Commentary: What if Reggie Fails?
05-15-2011 | 07:14 AM
#42
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No doubt in my mind that you will Matt. I guess what I meant is this. The initial press about RF leaving was quickly overshadowed by what's RF going to do next? He was being talked about, which he likes. So the story is about a new venture, not what's already happened.
Heck, Liberty is getting all the bad press, and that's with no coverage at all. That's what I meant about controlling the perception.
I'm sure you've thought about a similar story about what's going on there no? Last I heard, they were doing pretty well with their government contracts. But no real hard facts.
Heck, Liberty is getting all the bad press, and that's with no coverage at all. That's what I meant about controlling the perception.
I'm sure you've thought about a similar story about what's going on there no? Last I heard, they were doing pretty well with their government contracts. But no real hard facts.
Last, to address vSteve's point: "If you control the initial perception, you can pretty much control what gets publicized after that."
Not exactly. In fact, not even in close. If that were the case, do you really think Mr. Fountain would want a story called, "Commentary: What if Reggie Fails?"
As I said earlier, if you report on a story you—as a reporter or commentator—are obligated to follow it to its conclusion. So you can be dead sure that if RF Powerboats comes to nothing I will report it.
Not exactly. In fact, not even in close. If that were the case, do you really think Mr. Fountain would want a story called, "Commentary: What if Reggie Fails?"
As I said earlier, if you report on a story you—as a reporter or commentator—are obligated to follow it to its conclusion. So you can be dead sure that if RF Powerboats comes to nothing I will report it.
05-15-2011 | 07:59 AM
#43
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,825
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
No doubt in my mind that you will Matt. I guess what I meant is this. The initial press about RF leaving was quickly overshadowed by what's RF going to do next? He was being talked about, which he likes. So the story is about a new venture, not what's already happened.
Heck, Liberty is getting all the bad press, and that's with no coverage at all. That's what I meant about controlling the perception.
I'm sure you've thought about a similar story about what's going on there no? Last I heard, they were doing pretty well with their government contracts. But no real hard facts.
Heck, Liberty is getting all the bad press, and that's with no coverage at all. That's what I meant about controlling the perception.
I'm sure you've thought about a similar story about what's going on there no? Last I heard, they were doing pretty well with their government contracts. But no real hard facts.
05-15-2011 | 09:38 AM
#44
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From: Beachwood N.J.
05-15-2011 | 12:02 PM
#46
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No one said or implied doom or gloom if Mr. Fountain fails to get his new venture off the ground. In fact, that was part of the point of the story. I've been reporting on his stated plans. But it was time to catch up and see where he's gotten, and at this point the answer is ... not far.
What would his failure mean to the industry? At this point, probably not much (and personally I wish him well). There is no crying need for another boat company in a depressed and saturated market If he succeeds, that's a good sign for the industry. He'll need things like fiberglass and resin and engines.
Anyway, good suggestion on catching up with Liberty. It was on my list, but I still appreciate the input.
05-15-2011 | 02:31 PM
#47
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From: Clarkston, Michigan
That story is on my list for next week. I do need to check in with the Liberty Group.
No one said or implied doom or gloom if Mr. Fountain fails to get his new venture off the ground. In fact, that was part of the point of the story. I've been reporting on his stated plans. But it was time to catch up and see where he's gotten, and at this point the answer is ... not far.
What would his failure mean to the industry? At this point, probably not much (and personally I wish him well). There is no crying need for another boat company in a depressed and saturated market If he succeeds, that's a good sign for the industry. He'll need things like fiberglass and resin and engines.
Anyway, good suggestion on catching up with Liberty. It was on my list, but I still appreciate the input.
No one said or implied doom or gloom if Mr. Fountain fails to get his new venture off the ground. In fact, that was part of the point of the story. I've been reporting on his stated plans. But it was time to catch up and see where he's gotten, and at this point the answer is ... not far.
What would his failure mean to the industry? At this point, probably not much (and personally I wish him well). There is no crying need for another boat company in a depressed and saturated market If he succeeds, that's a good sign for the industry. He'll need things like fiberglass and resin and engines.
Anyway, good suggestion on catching up with Liberty. It was on my list, but I still appreciate the input.
05-15-2011 | 11:03 PM
#48
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,581
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From: Houston
I'm no economist, but I do know that we are in a poor economy right now with lots of uncertainties that could delay our recovery even longer. The used boat business is doing well as people are glad to get what they've always wanted at a fraction of the new price. I think the bottom has been hit since when I look around I can't get anyone to take any of my lowball offers even though I really don't need another boat. I would buy a 36+ cat at the right price but I'd have to sell one of my boats. It seems the middle of the go fast market is gone, there is just the very high end (one of our TOPPS Club members just ordered a new 44 MTI with 1350's) or the very low end that is active. The "middle class" is doing poorly, boat and people wise. That is the class that is most affected by the volatile gas prices, as the small low end boats don't use much gas. Stabilization of gas prices is what the industry needs, even if it stabilizes at $6/gallon we could at least budget for the fuel. But the fear of the unknown keeps alot of "middle class" buyers out of the "middle market" go fast boats. So what is Reggie planning to sell? I thing he should shock us all and devise a 1500hp E85 motor! Maybe we could all grow our own corn, or algae...
05-16-2011 | 06:14 AM
#49
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Reggie is getting more press and attention than the other boat builders combined. Thats odd.
Has to be somewhat frustrating for those that have paid all their bills and have come this far through the economic turmoil that we live in.
Some builders have spent time offering new models, some continue to build great theme boats and the others just march on carefully building reliable product at a pace that the industry can absorb it.
But this topic seems to get an extraordinary percentage of the attention.
I wish Reggie and his family the best of luck, and when he actually does something it will be interesting THEN to follow it.
The Liberty story will be interesting.
Has to be somewhat frustrating for those that have paid all their bills and have come this far through the economic turmoil that we live in.
Some builders have spent time offering new models, some continue to build great theme boats and the others just march on carefully building reliable product at a pace that the industry can absorb it.
But this topic seems to get an extraordinary percentage of the attention.
I wish Reggie and his family the best of luck, and when he actually does something it will be interesting THEN to follow it.
The Liberty story will be interesting.
