Challenge Brings Opportunity

Every American is affected by the economy at some level. Sports are becoming more deeply affected as Americans curb discretionary spending.

Traditional sports teams, like the Detroit Red Wings, that were selling out arenas for years are no longer doing so and now offering deep discount ticket packages. NASCAR teams are merging and corporate sponsors that have supported teams for years have pulled out. ESPN postponed its Moto X World Championships this year, even after high TV ratings in the inaugural 2008 year. Manufacturers are pulling back support of motorcycle racing, and many other sponsors are doing the same.

This can sound like doom and gloom. But not fret. Challenge brings opportunity. Be creative. Be innovative. Those who excel in tough economic times will likely be extremely successful when the economy turns around.

Action sports, motorcycle racing included, still brings great value to sponsors and fans. It is a targeted demographic. Fans continue to follow it because its still unique and fascinating. Athletes are easily accessible, and as such this offers opportunities for promotions and viral marketing. Motorcycle fans are loyal and as recently written by veteran motorsports broadcaster Larry Henry in his blog, we are still buying.

Now is an opportunity for athletes and teams to stand out in the crowd. Especially as manufacturers pull their support in a variety of series, it opens up more of a level playing field as more and more athletes are running with similar resources. Challenge yourself and the status quo.

Silly Season Selling

As soon as the end of the summer nears, people all around the world, and notably in the United States, focus on their work in an effort to have a good showing for the current year and plan for the following year. This is no different whether you're in a technology company, own a baseball team, skateboard or race motorcycles. They 'hunker-down' sort-to-speak.

Beginning in August and sometimes sooner, business people and athletes make an effort to adjust to improve their results or continue their consistent fine showing. Then they start talking with others in a variety of areas about their plans for next year. They look back at their year, do a ton of research, pour over options, set a plan, and start selling it. In motorcycle racing specifically this is called the "silly season" where athletes vie to stay with a great program or move to a better program. In recent years the silly season has been starting in late spring.

Whether internal or external, you always need to sell your plan. Be it a marketing plan or a sponsorship plan the internal folks need to get behind your vision before you start "selling" it to respective parties. As an individual athlete this could be getting the people around you such as current sponsors, family. promoters and others to support your plan. Once set, you finish up your proposal and begin on your list of targets.

Like many things in life, marketing your 2009 program is about the presentation and the relationships. For instance if you call your close friend John about a football party this weekend he is more likely to call you back than if he receives a call from a random person about a party. John knows you will deliver on a good party. Many times selling racing programs is similar to this scenario, the company rep who already knows you well and sees that you work hard, will put your proposal up towards the top and spend more time reviewing it whether they will support it fully or not. That's why it is IMPERATIVE to build relationships throughout the year even if you have a stable, three-year contract. You may need those new contacts as you look for a new program in year three.

Relationships are even more important at the corporate sector where it could take months, even years to get to the right person who will review your proposal and take interest. Marketing reps and agencies are swamped with proposals. If you can build a relationship with attention-grabbing scenarios in months leading up to your selling, and then sell your program once you have their full attention of them and it feels like a right fit, that is ideal.

Your sponsors are your partners in your success, therefore its important to treat them as such through the courting, education, securing, and fulfilling the commitment.

A fan experience

As an action sports fan it's a dream come true to attend the X Games. Through my work, I had the awesome opportunity to do so at this year's X Games 14 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. One of our clients, David Pingree, was competing in the SuperMoto event and our production crew was also filming interviews for the Internet broadcast series of the XTRM/AMA Supermoto Championship. The X Games puts athletes on the world stage with TV coverage like no other event, creating an opportunity to maximize their story and sponsorship connections.

As a hardcore enthusiast, I attend motorcycle races and action sports events in the Midwest and travel for them whenever possible. Typically these are part of a national series held at many different locations, therefore there is ample options to catch an event live. However, the X Games is a unique, athlete invite-only event (typically the best in the world at their discipline are invited) held on the West Coast that has an international audience. It was surreal to be at the X Games on August 1-3 and to be able to work with a number of athletes.

There were more disciplines at the event than could ever watch. The SuperMoto race was spectacular with multiple position changes, and the news that Nicky Hayden, 2006 MotoGP Champion was competing. Unfortunately, he crashed in practice and decided to call it a day as his focus is on MotoGP. But the dirt tracker turned road racer, showed great speed and a unique style on the asphalt/dirt course.

ESPN reported that there were 100,000 people at the Home Depot Center over the three days and after being there, I can attest to that especially the crowd at the Skate Park. And quite certain based on last year's figures that at least 2o million people watched it on TV. Thanks to ESPN for recognizing action sports and notably SuperMoto as it puts the athletes front-and-center for three days. This type of exposure and marketing tie-ins are nearly impossible to reach throughout the rest of the year.

It is fascinating to this day that SuperMoto was the first race-type event brought into the X Games and receives some of the highest ratings. Yes, SuperMoto was part of the X Games before Moto-X Race and Rally Car were, showing its ability to be entertaining and marketable to a very wide audience.

I am very proud and honored to be able to work everyday in a sport I am very passionate about.

- Bryan Peckinpaugh

Give it all you got...

Trailer released for new XTRM/AMA Supermoto Championship Internet Broadcast Series to include highlights from opening round action
Event planner and motorcycle enthusiast serving as pit reporter

The wait is nearly over. The producers of the XTRM Networks AMA Supermoto Championship Internet Broadcast Series are proud to release a four-minute trailer with highlights from the first-round. In order to provide a quality broadcast for fans, they are taking an additional few days to complete the entire project. Meanwhile, Hillary Cooper has been selected to serve as the series’ pit reporter and participated in the first broadcast.

While the final touches are being made, the trailer can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krs2WfqPdvE. The full download will be made available soon on www.xtrm.com.

“A Fine Mess Production has captured the vision we had to bring supermoto to a wide Internet audience,” said Bryan Peckinpaugh, president of MotoPR and executive producer of the broadcast series. “This broadcast is on the level of network TV and brings together hot musical acts with unique graphics to draw in a wide audience beyond the traditional fan.”

The series includes the debut of pit reporter Hillary Cooper of New York City who has a recording industry and special events background, and like the producers is a motorcycle enthusiast. Cooper’s resume includes the following:
- Professional career started in the music industry.
- Served as the director of special events for Russell Simmons’ non-profit, Rush Philanthropic.
- Currently a professional event planner working with various corporate clients.
- Began riding motorcycles four years ago and has ridden all styles of bikes, although supermoto is by far her favorite.
- Now rides a Honda CRF150F with ESMRA (Eastern SuperMoto Racing Association).

Cooper will serve as the primary pit reporter for this Internet broadcast series, while the SPEED TV broadcasts, produced separately by Chet Burks Production, will handle its own pit reporting.

Added Scott West, series producer and owner of A Fine Mess Production, “There were a number of racing elements and new graphics to put in place for the first broadcast that took many man hours. We want to make certain that the first show is produced at the highest level possible and keep setting the bar higher. We thank everyone for their patience. We are very happy to have Hillary on board as the pit reporter as she brings passion for the sport and has a great repore with the riders.”

MotoPR and XTRM Networks will announce in the coming days when and where the first full show of the XTRM/AMA Supermoto Championship Internet broadcast can be downloaded.

Gotta get one of these

Late last year when I relaunched my PR agency to have emphasis on moving the sport of supermoto forward, I had never even ridden a supermoto bike or on a supermoto track. I've ridden many types of motorcycles and on many terrains--trails, motocross, snow, ice and the street. This is likely why supermoto is so appealing to me as a rider because it combines many different motorcycle disciplines and terrain challenges.

This spring, thanks to client Dave Duprey of MISuperMoto.com, I was able to take to a supermoto track on his well-tuned supermoto bike. The same bike in this photo that is ridden by Duprey.

The first time out last month, I had not ridden a full-size dirt bike in a few years. Often ride a street bike but they are much different. I was blown away and didn't fully adjust to the track or the bike the first day out. The next time out, just recently at the MISuperMoto Test and Tune Day at Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan, I rode a whole lot better. While I still had problems in the dirt section, my speed and body positioning was significantly better on the asphalt. At one point I was having so much fun on Duprey's Honda CRF450R that I was yelling "wooooo-who" down the straightaway. After spending a long time on the track, I came back and said "I have to get me one of those [bikes]!"

While what I bring to the supermoto and action sports world is a decade of PR and marketing experience, it's the passion for the sport that will help my agency take our clients to the next level. And being able to take to a supermoto track and a well-prepared bike gives me greater understanding of how to promote this fascinating and unique sport of supermoto.