David Dome and the Media

Discuss

The other option is Russell.

Are you suggestion a Morgan comeback?

What's got you panties in a twist now?

I thought Russell was the media man? Dome can speak to the media as much as he likes, he is the CEO afterall. But i am not happy when they make threats about attendances or else. I have to assume that he is speaking for the Board when he says such things and he himself is one of the more down to earth types you can meet. David is a good sort when you or if you get the chance to converse with him.

Remember when they stopped selling Georgie pies or Snifter. The outraged it caused? The campaigns shortly after to get them made again? Same principle. Most people aren’t engaged enough to realise that if you don’t turn up (buy things) then it would be around forever. The number of tickets sold is always going to be an area of focus for the media because the whole point of going up there is to make money off the event. You can talk about our form/style all you like, but ticket sales are always going to the subject of questions from journalists.

I’d like to find someone who didn’t turn up because they felt threatened. Please.

I have.

I think you have a point 2B since its a one off game, I doubt anybody went "screw this then I'm not going". Different story in Wellington when you risk annoying those fans who you rely on to turn up every week. 

I just don't think it would actually get people to the ground either. So all it does is use up column inches on a negative story. For a threat to work it needs to be credible. Which means actually carrying it out next year and not giving them a game, then bringing the game back to Auckland a season later. But as you pointed out, that's quite a risky move. 

There is also the issue of one person not thinking their attendance will make a difference. They figure either enough people turn up or they won't, ultimately their attendance won't affect things (kind of like some people's attitude to voting). So a threat like this hardly changes their mind. 

Honesty is good, if the facts are laid out on the table then everyone knows where they stand.

The issues isn't the message per se it's potentially the reporting. He might not have bleated on about it, he may have mentioned it once and it got repeated ad nauseum. Then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy when reporters ask him about it over and over again.

Its still a valid point that JD makes. I know many people are getting a little sick of the "if you don't turn up we will go somewhere else" mantra. Give it it rest...its getting boring. It seems like a large chunk of the Nix publicity is one big moan about crowd numbers. We get the message. Its become the standard narrative for the media as well.....and why?  because the club keeps banging on about it all the ferkin time. 

We now have a totally different vibe to when Terry was running the show. He was more about "bling". It was flashy and more showbiz.......Whether you liked it or not at least if was a positive message most of the time.....and positivety is a big bonus in marketing. Our current owners are businessmen/bankers etc and have done a good job getting the clubs finances sorted out. But the sporting public don't share their interest in spread sheets. The Nix PR is dull. Where are all the "colour stories"?  players backgrounds, lifestyles, WAG stuff. The media love being spoon fed this stuff....its easy copy for them.

Yes we know the club needs bigger crowds for financial viability.....but so does just about every club on the planet. Can we just spend a little more time talking about what a wonderful style of football we are playing and how exciting it is too watch and less time on the financials. Football can be exciting and interesting......football players can be exciting and interesting. Suits talking about financial bottom lines is BAT SHIT BORING.

I think it (he) points the focus in the wrong place. The fact is we are playing great footy, well placed on the table and were disappointed with a draw against a traditionally strong club. The focus again goes on crowd numbers, I feel like it is the wrong message to be giving at this time.

Honestly the way people carry on you’d think the only thing the phoenix talked about was the crowds. Are we forgetting the stories about the hobbit strip, the football school, etc? Selective memories. Of course it feels repetitive to us. We are the most engaged people. Causal punters need reminding.

You're the dude who always replies to posts with tiny, elliptical statements like this, lacking context. Forgive me if I'm skeptical.

I thought the Hobbit kit looked alright actually. We should use it instead of the bra top at away games.

He just constantly generates negative stories!!

You really think he drove that story? Come on. The media beat this shark up relentlessly.

As recently as the week before last I was contacted by a man I know in the media who said "what are your thoughts about the poor Nix crowds" and I said "they aren't poor, they are reasonable in the context of the league, our performances, and population and rugby would kill for them" and he said "yeah but my editor has told me to write a story about poor sports crowds."

THAT is what we're up against. 

It's nothing to do with Domey.

I guess there are various points of view on this which have different flavours from where you sit.

From the medias perspective, all they give a crap about it readers, subscriptions, eyeballs. That in turn generates more ad revenue.

Now if you are the media, do you headline a story that has nothing to it or do you want a story that will generate discussion (this thread and others) Stories like 'Man goes home, eats, showers and goes to bed' does nothing for them. In the case of the Phoenix, the spin on it is 'those buggers in Wellington come up here and threaten us'. It generates something straight away. There has also been the reverse perspective 'Those buggers in Auckland pinch one of our games and don't turn up.'

Fluff does not sell so to me, I believe that Dome should give them that and only that. Give them a snippet of an issue and they will run the ass out of it.

Along with a dozen other quotes talking about the team.

To further that, if we run a thread here about Boyd not playing for the Phoenix, you can guarantee it will be in the papers Thursday seeking comment because its controversy and it sells. Give people a chance to be rubber-neckers on a train wreck and they always will take it.

I bet you if (and this is an example but using it for currency) if there was a headine 'ACFC funding irregularities cause for concern' or along those lines, no one would talk about how they are going in Morocco, just the funding irregularities. Jessie Ryder being a Twit sells papers and generates headlines and so does McCullum getting out for 4 on a mindless tonk.... I think it was McCullum that said something earlier this year like 'We have just won and all you want to talk about is Chris Cairns'

So the assumption is the media won't ask about crowd at the first possible moment?

Just put some positive spin on it.

"We've got 5,000 presales and the crowd will be treated to some fantastic football on gameday"

not

"We've got 5,000 presales its down on last year, turn up or we'll take our games elsewhere"

It's the one consistent message that the phoenix seem to be getting out, intentionally or not.

And the next question will be: is that disappointing? followed by: Will you come back?

ITT: people that have never dealt with "the media"

Friend of mine just flew Malaysia air to India, was packed apparently.

yep I do think they're going to write the story anyway. Especially hearing smithys experience. 

The only other alternative to being honest is a "no comment" which tends to annoy them more. I think all of this started when Morgan was going on about it, and it's just become an easy story for them to write since then. 

A) It's looking to be a good turn out, hopefully the weather will play nice we hear it's nicer up here than in Wellington.

B) We're always looking to take the club around New Zealand for a game or two each year, Auckland is a really important market for us and our sponsors and with our new academy being set up, we're really looking to grow the Phoenix brand in Auckland.

Or something like that.

He has control over what comes out of his mouth. 

If the papers want to spin it negatively then that's their prerogative

"Of course we want bigger crowds, what sports team wouldn't? But we know that if we continue to play well and win games then the public will realize what entertainment a Phoenix game can provide, and our ticket sales will improve. Already we are showing a more exciting and effective brand of football than ever before." etc....

Fixed by doom post

This is not a David Dome issue, clubs in Australia have exactly the same problem. The sad reality is that controversial headlines sell papers, so that's what media outlets on both sides of the Tasman print.

If anyone thinks that Domey (or anyone at all, for that matter) can control what the media write, then I suggest you have a lot to learn.

Plus: Dome only told the truth. That poor attendance has put future matches in Auckland in serious doubt. Would you prefer that he lied and said that we would go back every single year, no matter how many people show up?

The media then cannot put any negative spin on that, the story dies and they shut up about it. Its actually bloody easy to do. He just has to WANT to do.

radiolive interview - I thought Domey gave a good honest opinion on the topics and questions put to him. In a way his straightfoward honesty got snarled by a couple of aged radio hacks wanting some sort of story. The club's not large enough for a proper media spokesman;  so they all have to do their bit. Wenger can't fart at the moment without media interest so its no different elsewhere, just a different scale.

North Harbour might be the away venue next time or Hamilton as a one off. I agree with everyone though...put the focus back into Wellington. What did Terry spend on flags and bus stop posters? What ever it was you knew when the Phoenix were in town.