jimmae wrote:
JohnM wrote:
One is the corporates and the people who control the money. Greg Swann is very comfortable operating within this sphere, which is wonderful for the club. You need that.
The other audience is regular supporters and members such as ourselves. A good CEO knows to also cater to the base, but it's been something that Carlton has been really awful at for a fair while now.
We are the people who
provide the money John. Without people rocking up to the game, getting Foxtel subscriptions, etc, they who control the money control a whole lot less. Combine that with direct merchandise sales, free offerings from supporters within corporations and the fact that surveys will eventually reveal what portion Carlton contributes to the AFL's money pool, and you'll see a decline in Carlton revenue when you push away the fans.
I'm starting to think some people at the top in both the football & corporate sides of the club believe we're all lemmings. I know we're trying to be innovative with our marketing, but that's pushing it. Maybe this is the last bastion of 'old school footy'?
You don't need to tell me that, Jimmae. I agree with every word you say.
I just don't think Greg Swann is that kind of operator. His thing is all about being connected with Melbourne's upper echelons, and I don't think it's in his DNA to manage a customer-focused business.
Which is no big deal, provided he recognises the need for such a focus, and if so then ensures there is someone within the organisation to manage this side of things.
I've got no problem with Swann, he does what he does well. But as you say, it'd be pretty foolish if the club didn't bust a nut to love its members and supporters. Because while TV revenue funds the league, sheer numbers of supporters fund the club.
North Melbourne proves this. Despite recent premiership success they still have the stench of death about them, because they just don't have the supporters behind them. Sponsors want the supporter numbers too.
So yeah, we matter.