Unusual question for sponsors...

[Vorlin]

This is a bit unusual but I need to gauge interest in a project and gather the needed people and organizations in order to begin. It's an idea for a fishing TV show that I ran by a gentleman who already has his own local fishing show and he likes the idea. We feel that it could become quite popular. However, it requires resources and in this case that means people much more so than cash.

The show would need 3-5 pro's or tournament veterans per episode and would mostly be showing the pros taking someone out on a boat, 1:1, and teaching them various things. The end portion of the show would have the pros critiquing the person whom they taught.

The appeal of the show is that everything is recorded in a way that the home viewer gets a lesson... one detailed enough that they can repeat it on their own.

Here's the catch... we don't have the budget to hire so many pros! However, my old mentor always said that the barter system is alive and well so I'm wondering if various sponsors could ask their sponsored pros to do an episode here and there while ensuring that the sponsors logos and products get lots and lots of camera time.

Paid promotional blurbs are in one ear and out the other in a second or two... a logo that keeps appearing in and out of the camera shots for 30 minutes and someone talking about, rigging and using your stuff gives a much more lasting impression.

And you're already paying these folks to do some promo stuff anyway.

At the moment, we need to gauge interest and see what it will cost us to get started. Any and everything that could be loaned to the show in exchange for exposure is negotiable. This includes baits, boats, tackle, locations to fish, you name it.

Vorlin

[Reelady]

You said "And you're already paying these folks to do some promo stuff anyway"

First of all...I think you do have a GREAT idea here for a show  

My advice to you is to work with the Sponsors and Pro's seperately.

Typically, a "sponsorship contract" between a Pro and their Sponsor will include an agreed upon amount of "promotional appearances".

Any appearances above and beyond the originally agreed upon amount  will be above and beyond the initial sponsorship agreement, and the Pro will be compensated.

Good luck to you!

Marcia

[Vorlin]

Hi Marcia,

I understand that, but I was wondering if the exposure from a show would be more valuable to the sponsor than an in-person appearance that takes the same amount of time for the pro to do. If the exposure is more valuable, maybe it could be counted as an appearance?

Also, how might such exposure allow the pro to get more sponsors? In the end, *if* the show were to be widely viewed then it *could* produce enough new sponsors that it's worth it to the pro to do the show for free because of the resultant exposure.

IE: Kevin VanDam could be sponsored for the rest of his life without ever catching another fish because he's had such exposure that his name alone will sell... fish or no fish.

There are so many possibilities, and so few things that are known for certain...

That's why I'm still probing around and getting a feel for what can be done, under what conditions and then see where that leaves things.

Vorlin

[borat]

Vorlin,

I agree. Great idea! I am probably not the first person to ask you these questions, but: Who is your target audience? Newbie tournament fisherman? Weekend warriors? Younger people? Do you want the show to be regional? National?

Borat

a.k.a. Lunker

[Vorlin]

Target audience: All of the above, but a little more of a different group each episode.

National distribution would be lovely but at the moment I'm just looking into what it would take to get it off the ground... as well as a few other projects I have going at the moment.

The reason the target audience can change is because the idea of the show is to take someone to the next level or up a couple of levels. You take someone who has never fished a tourney and they get a week's worth of detailed training from some pros and then they go fish the tourney... filmed from a discreet distance... and the pros eval their performance.

Or take a local tourney person and do the same for them just before their first regional or national event.

Non boaters and boaters both... because each demands different tactics and approaches. The non-boater definitely has to be more flexible and ready to take advantage of the fact that they get the fish that the boater "woke up" and made alert, but didn't bite.

How would you approach that? Use a spinner to your boater's crank bait? Maybe play a plastic into that nice spot while it's at 9 or 10 o'clock and let your bail stay open, only reeling in once you're at 7 o'clock or the line takes off? Remind your boater that parallelling hte bank is good for him... while you troll a spinnerbait 15 feet off the bank and parallel the whole time?

All of the above? None of the above? Each pro has a technique... and the viewers get lessons from each pro, each episode.

3-5 pros, one fisherman who needs lessons quick... per episode.

It's an idea... let's see if anything can come of it.

Vorlin

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Vorlin, are you limiting this to "pro's" only?  I think the format of the show is a great idea for the avg guy which most of us are.  On that thought, the avg guy's learning experience doesn't usually come from a touring pro.  

Great idea but just and elaborative suggestion.

GUIDES.

I think including guides on your show would really bring it home as many of us "Avg Joes" who have a major learning experience, have gotten that experience from a guided trip.  Guides do what you are looking for every day.  Pro's don't.  Guides teach, it's what they do.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the pro idea but I am only suggesting......to include guides.

Great idea.

[Vorlin]

In my mind, Guide = Pro. A guide is someone who can take a novice out and almost ensure that they have a successful trip, they get a fee and they're worth every dime.

Touring pros know competition. Guides know teaching. Both know fishing.

Many, but not all, of the episodes would feature the "student" working up to, and competing in, a tourney of some sort. It could be a local BASS club with 20 boats one week and a big ProAm the next... whatever the person being taught wants to work toward.

I've been contacted by some folks already and if it all can be coordinated then there may be a decent shot at an episode. The big thing right now is getting pros (touring pros or guides) who would be willing to have some fun with this for a pilot or two to see what the finished product looks like.

THings are moving slowly due to damands on my resources. In addition to this, I have my full time job and I'm working on a little invention that could do quite well. It's not anything earth shattering, just an easier and faster way to do a repetitive task. It could, however, proove to be quite popular. As a result, I'm doing a lot of learning about resin casting, mould making and the like.

Striper season is getting hot though... although I wish I was catching strippers instead like someone in another thread was talking about doing!  ;D

Scott / Vorlin

[JayPea2005]

Low Budget Hooker you make a great point! There are guides galore offering fishing reports within these forums and others in order to get their name out there. I can't see why they wouldn't be willing to do the same in a day of taping a program?

Vorlin, you have a great idea and hope it gains speed. Also, check with your local cable provider and inquire into the policies of their public access channels. They can also provide low cost production services and direct you in which direction you need to go for rental of filming equipment, etc..

good luck!

[Vorlin]

I had known about, and forgotten about, the production services.. thanks for the reiminder!

Scott

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The big thing right now is getting pros (touring pros or guides) who would be willing to have some fun with this for a pilot or two to see what the finished product looks like.

Scott / Vorlin

Have you asked George Welcome or Tom Reddington?  George knows everybody it seems.  If you need someone closer, I'd bet George has guide friends near you.

[Vorlin]

Life took me away for a bit but I jsut read the above. Thanks for the idea! I'm trying to get in touch with Andy (he has a small show already) to see a few things. We may be able to try something with this in the spring!

Scott / Vorlin

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I had known about, and forgotten about, the production services.. thanks for the reiminder!

Scott

You can do wonders with windows movie maker.  Free.

[cart7t]

The idea seems somewhat similar to Denny Brauers show that was recently cancelled.

Basically the fisherman was dropped on the lake in a boat and told to find fish.  He was critiqued along the way by Brauer on all aspects of his fishing. Brauer then followed up and fished the same waters he did giving tips and advice.  I thought it was a great program but apparently not since it was cancelled.

[JayPea2005]

The idea seems somewhat similar to Denny Brauers show that was recently cancelled.

Basically the fisherman was dropped on the lake in a boat and told to find fish. He was critiqued along the way by Brauer on all aspects of his fishing. Brauer then followed up and fished the same waters he did giving tips and advice. I thought it was a great program but apparently not since it was cancelled.

From what I understand, Denny Brauer had more to do with it's cancellation than the network or ratings. I enjoyed the program, and have been a Denny fan for a longggg time, and it seems his rededication to working hard paid off at Champlain. WTG Denny!

I think the concept is a good one and should be successful.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Denny's show was definately one of my favorites but what Vorlin is talking about is nothing like that show, format-wise.

[BassChaser57]

You are on to a great idea -- the guide thing with teaching the first part of the show then competing in a  tournament would be great. Good Luck

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I hadn't seen the "tourny after" part, my mistake Cart.

[Vorlin]

Lot on my plate recently... dad's health, slow at work, budgetary considerations, lack of action on the water is getting nder my skin because catching fish relaxes me but trying to catch fish only runs up the blood pressure. All that, some more and I was recently privelaged to be named to the devalopment team of VistaOz, a project that is making all of Australia incredibly realistic for MS Flight Simulator. (FYI VistaOz is at http://vistaoz.org/ and I go by Vorlin there as well...)

This show is a fun idea for me and who knows, if it takes off I'd love to make it a job! The idea isn't as much like Denny's show as it is "***** Eye", because a few pros / guides will be prepping someone for a trip or tourney and then the "student" goes out for their big day to see if what they learned can help them do better than they would have without the tutilage.

The "student" can be videoed from a discreet distance during the tourney and be hot mic'd, the pros critique what they see on that recording, as the student sits and watches with them, and we all see how he or she does at the end.

Ugh... 1 AM and work tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow (later today) I can get some hours in that I actually get paid for!

Vorlin / Scott