As Tad notes above, we contacted every TV and print media outlet we could, all the way up the coast. Some of them took the time to talk with us, and a couple sent cameras. I think we got fair coverage over the week, but I would love to see it become good coverage again. Originally, I was brought onto the team to manage media relations... with the staffing issues we were presented with, I wound up doing stickers, scoring, flags, safety checks, errands, web posts, etc. - just like everyone else on the RC, including Chuck and Judi. Chuck needs more staff, he knows it, and with the level of commitment shown by the teams to show up in numbers, I think he'll get there.

For reference, we actually spoke to reporters in Hollywood, Cocoa Beach, Fernandina Beach and in Tybee Island throughout the week. Four out of six checkpoints got newspaper and video coverage, and Hollywood and Tybee Island maintained little blurbs in the paper all week. I'm glad Claude got with the guy from the Jacksonville paper - I was down the beach with the demolition derby. Didn't even know the guy had shown up. Nice piece though, eh?

Haha... i was wondering what crawled up your @#&!!! I was trying to figure out what i had said to piss you off (as i often do without trying)

I had actually written,"did you wake up grumpy" but edited out.... lol

Nothing attracts media attention like an International Security Breach near NASA! If they had only fired a warning shot accross his bow,... it would be all over mainstream news...

Turtle racing!
Cow Chip toss!
Cow Tipping!

You mentioned the word thats unmentionable.

Either that or a death of some sort, "crew strangles skipper with spin sheet" should make it on CNN

For sponsorship you could "sell" each leg of the race to a sponsor, the first leg could be the Disney leg, second leg the Coca-Cola leg etc.

Cow?

OK Craig, now you've done it! Everyone get your butts to Sebring next March for the 12 hour American LeMans race, usually won by a turbo-diesel Audi! They've also got the Petron Tequila girls hanging out at the tent, you'll want to stop by for a "sample" no doubt!

These are full on race cars that will blow your mind if you have not seen how fast these things can corner! Thanks to Jack Whorle I got my first up front look at this race, even though I have lived 7 miles from the track for the past 12 years, never could justify the time/money/sunburn/deafness/etc. to spend the day out there, but Jack made me an offer I could not refuse, now I'm a convert! And they are pushing these race cars constantly for better gas millage, better motors, better brakes, better suspension, and it all trickles down to their production cars. I just wish I could afford a new Audi TT! Or that V12 thing that costs about $150,000 and goes 150mph! F-ME! They had a couple of them sitting on display, I kept trying to think of how I could sneak one out...

If you like fast cars and creative engineering, you have got to see these things up close!

There are several feeder type races leading up to the big 12hr. race, they have an excellent Vintage group of which Jack is king, some very nice old stuff there.

And as far as Sailboats not being Green because of the Petro Chemicals, show me anything that's green but made without petrochemicals of some sort, I guess we could use wooden A cats, staples, no glue, no paint...and cotton sails.

JQ Public could care less about petro chemicals. Just tell them the boats run on wind, not gas.

I'd be happy to let you borrow mine. It's great fun, and they don't scream as much as you'd think when you pop them. And you can sell the jet-skis on e-bay to recoup your ammo/time cost. It's a win-win!

I think you need a hunting license with DUMB$SS sticker here in FL. Season starts May 1 and goes to Aug 31. No bag limit, but well endowed females of the species are not allowed..

Don't forget pain-killer manufacturers as sponsors. BC Powder is someone who might really like this event, as it's a smaller brand who may not have the power to sponsor, say VOR type stuff.

Please, no one call that "head on" place. I can't stand the commercials (although if any tag line sticks in my head, it's that friggin thing).

Do pre- and post- race parties have a sponsor restaurant? There should be "media day" at both venues and competitors and ground crew should agree to be available for stuff like that.

Does anyone run a travel agency or something like that who could help put together packages for the competitors? Would it help reduce overall cost by getting block rooms and/or better rates? How about containers for overseas competitors?

GPS people might want a piece of the action, and they can demonstrate how "extreme" their equipment is...

That Spot tracking thing was genius. I think that should be used in the DVD of the race, especially the little leg "wrap-up" and maybe some color commentary from the sailors (doesn't have to be during the event, but can be produced afterward in interview voiceover if needed)

Can the T-500 or sailor webpages highlight certain items during the race? Like the boats, line, sails, GPS, emergency equipment, clothing, etc.? That's good advertising ROI for sponsors... BK and SA have great ability to do little 5 minute spots that focus on this stuff. It probably could be produced at any time during the year, too, with little snips from the actual event to save production time/cost.

And I agree with Pete; it's good entertainment, and I'm happy to buy some swag (whatever that means). Maybe a 50/50 raffle or "pick your horse" thing, too...


I guess the local media didn't really go crazy getting coverage at the layovers....


Would there be any interest in a "Taste of Tybee" series during the year, wherein people could sail a leg of the event? Local clubs could host it (so Chuck doesn't have to kill himself). Not only would it be good training for teams thinking of going the distance, but might generate interest throughout the year for the T-500. Maybe even have something like the Harken series for that?

Just brainstorming here...

How about that film company that has the blimp? Or anyone who owns a blimp.

Make up of the boats and gear is minor compared to getting there and back. Here's from my trip computer:

Miles driven - 2747.0
Gallons of gas used - 188
Average mph - 51.0
Average mpg - 14.6

This is from my Astro Van which towed the boat down and back. We took two vehicles. There were 24 teams. Then add any other support vehicles.

OK, but add up the fuel if we were racing power boats and then show the figures....

For sure. Of course it would depend on the class of boat being raced. Small hydros, not much gas (but probably two cycle). Big offshore, more gas. That might also affect the size of the trucks as well (then they'd likely be diesel, not as much fuel but potentially worse emissions). The bigger boats would involve more materials for the build. I'm sure a large offshore racer goes through a good amount of fuel.

But the point was merely that if people are going to talk "green" it involves more than just the build (and sailing) of the boats. A point some will gladly make when the green argument is made...

Some of my friends use to spend $1000 a weekend per boat on fuel for there offshore boats chasing the trophy girlfriends!!!

Doug

*GRUMBLE GRUMBLE* I wonder how many "logs" that they hit every time they go out?

Lot's of 'em.
I work/help with some log rehabilitators up this way. They do make a little more noise so the logs know thy're coming.

Visions of girlfriends mounted on the walls as trophies...

John,

It was obvious that you were completely overworked. It is also obvious that the organization does not really understand how the whole media/sponsorship cycle work. The Tybee story is a compelling one - but to get it the kind of coverage necessary to find real title sponsorship for the event, you actually have to get on your knees and suck. The people that are good at media relations have close personal friendships with the journalists and editors at every important pub, or they find them months before their event. That's why they succeed. Chuck and his crew do a great job of getting boats off the beach and then on the beach - the rest of the organization is like the media effort - sorely lacking. Frankly, I'm amazed that the race has survived as long as it has, which speaks volumes of the importance of the race itself, and the strength of the name.

No argument here, Alan. Like I said, more staff would free up that one person with the kneepads and a smile to stay on top of calling, tossing swag, calling again, writing releases, e-mailing, then making some calls. It would be like changing gears on a ten-speed for this event. One good pitch with a lucky break might bring the sponsor needed to create the space needed for evolution, but the lightning strike is far less certain than a concentrated and sustained effort. Chuck's got some really viable ideas for the future... as long as the fleet doesn't lynch him for looking down the road a piece. He's got a very hard balancing act to perform.