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View Full Version : Motorcycle events media coverage



Mystic13
19th February 2009, 06:14
Finding coverage on local motorcycle events and results etc is near on impossible on local media websites, in the papers or news.

It seems to me there is ongoing coverage of the car side of things.

I often wondered was that because the car racers had a good marketing machine, sent in numerous press releases and were better organised or was it more that the media had a bias.

Well apparently according to a motorsport journo at the NZ Herald, the reason is.....

motorcycle press releases are like hens teeth.

http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/rolling-start/2009/2/18/ya-bike-bigmouth/?c_id=9&objectid=10557427

I did notice the media stories on the Classic meet a few weeks back. But then that whole event seemed to be better organised and marketed.

I don't know who's fault it is and I don't really care. But it seems to me if racers want more media coverage they need to start organising press releases instead of leaving if for someone... somewhere... to get to it.

Motorcycling NZ can certainly do with a marketing plan and person. There must be a fair few riders who turn up at events who have the magic touch with the written word and can fire off press releases (with photo's please).

We get more media releases on overseas riders than we do on the local stuff.

Now I've assumed the Herald journo is stating fact and if so, and he's motorcycle friendly. I would have thought his email addy would be vital.

Actually, continual press releases on all things bike would be useful. A group of volunteers maybe? Find out what the media want and in what form and give it to them on a plate?

Any volunteers?

Hitcher
19th February 2009, 08:23
The media love good quality action photos with relevant captions. They may also pay you for these, but only if they get published.

Media advisory notices telling them what's on and where may bear fruit, but don't hold your breath waiting for a reporter or photographer to turn up unless the event has significant news value or great photo opportunities. If the event does have either or both of those, mention it in your advisory notice.

News outlets, particularly daily newspapers, would also lap up nice simple results sheets that they could include in their results pages.

Always remember that motorcycling events are a minority interest sport, and you have to make your releases interesting and easy to use, because the media aren't going to spend any time on them otherwise.

Badjelly
19th February 2009, 08:43
Also being discussed on the following (somewhat obscurely named) thread in the Racing forum.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=92853

My god, that's the second "duplicate thread" posting I've done in 5 minutes. I need to get a life.

Mystic13
19th February 2009, 10:33
Also being discussed on the following (somewhat obscurely named) thread in the Racing forum.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=92853

My god, that's the second "duplicate thread" posting I've done in 5 minutes. I need to get a life.

Yep, and I can't believe I didn't see that thread when i posted. I hadn't had my coffee then though.

The other thread does look like it has a lot of useful comment so hopefully this one will die out.

White trash
19th February 2009, 16:05
I have it on VERY good authority that this weekends racing at Paeroa will enjoy a wide variety of exposure from a couple of different angles.

Stay tuned for more details

Clivoris
19th February 2009, 18:32
I have it on VERY good authority that this weekends racing at Paeroa will enjoy a wide variety of exposure from a couple of different angles.

Stay tuned for more details

Is it true then that NZX will be shooting scenes in the LG pit? Between "Big Eddie" "Choppa" and your pornstache there must be heaps of scope for racy storylines.