Berwick V Plymouth 20/6/15

[bigeddiechek]

Hopefully the promotion or somebody will see some of the suggestions on here and take them on board. One positive note is that there are plenty of ideas coming forward. Plenty of food for thought for the commercial department and promotion.

 

I think it is good that suggestions are being put forward. I haven't seen any that haven't been tried, or aren't currently being done.

Does anyone seriously think that the holiday camps have not been targeted?

 

The posters are great, and contrary to have some on here have said, are actually in quite a few places throughout the Borders, not just Berwick.

 

What I have found very disappointing is that a certain individual has felt the need to personally single out and - utterly unfairly - criticise the Commercial Manager.

It really is unfair, below the belt, and very poor form.

 

I'm biting my tongue here as it was bang out of order

[Heedthebaw]

If the club aren't allowed to promote within the camps, how about catching the tourists when they are in the town centre by taking a pitch or a market stall on the high street on a Saturday morning / afternoon at the market? I've made a suggestion to the club saying as much in an e-mail. I must admit I have little or no knowledge how much the stall pitches cost or how to go about getting one (council?) but during the summer the high street is usually busy with shoppers. Get a couple of riders in kevlars over there with a couple of bikes? It might spark off a bit of interest.

Been done in the past and made really no difference, trying to get riders on a Saturday afternoon would be very very hard I would imagine,

[bigeddiechek]

Been done in the past and made really no difference, trying to get riders on a Saturday afternoon would be very very hard I would imagine,

 

I don't think it made any difference at all when it was done.

 

Only from my personal experience, the most effective thing that has brought new faces along have been the Sky meetings.

Can't beat folk wanting to get on the telly!

Edited June 18, 2015 by bigeddiechek

[topsoil]

The role of commercial manager in an ideal world would be a full time appointment, simply because I think it is vital in this day and age. The sport is very expensive and unless you have a very rich owner with money to spare, the only way it can be funded is through sponsorship. I can remember reading a few years ago that the only way Peterborough survived as long as they did in the Elite League was because of the excellent work done by their commercial manager, who managed to sell a lot of corporate nights and sponsorship.

Take Berwick for example. There are big national companies with businesses in the town, McDonalds, Travelodge, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, for example, along with some large private companies (e.g. grain merchants). A full time, experienced commercial manager may have the nouse how to work with these companies, who may not be willing to directly sponsor the club, but there could well be way to "work with" these companies.

To ask a part time commercial manager to do this type of job is asking a lot. A lot of these people are doing it on a voluntary basis and should be thanked for giving up their time to carry out the role.

Yes, I am aware that full time commercial managers will not come cheap, but speculate to accumulate? Or perhaps a few clubs could pull together to hire one?

I honestly think this role is as vital as anybody in a club going forward.

[bigeddiechek]

The role of commercial manager in an ideal world would be a full time appointment, simply because I think it is vital in this day and age. The sport is very expensive and unless you have a very rich owner with money to spare, the only way it can be funded is through sponsorship. I can remember reading a few years ago that the only way Peterborough survived as long as they did in the Elite League was because of the excellent work done by their commercial manager, who managed to sell a lot of corporate nights and sponsorship.

Take Berwick for example. There are big national companies with businesses in the town, McDonalds, Travelodge, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, for example, along with some large private companies (e.g. grain merchants). A full time, experienced commercial manager may have the nouse how to work with these companies, who may not be willing to directly sponsor the club, but there could well be way to "work with" these companies.

To ask a part time commercial manager to do this type of job is asking a lot. A lot of these people are doing it on a voluntary basis and should be thanked for giving up their time to carry out the role.

Yes, I am aware that full time commercial managers will not come cheap, but speculate to accumulate? Or perhaps a few clubs could pull together to hire one?

I honestly think this role is as vital as anybody in a club going forward.

 

I think you will find sponsorship was a fairly easy thing to find pre-credit crunch.

It's pretty difficult now.

 

Additionally, the larger brands that you mention have a well-planned out marketing strategy. They have their goals so finely tuned that if you are not within the specification then you will not stand a cat's chance in hell of getting in.

 

One of my clients own several large global brands, I have a good relationship so was able to put the question to them. The above was the answer.

 

The current Commercial Manager does a very good job, especially with limited time and resources.

Just because Taffy can't see it from his pokey wee shop doesn't mean it isn't happening.

[screm]

Berwick Bandits Speedway Club Ltd

8 hrs ·

Ricky Ashworth will return to Shielfield Park this Sat 20th June .
This will be Ricky's first return visit since the summer of 2013. It will be a very special & emotional night for all at Berwick Bandits Speedway . Let's hope our 2015 Bandits put on a great nights racing for Ricky and his family to watch .

 

 

Posted on Facebook, what kind of reception will this fellow get, hope the roof is nailed down.

 

Sounds like you've not been short of a speedway fix, I'm envious!

 

This is what my post pertained to:

 

http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=79197&p=2615654

 

Sorry but due to work I was not at that meeting, as I think was mentioned by another poster on that thread.

The role of commercial manager in an ideal world would be a full time appointment, simply because I think it is vital in this day and age. The sport is very expensive and unless you have a very rich owner with money to spare, the only way it can be funded is through sponsorship. I can remember reading a few years ago that the only way Peterborough survived as long as they did in the Elite League was because of the excellent work done by their commercial manager, who managed to sell a lot of corporate nights and sponsorship.

Take Berwick for example. There are big national companies with businesses in the town, McDonalds, Travelodge, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, for example, along with some large private companies (e.g. grain merchants). A full time, experienced commercial manager may have the nouse how to work with these companies, who may not be willing to directly sponsor the club, but there could well be way to "work with" these companies.

To ask a part time commercial manager to do this type of job is asking a lot. A lot of these people are doing it on a voluntary basis and should be thanked for giving up their time to carry out the role.

Yes, I am aware that full time commercial managers will not come cheap, but speculate to accumulate? Or perhaps a few clubs could pull together to hire one?

I honestly think this role is as vital as anybody in a club going forward.

 

Decent ideas though I would hope these have already been tried by the club, so maybe they have got nowhere. Speculate to accumulate is fine, and if it works your onto a winner, but if you speculate and don't accumulate your out of pocket, and if Berwick`s finances aren't exactly brilliant at the minute any monies lost could put the clubs long term future in doubt.

[To The Point]

 

I think you will find sponsorship was a fairly easy thing to find pre-credit crunch.

It's pretty difficult now.

 

Additionally, the larger brands that you mention have a well-planned out marketing strategy. They have their goals so finely tuned that if you are not within the specification then you will not stand a cat's chance in hell of getting in.

 

One of my clients own several large global brands, I have a good relationship so was able to put the question to them. The above was the answer.

 

The current Commercial Manager does a very good job, especially with limited time and resources.

Just because Taffy can't see it from his pokey wee shop doesn't mean it isn't happening.

With all of your contacts and all of your know how, the club ahould be coming down under the weight of sponsorship, it should also with your significant knowledge be financially successful. I am not knocking the dedication of the Commercial Manager, but should this position be done by a full time self employed person on a commission basis. Yes, you get to keep 100% of what is brought in, but is not better to get 80% of twice as much.

 

My pokey little shop gives me a comfortable living, you can knock it as much as you like, but my customers continue to return again and again with regulars from Newcastle and Edinburgh, so cannot be doing anything wrong. It's not long till retirement now so it's all I need.

[bigeddiechek]

With all of your contacts and all of your know how, the club ahould be coming down under the weight of sponsorship, it should also with your significant knowledge be financially successful. I am not knocking the dedication of the Commercial Manager, but should this position be done by a full time self employed person on a commission basis. Yes, you get to keep 100% of what is brought in, but is not better to get 80% of twice as much.

 

My pokey little shop gives me a comfortable living, you can knock it as much as you like, but my customers continue to return again and again with regulars from Newcastle and Edinburgh, so cannot be doing anything wrong. It's not long till retirement now so it's all I need.

 

You missed the point, the contacts that I have own some global brands, and I was passing on the mechanics of how large business marketing strategies work.

It's not as simple as going and asking them for money.

 

Up until a few years ago it was also a means for offsetting against a certain amount of taxation. Again with the economic climate, that is less of a consideration, and the sales benefit is a primary concern. Thus, sponsorship is more than ever a part of an overall marketing and advertising plan.

 

To provide some clarity, if the businesses target demographic does not include speedway fans, then it is highly unlikely that they will provide any form of sponsorship.

 

I think Berwick are very fortunate in that a large number of local businesses contribute as associate sponsors and it is fantastic that they do that.

 

On the idea of employing someone purely on commission. Prima facie it is a good idea, but it very, very rarely works for any business. It needs a basic salary which is topped up with a bonus. I just can't see that being viable: which makes the efforts that all the volunteers at Berwick Speedway (and all the other clubs around the country) all the more commendable.

 

On another note, you can't expect to take a pop at other people's business and not have your shortcomings pointed out.

Nobody is perfect, even me.

[Fromafar]

I don't think it made any difference at all when it was done.

 

Only from my personal experience, the most effective thing that has brought new faces along have been the Sky meetings.

Can't beat folk wanting to get on the telly!

The reduced price of admission also may be a factor ,as Swindon recently pointed out.So it's is obvious that most Promotions are living above their means as they cannot survive on twice the crowd and reducing Admission by a third,I doubt that Sky meetings attract many new fans though if it does they certainly don't become regulars judging by reports.

[bigeddiechek]

The reduced price of admission also may be a factor ,as Swindon recently pointed out.So it's is obvious that most Promotions are living above their means as they cannot survive on twice the crowd and reducing Admission by a third,I doubt that Sky meetings attract many new fans though if it does they certainly don't become regulars judging by reports.

 

Only going on my personal experience, but I know of 5 who are now regulars on the back of coming to the first Sky meeting.

A handful more have become occasionals.

 

Certainly not enough to change the world!

 

I think we both know speedway in the UK is fighting a losing battle.

[To The Point]

The reduced price of admission also may be a factor ,as Swindon recently pointed out.So it's is obvious that most Promotions are living above their means as they cannot survive on twice the crowd and reducing Admission by a third,I doubt that Sky meetings attract many new fans though if it does they certainly don't become regulars judging by reports.

The last time Sky came, it was pretty obvious that there was an abundance of children getting in free in the hope bthey would be on the telly. That is not a bad thing if they convince their parents to bring them every week and you gain the £15 off dad or mum, but sadly it is more than obvious that crowds are falling, my guess is if there are people who want to be on the telly, then cash in on it, take the £15 admission and also the Sky money it makes sound business sense. Passing on any gain to the fans,your club is struggling financially just does not make common sense.

 

It is really good that Sky are coming back

 

Only going on my personal experience, but I know of 5 who are now regulars on the back of coming to the first Sky meeting.

A handful more have become occasionals.

 

Certainly not enough to change the world!

 

I think we both know speedway in the UK is fighting a losing battle.

Don't forget Sky is part of the problem, by televising the smaller clubs allows fans to sit in the comfort of their own home, depriving the club of it's revenue.

Edited June 19, 2015 by To The Point

[bigeddiechek]

... take the £15 admission and also the Sky money it makes sound business sense. Passing on any gain to the fans,your club is struggling financially just does not make common sense.

 

It is really good that Sky are coming back

 

Speculate to accumulate?

 

Yes, I agree it is good Sky are coming back, it does make good business sense to offer a special promotion with this particular event.

It creates a wider appeal, hopefully helps with a decent crowd - which adds to the atmosphere, and therefore has more chance of attracting return visits.

 

I agree that reduced admission for regular events has proven to be a disaster, but this is a different event. I am guessing the club gets some form of fee from Sky which takes a bit of the risk element out of it.

 

I don't know if you looked to the left of the stand at the last meeting, but it had over 150 adults, who were completely new to the sport, as a result of a promotion that was run in East Lothian and the Borders. So it wasn't just kids that came along.

 

You make some wild claims on here that are often completely unfounded.

 

Of course it was a much bigger crowd, thus you will very likely have more kids along (which is surely the future of the sport), to say there was an abundance of kids getting in free when they have to be accompanied by a paying adult would surely have been a good thing?

[screm]

 

Only going on my personal experience, but I know of 5 who are now regulars on the back of coming to the first Sky meeting.

A handful more have become occasionals.

 

Certainly not enough to change the world!

 

I think we both know speedway in the UK is fighting a losing battle.

 

Its brilliant that Berwick have five extra fans coming on a regular bases, not knocking your efforts but sadly more and more people simply aren't coming any more.

 

Agree with you, speedway in this Country is losing a fighting battle, and sadly there are clubs who are haemorrhaging on a yearly bases, propped up only my wealthy owners who can take that kind of financial hit, how long that can continue I wouldn't know. But one thing is sure, there will be places that will lose its speedway, I am sure we can all agree on one thing it is to be hoped that one of those places isn't Berwick.

[bigeddiechek]

 

Its brilliant that Berwick have five extra fans coming on a regular bases, not knocking your efforts but sadly more and more people simply aren't coming any more.

 

Agree with you, speedway in this Country is losing a fighting battle, and sadly there are clubs who are haemorrhaging on a yearly bases, propped up only my wealthy owners who can take that kind of financial hit, how long that can continue I wouldn't know. But one thing is sure, there will be places that will lose its speedway, I am sure we can all agree on one thing it is to be hoped that one of those places isn't Berwick.

 

You're right, it needs a hell of a lot more than 5 new fans.

 

The future of Berwick has been precarious since Peter's days. I desperately don't want to lose it.

 

That is why I am so strongly against all the cheap shots that get fired at the promotions over the years.

I don't know why people do it, and as I've said many times before, they need to be careful what they wish for.

 

It does a lot of unseen damage

[abyassinian bandit]

With all of your contacts and all of your know how, the club ahould be coming down under the weight of sponsorship, it should also with your significant knowledge be financially successful. I am not knocking the dedication of the Commercial Manager, but should this position be done by a full time self employed person on a commission basis. Yes, you get to keep 100% of what is brought in, but is not better to get 80% of twice as much.

 

My pokey little shop gives me a comfortable living, you can knock it as much as you like, but my customers continue to return again and again with regulars from Newcastle and Edinburgh, so cannot be doing anything wrong. It's not long till retirement now so it's all I need.

size isn't everything

[allthegearbutnaeidea]

boo hoo, i have bigger contacts than you, use them then, surely the saying, 'if you dont ask you dont get' comes into play with sponsorship

[screm]

boo hoo, i have bigger contacts than you, use them then, surely the saying, 'if you dont ask you dont get' comes into play with sponsorship

 

I am sure if anyone has contacts that would help the club, whether they tell us or not, they would use them. But your point is a good one, if you don't make those call, send those emails, or knock on doors you wont find out. The club produced a brochure a couple or three years ago when they were looking for a team sponsor, I would hope they are still doing that kind of thing.

 

Apart from lenses I have no contacts.

Edited June 19, 2015 by screm

[bigeddiechek]

boo hoo, i have bigger contacts than you, use them then, surely the saying, 'if you dont ask you dont get' comes into play with sponsorship

 

It's not a case of that. I am merely try to put a bit of perspective into this.

It isn't just a case of knocking on doors, and - of course - everyone involved who has contacts will have asked the question.

 

It is a very difficult thing to obtain at the moment. There have been several brochure and pitching materials produced in the past.

With sponsorship you really need an in through someone with an established relationship. Even then, as I have mentioned, the sport needs to have a fit with the target demographic.

 

That is a tough one for speedway to match up with, unfortunately.

 

Just so you folks aren't getting the idea that I think I have some multitude of business contacts. The one I am referring to owns two global booze brands. Yes, I did put the question to their European Brand Director, but their 12 month strategy is based on the aspirational/lifestyle angle. So, as you can imagine, speedway isn't exactly the right fit for their brands.

 

If they were focused on motorsports, it would have been a different situation and they could have allocated a small part of their budget towards speedway. If you don't ask, though.

 

I notice that Perrymans are sponsoring the Under 19 meeting, which is fantastic. Clearly people within the club are working on these things, contrary to all the expert belief on here...

[screm]

 

It's not a case of that. I am merely try to put a bit of perspective into this.

It isn't just a case of knocking on doors, and - of course - everyone involved who has contacts will have asked the question.

 

It is a very difficult thing to obtain at the moment. There have been several brochure and pitching materials produced in the past.

With sponsorship you really need an in through someone with an established relationship. Even then, as I have mentioned, the sport needs to have a fit with the target demographic.

 

That is a tough one for speedway to match up with, unfortunately.

 

Just so you folks aren't getting the idea that I think I have some multitude of business contacts. The one I am referring to owns two global booze brands. Yes, I did put the question to their European Brand Director, but their 12 month strategy is based on the aspirational/lifestyle angle. So, as you can imagine, speedway isn't exactly the right fit for their brands.

 

If they were focused on motorsports, it would have been a different situation and they could have allocated a small part of their budget towards speedway. If you don't ask, though.

 

I notice that Perrymans are sponsoring the Under 19 meeting, which is fantastic. Clearly people within the club are working on these things, contrary to all the expert belief on here...

 

My point about knocking on doors was more aimed at Berwick than anything else, Berwick is a small town with lots of small businesses, you may need to go to them rather than they come to you. To be fair to the club they look to have already done that with their group of associate sponsors.

 

You mention Perryman`s buses, its great they have come forward to sponsor a meeting later in the season, I think they may be their first sponsorship, I followed one of their buses through the town today and on the back they were carrying an advert for the Kings Arms Hotel and their restaurants. Maybe the club could look in that direction to take Berwick Speedway to lots of people.

Edited June 19, 2015 by screm

[topsoil]

Anybody underestimating Plymouth tomorrow night only need look at their K O Cup win over Peterborough. The latest in a line of unexpected results in the past couple of weeks.