Is any publicitiy good/valuable publicity for GWS?

[Beaussie]

Must admit I hate reading the constant negative reporting, blogs and comments about the AFL and GWS plans for expansion in the Daily Telegraph, however this article today by Richard Hinds got me thinking perhaps it ain't such a bad thing. Thoughts?

AFL's a happy villain casing western Sydney

Richard Hinds | November 25, 2009

It might be thought the AFL would be disturbed by its portrayal as a rich foreign interloper threatening to tear apart the NRL's sacred heartland. Particularly as it has made conspicuous attempts recently to court those sections of the media most likely to paint the AFL as a rugby league-hating ogre.

On the contrary, AFL officials are flattered they are being treated as such a serious threat by the NRL's supporters in the media and believe the attacks on the Whatevers - or even AFL boss Andrew Demetriou - are actually providing the new franchise with valuable publicity and, consequently, greater currency with influential figures and the public.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rf...1258824713703.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

 

[dlanod]

At this early stage, yes. It's all about raising awareness of the AFL team starting up. The year leading into us actually playing games is when you start looking at perception modifying if needed. If all that's happening is a very vocal minority is spouting off, we might not even need that modifying... after all if they're never going to come to a "gayfl" game, why bother trying? There's more low hanging fruit that will come along to a game or two to see if they like it.

 

[Mowse]

Yes it is good publicity.
The FREE advertising being given to us by RL and the media is saving WS a lot of money and making Sheedy's job much easier.
At this point it's all about awareness.

 

[desie]

Good article, clearly not emanating out of News Ltd

I guess any publicity is good at this stage of the cycle, although I must admit I find it all extraordinarily frustrating.

As hard as it is to read the sensationalist rubbish, the only people who would really be getting worked up by this are those who wouldn't have a bar of us in the first place, so there's no real loss.

The positive is that those who we are targeting, many of whom wouldn't be massive sports fans, are being made aware of the club's existence and hopefully are wondering to themselves why there is such negative agenda surrounding what to them is just another football club.

 

[dlanod]

Out of idle curiousity, anyone remember what the response was like to South Melbourne moving up here?

 

[Giants FC]

As long as no-one from GWS is associated with any illegal or immoral activity, the publicity is great. As this stage, we need to build brand awareness - so anything that keeps the GWS name out there works to our advantage.

Out of idle curiousity, anyone remember what the response was like to South Melbourne moving up here?

I was only a kid and was living in Victoria at the time and don't remember anything - but apparently it barely rated a mention.

 

[swaneagle24]

As long as no-one from GWS is associated with any illegal or immoral activity, the publicity is great. As this stage, we need to build brand awareness - so anything that keeps the GWS name out there works to our advantage.

The Daily Telegraph's "Greatest Waste of Savings" article, thanks to the DTfor highlighting the GWS in red for us, priceless!

 

[Redb#]

Bordering on the ridiculous the paranoia with the story about GWS and Sheedy being at the V8's in Sydney in the DT. In this case it actually was good publicity becuase it showed GWS getting out in the communtity whilst the NRL sits on its hands.

Frankly, the poll on the DT: 'Should the nrl be there?' was funny in its envious tone.

You have to wonder also if a few more casual sports fans are thinking enough is enough of this dribble - what's the problem if another sporting team is available in Sydney?

In the end the answer is yes.

 

[cos789]

Out of idle curiousity, anyone remember what the response was like to South Melbourne moving up here?

I attended most of the "exhibition" games at the SCG then all the Swans games (bar one) before I left Sydney .
The simple answer to the response then was indifference with arrogance and some amusement mixed in .There was a very dire lack of publicity then . To be fair the VFL's optimism bordered on arrogance with "jealousy" from most other clubs as to the easy road to the Swans becoming a super club .

And Yes , almost any publicity is good .
.

 

[desie]

The paranoia wagon has really kicked in again this week.

All started with League launching their all-star game in Blacktown and then appointing Nathan Hindmarsh as "Western Sydney ambassador" (I thought the region was a League stronghold and no-one cared about the AFL ).

Then Sheedy was quoted as not knowing who Hindmarsh was and that really kicked it off, you'd think he'd killed someone.

Followed up the following day with Sheedy saying that he would buy memberships to the four local NRL clubs which caused another outcry of "publicity stunt"

Finished off today with a bit of a square up in the Terror which was surprising. Talked about Sheedy meeting Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett amongst other things.

To think that this team is two years away from their first game

 

[Flaggie Falcon]

Well the GWS team had plenty of publicity here in the Adelaide Advertiser Friday with the signing of Alex Carey. A large photo dominated the Back page (Sports Front Page) and the 3rd page was dominated with another large photo & 2 in depth articles - making another full page of publicity for the club.

At 18yrs of age (only just) speculation on whether he would pick cricket or footy has be rife in footy circles & the media during the past 18mths as Alex is in the Redbacks squad as a wicky, and is also opening batsman in the Glenelf A's District cricket team. He plays SANFL Reserves (B's)for Glenelg, the reining Premiers. Alex has been a SA under age state player for both sports for the past 4 years.
When he was overlooked in both AFL drafts this year the media covered how he has now chosen cricket over footy, now a couple of months later Sheedy showed faith and gave him another lifeline at AFL.

 

[chakra]

Well the GWS team had plenty of publicity here in the Adelaide Advertiser Friday with the signing of Alex Carey. A large photo dominated the Back page (Sports Front Page) and the 3rd page was dominated with another large photo & 2 in depth articles - making another full page of publicity for the club.

At 18yrs of age (only just) speculation on whether he would pick cricket or footy has be rife in footy circles & the media during the past 18mths as Alex is in the Redbacks squad as a wicky, and is also opening batsman in the Glenelf A's District cricket team. He plays SANFL Reserves (B's)for Glenelg, the reining Premiers. Alex has been a SA under age state player for both sports for the past 4 years.
When he was overlooked in both AFL drafts this year the media covered how he has now chosen cricket over footy, now a couple of months later Sheedy showed faith and gave him another lifeline at AFL.

Tommy Hill from Northern Knight's has gone also. They have starting to build some experience into the team. Both these boys are AFL/AIS boys from a couple of years ago so McConnel knows them well.