JBS-starting over
 

Lets start over with some real ideas that can result in better journalism.Most of the articles in magazines are pretty boring to read and semi-accurate.I know that theres a huge variety of characters racing and some amazing stories to be told.Im just wondering how it can change.Do we realy need to write our own articles?why are reporters there then?Why do we need to pay for the magazines then if everybody is doing all the work.I just think a bit of a new spin on these articles could spark some new interest in the sport we all love.No offense to the big names out there but every article has been a carbon copy for a few years.Why not write about the team member,support vehicle,emotions,and the boat itself.Some thing that would leave the reader going-thats amazing-did you know that-you gotta see this-- not thinking thats the same as lasts months article.Not only every winner should be mentioned-but all results reported and double checked for accuracy.Please reply with some real ideas that could help.

Jeff,
I agree with you. We would be very interested in doing an article in our up coming Harrison Offshore magazine on the construction of you boat and team. We want to focus on a few teams with an in depth discussion on the construction of the boat, power and team. We will also put an interview video on our website. www.harrisonoffshore.com Please give me a call if you are interested at 810-305-8787

Article
 

Now thats what Im talking about.I love your style and will be happy to get you everything and more that you need for a killer article.I will be talking to you soon.Check out boat build pics on JBS web site.Talk soon

No problem. I believe fans want to hear the real deal on what goes into these boats and teams. Most have no clue as to the technology, performance, cost and just as important the personalities of a team. I look forward to speaking with you.

I will add my .02 cents to this, for one Magazine's count on advertising to help with the cost, if the manufacturer's arent spending money, it makes the magazines cut cost. While I dont claim to be a journalist, I do cover offshore for Performanceboats Magazine. I write about what I expierence at the race, and race results, I try to ensure I name all the boats, as well as the driver and throttleman. I also try to ensure that the area that the race is in is mentioned, as their the ones paying for the race.
Furthermore, after each test session and each race, I go thru hundreds of pics for both Print and Internet, which is time consuming, what I post on the internet is for those that cant make a race, I attended 16 events starting in the middle east this year, the month of july I spent 3 out of 4 weeks in Michigan. After spending the first 5 months of the year out of the country working.

I work to get shots that not only appeal to me but the general public, to spark their curiosity. what I dont want to do is make a long flowery BS story for people to read, because those that follow the sport will know its BS. And we all know more smoke as been blown, than a bong in a Cheech and Chong movie.

JBS was mentioned in MY LOTO article, and many pics were posted on this and several other websites. As for my KW article , I originally was only supposed to shoot but ended up writing a short piece, and I believe you were mentioned then as well as pics. pleace keep in mind I am not the art director, I only submit what I feel covers the event the best.

Here is link to some of my pics:
http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forum...ead.php?t=1780

I add to them everyday.
Pete Boden

I agree. For me here in OB it's personal. I grew up and live here, work here, sell the event to my friends who become sponsors, am the Vice President and Safety Director of the Gulf Coast Power Boat Assn., work for an offshore series and have to suffer the wrath of the community if it does not live up to the hype (I really don't want to have to move!). We have done feature articles on racers that are within our area here in OB. We've used Gary Nichols, Matt Reed from Biloxi, and even done one on myself and another Angel that works here in OB. It helps put a personal, that's my next door neighbor spin on the event. Since partnering with our CVB/TDC, we now have professional marketing folks that help get the word out on every media avenue and it seems to give the fans a favorite to pull for.

You want marketing? This is an exerpt from our CVB/TDC:

"Recognized as a Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of August 2008, Thunder on the Gulf generated 12, 312 additional room nights for local accommodations, which resulted in almost $1.8 million in total lodging revenue. At the end of the weekend, race fans left behind about $4.2 million in total island spending. Dedicated to the promotion of tourism and the importance of festivals, events and attractions, the Southeast Tourism Society promotes 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia."

If you were racing in OB in August of 2008 people knew it in twelve states.

If you have a press kit or even a team bio (these usually help to keep the facts correct) and are comming to OB send it to us and it will be in print for 2009. You want to be in the media...we'll get you on the news and the radio and in the paper, heck I'll put the boat at the Chamber of Commerce. Just say the word.

In Orange Beach we have done TV pieces on the dunker (we even flipped the reporter doing the story), interviewed the dry/wet pit boss showing how much work actually goes into putting the pits together and moving boats around town to get to the launch area, and I try to have at least one media person on a turn boat in a "hot" corner to get that up close shot (even had a few sprayed as the boats went by).

And yes, the racing is why they come, but "the Bling and having the racers actually in the pits" (and Lord knows Jeff you bring the BLING and do great things for the fans) keeps them comming back to the pits. Some teams show up late and leave early just because and then the fans have no face to put with the boat and therefore it becomes impersonal. The fans want to have their picture taken with the teams, have their stuff signed, listen to the race stories so they can brag to their buddies that they "know" those guys in that boat. You guys paint the picture and the producers will provide the canvas. It also helps when there is a really competitive class like the SVL guys, they trash talk on the radio shows and in the news papers and create their own buzz and the fans watch to see if they can back up their talk, thus they become attached to that class. So it works both ways, you show up at the race and the producers help get you noticed. Unfortunatly this is not the case at every race, but it seems Harrison is headed in the right direction, OB gets it, Biloxi loves you guys (so does the MS Gov.), St. Clair is on board, and I'm sure a few I've never been to or forgot, so if they get it hopfully it will continue to get better if we all play nice and just show up, strap in, and shower down on those throttles.


just my .02 worth,


sammy

Jbs
 

Thanks Pete-I know that you do alot of great work.I hope that you didnt think I was pointing the finger at you personaly.When I say journalism I mean newspapers included.Their articles are probably the most innacurate of them all.How can they get better info to print?

Jeff, I suggest you contact http://www.marilyndemartini.com/

The Power of the Press Release
 

You would be surprised at how much ink you can get from press releases. Newspapers are always looking for content- even a generic, general info type thing with some photos is likely to get published if you send it to local papers in advance of races you plan to attend.

Like Jim said, Marilyn can give you some good advice.

Good luck. I'm lookin forward to seeing you guys next year.

[B]Jeff, Pete it's guys like yall that make the sport, I love it.....come on Biloxi....[/B]