Hmmm.....whilst not wishing to wee on their cornflakes just yet, a few of things do have me slightly concerned:
1. [i
Commenting on the company's latest appointment, Century 21 director Steven Barker said, "We assisted the Rugby Football League, and Harlequins in particular, with a number of projects last season and are pleased to be given this further opportunity[/i
....we have re-engaged the services of a marketing firm (if that's what they actually are) who were involved in last years effort.....which resulted in the lowest average gates since 2001.
2. [i
Who are these guys?[/i
I have scanned the wonderweb and found nada.....nothing...in fact less than nothing. Century 21 are a real estate franchise...there is 21st Century Marketing which is an affiliate site....but seriously, nothing? if you type "Century 21 harlequins" into google you get a link to this site, york city knights site and a few houses sold by Century 21 on a Harlequin Road.
As a great believer in "self promotion"
....surely this company has some knowledge of and presence on the web
Also...and this is maybe a minor thing, but a quick scan of Linked in Shows no sign of Mr Barker. As I say, maybe minor, but he appears nowhere on the google searches.....a worry for a man who has a company that[i
specialises in marketing, communications.... [/i
3.
[i...just completed successful sponsorship activation projects for Guinness and StanJames.com at last week's Cheltenham National Hunt Festival[/i
Hardly "sand to the Arabs" is it? Also, sponsorship activation projects.......to me, that sounds like they provided "front end" support (pretty girls handing out free stuff). If they had negotiated the sponsorship deal, then I am sure that Mr Barker would have said it in his statement.
4. [i
The appointment is a declaration of intent by the London Super League licence holder of its commitment to the development of professional rugby league in the south-east.[/i
No...it's like Wakey & Castleford saying that they WILL have a new stadium. We employed these guys last year...it's a conract renewal and a bit of bluster ....that is IMO of course.
5. [i
We are excited about the potential of rugby league in London and the south-east [/i
...enough of this
potential rubbish.
Seriously, Hogg, Blanchard...even Branson have spouted this line since as long as I can recall...stop fu(king saying in and do something about it
OK.....so there's my initial thoughts on this. As I did with the other appointees to various roles, I will give them time to prove me wrong, but I am not expecting anything to change on the attendance front in the immediate future.
My thoughts on this are well know to all on here and the club....stop messing about trying to do it on the cheap...employ a marketing professional (no..not me...a proper heavy hitter) on a decent salary with a decent budget.....otherwise there really isn't much point in worrying about crowds or sponsors.
As for Century 21...I will continue to have a dig around and have emailed some agency friends in London asking to do the same......but no web site in this day and age in their particular space has me more than slightly concerned.
