Extra 50K - What do you guys think?

[onlyme]

OK - well - the IFBB, being the dominant bodybuilding organization and through its promoters, gives the athletes a place and venues to compete in order to win prize monies. With that, the IFBB also gives us the place to have expos related to bodybuilding and supplements, and in turn, provides many people with jobs, and the means to advertise a product, which brings in revenue, which lets the supplement companies or another other type of related company offer a contract to the athlete. Being in the IFBB increases the value for these athletes, and perhaps can (but not always) open the doors for more endorsements, prize money, guest posing, and a bigger fan base. The IFBB does not give back in monetary means, but just being at an IFBB show provides many people with a sense of focus, a means to make money, etc.

Now, I am not using other federations don't do the same thing, or the PDI won't, but at the moment, that is an answer to your question.

 

No - they didnt. They said that if you want your product in their stores, then they need to be guaranteed the lowest price available, and first basis of the product availabilty. It is your choice whether or not you want to be in Wal-Mart. They don't blackmail anyone. As a supplier, you choose what where you want to be.

No you are wrong.  The IFBB DOES NOT have anything to do with securing a place, time (maybe cause ofscheduling) or prize money.  You have worded it so it sounds like they are doing something but in reality they do nothing.  It is the promoter who does everything.  They have NOTHING to do with setting up paying for any part of an expo.  Ron, you must be sleeping cause you are wrong on all counts

Getting your product into Walmart is interesting.  I do not know the proper wording cause I owned the company and had many others doing it for me, but in Walmart as with Target, Sears and other major chain stores the space available is premium and costs money.  If you notice not much room in allot of these strores.  So when you go see a buyer you have to convince them to make room for your product.  You have to convince them that your product is worth more on their shelves that Brand X.  A common way is incentives through lower pricing which allow a higher profit margin for the retailer, actually purchase floor or shelve space on a temporary basis for a set amount of time in which certain goals have to be reached, and another way is to provide a very good and creative advertising campaign and co-op opputunites.

Gold's Gym appraoched Macys originally to sell their t-shirts back in the early 80's.  Macy's said no.  So Golds went back to the drawing board came up with a great idea.  They will have numerous BB come to Macy's and sign autographs and take pictures with people who buy their shirts.  So Macy's set up a Saturday and the lines were around the corner.  They literally sold everything they brought, and Macy's then gave them some floor space.  This was in New York.

Your last sentance is VERY wrong.  WHen you have a product (new) unless you pay a premium you go where they put you not where you want or you won't be in that store.  We paid a huge premium to Target to be right at the front entrance of 14 Target store in California.  That premium was very HIGH.  But with our POP designs and our creative marketing that premium was paid back 10 fold.  They sold out of our product in less than 3 weeks and they did a triple 2nd order and we ended up on the shelve at eye level.  Another thing you should know to is products that are at eye level on the shelves pay a nice premium or are established products.  If you ever see a new product on the shelf at eye level they paid some great money for that.  

What does this have to do with anything.  I have no idea but I got going on typing and couldn't stop.

[thisiskeith12]

Also, fewer shows would benefit things. We have what, 14 or 16 IFBB events this year? 

All parties would be better served with FOUR BIG EVENTS each year on par with the O/ASC, and put a wildcard qualifier the night before

Top 3 from friday night get in.  Then the top guys go at it on Sat night.  Do it 4 times a year.  Show would be top notch, a big event, in varied places, and costs would be minimal because they'd score better costs as they're planning ahead and buying in bulk.

Maybe a few more than 4, maybe 6 or 7. But they do need to bring the number down. More quality = more fans

[thisiskeith12]

Guys like Jay Cutler, Gunter, Richard Jones, David Henry, Branch Warren, these guys are EXTREMELY MARKETABLE!! That's going on radio shows, tv shows, promoting the sport.

[kmhphoto]

The readers of these magazines don't get the stories, they don't hear these guys talking, and they don't see them interacting or at shows. Some still picture isn't going to make them want to go to a competition, you gotta sell a little harder than that.

100% correct. The solution would be a reality TV show.

[240 is Back]

THIS is what getbig should be like.  

Not negative, but not ass-kissing either.

If anyone started "Pro XYZ is smart and right and I don't need reasons", they'd be asked out. if anyone flamed, they'd be asked out.

THIS is intelligent discussion with relveant societal examples and are great points.  \

[LuciusFox]

Guys like Jay Cutler, Gunter, Richard Jones, David Henry, Branch Warren, these guys are EXTREMELY MARKETABLE!! That's going on radio shows, tv shows, promoting the sport.

 Yes, they are, but what should bodybuilding do to take advantage of this?

[onlyme]

Now that is interesting. If an IFBB pro guest poses at another event, and wears the IFBB sweatshirt with IFBB sweatpants, and is clearly promoting the IFBB, can he get in trouble for that? Not sure.
 

No. Bob is the IFBB Athletes Rep. He cannt represent other federations, not Nabba, not Natural bodybuilders, not whoever.  It is not his position. He can advise to them, but he is the IFBB Athletes rep. I thought that was pretty clear, considering he is in the IFBB.

Which is why it is better to compare bodybuilding with individual athlete competitions.

Why would they wear all that stuff.  They don't do that now.  

[kmhphoto]

THIS is what getbig should be like.  

Not negative, but not ass-kissing either.

If anyone started "Pro XYZ is smart and right and I don't need reasons", they'd be asked out. if anyone flamed, they'd be asked out.

THIS is intelligent discussion with relveant societal examples and are great points.  \

And nobody has accused me of bias in 4 posts!

[thisiskeith12]

100% correct. The solution would be a reality TV show.

Maybe not even that, why not a weekly update show? Why not satellite radio? Sirius is giving shows out left and right, they have a 3 hour show about SCUBA DIVING! You're telling me Muscle and Fitness can't fork up $1,000 for a one hour show once a week?

[240 is Back]

And nobody has accused me of bias in 4 posts!

You're a Nikon Shill. Don't lie.  You've been holding down my HP 6.2 megapixel from minute one.

[LuciusFox]

Why would they wear all that stuff.  They don't do that now.  

 Maybe Ron is suggesting a makeover

[kmhphoto]

You're a Nikon Shill. Don't lie.  You've been holding down my HP 6.2 megapixel from minute one.

Shill I can take but NIKON!!! STFU and get a life, I'm a CANON BOY - It's an IFBB requirement! 

[240 is Back]

Shill I can takem but NIKON!!! STFU and get a life, I'm a CANON BOY - It's and IFBB requirement!;D

Manion and Canon have been in bed since 2001. 

Also Bob Chick worked as an intern at Canon summer camp in 1988.  Coincidence? I think not.

[thisiskeith12]

Manion and Canon have been in bed since 2001. 

Also Bob Chick worked as an intern at Canon summer camp in 1988.  Coincidence? I think not.

You guys have gotten off topic, but the Rebel is pretty neat!

[kmhphoto]

Maybe not even that, why not a weekly update show? Why not satellite radio? Sirius is giving shows out left and right, they have a 3 hour show about SCUBA DIVING! You're telling me Muscle and Fitness can't fork up $1,000 for a one hour show once a week?

Radio is fine, but to attract new interest in what is a visual sport you need TV.
Dan and Bov are doing a great job with their radio show but I would guess that it attracts people already with an interest in the sport.

[LuciusFox]

 It's wonderful to see everyone getting along so well

[thisiskeith12]

Radio is fine, but to attract new interest in what is a visual sport you need TV.

Agreed. Weekly show. Theres a Fit Channel that would be perfect. Or SPIKE TV. hell they could start out on spike and then move to the fit channel. hell they could do it on hbo. i mean there are options and no one seems to be taking them

It's wonderful to see everyone getting along so well

I think our work is a success. It seems as though we have turn Iraq into Springfield, Illinois!

[kmhphoto]

Agreed. Weekly show. Theres a Fit Channel that would be perfect. Or SPIKE TV. hell they could start out on spike and then move to the fit channel. hell they could do it on hbo. i mean there are options and no one seems to be taking them

I think our work is a success. It seems as though we have turn Iraq into Springfield, Illinois!

The TV viewer now has a voracious appetite for reality shows and a program designed to show the positive side of the sport could be key to attracting more people to shows.
I often hear that there is no comeraderie between the athletes like there was years ago. Well I've toured with these guys and it's there. Unfortunetaly it's impossible to show that in a magazine report, but TV is a whole new ball game.

[thisiskeith12]

The TV viewer now has a voracious appetite for reality shows and a program designed to show the positive side of the sport could be key to attracting more people to shows.
I often hear that there is no comeraderie between the athletes like there was years ago. Well I've toured with these guys and it's there. Unfortunetaly it's impossible to show that in a magazine report, but TV is a whole new ball game.

Agreed, get Mitsuru in on the deal, and you have everyone benefiting!

[Ron]

I just saw on ABC the other day a report about how weight loss supplements ALONE generate over $1.6 Billion a year, now add other supplements to that, plus the magazine sales of Flex M&F and MD, and you should have a fairly large number. A number that if distributed to benefit all, would not only grow the sport as a whole, but also you can bank on a damn good investment you are making. Money talks...

Ah - there are different type of supplement companies. Performance building supplement companies cater to bodybuilders and athletes. Weight Loss Supplement Companies can be marketed via Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, Drug Stores, etc, and don’t care about the bodybuilding industry. In reality, this performance building supplement companies represent a much, much smaller piece of the pie.

No you are wrong. The IFBB DOES NOT have anything to do with securing a place, time (maybe cause ofscheduling) or prize money. You have worded it so it sounds like they are doing something but in reality they do nothing. It is the promoter who does everything. They have NOTHING to do with setting up paying for any part of an expo. Ron, you must be sleeping cause you are wrong on all counts

Did I say any of that. I said that the IFBB provides us with promoters that build and secure the places for supplement companies to gain revenue via expos, etc, this sponsoring athletes, etc, and so on.  I didn’t say the IFBB itself does that.  But they are the underlying federation indirectly responsible for that.

Your last sentance is VERY wrong. WHen you have a product (new) unless you pay a premium you go where they put you not where you want or you won't be in that store.

No it isnt. If you do have a new product, with no advertisement, and no one asking for it, I agree. Pay the premium. But if you advertise and have brand recognition, it is a lot easier to get into a place, especially if customers want to buy the product, and ask for it.  I know - but each store have different rules to get it. Whether it is Costco, Target, Walmart, or other stores.

Guys like Jay Cutler, Gunter, Richard Jones, David Henry, Branch Warren, these guys are EXTREMELY MARKETABLE!! That's going on radio shows, tv shows, promoting the sport.

Radio show. Hmm.. a radio show that people can listen to and haer these guys talk... wow. Is there something like that Bob? Dan? Let’s make one, and get these guys to go on, one by one, in an hourly format

Why would they wear all that stuff. They don't do that now.

They dont? I have a number of pics with some of the athletes with IFBB on them, as well as their sponsored companies.

Or SPIKE TV. The TV viewer now has a voracious appetite for reality shows and a program designed to show the positive side of the sport could be key to attracting more people to shows.

It is very expensive, and you need sponsors, even in Spike TV, to agree for commercials for you show. As Road to the Pros and others have found out, it is much more difficult than you think. Bodybuilding is a hard sell for mainstream advertisers.

But perhaps there can be little videos on the comeraderie of the athletes. Shawn Ray’s Muscle Camp’s were the best example of 6-8 bodybuilders together in a group, but are not the best attended.  And eventually, it would be call to put some video up, if it didn't take so much bandwidth up.

[thisiskeith12]

So move Bob and Dans to satellite. Talk about news for those who haven't kept up. Do it weekly. Hell, for a tv show, you can get advertising. It's just MD and Weider Pubs don't want to spend money. Even though they both make more than enough. A weekly wrapup show on tv discussing bodybuilding events and having features with visits to see certain guys and such would be very attactive.

[kmhphoto]

So move Bob and Dans to satellite. Talk about news for those who haven't kept up. Do it weekly. Hell, for a tv show, you can get advertising. It's just MD and Weider Pubs don't want to spend money. Even though they both make more than enough. A weekly wrapup show on tv discussing bodybuilding events and having features with visits to see certain guys and such would be very attactive.

Dan and Bob on radio is still limiting. Get them on TV! In support of Weider, we are the only magazine - FLEX - that puts the resources into covering all the IFBB shows both in the US and worldwide. I'm sure that if there was enough support from the rest of the industry that they would take a proactive role in any program.

[onlyme]

Radio has no business in Bodybuilding.  BB is visual.  That is the whole idea.  To SEE the bodys.  Just listening to guys talking is far from interesting or entertaining.  The only medium that is worth using and would benefit BB would be TV.  Spike TV is great as is FOX.  No way would a major pick it up.  And cable would probably be the ones that would even consider it seriously as a regular show.  Plus radio is not like it used to be.  People are listening to CD's in their cars.  When was the last time you ever saw someone carrying and listening to a radio.  They are using Mp3 players now.  Satellite radio is something that is coming around but I don't know.  I never really believed in radio and I have probably paid in the last 20+ years for radio advertising $100,000+ for various promotions I have done or commercials for my products.  IN fact that is only $5,000 a year and that is way off.  But I still never thought it was worth the money spent.  It is so hard to track your results from radio and listeners.  At least with a magazine or print you have something tangible to look at, hold and keep.  TV you get that visual impact that your brain remembers allot better than a radio ad.  Not sure why I am typing so much tonight

[kmhphoto]

 Not sure why I am typing so much tonight

And making sense 

[Tre]

Now that is interesting. If an IFBB pro guest poses at another event, and wears the IFBB sweatshirt with IFBB sweatpants, and is clearly promoting the IFBB, can he get in trouble for that? Not sure.

According to the current rules, the answer is 'yes', which proves just how stupid the IFBB and its leadership are and have always been.