How the Media sees us

[Sunlit Forres]

Have a listen to this recent interview on the Radio Scotland 'Outdoors' programme which you can access via the Grampian Orienteers website http://www.grampoc.com until 28 Feb.
Gramp's Gary Morrison does a terrific job and well done to him for getting the publicity. Really good initiative. But isn't it so disappointing that the item ends in such a negative way, through no fault of Gary.

He's obviously tried hard to sell the sport as something for everyone. I think he's portrayed a really balanced picture, and he's made sure that the elite end gets included as much as the 'walk in the woods'. Yet we still get decribed as a 'bizarre' sport.

This unwelcome media image has got to be one of the biggest challenges that the sport needs to overcome.

[SeanC]

My experience, no doubt the same as others, is that very local media (community newsletters etc) and local authority media are much more likely to report favourably, and to devote more column inches. Perhaps the further up the media tree the more the mission to inform is more likely to be replaced by a mission to entertain/misinform/sell etc etc.

Another option is advertising/various PR initiatives etc, all difficult with orienteering finances.

Still, sounds like the overall effect was very positive.

[andypat]

I couldnt get this to work - says the content is not working when you link through. I'd still say that any publicity is good publicity!

[Mrs H]

Harley and I did a radio interview with BBC Birmingham a couple of years back and it went really well. We discussed the message we wanted to get across before hand and managed to steer a very professional broadcaster round to our line - he was particularly taken with my "free range kids" line (Ed Balls had been banging on about "battery raised children" at the time). But whether it did any good is anyone's guess.

Local paper is always my preferred method to get people in - we get pretty good coverage in the Malvern Gazette even featuring in the yearly sports round up from time to time and I think most folk round here have a fair idea of what orienteering is. No more bizarre than a lot of things people get up to on the hills - but bizarre doesn't have to be a bad thing doest it?

[superstartradesman]

Radio Scotland think orienteering is 'bizarre'?

...this from a radio station that devotes 7 consecutive hours of airtime on Saturdays talking about a sport where twenty two men wearing expensive t-shirts advertising crappy lager try to kick an inflated leather sphere between two white sticks?

(and I'm a regular listener too )

[andypat]

This from the internet.......

bizarre - Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd.


I think thats a pretty good description for running around the woods in your pjs!



Now this one -

bizarre - conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
That Gross gets everywhere!

[mappingmum]

. . . any publicity is good publicity!

Sorry, slightly off topic, but I'm sure Slanj Kilts will be thanking BBC Scotland and enjoy an increase in sales after the BBC Scotland news today!

[haloite]

We got this from our Urban event on Sunday -
http://www.hu17.net/halo-competition-held-in-beverley/

[Mrs H]

first class coverage - simple explanation, serious competition + family friendly outing and invitation to next event/club night - spot on. Well done HALO

[NFKleanne]

Yes totally excellent. Well done HALO