IRL reports strong ad sales and solid buy ins

[MDS]

The Sport Business Journal is reporting some good news for the series.

Sales of TV Ads are exceeding expectation[/*:m:2skdtrpk]
Macy's and Izod is copromoting in 17 race markets and NYC[/*:m:2skdtrpk]
Hotwheels will distribute IRL cars nationwide and might be sponsoring the pace car.[/*:m:2skdtrpk]
Apex, the Ethonal sponsor, has some sort of large buy in as well.[/*:m:2skdtrpk]All good news. Read the full article:
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/62003

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I'm really encouraged by a lot of things happening so far this season. Looks like the League will have a strong grid at St. Pete's. IZOD is making great efforts to promote the series and now this bit of good news.

In this economy, these are all encouraging things.

My hope is that potential sponsors will see the value of capturing this small but committed fan base and make the same efforts IZOD, Honda, and Firestone have made to promote and grow the League. By doing so perhaps it will nurture the fan base into a LARGE and committed fan base.

[downtowndeco]

I agree, things are looking pretty decent considering the economy. Where are the winged monkees of doom to tell us that TG couldn't manage his way out of a hat? Hey. If someone wants to bag on TG and hold him to blame for every negative in OW racing then they should be man enough to give him credit when things go right. Things are going pretty right. Could always be better. But it looks as though we may finally be seeing some daylight now that the long split is over.

[SportscarBruce]

Nate Ryan's USA Today season preview had good things to say as well.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2009-04-01-season-preview_N.htm

I believe the marketing side of the sport has finally found direction and a television partner willing to make it work.

This is going to be a great season of racing and series growth. :)

[F1boat]

Go Indy! I need a formula in which the race result is final!

[Mark in Oshawa]

I agree, things are looking pretty decent considering the economy. Where are the winged monkees of doom to tell us that TG couldn't manage his way out of a hat? Hey. If someone wants to bag on TG and hold him to blame for every negative in OW racing then they should be man enough to give him credit when things go right. Things are going pretty right. Could always be better. But it looks as though we may finally be seeing some daylight now that the long split is over.


I will just say he has compentant people below him that are doing good jobs. That said, he didn't go out and personally sell IZOD and the like. We are not exactly seeing Tony out there week after week as a man at the track managing the racing and promoting the series. The lack of promotion of the series as a whole is still glaring to those who don't have the coverage on XM.....

Show me some commericals on ESPN. Show me some cross marketing. The Helio Dancing with the Stars thing was an ESPN/ABC idea because they were carrying the races. If Tony was thinking up outside the box ideas like that, he would be getting applause from me believe me....

So far, I will just say he has done a competant job...and that isn't a bad thing but I want leadership that drags this series forward. THAT is what we need really....

[chuck34]

I will just say he has compentant people below him that are doing good jobs. That said, he didn't go out and personally sell IZOD and the like. We are not exactly seeing Tony out there week after week as a man at the track managing the racing and promoting the series. The lack of promotion of the series as a whole is still glaring to those who don't have the coverage on XM.....

Show me some commericals on ESPN. Show me some cross marketing. The Helio Dancing with the Stars thing was an ESPN/ABC idea because they were carrying the races. If Tony was thinking up outside the box ideas like that, he would be getting applause from me believe me....

So far, I will just say he has done a competant job...and that isn't a bad thing but I want leadership that drags this series forward. THAT is what we need really....

I saw that someone had seen IRL commercials on Discovery. Not excatly the best thing ever. But at least a step in the right direction, right?

[MDS]

Show me some commericals on ESPN. Show me some cross marketing. The Helio Dancing with the Stars thing was an ESPN/ABC idea because they were carrying the races. If Tony was thinking up outside the box ideas like that, he would be getting applause from me believe me....

So far, I will just say he has done a competant job...and that isn't a bad thing but I want leadership that drags this series forward. THAT is what we need really....

I'm with you in thinking that Tony George doesn't have the staff or the vision worthy of the entire AOWR future, but I have to admit, this year is looking better than those who have come before it. Obviously Izod, and other things that are lining up didn't all come out of the IRL front office, but they are good things.

The ads aren't on ESPN, but I have seen them on BBC America during Top Gear, and really, I couldn't think of a better audience on cable. I've also seen adds during Mythbusters and a few other shows where there could be some bleed over.