HOW THE IFOCE CAN HELP SPONSORS AND FANS BY GETTING ON THE ONLINE BALL
One of the biggest annoyances for competitive eating fans and competitive eaters, is the slow, incomplete and often innaccurate reporting of contest results by the IFOCE. It's sort of like heartburn after a chili cheese dog with extra onions (without the Tums). Recently on EatFeats, a nameless commenter noted that "the sponsors have no interest in timely or complete results posted to the IFOCE’s website. You are foolish to think otherwise."I'm no fool, and neither are the sponsors, which is why that statement is dangerous and indicative of some of the problems facing the IFOCE as it struggles to refine its internet presence.
I think the sponsors should care about timely and complete results. In this age, leveraging the power of the internet in a timely manner after a "real world" event is critical to maximizing their (often sizable) sponsorship investment. If they think they're only paying for the live crowd and a little pre- and post-event buzz from the mainstream media, they're right, but they could be getting so much more for their money.
I'm talking about results posted to the IFOCE website. I'm talking about photos posted along side those results for bloggers to pull down and use at will. I'm talking about cleanly edited video summaries of the contest (with sponsor logos and commentary) uploaded to IFOCE.com, YouTube, GoogleVideo, and other video sharing websites. All of this extends the brand's online presence in ways that allow them to reap exposure long after the contest ends.
If this sounds "a lot" for the IFOCE to do, think again. Any 12-year-old with an hour of spare time on his hands can do all of this and more. The best part is, the IFOCE can bundle all of these elements into one package (call it their Online "Dessert Course") and sell it to sponsors at an additional cost.
At an additional cost. If that doesn't get the attention of the powers-that-be, might I offer a chili cheese dog with extra onions?
posted by Dave S. at 7:54 AM
10 Comments:
being the one that the comment was directed at, let me offer this: There isn't much of an incentive for the IFOCE to keep up to the minute accounts and reports. The IFOCE seems to only go where the money leads. Yes, I agree with the anonymous comment. The idiot just doesn't realize what I was saying before about "Tell the sponsors to hold onto the money until the results are posted, then you will see a difference." I wasn't saying that the sponsors have an interest in it, I am just saying that the only interest that the IFOCE has is with the sponsors, and the only way to the IFOCE heart is through those sponsors.
What the IFOCE might not realize, however, is that corporations look at the websites to determine whether there is a promotional opportunity in an event. The better run the website is, the easier it is to see the advantages in sponsoring an event. Right now, the Sheas are probably thinking that having a ranking board with 40 people on it is enough of a display to get the advertiser's attention.
9:28 AM
BTW, on eatfeats, does anyone ever notice that when they post comments, they usually post three or four at a time, on whatever topics are out there being discussed? And then you notice on the side bar you see three or four comments that you just made? I have been noticing one name mixed in with the anonymous postings a lot.
9:34 AM
I can see what you and the anonymite are saying. Sponsors don't care because they don't have a reason to. They don't have a case study against which to compare "successful online post-contest exposure" because the IFOCE has never provided it and the IFOCE isn't trying to sell it.
If you don't know about it, how can you care about it?
You're right about the website being a sponsor attraction, Carey. Small sponsors, without the foresight to expect such perks might be dazzled by a rankings board and some cool pictures. But bigger sponsors (those who understand the value of successful online marketing) need to see a smarter web effort.
10:11 AM
It'd also help in developing a dedicated fan base. The more popular eating is with people, the more likely a company will invest in a contest.
11:38 AM
Carey, as for your other topic of the comments, it is because the comments are moderated. The comments do not appear right when they are posted. The timestamp, hence the order, is set when the comments are posted but the comments do not appear until the moderator approves them to appear. In the past you could sign in and any comments would appear right away. Only guest comments were moderated. Now they all are. I think that's crap but whatever.
1:48 PM
yeah, I didn't notice that the time is when it is approved, not when it is posted. I think the url should be a part of the time stamp. Even though OJ knows who everyone is, it would be good for us also.
2:53 PM
As long as the comments are not vulgar or demeaning to someone, there is no reason for OJ not to post everyone's opinion regardless of alias or real names. It seems that unlike before he is somewhat hesitant on pulling the trigger and screens alot more of the negative comments. I could just imagine the deragotory comments that have been made about me in the past few years. OJ could more than likely write a book entitled never before published negative comments about BB
10:39 PM
Sounds like a New York Times best seller to me. You should beat OJ to the punch, BB.
3:16 PM
hey May I please use use that chili dog you have for my menu??
Assuming you have rights to it :)
2:14 PM
please respond asap, i really like that picture
2:16 PM
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