There's some things you can't put a dollar value on.... - Page 2 - Brindabella Motor Sport Club

Ausrally · 08-03-2010, 08:04 PM

I have been in the US last week. I had some lunch with a whole bunch of guys who are car guys but did not know much about rallying - until Ken block turned up.

Once they knew I was into rallying then the questions flowed, they were all so keen to know more.

I see a huge market out there just waiting to hear about our sport.

Most of them thought his WRC campaign was awesome and want to go and see a rally now. They cant believe how good rallying is from his exploits.

I got a lift to Raleigh airport NC and there was a huge billboard for Ken and the Monster Focus...how many of those must there be around the US?

As someone who has actively tried to promote rallying here for god knows how long Ken is doing more good for our sport world wide than anyone else.

He has what it takes to deliver promotionally, unlike some of our other WRC stars who have personality's of dead fish and do bugger all promotion for themselves or their backers.

He connects with his market and that's more than I can say for the majority of others in the sport who need financial support to rally but deliver bugger all to their sponsors who cough the bucks.

Ken is delivering to his backers big time and good on him. About time someone did.

He has done more for the profile of rallying world wide than anyone else I can think of ever.

And BTW I wish I could drive as slow as him!

Kaptainballistik · 08-03-2010, 10:11 PM

gslrallysport · 08-03-2010, 10:41 PM

Dallas, that is a nail on the head mate!

Ken's results in the WRC are completely irrelevant*. Ken's sponsors don't care about his results either. The fact that we all know who he is, and what he does is what's important. I sure wouldn't buy monster energy from the BP if it weren't for him... did it take him to win a rally for me to feel that strongly to buy some unknown (at that stage) energy drink versus Red Bull or Mother etc... definitely NOT!

Ken is doing exactly the opposite of what most people in rallying do, and what Dallas eluded to. Most people write a sponsorship proposal with their results (with can be great by all means) but have absolutely no self or sponsor promotional material what so ever... then wonder why they can't bring in the dollars...

And yeah I wish I could drive as slow as him too!*

* Because matching Matthew Wilson, regardless of what you think of the kid, in his WRC car debut, is clearly a bad result....

Dave Kelly · 09-03-2010, 09:36 AM

Not scientific or reliable in any real sense, and of course terribly sad (in the weird sense) but I just did an interesting little exercise.

I googled the name "Ken Block" (all searches here as a phrase), and whilst there are a number of other minorly famous Ken Block's (there is another who is a fairly low level musician and one was a Canadian Ice Hockey player from the 1960's), undoubtedly the vast majority of google hits will relate to the Ken Block we are talking about. Result = 1.21 million results

Did the same for "Petter Solberg". Result = 534,000 results

Ditto, "Sebastien Loeb". Result = 1.26 million results

and as a comparitor

Ditto, "Jenson Button". Result = 2.3 million results

oh and for those wondering... "Ric Cary" = 5,760 results, "Andrew Crawford" = 73,700 results, "Ray Day" = 38,300 results... and wait for it... "David Kelly" = 533,000 results... so watch out Petter, I'm catching up real fast!

Anyway, I suppose what I am saying is backing up Greg in that Block's personal brand recognition added to the fact that overwhelmingly that recognition will be in a relatively untouched market for the WRC, must, assist in making Block an incredibly bankable commodity.. no matter what results he pulls (within reason).

Cheers,

David

robert inall · 09-03-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gslrallysport

.... To me that blog better promotes the sport than some million dollar V8 Supercar ad with Pink.... Keep up the good work!!!

Were we supposed to be looking for the promotion of rallying in the V8 Supercar ad?

gslrallysport · 09-03-2010, 03:08 PM

oh haha.. you know what I mean!

daewoo · 09-03-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Kelly

"David Kelly" = 533,000 results... so watch out Petter, I'm catching up real fast!

"David Kelly" = about 535,000
"David Kelly" +Rally= about 17,500
"David Kelly" pages from Australia = about 16,000
"David Kelly" +Rally pages from Australia = about 575

I wholeheartedly agree and am hopeful that KB will be the start of The US joining the rest of the world in motorsport... and I agree he seems to be a great sportsman and ambassador... but I am concerned how long he can maintain audience interest, and sponsorship interest without runs on the board... how Kimmie does it, and/or for how long, I do not know...

Looking at Mexico where Citroen were so dominant... he was the slowest of the ford drivers... maybe in a more evenly matched car he would show a little higher...

Absolutely agree that I wish I was as fast as him... and I also believe that while Matthew Wilson is maybe not worthy of his works drive, many people here are kidding themself if that think there are a significant number of Aussie drivers who would beat him in matching machinery...

Funny that GLS would say he buys Monster because of KB, when Gratingdeng (Redbull) have been pouring a zillion bucks into Citroen for years...

Daewoo

Marcus · 09-03-2010, 05:16 PM

Sponsors wont give a s*** about results when Block in a few months time uses a WRC car to pull off another awesome stunt. It's all about promotion and position, not wether he gets on the podium. Block and sponsors know damn well he's never going to top three ever.

But sponsors know Block is going to deliver in getting their brand in front of consumers. Because unlike anyone else, he can connect with fans and then goes somethign silly like the gymkhana videos that have been incredibly effective. - much more so than a rally win. He'll market the **** out of himself, have a hell of a lot of T-shirts to sell and have Monster flags everywhere while fans drop thousands of buck on shoes and lolly water. And that's what the sponsors truly want.

Block's plan basically is to build the team and resources, then get someone truly quick later who can win. So right now he has the odd crash, the odd top ten stage and maybe good finish and then pick some seriously lucky SOB to be the second driver in his team. And every driver who isnt called Loeb is going to give his left nut to be on it

gslrallysport · 09-03-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daewoo

Absolutely agree that I wish I was as fast as him... and I also believe that while Matthew Wilson is maybe not worthy of his works drive, many people here are kidding themself if that think there are a significant number of Aussie drivers who would beat him in matching machinery...

Totally agree!!! Rep given....

Quote:

Funny that GLS would say he buys Monster because of KB, when Gratingdeng (Redbull) have been pouring a zillion bucks into Citroen for years...

Oh yeah, they do to... I actually had to think about that! And I think that's the point we're all trying to get across... I don't have to think about how sponsors Block.

Also, the other 'superstar' guest to come into the WRC this year is also sponsored by Red Bull, which again I had to think about! But Block and Monster, that's an instant (subliminal) connection. That's the kind of money-can't-buy promotion that sponsors, fans, and team managers want!

Dave Kelly · 09-03-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daewoo

"David Kelly" = about 535,000
"David Kelly" +Rally= about 17,500
"David Kelly" pages from Australia = about 16,000
"David Kelly" +Rally pages from Australia = about 575

...

Gee Darryl, I can't help it if my fame is greater internationally

.... or perhaps that my name is a little too common?

Even when I was first rallying back in the early/mid '80's, there would sometimes be events with a couple of David Kelly's entered! Oh plus I worked at a national law firm for a while back years ago as a fairly junior lawyer where one of the partners had the same name as me.. and gee didn't he get annoyed when our mail used to get mixed up!.. Pity that never muddled our pay up though

Cheers

David (the quiet and unknown one) Kelly

smee · 10-03-2010, 09:57 PM

In regards team personel, what happened to his link with Chris A, or was that all pre season hype.

Here's hoping Chris gets a run, if he is in the team and gets some runs on the board this in turn could only help KB, and maybe the shot in the arm Chris needs. Much like happened with Petter and his older Citroen.

Just imagine the new sponsors which culd be brought into the arena through the US arm......