman]

I have never failed a client. I have never walked away from a business without doing a great job. I take pride in my work and my track record speaks for itself.

 

You are utterly clueless, no surprise you are no longer a promoter and glad you aren't promoting my club.

 

The sport is doing a great job discrediting itself and certainly doesn't need my help on that front. If you are suggesting a few posts on a forum could damage that balance then you yourself are testifying to what an awful state it is in.

 

So tell me, what was this £80,000 spent on? What did this marketing agency do for you? I think you were ripped off mate. I've not seen one iota of speedway marketing in play online, so explain to me where this £80,000 went? Because it clearly went to the wrong places didn't it. Wouldn't be surprised if it was lining the pockets of GSI's good pals.

 

You are talking out of your backside. You are deluded in that you believe cutting costs and reducing the quality of the product will make it viable again. Wrong. The money that will be saved through cost cutting will be lost through the drop in attendance figures which you will see next season, and the season after that, and the season after that. This isn't rocket science, it's common sense

You're arguments are correct but you have attacked the poster; as soon as it gets personal everybody loses.

 

I agree with your summary of the challenges the sport faces. To attend speedway is cheap; so why do people think dropping the prices will increase attendance? It will not. Gorilla marketing; content marketing; social media all of the new techniques need to be employed by people young enough to understand them. We have a young World Champion surrounded by people who haven't moved with the times and may not have the ability to do so within the timescales needed.

[John Leslie]

Gorilla marketing; content marketing; social media all of the new techniques need to be employed by people young enough to understand them.

 

"Gorilla" marketing ......Are you proposing we send large apes out fly-posting?

[jimmy jimmy]

I'm not interested in what Sweden and Poland choose to do; I'm more concerned at the Elite League who will agree policy on the hoof in the hope it will get supporters on-side. Have you noticed collective amnesia on how crap the Elite League product was last year?

 

It is pathetic; this has nothing to do with helping "young Brits" there is the NL and the PL through which they should be able to progress if they have the talent and the money for suitable equipment. This is about a failed "Elite" league that is grasping at straws to get supporters on side, while at the same time deflecting scrutiny of the real issues. Look at the Birmingham debacle; this is a poorly run league; end of!

So what's your idea of a well run league?

[Guest]

Gorilla marketing; content marketing; social media all of the new techniques need to be employed by people young enough to understand them.

 

 

 

"Gorilla" marketing ......Are you proposing we send large apes out fly-posting?

 

It's not "Gorilla" marketing but "guerilla" marketing".

http://www.cardellmedia.com/C20/geurilla-marketingc.html?gclid=CLv3yuiThrsCFfMctAodFVQAGQ

Edited November 28, 2013 by Guest

[Bryn]

 

 

 

It's not "Gorilla" marketing but "geurilla" marketing".

http://www.cardellmedia.com/C20/geurilla-marketingc.html?gclid=CLv3yuiThrsCFfMctAodFVQAGQ

 

Are you sure it's not "guerilla marketing?"

Edited November 28, 2013 by Bryn

[John Leslie]

 

 

 

It's not "Gorilla" marketing but "geurilla" marketing".

http://www.cardellmedia.com/C20/geurilla-marketingc.html?gclid=CLv3yuiThrsCFfMctAodFVQAGQ

 

"Geurilla"???? Now we've got a dyslexic flyposter

[Vince]

 

I understand completely New Science. The point I am trying to make is a lot of these issues are caused by lack of finance. We will not find this extra finance through sponsors because they are not interested in a sport with so little publicity on offer. The only place we will find this extra finance is through higher attendances and they will only come with a modern and consistent marketing campaign. It does not have to be a lot, but at the moment it is non existant.

 

With the extra finance generated through increased attendances we can focus our efforts on better track surfaces so that riders can race with confidence and better international riders who are more experienced and can provide a higher standard of racing. When we have these things in place the marketing side of things will get easier and easier and the financial situation will continue to improve. Then we can really focus on getting behind the Brit's and spending more money on support, training schemes and funding equipment who will in turn become the preferred choice over other international riders, not because they are cheaper but because they are better.

 

I understand that some may be skeptical, but I cannot understand in any way how reducing the quality of the sport and failing to attract new audiences can ever help the sport grow? By reducing the quality further it becomes impossible to market.

So despite the sport in this country not being good enough for you to watch you are still able to guarantee to market it more effectively than anybody in the past 60 years?

 

Perhaps some are sceptical because they have dealt with marketing and business consultants over many years and have yet to find anybody capable who would make such a guarantee.

 

However I should imagine that with your marketing ability there must be enough money in your kitty to allow you to invest in Sheffield and/or Peterborough and demonstrate how you can turn the sport around with your own business at risk.

 

You make a lot of good points but they will always be overlooked because of your 'know all, everybody else is stupid' attitude. If you really want Promoters to use your services recognising their abilities rather than insisting that their knowledge and experience counts for nothing compared to your superior intellect would be a start. Telling everybody about what you have actually already achieved with your marketing strategies should be the clincher.

[mikebv]

"Geurilla"???? Now we've got a dyslexic flyposter

and he's going 'ape'!!!!

[Guest]

 

Are you sure it's not "guerilla marketing?"

Quite right Bryn. I'll re-edit. A case of 'fat fingers on the keyboard late at night' on my part. Many thanks. It's nice to be able to reply to and respect a serious comment on an unfortunate error.

Edited November 28, 2013 by Guest

[Humphrey Appleby]

To attend speedway is cheap; so why do people think dropping the prices will increase attendance? It will not.

I suggest raising the prices then, and see how many people flock to watch it...

[Elephantman]

Well the typo just goes to show that you need people who understand the name never mind the marketing technique to make it work

 

I suggest raising the prices then, and see how many people flock to watch it...

The issue is that speedway is not attracting new supporters in enough numbers to make the sport sustainable with the current business model. The price at the door is not the key factor causing this; the key factor is that there is no effective advertising and marketing of the product. The reason for that is that the sport is skint and many of the promoters clueless as to how to attract young supporters.

 

Many of you may have had run-ins with Synikalle and disagree with the way that he/she posts; but fundamentally the arguments put forward are correct. Speedway needs to do something radically different to that which it has done in the past or it will shrink even more.

 

I have two tracks within 60 minutes car drive of my home; I wouldn't dream of attending either regularly; the stadiums are awful, the presentation uninspiring, the racing is processional and the atmosphere is dire. One is EL the other PL; if the racing was good you could get away with the other failings to a degree. I travel a significant distance a few times a year to see good racing in decent facilities.

[skthecat]

You're arguments are correct but you have attacked the poster; as soon as it gets personal everybody loses.

 

I agree with your summary of the challenges the sport faces. To attend speedway is cheap; so why do people think dropping the prices will increase attendance? It will not. Gorilla marketing; content marketing; social media all of the new techniques need to be employed by people young enough to understand them. We have a young World Champion surrounded by people who haven't moved with the times and may not have the ability to do so within the timescales needed.

Any testimonials available to back up your business successes of the past?

[Elephantman]

Any testimonials available to back up your business successes of the past?

Yes, but as I'm not offering my services it is irrelevant. However it is kind of you to take an interest and to be so open minded

[SteveLyric2]

I do agree with many of the suggestions about using modern methods of marketing and communication to reach younger audiences, even though I think the 'I know better than you' attitude is not the way to approach it!! But it is by no means the sole issue. New spectators need to be attracted to attend - AND TO KEEP ATTENDING ON A REGULAR BASIS!!

 

And therein is one of the many conundrums for most promoters who have little or no control over the facilities on offer at the stadia in which they present their product!! Even those clubs that own their own stadia, often offer a poor experience in this modern day and age, and that's before we even start on the actual racing, presentation or promotion of team/riders' personalities etc etc.

 

On a personal level, I do not necessarily agree that the sport needs the top riders to make for better racing!! However, when you are trying to market the sport and the 'personalities' in the sport, then having the top riders - especially the World Champion, whichever country he comes from - certainly should add to the positives!

 

SYNIKALLE, if you are serious in your suggestion to offer your services for FREE, then surely you wouldn't have a problem in outlining your proposals on here?! I assume you have already made contact with the BSPA or some individual promoters, so why not start a fresh thread on the BSF?! There is clearly some other Marketing and Communication expertise amongst other posters, which would I'm sure offer constructive advice and additional guidance upon seeing your proposals....!

[racers and royals]

Synikalle-i have worked out who he is. It`s been like watching "through the keyhole" when David Frost(or was it Loyd Grossman) said "the clues are there ".

 

I`m pretty sure it`s someone with a Speedway past-maybe the goal-posts were moved,the ball was taken away and he`s pitched up somewhere else I don`t take all this masquerading as a poole fan either.

Edited November 28, 2013 by racers and royals

[Humphrey Appleby]

I have two tracks within 60 minutes car drive of my home; I wouldn't dream of attending either regularly; the stadiums are awful, the presentation uninspiring, the racing is processional and the atmosphere is dire.

Yes, but speedway promotions in the main have little control of over the quality of their stadiums or a number of other external factors that contribute to a poor product. Yes, if the sport was doing well then they could either own their own stadiums or demand improvements, but the reality is that most stadiums are on the margins of disappearing under housing anyway.

 

Speedway is not especially expensive in comparison to mainstream sports, but it is too expensive for what it is. It's failed to control rider wages relative to its income, which in turn has meant skimping on things like number of heats and track preparation, and to some extent on improving spectator facilities (although that also comes back to not owning the stadiums). So the spiral of decline has got worse-and-worse and it's difficult to see how it can now dig itself out of the hole.

 

The one thing that is for certain is that you can't charge any more for the current product, and it probably needs to be substantially less. Throwing money that the sport doesn't have at so-called star riders who aren't really interested in riding for their teams, is also a surefire route to bankruptcy. They don't attract enough fans to justify their wages, and haven't for the past 20 years or more - I can't believe that anyone still believes otherwise.

 

The only way the sport has any chance of survival is to basically go back to grassroots, bring in cheaper but committed riders and maybe a longer meeting format, and market itself as a cheap form of entertainment. Yes, it needs to engage with new forms of media etc. etc.., but I think the chances of the sport gaining masses of new fans is virtually nil. It's not like marketing a new energy drink, but tapping into people who used to go and who might drag their friends and family along if it were affordable and moderately entertaining again.

 

Even if you do all this, the sport might still be doomed anyway, but it may be doomed later rather than sooner.

 

PS - beware of anyone who proclaims they're an expert on anything...

Edited November 28, 2013 by Humphrey Appleby

[New Science]

Well the typo just goes to show that you need people who understand the name never mind the marketing technique to make it work

 

 

The issue is that speedway is not attracting new supporters in enough numbers to make the sport sustainable with the current business model. The price at the door is not the key factor causing this; the key factor is that there is no effective advertising and marketing of the product. The reason for that is that the sport is skint and many of the promoters clueless as to how to attract young supporters.

 

Many of you may have had run-ins with Synikalle and disagree with the way that he/she posts; but fundamentally the arguments put forward are correct. Speedway needs to do something radically different to that which it has done in the past or it will shrink even more.

 

I have two tracks within 60 minutes car drive of my home; I wouldn't dream of attending either regularly; the stadiums are awful, the presentation uninspiring, the racing is processional and the atmosphere is dire. One is EL the other PL; if the racing was good you could get away with the other failings to a degree. I travel a significant distance a few times a year to see good racing in decent facilities.

How are you supposed to aggressively market and advertise a product that as you quote 'has awful stadiums,uninspiring presentation, no atmosphere and processional racing' ?

[skthecat]

Any testimonials available to back up your business successes of the past?

Sorry!! Quotes not working properly, or I am guilty of "Sleep Posting!"

The question was meant to be aimed at Synikale or whatever he calls him/herself......

Its ok him making all these statements about his previous success in marketing, but I am guessing he knows the BSPA will not persue this avenue and he could really promise what ever he likes! The offer would never be considered (rightly or wrongly) I really don't believe anyone, no matter how good they are or claim to be could generate enough additional interest in speedway, lost or new footfall, in the volumes required to boost speedway to a position where he says it could be in a single generation!!

Over a period of longevity, say a 10 year plan, possibly maybe, but, but, the actual costs and time spent on it would be vast... in my opinion....

We need a short term cost reduction to stabilise the sport short term, and then a decidedly longer term plan to get young brits up to the standard of the foreign equivalents in the sport, which will then generate a following of similar ages as well..... (I want to do what my heroes do) mentality.

[Elephantman]

How are you supposed to aggressively market and advertise a product that as you quote 'has awful stadiums,uninspiring presentation, no atmosphere and processional racing' ?

That's a problem that the two promotions near to me must address is it not? Presentation can be fixed in a nano-second. The key point you missed is, "if the racing was good you could get away with the other failings to a degree". If there is good racing then that provides a platform to fix the rest and it provides something that can be marketed. If the racing is no good......