Wow, I guess nobody is safe anymore. Just seen this over on BassZone. Denny is no longer going have Diawa as a sponsor, after 20 yrs, they must really wan to stay with their own. I have to wonder about Ike?
Aren't those guys Unionized?
They ought to be. ;)
BD ;D
Give them time, and the unions will ruin bass fishing too! ;D
Seriously, you're going to see a lot more of this happen. There is no loyalty anymore, but in most cases it's the other way around--pros jumping from one company to the next for the best deal. The Denny Brauer deal is sort of surprising though. The fact of the matter is the fishing industry is just about tapped out when it comes to big sponsorship deals. Big name pro endorsements simply aren't worth the money these guys are asking for. Think about it.....who here would buy a Nitro because KVD runs one? A lot of companies are cutting costs by elimination of pro staff. Marketing in the 21st century has changed in that it has become more web based, and pro endorsements just don't carry as much weight as they did in the past. Now people tend to research products online, and get product recommendations from first hand users whether it be friends, fellow club members, or from online message/chat boards. And you're going to see a lot more companies going to the "pay for performance" prostaff programs that Berkley is now using.
Very good Points Bryan...The consumer is way more educated now with the Media that is available...
It used to be in Motocross what brand Won on Sunday sold on Monday..Not anymore..If the companies are manufacturing a less than stellar product it doesn't take long for the word to get out..
To most of the extent of what you said, I agree. But I think companies are still going to have their bread and butter for a few reasons. When you think of KVD, you think Nitro, Strike King, Quantum, BPS, Motorguide, to name a few. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me, right? Not always, I agree, but just to have the name pop into your head followed by their image, that still sells product, trust me, from first hand experience I know.
1Jav
1Jav, I agree there are exceptions. But as I said, the big pro endorsements just don't carry as much weight as they did in the past.
Personally I put no stock in a product because of which anglers endorse it. Only reason I buy certain brands is my experience using it and the opinion of other tournament anglers like myself who use it and love it. You can trust someones opinion if they are not paid to use a product, but pays to use it because it works. If alot of guys think this way I would have to believe the market could be moving in a different direction.
T
I pay more attention to the equipment the pro's aren't being paid to use. I've been around long enough to know that the latest and greatest isn't always what it's cracked up to be. For example if you watch Bassmasters every week someone will be using the old style green curado reels, when the new model is supposed to be $75 better.
-Matt
I've had this same talk personally with a number of companys' pro staff people over the past few seasons.
A number of companies are putting more effort into smaller buckets (less anglers, often only a few top tier full-time pros or guides) and pulling almost or completely away from anglers at our level. Frankly, I need to use the product or get a recommendation of a personally trusted source to make up my mind on many products.
There's a lot of frustration among the anglers trying to 'break into' the pro ranks because it is getting extremely tough to get any meaningful support. Information is still power though, so I'm glad to see discussions on here by various persons.
BryanP, I am going to ignore your union comment. I am offended by that remark. >:(
BD >:(
You bring up an interesting point about the industry. Companies reducing pro-staff at all levels of fishing, pro and other wise. In contrast to that, Triton got away from BASS to focus more on the grass roots market. I don't know where I read that but I am sure I can find it. Exactly what that means I don't know but they still have a ton of pros using their product but they might be starting focus again the little guy.
Cy
Well, it seems like people either love unions or hate them... regardless, I am watching closely to see what companies are doing in this fishing industry as far as promotions. Don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to make the best of it whatever direction things head.
The first place I always look to when buying products is the local bait and rod producers. These guys like Wayne at extreme and Bill at Snack Daddy are Mich. fishermen and residents. They spend time on the same water I do fishing for the same fish I do. When these guys produce a crawfish bait the research was done a great lakes craw not on some body of water in Florida or Texas. I am not opposed to the big companies but we are just another fishermen to them, and I will probably never be able to develop the working relationship that I can with the local guys. Have you ever tried to tell Strike King about a new bait color that works here in Mich. It takes a long time to talk to a human and when you do finally talk to someone it feels like you are talking into the air. A big thank you to all local lure and rod producers!
Big changes are coming to this country. Have you read the paper lately???? People are getting sick and tired about being sick and tired.
Industry will change as times will change. The U.S. needs to keep its manufacturing base or we will be a third world country before you know it. We may lose freedoms we don't want to. What are you willing to fight for??? Your job, your rights to hunt and fish, your sponsors..............Time to wake up and pay attention.
BD ;D