Fan Memo to Orsini: In re Media Coverage

[McClown27]

Mr. Orsini,

I am very glad that you accepted Pres. Turner's offer to replace Jum Copeland as our Athletic Director. Based on your previous experiences, you may need to learn about how the Dallas media works. I have prepared some bullet points.

*When we have scheduled games, it is unlikely that the Dallas Morning News will preview the game. Thus, few local--non-alums--can go to the game.
*When the DMN does cover the team, it is only about negative things. The biggest coverage this offseason has suggested that Bennett was leaving for the KSU job, and that Tubbs is being investigated for recruiting.
* Once a year there will be a story in a national news service about the death penalty, and about how we have never recovered from it.
* And finally, when the football team wins games in the last second, it will be on page 7 or 8. Page One will have a story praising Mack Brown's recruiting, and a two page story about some linebacker from Hillcrest.
*On Ponyfans, Stallion will chide McClown about his obsession about media coverage. But then, when we need a coach, he will argue for Charlie Waters because it will increase SMU's media coverage.

[Stallion]

No I chide SMU for things in its own power which the school has not done. You [deleted] about things that are totally out of SMU control. Explain to me again why SMU has never "recovered" from the Death Penalty?

[McClown27]

No I chide SMU for things in its own power which the school has not done. You [deleted] about things that are totally out of SMU control. Explain to me again why SMU has never "recovered" from the Death Penalty?

#1) Model--We are in agreement on this point.
#2) Dallas Media has contributed to our downfall. Their infatuation with UT makes local recruiting very difficult. We have to go out to the sticks to get players. DMN serves as a constant advertisement for local athletes to go to UT.

[OC Mustang]

Well said and thoroughly on the mark.

You should take the first four comments and send them to Blackistone, Watkins, the DMN Sports Editor, the DMN Editorial Board, and the DMN CEO, VP for Advertising, and VP for circulation. Stallion is on his own.

Better yet, here is an idea. Let's get the webmasters to create a specific area for links to local media in-boxes. The DMN has a comments section, and I would comment all of the time if I didn't have to find it buried on their site. I can't be alone in this.

Also, if we list the emails for all of the published and public media types in Dallas area so we, as loyal fans of SMU (for legal reasons, not "ponyfans" per se), we can email these bozos regularly and with cause. This allows operant conditioning...they do something well...we reward them...they don't, we...well, we gently suggest our displeasure...again, and again, and again.

Just a thought....

[Stallion]

yeah [deleted] off the local media will really help. All you will end up doing is getting a piece like Blakistone did on SMU's fans. Instead, of [deleted] about-for example, the Ticket- we would be better served by Coaches, ADs etc that engaged the TICKET. Hell drop by their booth each month when the Noon Gang does their report from the SMU Athletic Forum. Has an SMU official ever attended Ticket_Fest? Call them on the phone when they are discussing College Football or Basketball. Show a damn pulse over there. Sure you'll get some razzing, some scthick just like fraternity hazing but once its over you are part of the gang. Ron Meyer and Russ Potts used to regularly smooze the media in this way. I personally didn't want Copeland engaging anything because he didn't have the people skills. Hopefully, Orsini can be that kind of salesman(also known as a regular good guy)

[nc pony]

How much press do you think we'll get if we make a bowl game this year??All the stories about us coming back from the DP, etc? Or do you think it will still be on page 6??

[McClown27]

yeah [deleted] off the local media will really help. All you will end up doing is getting a piece like Blakistone did on SMU's fans. Instead, of [deleted] about-for example, the Ticket- we would be better served by Coaches, ADs etc that engaged the TICKET. Hell drop by their booth each month when the Noon Gang does their report from the SMU Athletic Forum. Has ANY SMU official attempted this simple engagement of the Ticket? Sure they will get some razzing, some scthick just like fraternity hazing but once its over you are part of the gang. Ron Meyer and Russ Potts used to regularly smooze the media in this way. I personally didn't want Copeland engaging anything because he didn't have the people skills. Hopefully, Orsini can be that kind of salesman(also known as a regular good guy)

Bennett did a weekly show with Norm in 2003. But, I completely agree that the Ticket would be key. I would do all of our marketing with those folks, it is our key local demographic and most listeners would enjoy a good college football team in the area (a lot of transplants).

[Hoop Fan]

exactly, dont berate the media members, it does more harm than good. Blackistone showed us that big time.

[Stallion]

Have we ever invited the Ticket to do a College Football Showcase on the Boulevard say when we play Tech or Baylor? No because we are too afraid to attempt to engage the personalities on the ticket because they might say something that might enrage an old fart. We ain't cool. Hell they'd do a remote from LeRoy's Fried Chicken and even Stan's BlueNote but nobody at SMU has the Balls to engage the Ticket. Instead, we [deleted].

[Hoop Fan]

Have we ever invited the Ticket to do a College Football Showcase on the Boulevard say when we play Tech or Baylor? No because we are too afraid to attempt to engage the personalities on the ticket because they might say something that might enrage an old fart. We ain't cool. Hell they'd do a remote from LeRoy's Fried Chicken and even Stan's BlueNote but nobody at SMU has the Balls to engage the Ticket. Instead, we [deleted].

i dont know about that, I have seen the Ticket crew on the Blvd. I think i have seen their Ticket Hummer out their with Corby and company. Those boys seem to be fans of the Blvd. too. I think you might be a little off on this one, but certainly SMU could do more of that.

[Treadway21]

Wrong. The Ticket was at the Boulevard for the TCU. They had two TCU allumni doing the broadcast, Greg Williams and Corby Davidson. I guess you don't know everything.

[Corso]

.... but nobody at SMU has the Balls to engage the Ticket....

Well, it's good to see that the entire university isn't being painted with too broad a brush.

.... Instead, we [deleted].

Hello Kettle, this is Teapot -- you're black.

[Stallion]

mmm I can't remember them ever having a booth and I certainly can't remember it being promoted. I do remember Corby and some others going to a few games and reporting what a great scene it is. I'd tie an entire marketing scheme around the Boulevard and the Ticket remote. I really don't think this has been done. Russ Potts sold the Circus not a losing football program. Ron Meyer found every microphone within a mile radius.

[Hoop Fan]

i'm telling ya, they have promoted at least a game or two out on the Blvd. with the Ticket. I think it was the TCU game like someone else said. Whether it was promoted enough or what, I wont say, but saying we dont have the balls to engage them is too strong and probably wrong.

[Corso]

I saw the Ticket Hummer at almost every game, parked out in front of the freshman quad.