Id really like a straight answer to this.
Originally Posted by Big Fin
Given the proposed scenario, I don't think we have to worry about the answer, but here it is. Once you sign a sponsor, they expect you to use their products. And, they have no tolerance for the products of their competitors.
The companies we work with put a premium on natural product integration, not the :30 second ads or the "in show promo." So, if they saw a competitors product being used, it would be a big deal.
And this is why they provide the product. They tell you what of their products they think is the best fit for the message of the show. You agree and sign, or disagree and continue working with others you think would fit. And when the time comes, all people in the show are using that product.
So any of you who might want to be filmed, best check out the sponsor list beforehand and decide if any of them put you over the edge.
Oops, I really want to film that hunt, come next October, and I just know you are going to draw, so I better get a proposal to them this week. Actually, they are much more of an ammo company, and given our relationship with Federal, probably would not waste the time to answer us.
Anyone else want to have their sheep hunt filmed. Buzz just crossed himself off that list.
If this was a serious reply, Just lost my support.
same thoughts here, what if your 3500$ custom rifle don't shoot federals for shit? My husqvarna 30-06 doesn't, so I shoot Rem 125 gr. You don't have that option.
what about Bow hunts? Would we see a reduced number of bow hunts?
That was a serious reply. If our show is going to spend $40,000 to bring an episode to air, I am going to ask guest hunters that they use the product of partners we are working with. Doesn't mean the product the other hunter has is not worthy, or not up to par, and in some instances, may be much more expensive than what we would ask them to use.
I am accepting sponsorship from companies who believe in what we are doing and want to be a part of it. I am not willing to demonstrate and integrate product of their competitors, regardless of who is being filmed. If the hunter in question cannot accept that, then I will not film the episode. I will find a different episode with different hunters.
Though Buzz and I have good laughs about this stuff, if it was a sheep hunt and someone came to me asking it be filmed, before agreeing, one consideration would be whether or not the hunter would accomodate our request to use products of our partners. If not, I would say, "Thanks but no thanks." and not impose on their hunt and their wishes. They would not be filmed, they would use their chosen products, shoot a big ram, and be happy as hell. And I would be happy for them.
If a policy such as that would cause someone to decide they would not watch the show, I guess I would have to live with that, though I would hope otherwise.
We plan the number of bow hunts based on many issues. First is the fact that I am not that great of a bow hunter, so I don't feel that qualified to be any sort of expert on such. Not being a great bowhunter, I spend more time rifle hunting, so that is what we will see more of.
The business plan of the show was to have 2-4 bow hunts per year, given viewer preferences, the ability to get tags, and many other factors. Sponsors want to know the planned mix of weapon types. We have promised sponsors that we will have no more than 3 per year. So, you will see 3 of them next airing season.
As far as Schmalt's question about muzzy hunts, we will not do too many of those. Kind of like archery, I have only killed one buck and two does with muzzy equipment. We currently have no promises to sponsors about the number of muzzy hunts. But, if a sponsor asked us to do only one per year, or for that fact, none, I would probably accomodate that, given it was never a big part of the business plan.
As far as whether or not a rifle shoots Federal Ammo good or not, it will be shooting good with Federal Ammo, or that rifle will stay at home and will be replaced with one that shoots Federal Ammo well. I have enough rifles for replacements, and will make sure of such, when we sign our rifle sponsor. Fortunately for me, all my current rifles shoot Federal Ammo just fine.
Again, thanks for some great comments. Finding the greatest value of these comments to be that guys are not too concerned about who or what, so long as we don't turn it into some cheap advomercial. Roger that!