news24 rubbish

[Sean Badenhorst]

 

Just to clear it up; I also think that Mtb gets way too little exposure - if you think of how many people are actually actively involved in the sport in this country. Maybe some people in the know should write to News24 instead of complaining about it in Forums which they obviously don't read.  

 

How many people are actively involved, Serendipity?

 

News24 sports editor: Andrew 'Tank' Lanning ? former Western Province rugby prop turned recreational cyclist... Seriously, the guy has a cycling group called the Cheerful Chunkys.

 

Sites like that employ one or two writers that focus on rugby and cricket. The rest of their sports copy comes from the wire services - SAPA, AP, AFP, Reuters.

 

[WesselvdWalt]

 

 

Just to clear it up; I also think that Mtb gets way too little exposure - if you think of how many people are actually actively involved in the sport in this country. Maybe some people in the know should write to News24 instead of complaining about it in Forums which they obviously don't read.  

 

How many people are actively involved' date=' Serendipity?

 

News24 sports editor: Andrew 'Tank' Lanning ? former Western Province rugby prop turned recreational cyclist... Seriously, the guy has a cycling group called the Cheerful Chunkys.

 

Sites like that employ one or two writers that focus on rugby and cricket. The rest of their sports copy comes from the wire services - SAPA, AP, AFP, Reuters.

[/quote']

 

If only Burry was sponsored by MTN then Burry's name would be much better known... !

 

I think MTB-SA / SASCOC should sponsor media people to provide good exposure for riders representing our country...

octanium2008-08-22 12:21:56

[Sean Badenhorst]

 

Just to clear it up; I also think that Mtb gets way too little exposure - if you think of how many people are actually actively involved in the sport in this country. Maybe some people in the know should write to News24 instead of complaining about it in Forums which they obviously don't read.  

 

How many people are actively involved' date=' Serendipity?

 

News24 sports editor: Andrew 'Tank' Lanning ? former Western Province rugby prop turned recreational cyclist... Seriously, the guy has a cycling group called the Cheerful Chunkys.

 

Sites like that employ one or two writers that focus on rugby and cricket. The rest of their sports copy comes from the wire services - SAPA, AP, AFP, Reuters.

[/quote']

 

If only Burry was sponsored by MTN then Burry's name would be much better known... Sean would of put it out there!

 

I think MTB-SA / SASCOC should sponsor media people to provide good exposure for riders representing our country...

 

In all my time as a cycling journalist, I have never, ever been sent one single press release from Burry's sponsors. Other sponsored riders/teams have regular updates sent to the media - both cycling media and mainstream media - via PR companies or media liaison, arranged by the sponsor, mostly to get brand leverage, but partly to raise the profiles of their riders.

 

I actually feel sorry for the guy and punt him to other media where ever possible. Same with Speedy. As I said, Mr Price uses a media/PR company, but they give MTB little or no attention and focus on sports like surfing and that new road/offroad motor bike racing (can't remember the name) etc. Pity.

 

[Serendipity]

Good point well made.

[Danger Dassie]

Interestingly the Mr Price site doesn't feature Burry on their sporting profiles either.

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/sport_profiles_main.asp?CategoryID=2

 

Although there is a brief press release:

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/sport_article.asp?NewsArticleID=254

 

 

Obviously if we're unhappy with what seems to be a lack of coverage, then maybe it's something that should be brought to attention of Mr Price.

After all, this is Mr Price's investment by sponsoring Burry Stander.

So any increase in coverage and more efficient PR would benefit as much as it would for him.... Below are their contact details as provided by the site. 

 

Mr Price Marketing, Operations or Store Related Enquiries: 0800 21 25 35

 

or mail them:

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/contact_feedback1.asp

 

[Sean Badenhorst]

 

Interestingly the Mr Price site doesn't feature Burry on their sporting profiles either.

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/sport_profiles_main.asp?CategoryID=2

 

Although there is a brief press release:

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/sport_article.asp?NewsArticleID=254

 

 

Obviously if we're unhappy with what seems to be a lack of coverage' date=' then maybe it's something that should be brought to attention of Mr Price.

After all, this is Mr Price's investment by sponsoring Burry Stander.

So any increase in coverage and more efficient PR would benefit as much as it would for him.... Below are their contact details as provided by the site. 

 

Mr Price Marketing, Operations or Store Related Enquiries: 0800 21 25 35

 

or mail them:

 

http://www.mrprice.co.za/contact_feedback1.asp

 

[/quote']

 

Have already done my share of pointing out cycling-related shortcomings to Mr Price re media exposure. A few nervous moments by their incumbent PR/Media supplier, followed by an apology and that seemed to be all that was needed. Never improved their cycling exposure or accuracy in what little exposure they do get. Mr Price could get so much more return on investment from their cycling sponsorships (for example, Burry is so marketable) and that may make the difference between them sticking with cycling/MTB or moving on to another sport.

 

[idrive]

I tried doing a bit of PR a few years ago for Yolande. I din't bother with the usual cycling media, but rather lifestyle mags. This was done as a favour simply because I thought she was getting a raw deal from IMC/Mongoose in terms of exposure.

 

Nobody was interested in using the copy although I do recall a pic being used in a motoring magazine somewhere, but because her name sounds fast.

 

Besides the Super Motards, Mr Price is also involved in karts, sponsoring a couple of KZN based drivers. I'll see them all next weekend and find out who is doing the PR. Unless the kareting guys see cycling as a big threat!!

 

[Sean Badenhorst]

idrive, I know who is doing their PR. All Mr Price sport-related PR is done by one company which is the problem. They have strengths, but cycling/MTB is not one of them, unfortunately.

[idrive]

On the motorsport side I think its left to various organisations. I know Nicole Capper and Pierre Tostee are involved and do send out releases after events. They do a good job too.

 

Nicole is the wife of Brian Capper who dabbles in mtb every so often and Pierre is also a cyclist, based in Durban.

 

I've never seen anything about karting and maybe mtb works the same way. I'll see what I can find out.

idrive2008-08-23 10:21:49

[Guest colonel]

idrive' date=' I know who is doing their PR. All Mr Price sport-related PR is done by one company which is the problem. They have strengths, but cycling/MTB is not one of them, unfortunately. [/quote']

 

Sean the offroad/on road MX thing is called Supermotard and it is huge overseas and is coming very big in SA and Mr Price(aka RED) support huge in Motorsport in this country by running Yamaha's factory team they are huge team for MX and motard and have a massive budget and this is great for a sport that has a minute following compared to cycling. Clynt does a awsome job for the sport in this country and I respect him for what he is for riders. Alot would be with no jobs if he didnt do what he does.

 

Maybe cause he is from a MX background that is where is is focusing on promoting SA sport and help grow the sport that is about 1/5 the size of cycling. Clynt is also a avid MTB rider and does it as cross training for MX and offroads.

I dont see why it is Mr Prices job to Promote Burry, Yes they sponsor him but so doesnt GT? I dont see anything done by them or Bell Helmets or hardly anything by Oakley either thinking of it.

 

Mr Price Im sure give Burry A GOOD PORTION of cash to run their logo and if that is good enough for them then so be it.

 

Burry should realise that Burry is becoming big news and Burry should go out and find a agent and in saying that I am ging to send Clynt this link and ask him to reply and maybe get it from the horses mouth.

colonel2008-08-24 14:23:37

[Sean Badenhorst]

Hey Colonel. Your proactivity paid off! Clynt emailed me this today:

 

---

 

Hi Sean

 

It has been brought to my attention that there is a discussion on thehubsa.co.za regarding Mr Price and our apparent stance with regards to mountain bike sponsorship and lack of interest in leveraging these sponsorships.

  

Burry is not a Mr Price Contracted athlete. Burry is contracted to GT USA while he is campaigning abroad and to Omnico SA (importers of GT bicycles) while he competes locally. Mr Price has a sponsorship contract with Omnico SA which covers the title sponsorship of their Mongoose Mountain bike team, Mongoose Downhill team, Mongoose BMX team as well as their GT mountain bike team. They contract the athletes, run and manage these team and we pay them a title sponsorship fee. Not unlike the sponsorship of the Sharks rugby team.  Given this info do you think it would be fair to blame us for poor media communication for the Sharks rugby team or not ?punting? the Sharks enough?

 

I understand your passion for cycling and your critical views and opinions are born out of a love for the sport but I would like to point out a few facts with regards to our support of South African sportsmen and women which may influence your decision to post comments like:

 

?Have already done my share of pointing out cycling-related shortcomings to Mr Price re media exposure. A few nervous moments by their incumbent PR/Media supplier, followed by an apology and that seemed to be all that was needed. Never improved their cycling exposure or accuracy in what little exposure they do get. Mr Price could get so much more return on investment from their cycling sponsorships (for example, Burry is so marketable) and that may make the difference between them sticking with cycling/MTB or moving on to another sport.?

 

I think that this comment is a little unfair given our extensive commitment to Sport in South Africa (over the past 15 years), currently Mr Price supports 98 individually contracted athletes that are on our payroll, 73 of these are runners, 4 triathletes, 11 surfers, 3 motocross riders, 2 karters, 2 super moto riders, 2 BMX riders and 1 FMX rider.

 

We then have a further 15 mountain bike / BMX riders that form part of the Omnico teams (Mr Price GT & Red Mongoose) of which Burry is a part of.

 

We also sponsor a Gauteng based junior road cycling team as well as a KZN based vet?s road cycling team (approximately 22 squad members).

 

We have 48 High School rugby teams, 17 High Schools soccer teams, a soccer league in Mitchells Plein, The Natal Sharks rugby team and a world qualifying series surfing event in Durban as well as the Mr Price Karkloof Mountain Bike race and we are also support partners for the Sani2C, Midmar Mile, Specsavers IronMan and Comrades marathon.

 

The bulk of our sponsorships have been part of our program for many years (some as long as 9 or 10 years), we do not just ?move on?.

 

We do not operate in the traditional corporate way of allocating leveraging budgets like MTN or any of the big corporates as we would rather see that money be going directly to the athletes to assist them in their careers. It is our view that their achievements will then be picked up by the media and they will become ambassadors of our brand. We could be accused of supporting too many athletes to our detriment. We could quite simply drop a portion of our sponsorship program and invest that money in ?advertising? our sponsorships but have chosen not to. There are arguments for both approaches and both have their pros and cons.

 

Your posts have certainly caused us to question our approach and no doubt assess the job we are doing with our diverse sponsorship program given the proliferation of professionalism in all sport types. 

 

Clynt Lund

Marketing Manager, Mr Price

 

-----

 

I apologised to Clynt for making a comment without knowing all the facts and told him I'd post his reply here. I think it makes for very interesting reading and gives some insight into Mr Price's diverse bouquet of sport sponsorship commitment.

 

Pierre Tostee, who heads up Mr Price Media, also called me today and we had a long chat. I have known Pierre for almost 20 years (we raced on the KZN Standard/Olympic distance triathlon team together very long ago!) and it was good to find out more about Mr Price's sponsorship structure. A system which favours spending more money on athletes rather than diverting some budget to media/PR leveraging, which is the dominant model these days as media exposure can be measured a lot more accurately than incidental exposure and therefore gives valuable/critical feedback regarding a corporate's return on sponsorship investment.

 

 

 

[rock]

hopefully Burry's new team will give him some more expoure locally rock2008-08-25 11:55:50

[Tumbleweed]

Pierre Tostee' date=' who heads up Mr Price Media, also called me today and we had a long chat. I have known Pierre for almost 20 years (we raced on the KZN Standard/Olympic distance triathlon team together very long ago!) and it was good to find out more about Mr Price's sponsorship structure.[/quote']

 

 

 

shouldn't he be out taking surfing pics?

[Yang]

Pierre Tostee's fist love will always be surfing.

 

But the correspondence on this thread evolved into a brilliant one, with the factual information provided by the Mr Price Marketing Manager. I think it should bring us Hubbers back down to earth with regard to comments made, often in a joking way, tongue in cheek, as we share our thought with fellow hubbers, but sometimes misinformed . But for the responsible initiative by Colonel and Sean Badenhorst,  I think that many Hubbers would have signed off ignorant of the facts and with a jaundiced view of a very successful company that is very committed to sports. Thanks for the info Clynt, and well done Colonel and Sean.