Scorpion 'news'
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Your ideas for this website
Forum Name: Your thoughts for YachtsandYachting.com
Forum Discription: What do you think we should be featuring on YachtsandYachting.com
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2118
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 8:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Scorpion 'news'
Posted By: Bumble
Subject: Scorpion 'news'
Date Posted: 18 Aug 06 at 11:54pm
|
While nothing gives me more pleasure than to see the Scorpion class getting a mention on my favourite web site, this recently posted article http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=22976 - http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=22976 is an example of an increasingly all too common sight which I am concerned may - or already has - become an accepted norm'. I am talking of course about blatant adverts parading around as news in their fully revealed headlines, complete with 'stop press', and 'the greatest manufacturers do it again......... can there really be any need not to shop anywhere else'. The fathers of this abomination - the Americans - refer to them as infomercials, but for our friends over the pond, there seems to be less of a clear divide between saying you do one thing (e.g. give news) and flogging stuff for a big company. I hope this trend apparent is just that and in some time to come lovers of the sailing press at Yand Y'ting can continue to read the news with their cynicism in their proverbial pockets. P.S. Well done to anyone who managed to read this before it got axed from the site as others have........ damn people expressing opinion - makes you sick! |
Replies:
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 19 Aug 06 at 12:02pm
|
Has been for years. |
Posted By: Black no sugar
Date Posted: 19 Aug 06 at 12:06pm
Despite all the respect I owe to your grey hair and your acerbic sense of humour, dear Bumble, I think you're being a little unfair. Being an astute, discerning gentleman, you can easily distinguish between reports and adverts. I have the feeling many others can do this too (No need to reply with all guns blazing. I'm not being ironic or sarcastic, only trying to present another view, xxx)
------------- http://www.lancingsc.org.uk/index.html - Lancing SC 
|
Posted By: Bumble
Date Posted: 19 Aug 06 at 12:40pm
I believe they can. My moan is not intended to be launched at Y and Y'ting but just a more general trend towards American style crapitalism. I am still chuffed to see the Scorp' getting some big pictures posted and I hope people see the new plastic boat and think of it as a real alternative to one of the many SMODs now on offer. A really great boat made better using modern low maintenance building techniques, clearly sailed very well by a great team... well done Chris Turner and Simon Maguire. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 19 Aug 06 at 1:21pm
|
Some of these articles (the Hyde ones for the 14's spring to mind) actually give a good insight into the workings of the classes at the (semi) professional end, and are well worth the read. Others are easily ignored. And they all help pay for this excellent non-subscription website, I believe. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: tack'ho
Date Posted: 21 Aug 06 at 8:18am
|
I'm not overly concerned, and to be fair the real buliders (the ones who actually build things!!) have got to do something to fight back against the big boys. And lets face it unless your going to buy a Scorpion it makes little difference and if you you are buying one I guess you'd probably already know who makes the boats!! ------------- I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e! |
Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 21 Aug 06 at 9:54am
|
One of the great difficulties in marketing a more complex product (than
say a 'self-explanatory' product like toasters, irons or TV's) is
making multiple points about the product without taking out full
page spreads and producing horribly wordy adverts. If you
look through magazines relating to any sports like moutain
biking, kayaking, golf or even football, all feature info-ads like the
P&B, Hyde, or similar ads in Y&Y. It doesn't make sense to spend marketing money on an advert which describes your product (i.e. "it's a really nice" Scorpion, Lark, 505 etc...) when the point you want to make is that it's a really successful xxxxxxx version - that's best put across with 'proof' ie. our new xxxxxxx won this Open and that Championship. As Rupert says, some of these articles actually give you some good info and if you sail those classes are not very dissimilar to what you'd see in a class assoc newsletter or web posting. The line that must be observed by the editors of Y&Y is the one where they have to be sure their content doesn't cross over into tacit or complicit 'praise' of an un-tested product in any particular class based on that product's manufacturer or distributors say-so. For example, running an ad is running an ad, but putting that content into the 'news' section of a magazine isn't on. But let's be fair, we can mostly tell the difference between information and info-commercials because we get them so many ways now anyhow... ------------- Feeling sorry for vegans since it became the latest fad to claim you are one |
Posted By: IanW
Date Posted: 13 Sep 06 at 2:49pm
| Is the fact that the Scorp got reviewed in this issue of the mag a coinsidence? |
Posted By: tack'ho
Date Posted: 13 Sep 06 at 6:47pm
|
Nice conspiracy theory dude. Do you think we are monitored and used as a free focus group as to the attitudes of grass roots sailing in order to keep Y&Y relevant and contempary in todays fast based world? Of course theres gonna be lots of funny looking carbon beasties showing up every issue, unless they developed a cherub filter....mmmmmm ------------- I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e! |
Posted By: Lucy Lee
Date Posted: 13 Sep 06 at 7:35pm
Well, I know I've seen more than one of us quoted in 'Roll Tacks' before now so someone must be listening ...------------- Fly Cherub! |