Why is every AFL event a stage-managed circus nowadays

[Down At Gillon]

I couldn't help but cringe at the circus that was the announcement of Jobe Watson as Essendon captain yesterday. This is not a pot shot at Essendon specifically, but they were announcing a captain, not the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Everytime something happens at an AFL club now, or even the AFL itself, it seems to be this mega production like a Hollywood film. What ever happened to simplicity ?

 

[Ghostwriter]

Money.

 

[snapperbowler]

I didn't see what happened at Essendon yesterday so I won't comment on it.

However I don't know why most annoucements at clubs have to be a media conference.

Surely a press release would be enough in most cases.

 

[Atomboy]

Bcoz the AFL now uses the NFL as the benchmark for running a competition

 

[Falchoon]

The sport we once knew is long gone, welcome to big business.

 

[Jade]

I couldn't help but cringe at the circus that was the announcement of Jobe Watson as Essendon captain yesterday. This is not a pot shot at Essendon specifically, but they were announcing a captain, not the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Everytime something happens at an AFL club now, or even the AFL itself, it seems to be this mega production like a Hollywood film. What ever happened to simplicity ?

I reckon the reason from an organisational perspective would have been two-fold in this case.

1) Built excitement to the announcement (as an Essendon fan obviously)

2) I'm sure merchandise sales yesterday would have went quite well.

 

[hamG]

Their new captain lead them out to training right? Big deal?

 

[Jade]

Their new captain lead them out to training right? Big deal?

Not a big deal to outsiders, no.

But it was fun as an Essendon fan - I'm confident that Geelong people would be interested to see something similar at Skilled Stadium should the Cats choose to do so in naming their new captain.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

The circus acts are staged to please a select group of people who believe they deserve to be invited to front row seats. These people are the media loudmouths; who, if you don't invite them will ensure their voice and articles will carry negative slants against you.

These 'important' media people are the clowns of the circus acts.

 

[Internal Memo]

Unable to attend the event I enjoyed watching it live on BomberTV. The media, the crowd, the players in their kit - great. Essendon have managed media attention very well this off season which is appreciated by their far-flung supporter base. Looking forward to the next event - number allocations.

 

[telsor]

I reckon the reason from an organisational perspective would have been two-fold in this case.

1) Built excitement to the announcement (as an Essendon fan obviously)

2) I'm sure merchandise sales yesterday would have went quite well.

3) Get the sponsors logos on the evening news.

4) Remind people the club exists so as to push memberships. ( related to '1')

 

[Jade]

3) Get the sponsors logos on the evening news.

4) Remind people the club exists so as to push memberships. ( related to '1')

Yeah didn't think of those but absolutely.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

say what you like about it, it was pretty damn smart by Essendon.

This couple of weeks is a sport dead spot, yet the media cycle is as voracious as ever. And even though it was a stage-managed event, it was such a simple, elegant idea that it's surprising no-one has thought of it before now, & it had a significant impact.

By doing what they did, when they did, they've dominated the news cycle and ensured wall to wall exposure for the brand.

Merchandise & membership will be given a massive leg-up. It was basically a stroke of marketing genius

 

[jonesy86]

We need more Anthony Rocca style retirement announcements.

Press release from the club and a 2min interview posted up on the club website.

 

[Allbetsroff]

Women being let into the sport.

They love to complicate simple things.

 

[ATSAM]

Yes Jade 00 we would. Whilst the AFL is a circus led by the Circus Master and they are copying other sports and they have abondoned much of what we love about Aussie Rules I thought that the Essendon promotion was great. And I would love Geelong to do it because it is about inclusion, asking us to come to a training session - which at Geelong we are very often locked out of- and it does get us excited about the team ,perhaps a few buy memberships as a result and the purchase of team clothing or memorabilia. Don't knock a media opportunity that includes supporters.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Some people are easily pleased. The 'staging' of these events are way over the top, all designed to keep the media onside. Nothing more nothing less. This goes for all clubs.

How does a choreographed parade add any further information or value to what we need to know?

 

[Jade]

Some people are easily pleased. The 'staging' of these events are way over the top, all designed to keep the media onside. Nothing more nothing less. This goes for all clubs.

How does a choreographed parade add any further information or value to what we need to know?

Seems to have added a great deal of value to the Essendon Football Club and its members (such as me). I really enjoyed it.

 

[Redb#]

As an Essendon fan I loved seeing the red and black. Dont watch!

Good for membership as well.

 

[Belnakor]

By doing what they did, when they did, they've dominated the news cycle and ensured wall to wall exposure for the brand.

Merchandise & membership will be given a massive leg-up. It was basically a stroke of marketing genius

uh lets not go overboard here champ. It was a nice staged event but it hardly dominated the news cycle. Punter's elbow has got more exposure than Watson.

they were announcing a captain, not the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

thats gold.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

uh lets not go overboard here champ. It was a nice staged event but it hardly dominated the news cycle. Punter's elbow has got more exposure than Watson.



thats gold.

you're in Perth, aren't you, muscles?

So you wouldn't have seen that both The Age and the Herald Sun devoted their back pages to the announcement, and it was all over the news, TV & radio.

I guess being a self absorbed twat in the most isolated metropolis on Earth might affect your perspective a little, don't you think?

 

[Down At Gillon]

and ensured wall to wall exposure for the brand.

I guess this sums it up right here. Next stop will be "franchise" or "organisation".

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I guess this sums it up right here. Next stop will be "franchise" or "organisation".

pretty much. It's the trade-off for billion dollar tv deals.

Would you prefer a return to the broke VFL, would you?

 

[Leedawsom]

Nice colour emphasis with the yellow balls. never miss a chance to promote.

But it is all staged and it does get obvious that the AFL doesn't want to be out of the spotlight for long what with cricket and soccer etc. Just paranoid about the pay packets.

 

[seanoff]

Bcoz the AFL now uses the NFL as the benchmark for running a competition

this!!!!

it keeps the AFL in the news cycle.

gets the sponsors on TV, gets the club on TV, gets the AFL on TV.

all of this in the off-season.


smart business - and that's what it is, don't let that get lost. The AFL is big business.