"I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible."A recent comment from Railbird started me thinking-and that is never a good thing-about the aftermath of the recent NTRA marketing summit.
-Oscar Wilde
Handride and The Aspiring Horseplayer have returned singing the praises of the NTRA and most, if not all, of the comments are positive and forward looking. The presentation, on paper, is outstanding and outlines a clear path for the keepers of the game to follow.
Granted, I was not at the summit and did not see what they saw or hear what they heard but I have more experience than is good for anyone in dealing with obstinate, ignorant and obfuscative, management types. Each and every one of them assured you that they were listening and had nothing but your very best interests at heart. They were affable and "readily available". Always telling you that they expected to be 'called out onto the carpet' if things were not progressing as was required. Any one of them could have run for office and every one of them drove the damn thing into the ground.
The best thing to do with someone, when they are angry, is to let them tell you what is pissing them off. Inevitably, they will feel better and then, after a token gesture, they will go away. That is what management is paid to do.
This is not that and now is not then. This time it's different.
This is however a "Legacy" sport, steeped in tradition and money. Things are done because that is how they have always been done and those at the top are comfortable and empowered enough to not have to care if the whole damn thing falls apart. All the marketing in the world is not going to make a damn if the real man behind the curtain isn't brought to account. You can't market the plague.
Like the joke goes: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition."
I believe the summit was a good faith effort and that genuinely smart and caring people are working hard to come up with a solution for the ills of our sport. I am confident the salvo struck close to home and that people are giving it the consideration it is due. Much good can come out of this but only if change is in fact implemented. We, all of us-yes, the three of you who read this-must keep pressing. Extolling the virtues of this game but also exposing its seedy underbelly. Only then will we see how serious everybody is about the needed change.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
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5 comments:
Yes, that's it -- as genuinely interested as everyone seemed in the presentation, and as well as the summit went, this is no time to rest or to lay off the constructive criticism. I came away feeling very positive about the industry (not my usual response to these confabs), but also vigilant. Waldrop and Chamblin said let the NTRA have six months to make progress, SocialSphere mentioned a couple things they thought could be accomplished quickly. Great -- six months it is, during which time we'll be looking for signs, agitating for change, keeping up the pressure.
So, by March 23rd, 2009 we should see progress?
Also, mark my words, the federal tiger isn't gone, it's only sleeping. Expect an appearance in 2009, and it will either be the final motivation for effective self-regulation, or the beginning of centralized regulation, depending on how far the industry gets between now and then.
(More than 3, as I am a regular reader.) Wondering how much NTRA pays it's various staff - I'd rather the NTRA pay the TBA bloggers whatever it is they pay their marketing dept. Much more info, lively conversations, up to date news, etc. I deleted NTRA from my favorites last spring and added Gathering the Wind, Superfecta, Last 210 Derby List Messages, and others that provide real content.
Jessica-Don't let them up off the mat.
Kerry-I thought the tiger was crouching.
Anon-Thank you kindly. I trust you have me down as the etc. in your list because a source of (factual)information this site is not.
Thank you all for reading.
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