Bulldogs "Thor" Guernsey

[Diamond_Jim 12,568]

Hang onto your hats people !!!

"Club captain Easton Wood displayed the jumper for the first time at the Bulldogs' season launch on Tuesday night and the reaction on social media to the decision was swift and mostly negative.

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

He also had a message for sports fans trying to make sense of the decision.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Parsons said.

"I think they should be applauded for trying to do something different rather than rolling out the same mundane stuff."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/innovate-or-die-say-sports-marketers-as-bulldogs-jumper-sparks-debate-20190313-p513yu.html

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

5 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

Complete and utter garbage.

[Neil Crompton 5,535]

5 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Hang onto your hats people !!!

"Club captain Easton Wood displayed the jumper for the first time at the Bulldogs' season launch on Tuesday night and the reaction on social media to the decision was swift and mostly negative.

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

He also had a message for sports fans trying to make sense of the decision.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Parsons said.

"I think they should be applauded for trying to do something different rather than rolling out the same mundane stuff."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/innovate-or-die-say-sports-marketers-as-bulldogs-jumper-sparks-debate-20190313-p513yu.html

Thank god for that. Now it all makes clear sense! 

FMD.

[DV8 2,271]

30 minutes ago, DubDee said:

I can picture a future conversation with my son:

once upon a time there was this great game called Aussie Rules. Then a [censored]-end by the name of Gill took control and sold the game for some magic beans.  so to answer your question, that is why the Demons are wearing capes on this jernseys 

And undies on the outside of their tights. ☹️

[DV8 2,271]

31 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

... yeah,  like the Sydney cricket ground, without its smokers stand...  has to change or it'll lose something !!! bs.

 

Lose our culture at our peril.

Look at Britain and the EU... when they're in, they cannot get back out again. whatta mess.  British democracy itself is turning inside out, trying to break out of that brown paper bag they hopped into,  called the EU.

 

Gill & all theses 'graduates' trying to prove something,  that doesn't Need proving.  to make a name for themselves.  to exercise their mental muscle, when its not required. Nor wanted.

 

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

30 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Parsons said.

He's right.

Soon we'll be seeing clubs with jumpers advertising horse racing odds -- live!!  Bugger the opera house -- it will be on players jumpers giving live odds for every meet around Australia.

And don't forget the upcoming episodes of The Bachelor, MKR and Married at First Sight. Who hates who? Who will betray who? (Refer backs/mids/forwards jumpers for sneak previews.)

This week's Aldi specials on the front of jumpers. Sneakers, cutting boards, garden hoses and type pumps and much much more ... refer front of players jumpers for pricing and availability.

The battle of the Titans! Not Geel/Haw. Not Coll/Ess. No, Coles and Woolies! This week the Coles Geelong Cats (representing Kleenex toilet paper) will battle the Woolies Hawthorn Hawks (representing Heinz baked beans) for the SAVINGS OF THE WEEK trophy. Gasp and cheer at the incredible -- no, absolutely mad! -- savings to be had as these two giants fight for supremacy. (And there's a football game on too, in between ads.)  Supporters of the winning side can claim a cent per litre discount on their petrol on the way home!

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

The usual deal with sponsorships is, clubs want money. Business X wants exposure. They woo each other and climb into bed. Happy marriage. And why sponsor Collingwood and not Burwood East Rovers? Obviously not for love of the game. Collingwood gets greater exposure, meaning (ideally) more sales. The brand power of Collingwood is so attractive that nothing more than sticking the logo on the jumper is required.

But now it seems, clubs are expected to also do the shilling for the corporate monsters.

In the AFLW, Collingwood and the Dogs were told to wear Captain Marvel jumpers. Because Marvel think the players are superheroes? That was the corporate line. Of course it had nothing to do with an upcoming movie called ... let me think ... oh yes, Captain Marvel.

There was an outcry. The jumpers, thankfully, were relegated to training duties only.

But Marvel seem to fully expect that we will actively go out and [censored] their product for them. And the AFL are clearly on board!

So the Dogs are corralled into wearing a new jumper because it looks so awesome billboard for a movie which is probably the next one off the superhero production line.

(After each goal, a live mic will broadcast the scoring player quoting mighty Thor's catch phrase: "Up and at 'em Valhalla! and don't forget, chips and hotdogs are 50c off during the Hulk Smash third quarter!")

Are other corporates going to watch on and say, harumph, spirit of the game, purity of the game, it's not cricket. Like hell. If we don't cry out now, we can look forward to our players being full on employees of Marvel and other caring sharing giants who care nothing for the game and everything about their gold even if it means killing the goose.

[Dame Gaga 2,453]

This jumper looks like the Terminator had a few pot shots at it, but the holes didn't close up again.

[Robot Devil 1,895]

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Hang onto your hats people !!!

"Club captain Easton Wood displayed the jumper for the first time at the Bulldogs' season launch on Tuesday night and the reaction on social media to the decision was swift and mostly negative.

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

He also had a message for sports fans trying to make sense of the decision.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Parsons said.

"I think they should be applauded for trying to do something different rather than rolling out the same mundane stuff."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/innovate-or-die-say-sports-marketers-as-bulldogs-jumper-sparks-debate-20190313-p513yu.html

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Stop complaining they have already had 137 pre orders of this jumper, that means that many people like the jumper. Lol don't care what they do, young kids are losing interest in playing sport, if we we don't engage the kids, footy will die.

[In Harmes Way 7,767]

I’m glad our club haven’t stooped this low. I’d be pretty dark hanging out all summer waiting to see the dees in action Round 1 only to have them come out looking like a total joke.

Imagine how all the old timers (bullies players) would be feeling whose mantra was to bleed for the jumper. Wouldn’t spit on that one, let alone bleed for it.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,752]

4 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

Stop complaining they have already had 137 pre orders of this jumper, that means that many people like the jumper. Lol don't care what they do, young kids are losing interest in playing sport, if we we don't engage the kids, footy will die.

I'm not sure this strategy does anything to encourage kids to PLAY sport. It might encourage them to watch more movies and play more X-box and even watch more AFL, but I think it's a long bow to say that this strategy will lead to more play.

[DSP 1,488]

This is the first of many. St Kilda and Essendon to come... and who knows what will follow. Just imagine what Disney has planned for Marvel stadium in terms of Marketing. Slippery slope we are going down.

 

Edited March 13, 2019 by DSP

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

I understand the need to appeal to the younger generation as they will be the ones who will support the game for the decades to come. Is it smart though to alienate your core at the same time? Who do the AFL, or in this case the Bulldogs, think drive the younger generation to the ground and pay for them to get in? 

To me the game has always been first and foremost a uniquely Australian game. The Americanisation of it with ‘Game Day Entertainement’, the creeping U.S style commentary and now Marvel Comic super heroes is an abomination. 

The people running the game seem to have no feel for it. This is a quote from the Age article regarding AFLX that pretty much sums the leadership of the place. 

The AFL said they were pleased with the outcome despite the fact it was spurned by many supporters and ticket sales ahead of the tournament were low.

 

[hemingway 7,627]

15 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Hang onto your hats people !!!

"Club captain Easton Wood displayed the jumper for the first time at the Bulldogs' season launch on Tuesday night and the reaction on social media to the decision was swift and mostly negative.

However Iconoclastic's Ben Parsons, the founder of Ministry of Sport and a leading sports marketer, said such innovation was necessary otherwise sporting codes would lose relevance.

He also had a message for sports fans trying to make sense of the decision.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Parsons said.

"I think they should be applauded for trying to do something different rather than rolling out the same mundane stuff."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/innovate-or-die-say-sports-marketers-as-bulldogs-jumper-sparks-debate-20190313-p513yu.html

What a complete [censored]. 

An arrogant, self serving and contemptuous attitude.

Sadly it does reflect the reality where sponsors, advertisers and media, no longer observe or recognize the line between their financial interests and the game itself. They view the game as secondary to their commercial interests and a game that can be manipulated at will.  

Is there a tipping point, one where, the people will say enough is enough ?   

 

 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,752]

22 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

I understand the need to appeal to the younger generation as they will be the ones who will support the game for the decades to come. Is it smart though to alienate your core at the same time? Who do the AFL, or in this case the Bulldogs, think drive the younger generation to the ground and pay for them to get in? 

To me the game has always been first and foremost a uniquely Australian game. The Americanisation of it with ‘Game Day Entertainement’, the creeping U.S style commentary and now Marvel Comic super heroes is an abomination. 

The people running the game seem to have no feel for it. This is a quote from the Age article regarding AFLX that pretty much sums the leadership of the place. 

The AFL said they were pleased with the outcome despite the fact it was spurned by many supporters and ticket sales ahead of the tournament were low.

 

The AFL was always going to say publicly they were pleased with AFLX. It is an organisation which rarely admits it gets anything wrong. Behind the scenes might be different, though. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when McLaughlin provides his "official" report to the AFL Commission on AFLX.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

1 minute ago, hemingway said:

What a complete [censored]. 

An arrogant, self serving and contemptuous attitude.

Sadly it does reflect the reality where sponsors, advertisers and media, no longer observe or recognize the line between their financial interests and the game itself. They view the game as secondary to their commercial interests and a game that can be manipulated at will.  

Is there a tipping point, one where, the people will say enough is enough ?   

 

 

There will be a tipping point but the AFL won’t see it coming. Like authoritarian governments they have a compliant media that cannot ask any difficult questions for fear of losing their accreditation. So most of their close feedback comes from subservient and fawning journos and others dependant on the hand that feeds it.

When it all falls apart they will be totally unprepared and surprised 

[beelzebub 23,350]

God help the MFC is we come out with anything this stupid.

[hemingway 7,627]

31 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

God help the MFC is we come out with anything this stupid.

Perhaps MFC members need to be telling the club this via emails and club website. 

The jumper is really very sacred to supporters, as it reflects the history and continuity of the club. It is something that binds our loyalty to the Club. One of the reasons why, over the years, there has been so much angst over the alternative strip.  

[Grapeviney 9,717]

4 hours ago, DSP said:

 Slippery slope we are going down.

We slipped down the slope a long time ago.

In 1999, Garry Hocking changed his name by deed poll to 'Whiskas' for a Cats match as part of a marketing campaign. It caused a massive controversy because no such player was registered to play with the AFL, and it was a front page story as they sorted it all out.

Whiskas were the big winners of course, because they were the talk of the town for the week, and Marvel have achieved their objective here, which is a brand recognition thing to help people transition to calling it 'Marvel Stadium' from 'Etihad' and all the other previous incarnations. Standby for more 'activations' and 'installations' and whatever they call this marketing guff. 

I'm glad it's not us, but I don't think it's a tipping point or the end of the world, especially after what we just witnessed with AFLX. Who here wouldn't bring home the two NT matches if we could replace that income with a stupid jumper instead?

Edited March 14, 2019 by Grapeviney

[Diamond_Jim 12,568]

24 minutes ago, Grapeviney said:

Who here wouldn't bring home the two NT matches if we could replace that income with a stupid jumper instead?

so right.... perhaps a racing green jaguar jumper with a Jackie Stewart style cap of course

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,503]

This jumper, along with the 'super-hero' rebranding of AFL-X is solely due to Marvels sponsorship.  If Marvel wasn't pouring money into the AFL, then we wouldn't be seeing this at all. 

It has nothing to do with 'appealing to the kids' and a 'broader audience'.  It is so condescending to young people when old men say that they need to dumb things down to appeal to todays youth. has nothing to do with growing the game; it is a complete sell-out to a multi-national corporation.

[Little Goffy 14,522]

"Breaking My Baggy Green Heart" By Ben Parsons

Hmm. I guess Ben doesn't see AFL as a 'premium' sport. Or Integrity and inclusiveness as part of the AFL's brand.

Or maybe he is just a pathetic weather vane, whichever way the marketing money is blowing?

I note that he is based in Gold Coast and his company is an "entertainment management agency". Definitely with a close hand on the pulse of Australian football culture.

Consider how much he talks about his media credentials, you'd think he get some decent graphic design for his events showreel, and maybe adjust the music volume so you can clearly hear the people talking during the endorsements.

Ahh, it is so satisfying when a little digging quickly confirms a contemptible first impression of someone.

Ben Parsons has no credentials to speak on this subject, he's a wafting odour in a meeting..

[BillyBeane 253]

I'm going to take a contrarian view...I don't think it looks that bad...it's a nice bit of marketing...  Minor league baseball, hockey, etc have been celebrating "May the 4th" (May the Force) with star wars themed entertainment and uniforms for years.  I'm surprised an AFL team hasn't done this yet.  It's a fun bit of side entertainment and families love it.  I know that's not the level of AFL (a far bigger talent base though) in some ways, but it's a great money spinner.

If the MFC got offered $500,000 to play a 1-2 home MCG games in a Spiderman styled guernsey instead of playing games in NT would you take it?

http://news.sportslogos.net/2018/05/04/2018-star-wars-themed-baseball-and-hockey-uniforms/

 

[Robot Devil 1,895]

Here’s how I’m seeing this having come about. 

Credit to The Oatmeal

 

[Little Goffy 14,522]

20 hours ago, DV8 said:

... yeah,  like the Sydney cricket ground, without its smokers stand...  has to change or it'll lose something !!! bs.

 

Lose our culture at our peril.

Look at Britain and the EU... when they're in, they cannot get back out again. whatta mess.  British democracy itself is turning inside out, trying to break out of that brown paper bag they hopped into,  called the EU.

 

Gill & all theses 'graduates' trying to prove something,  that doesn't Need proving.  to make a name for themselves.  to exercise their mental muscle, when its not required. Nor wanted.

 

Whaaaaaaaaat?

I'm trying, I'm really trying, but I cannot see how Britain leaving the EU is at all related to AFL clubs wearing silly novelty sponsor outfits in exchange for money.

I mean, I have little to no respect for our fearless leaders, but to sugges they would do massively stupid self-destructive things for no reason other than a panic urge to appease racists, that is just not the Australian way.