One for MikeH

stevek1969

stevek1969

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After all the tremendous days out we've had thru the Forum, Ping at Walton Heath,Wilson with Paddy,myself at Wentworth with TM and the guys today at AG ,what sort of feedback if any do you get from the companies involved.

As everyone who has been lucky enough to be one has had the time of there life and comes back on the Forum to tell everyone of how there day went.

Just curious :)
 
Good question.

Obviously these guys do it for commercial reasons, so it'll be interesting to see Mikes reply.

I wonder if these guys also get some sort of discount on advertising or extra editorial space once the main feature has been done?

Can't fault the kudos that it gives to the forum though. When I joined I never expected any of the stuff that has happened with the mag and us lot.
 
Hi all

sorry for the slow reply - its dealdine day so as per usual running around like a headless chicken

so...what do the manufacturers/retailers etc think of GM forumers/readers they meet on the various days, why do they offer up these opportunities to you and what do they get out of it.

That's a big question so be prepared for a bit of stream of conciousness answer (and a few typos no doubt)...

The short answer is they have all been really impressed wih tyou particualarly with regards to the depth of your golfing knowledge and interest in the sport, especiually when it comes to golf equipment.

At the end of the day the quality of the Golf Monthly readership (ie you!) is why we carry so much advertising from golf brands. You are absolutelty their target market.

They want guys like you buying and using their products and one of the routes to making that happen is advertising and marketing to passionate golfers in all its guises be it a Double Page Spread in the mag, a flasshing abnner on the webiste or through unique opportunities like the R11, Wilson and PING days. A lot of guys on here are early adopters of new technology and will be opinion formers at thier clubs or among the fourballs they play with.

I know representatives from every brand look at the GM forum on a regular baisis. They want to hear unfiltered views from real golfers who absolutely live the game. They want to know what you like, dont like, what clubs you'd like to buy, what players you like etc

One thing they dont get in return for these opportunities is any cheap or free display (ie pages of) advertising! The big golf brnadas are obvioulsy very important clients and a lrge portion of our business relies on them spending money on advertisng with us. As a result we dont every give advertising away or sell it cheap!

In terms of what they get out of offering up these opportunities to Golf Monthly they key thing is obvioulsy the resulting editorial coverage (on the website and in the mag) plus, if you've had good experiences, they might get positive word of mouth recomendations both on the forum and among other golfers you chat to.

The reality is we can only review a club once or maybe twice, to get extra coverage they need to come up with good ideas that give us a different angle on products and that I will think will make for good ediorial content.

And, becuase all the brands know the important I attach to giving opportunities to GM readers and also featuring GM readers in the magazine they know an idea that involves reader interation is going to get my attention.

Not only is reader content very important for the credibility of any magzine but I also want to find ways to reward your loyaly to Golf Monthly and do whatever I can to keep you and continuing to be purchasers and subscribers to the magazine. If one of the things you like is getting these opportunities (and it seems like they are) then I'm going to push the manufacturers to keep coming up with bigger and better ideas

And, becuase the bar keeps getting riased by their rivals, every brand that comes to us with an idea knows it'll need to be a great idea if I'm going to put in front of you guys.

Hope that all makes some sort of sense and goes some way to answering Mr Kemlo's question!
 
Mike, since I don’t drive I think it’s about time we get Ping or Titleist to visit my local grass area across from my house. Every time I read a thread with the wonderful offers on for drivers I shed a little tear...

Ps I am learning.. Slowly.
 
good response, guess its basically a win win situation the manufacturers get free publicity via the forum & gloating (?) by the lucky recipients amongst their regular golf partners & those who gain the coveted spot get a free club/round of golf.
 
Thanks for taking time Mike to reply to the question just something i was a bit curious about after the day at TM where the guys were tremendous and nothing was to much trouble.

Hope next months mag is as good as last months and thanks for opportunity again.
 
Thanks for taking time Mike to reply to the question just something i was a bit curious about after the day at TM where the guys were tremendous and nothing was to much trouble.

Hope next months mag is as good as last months and thanks for opportunity again.
Click to expand...

I got this impression too. It never seemed that they were just "going through the motions" and were more than accommodating. I know they were there to promote their product, but they went about it in entirely the right way, and it's an experience I'll never forget.
 
If one of the things you like is getting these opportunities (and it seems like they are) then I'm going to push the manufacturers to keep coming up with bigger and better ideas

And, becuase the bar keeps getting riased by their rivals, every brand that comes to us with an idea knows it'll need to be a great idea if I'm going to put in front of you guys.
Click to expand...

Mike, You da Maaaaaan! :D :D :D
 
Mike,

The reader/forum user interaction is very much appreciated by us.

Having enjoyed a few away days through the forum at cheap rates etc, and the guys getting the opportunity to try new clubs before they are officially launched re the R11 are fantastic.

Keep up the good work

John
 
Out of interest, is there any way that the smaller brands could get in on this sort of thing. Obviously the major brands have the tour pros and dedicated fitting centers to use in events and can put together a very attractive package. I am a fan of the likes of Benross, Orka and MD and it would be nice to see a bit more detail about how they work and operate on the budgets that they do.
 
Great response as always Mike and very interesting. I'm glad the manufacturers do actually value our opinions on here and that in some small way the knowledge, banter and recommendations play a small part in deciding what to bring out to lure our hard earned cash. If we can get something back in return it seems a fair reciprocation.
 
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