- This topic has 172 replies, 22 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 9 months ago by
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I think the cost of living crisis affects different people in different ways.
Those it will hit hardest may well be those who couldn’t afford a day at the races at the best of times.
It’s one of racing’s curiosities that, whereas in football, attendances are routinely published along with the result, racecourse attendances aren’t.
But even football doesn’t tell the whole story.
Given the number of marketing concessions and outright giveaways at sporting events nowadays, I have always thought “total gate money” would be a more accurate barometer than an attendance figure.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Being a Newcastle fan I can say with certainty that I cannot stand Jermaine Jenas. Half-arsed footballer, weak presenter and an all round personality vacuum. The only interest he will generate in people ‘going racing’ will be Newcastle fans lining up to give him a slap
“It increasingly seems to me that the traditional key part of a day at the races – having a bet – is being pushed into the background.”
Agree. It seems to me that the marketing/Racing for Change types do not want to mention betting because, in an atmosphere where new puritanism is on the rise, they do not want to be seen to be promoting gambling.
But how many people who are interested in racing do not bet? There are a few purists who only like the horses and pedigrees – but they are the minority (no disrespect intended). Most racing fans like a bet and enjoy seeing their horse win and watching the bookmaker count out the money.
I have recently watched a few of the interviews Simon Nott did with punters in the archive folder on this site. When asked how they got interested in racing, almost all said it was because they had a few bets when they were young and they were winners.
How many people who like racing started off by backing a lot of losers or never had a bet at all? Hardly any, I suspect.
Give new racegoers a free bet. If they stick their £5 voucher on a 10/1 chance because they like the name and it wins and they get paid out £50, they will have a happy memory of racing for life.
That will do far more good than any marketing campaign fronted by the likes of Jermaine Jenas!
Jenas once appeared as a panelist on “Question Time”, for reasons best known to the BBC.
He looked nervous and ill at ease and had nothing much to say.
As far as I am aware, he has not been asked back.
You bunch of moaners.
This campaign doesn’t appeal to me but it’s not meant to.
For something that appeals to the younger demographic tbh can’t think of many better people to front a campaign like this.Nobody is going to appeal to everyone, but Jemaine ticks so many boxes: Sportsman who’s made the breakthrough to a wider audience (otherwise wouldn’t be a regular One Show presenter). Appeals particularly to the young (MOTDX as well as MOTD) and ethnic minorities, as well as being well liked by most older people (bar possibly the elder age group or partisan football fans).
Long overdue campaign I’d say.
Value Is EverythingSpot on, GT.
After all, it’s a completely untapped market – you never, ever, see anyone under the age of 40 at the races do you?
Especially on a Saturday or an evening meeting, particularly a Ladies/Music Day/Night.
Except you do – the joints are heaving with them, mostly getting off their faces.
Bombing….a….crater.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan.
Value Is EverythingDon’t see much moaning
Constructive criticism because it’s a nonsense of an idea and a complete waste of money.
Also contributions about how to make better use of the money.What exactly will Jermaine be doing.
Adverts??
Going to the courses??
Appearing of the racing channels??People either have some interest in horse racing or not.
Or have an interest in betting or notLike Ian has just said. The courses are full of young drunks as it is. Maybe they want to push out those that actually do enjoy the sport for those that will drink more on course.
That is how it looks to meBlackbeard to conquer the World
Most of us ‘moaning’ have put forward alternative ideas. Nothing wrong with that.
There’s not much criticism of Mr Jenas either. He’s probably a reasonable choice given that this is the road they are going down. I just think it’s a dead end.
I don’t think the free ticket idea is a silver bullet either, just a better use of one and a half million notes.
I must admit I thought the same as Nathan, CAS and Richard.
Good thread and some constructive alternative ideas.
Form an orderly queue to cut and paste GT’s “moan, moan, moan….” posting back at him next time he is critical of something.
You won’t have long to wait.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"This racing league due to start is just dross racing dressed up in prize money
its all in the aid to get more meetings on so the drunks spend more
why they just can’t come and say it..
Blackbeard to conquer the World
As others have said, they’ve fallen into the trap like other sports, of chasing the mythical ‘casual fan’; but only alienates their genuine fanbase.
This money could/should have been spent on other things…….When I went to Thirsk about five years ago, I made use of the “Back a Winner By Train” scheme which has been available in the north of England for quite a few years. Not sure it is still going but I hope it is.
When you buy your train ticket, you mention you are using it to go racing. You get given a voucher for a free £2 Tote bet. Then on arrival at the racecourse, you show your train ticket and get £5 off admission to Tatts.
It meant I got to see a decent Saturday card (Thirsk Hunt Cup) for just £11. I put my £2 Tote bet on a favourite which paid about 2/1. OK, I only won £4 – but that bought me a free pint.
Sorry if Ginger thinks it is moaning but in my opinion that sort of scheme of cheaper admission and a free bet and drink are far more likely to encourage people to give racing a go than a well meaning scheme fronted by Mr Jenas, nice fellow though he undoubtedly is.
“Like Ian has just said. The courses are full of young drunks as it is”.
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Is that what you think all young people are?
Why not try and attract young people who aren’t “drunks”?
In the advert that I saw there was not one bar.My point is we are all racing enthusiasts.
That is why we are on this forum.
These adverts are not aimed at us.
Those asked when they’re at the races about why they go racing are already racegoers / already bettors.
This advert is not aimed at them.Those who are attracted by a “free bet” are generally already betting people and would be a turn off for many who aren’t. “Free bets” should not be allowed in this or any situation. It would rightly get bad publicity as too much of a pull for problem gamblers.
For those that already like a bet and have yet to go racing then yes a different kind of advert would be more effective. My idea would be to have a camera pointing at a glum couple watching the lottery results – lost again on the first ball out… and contrast that with the same couple in the grandstand cheering their horse home.
But from what I’ve seen these particular adverts are aimed at people who are yet to sample the joys of betting and the joys of going racing. As CAS rightly says, once someone has had a good experience betting and / or good experience going racing… they may well come back.
ie They won’t know those joys until they try.
Value Is Everything
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