MARKETING CONVERSATIONS: 2 interesting pieces

[Rootdog1]

well, we agree to disagree. Saying its a party is not a true sustainable model....sorry, it just isnt. Might work for 4 Friday nights a year.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

well, we agree to disagree. Saying its a party is not a true sustainable model....sorry, it just isnt. Might work for 4 Friday nights a year.

And the "puzzle" thing is sustainable?

"hey, smart guy! Yes, you. Come on down to pimlico and give the house 25% so that you can get your windows washed by the crackhead and solve some puzzles for money. You may feel like you're in a penitentiary and you may have to dodge a few rats but this is what smart guys do!"

Yes, certainly sustainable. I stand corrected.

[dalakhani]

I almost forgot the second part of the ad, the one geared toward the smart women out there:

"Hey, smart girl! Yes, you. Come on out to Pimlico and sit in a smelly smoke filled room where you can give the house 25% to help pay for the security guard to escort you out when you leave. On some days, maybe there might actually be another girl or two under the age of 70 that are here because they are smart and they like to solve puzzles. Why in God's name would you want to go to a bar or a mall or a restaurant or a show when you could be down here being eye groped?"

I apologize to all. The puzzle idea rocks!

[Rootdog1]

Your perception of the game is sad to me. You want to change the profile of the people at the track and my comments are about how to change the way the game is marketed to people, which in the end should improve the people at the track.

[Rootdog1]

Have you ever been to a Hollywood Park friday nite? Keeneland doesnt have nite racing and yes, there is a college crowd in party mode......for the freaking 6 weekends a year it is open. You need to think about your argument more.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

Your perception of the game is sad to me. You want to change the profile of the people at the track and my comments are about how to change the way the game is marketed to people, which in the end should improve the people at the track.

Root-

That's the folly of it rootdog. There are steps you have to take to attract people. Marketing the game as a thinking person's sport is not novel. If you think it's "puzzles" that are bringing people to poker I would suggest you watch it's coverage.

[Rootdog1]

I dont watch its coverage...thats my point.

I do see your argument, but I stand by my comment that marketing it as a party is not sustainable.

later

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

I dont watch its coverage...thats my point.

I do see your argument, but I stand by my comment that marketing it as a party is not sustainable.

later

Its not just marketing it as a "party" although that would certainly be better than the present course. The puzzle thing is myopic at best.

Perception, perception, perception. Events like Churchill's opening night can't be measured simply in profit and handle although they were successful in both counts (not sure how much they made). What percentage of those 38,000 may come back on a regular basis? What do we do to hook them on the game once you have them IN. At that point, maybe the puzzle thing works.

Gambling isn't just limited to racetracks anymore. You want new gamblers, you have to realize that gamblers aren't strictly men. The stereotype that women don't gamble real dollars is just that...a stereotype. Attracting women will not only bring in more women but it will also bring in more men.

What do women want? Scratch that, what are the other successful gambling ventures providing in terms of overall entertainment value and image to attract people of both sexes? What type of environment? What is currently successful in horse racing? How can these things be mimicked and expanded upon?

This is basic marketing. Its as if all of these zillionaires that run the show never went to college.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

well, we agree to disagree. Saying its a party is not a true sustainable model....sorry, it just isnt. Might work for 4 Friday nights a year.

Seriously, its only sustainable at Keeneland, Saratoga, del mar and now churchill downs?

Why would it not be sustainable anywhere else? And why couldn't it help to draw more fans for the days that it wasn't a "party"?

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Seriously, its only sustainable at Keeneland, Saratoga, del mar and now churchill downs?

Why would it not be sustainable anywhere else? And why couldn't it help to draw more fans for the days that it wasn't a "party"?

It's much more complicated than just saying reduce dates, make it a party.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

It's much more complicated than just saying reduce dates, make it a party.

I realize this. These are really broad strokes.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Seriously, its only sustainable at Keeneland, Saratoga, del mar and now churchill downs?

Why would it not be sustainable anywhere else? And why couldn't it help to draw more fans for the days that it wasn't a "party"?

Most days CD is deserted. Keeneland is 15 days every 6 months right in th middle of horse country. Saratoga isnt exactly jammed on Mondays/Wednesday and Thursday and by the end of the meet the festive atmosphere has worn off.

And the fact is that Saratoga has the history angle, and Keeneland and CD are located in one of the few areas where horse racing is still a big deal. Why do you think that you can bottle this festive atmosphere and transfer it other places?

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Most days CD is deserted. Keeneland is 15 days every 6 months right in th middle of horse country. Saratoga isnt exactly jammed on Mondays/Wednesday and Thursday and by the end of the meet the festive atmosphere has worn off.

And the fact is that Saratoga has the history angle, and Keeneland and CD are located in one of the few areas where horse racing is still a big deal. Why do you think that you can bottle this festive atmosphere and transfer it other places?

Sadly, its the only hope in my opinion. The cost of racing puts it at such an extreme disadvantage to its competition for the gambling dollars. You know those facts and numbers certainly better than I do.

Changes don't come overnight. It takes time. I agree that there are some places that are just hopeless. Obviously, the state of maryland really doesn't care very much if there is live racing there and frankly I don't see how it would be possible for either of those tracks to return to their hey days. At the same time, its hard for me to believe that Monmouth couldn't be turned into some type of Jewel. It isn't my favorite track but you have location and you have a ton of people in a great environment.

Gulfstream or a revamped hialeah couldn't be made into profitable, productive venues if marketed properly?