Gold Coast 7's - 12 & 13 Oct
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Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
Having been on the Gold Coast this week I saw on the telly that there is a real concern that if a decent crowd doesn't show up this year the event could go elsewhere.
Bowside
Peter Johnson (47)
Chiefton
Herbert Moran (7)
*cough* Melbourne *cough*
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
A couple of weeks after the AFL season has finished, you know it might just work
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Then, indeed, the ARU must commence this event's proper promotion using the right methods and contemporary techniques.
Last year its promotion in the Brisbane area was pathetic. To get interest built in international 7s, video and TV-based advertising (and a tightly coupled communications strategy) - with dynamite content and atmosphere - is essential.
Just having a look at the ARU's website tells the story, and how it will remain - it's like something advertising a big community fete back in 1996. Compare it to the BIL site this year - the difference in content, contemporary visualization , graphics, easy of use, etc was night and day.
So the issue of the ARU creatively and successfully promoting its product is a subject it may take up in its next big 'governance review', due in 2016.
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Chiefton
Herbert Moran (7)
A couple of weeks after the AFL season has finished, you know it might just work
Only potential hiccup with this is that it would have to be held at AAMI Park and i'm fairly sure the A league season would have kicked off by that point, but surely it wouldn't be much of a problem.
T
TOCC
Guest
I tend to agree that the Gold Coast is the right place to have it, but It hasn't been supported properly in marketing and exposure... No one in Brissie or on the coast even knows that it's on.
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
True and the IRB and the ARU have to take some responsibility for that but so do the GC Council and Queensland tourism. They bid for the event, they have to support it.
In the past the Vic State government has been one of the best at supporting events. Recently NSW has also lifted their game.
I think a lot of the issues stem from the fact 7s in Australia just doesn't seem to get airplay. FoxSports doesn't show much of the 7s circuit. The Brumbies won the Club 7s championship but that barely made the sports news. 7s is suppose to be the beach head for the growth of the game. It's in desperate need of some love from all parties (Media, government and ARU).
Brumby Jack
Steve Williams (59)
I doubt the Gold Coast tourism would make it their top priority to market when the V8's race is 2 weeks later and schoolies not far behind that.
Sad, but reality.
Sad, but reality.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
To be fair to Fox Sports, they did show all the final days of this year's circuit, AFAIK. They also showed the World Club Sevens.
Fox Sports used to show both days of the Sevens circuit, but obviously the ratings are not there.
I suggest that the only way that the Australian leg will grow, is if it is in Sydney. I say this based on the Hong Kong experience. Fans can party day and night, and the stadium is very accessible from just about everywhere.
Robina Stadium is not a good venue, based on the Hong Kong model. The SFS is closer, but we will never have a Hong Kong Sevens in Oz.
The Hong Kong Sevens is partly about rugby, and there is very little top-class rugby in Hong Kong, so that is a huge advantage in a city full of expats, in a region with lots of expats who are happy to spend a long weekend in HKG. It is also a huge social event - that goes without saying.
Robina is an issue. These events work when they are easy to get to and close to a entertainment district full of bars and night clubs.
Gold Coast is a good location and it's probably on at the right time of the year. They should target some end of season club tours to head up for the weekend.
The promotion of the event is pretty average. It would have been easy for the ARU to put an ad in all of the test match programs this year to promote the GC Sevens. They could have run promotions in Club land for the last few weeks of the season and during the finals in all of the states. Everything they seem to do around it is an after thought.
Gold Coast is a good location and it's probably on at the right time of the year. They should target some end of season club tours to head up for the weekend.
The promotion of the event is pretty average. It would have been easy for the ARU to put an ad in all of the test match programs this year to promote the GC Sevens. They could have run promotions in Club land for the last few weeks of the season and during the finals in all of the states. Everything they seem to do around it is an after thought.
Tangawizi
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Part of the problem is that it's an expensive day out if you really get into it and buy a costume and everything.
But looks like Reds members can get half-price 2 day pass if they join up again soon.
http://redsmembership.com.au/Membership_Add_Ons
But looks like Reds members can get half-price 2 day pass if they join up again soon.
http://redsmembership.com.au/Membership_Add_Ons
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
You are obviously not a shareholder in Channel Ten. Do you seriously suggest that one of our struggling FTA broadcasters would give over two whole days programming to a third rate sporting event? And that they would actually pay for the opportunity to lose two day's advertising revenue, or most of it? The audience would be miniscule. Just you and your mates, and a few others. (Disclaimer: the term "third rate" is not intended to be derogatory. Tier one events would be the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup. Tier two events would be Grand Slam Tennis tournaments, Cricket Test matches, and some loig and AFL events.)
Chiefton
Herbert Moran (7)
Valid points mate and I agree with you.
My point is that Ten have shown third tier sports such as Netball previously and with no other major sports running at the same time as the GC sevens surely there would be a slot for it.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
The buggers are not even showing the Test match live tonight on their main channel. Admittedly, there are extenuating circumstances. But if, for example, it was the NRL Grand Final tonight (unlikely, I know) that would be on live, no doubt about .
They might be interested in a late night slot for some highlights. Maybe, at a pinch, they might be interested in showing the final live (but only if Australia is in it). But a Sevens tournament has a lot of matches that the Australian non-rugby audience would just not be interested in. Kenya vs England? I don't think so.
Ratings is the name of the game. FTA needs a schedule that they can sell well in advance. They would not be able to sell even the final unless they were guaranteed that Australia would be in it. No advertiser would be interested. Netball had the advantage of guaranteeing an Australian team in every contest that was to be televised (except for the finals, I suppose). Also the netball was on during the late afternoon, IIRC, whereas the Sevens stretches right into prime, evening, time.
They might be interested in a late night slot for some highlights. Maybe, at a pinch, they might be interested in showing the final live (but only if Australia is in it). But a Sevens tournament has a lot of matches that the Australian non-rugby audience would just not be interested in. Kenya vs England? I don't think so.
Ratings is the name of the game. FTA needs a schedule that they can sell well in advance. They would not be able to sell even the final unless they were guaranteed that Australia would be in it. No advertiser would be interested. Netball had the advantage of guaranteeing an Australian team in every contest that was to be televised (except for the finals, I suppose). Also the netball was on during the late afternoon, IIRC, whereas the Sevens stretches right into prime, evening, time.
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