Nestle - Go Free Campaign

[Marco Polo]

Nestle make Shredded Wheat don't they? That could be the compass part of the lesson: Never Eat Shredded Wheat.

I'm not sure that Nestle would want to promote that wording exactly !

[distracted]

David - irrespective of the ethical issues, if you're worried about potential club losses, is there anything to stop the club deciding that the offer isn't valid for existing club/BOF members?

I generally support schemes that will encourage participation/new membership, and feel that clubs will have to run some loss-leaders to benefit in some cases. However, I don't think clubs should be thinking that more members = more money for the club...

[geomorph]

... my biggest issue is with the costs. The club would be required to "fund the offer entirely". So when someone turns up, we allow them a free entry but can not claim that back from the promoting company (or Nestle). The hope is presumably that we would gain regular competitors from current non-orienteers. However, my fear is that we will lose more money as a result of current orienteers presenting vouchers and getting free runs than we will gain new regular orienteers.

Leaving aside my age-old bias against Nestle re jab, if the funding scenario is as you describe, then it should not be supported. Win-win marketing initiatives such as this have to work in the real world of marginal finances that exists in minor sports. Nestle is a multi-billion t/o company paying relatively very little UK tax, and to think that such schemes can be treated as long term investments by small clubs is naive and inappropriate.

Unfortunately it sits in the same category as Sport Englands £10m to universities to promote sport participation among the 'drunken' students.