Randy shut that down quickly. So much much for "Aw shucks, golly gee Im just a simple public land hunter from Minnysoda"
Question posed to Randy: Curious have you ever been paid by state governments to publicize hunts in those states. If so how much. Just curious
Randy's response:
This is funny that you show up here and ask questions of me like you have an interest in me. This is the first time you've ever referred to me as "Randy." The normal reference is whatever derogatory adjective you can think of to make your criticism.
To my knowledge, we've never met, we've never spoke to each other, but you claim to know my life. You're not curious. You're looking to stir the pot. You don't know [bleep] from apple butter when it comes to me and my beliefs. But, armchair experts are part of the business I operate in and I accept that it comes with the territory. I just move along. I never respond to your BS accusation or comments on other forums. Now, you've come to the forum I own and I will respond.
I will answer this question, though it is truly none of your business. It might enlighten you to how the tourism and advertising business works with advertising and communication agencies representing state tourism and wildlife departments when executing media and communication plans. And, it will help some of the other Hunt Talkers who are interested in how the media space works, albeit this is a very minuscule part of it, it works quite similar with the for-profit companies in the outdoor space. Here goes......
Quick answer to your question - We, and most other large platforms in the outdoor and travel space, have been hired by ad agencies that represent state tourism and wildlife departments for access to our audiences and for production of content they need. The same as for-profit companies who want to use media platforms to reach targeted audiences and execute communication strategies.
Most magazines, TV shows, and other media platforms that have a sizable audiences in the outdoor space (hunting/fishing/adventure/outdoor travel), have been awarded a contract from an ad agency that represents a tourism or wildlife department.
It works like this. Departments, both tourism (who are rolling in money) and wildlife departments (who have very little for media), have adopted business-like practices for their communications work, rather than having the scientists and biologists try to be communications specialists. These state departments use communication firms and advertising agencies who specialize in media placement to help them develop messaging, measure results, and find the media platforms to accomplish the goals outlined in their communication plans. Some Hunt Talkers here might work for communication or advertising agencies and they might give even more detail on how it works.
The mechanics usually work like this. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are sent out to media outlets that have been interviewed and screened by the advertising/communication agency. Each proposal is returned to the communications/ad agency where it is evaluated and scored, most often based on size of the platforms and the proposed price submitted in the RFP. The ad agency makes recommendations to the tourism or wildlife departments, based on whatever scoring criteria they've used. If selected, the media platform then signs a contract with the ad agency to complete the work.
We did our first work for an ad agency that represented a tourism-wildlife department joint venture in 2009. We've done some off and on since then. Sometimes state laws require a rotation of that vendor every two years. Sometimes preference is given to vendors located in that state, regardless of pricing or qualification. It is inconsistent and unpredictable, usually at low margins due to the bidding process.
This work always has been, and always will be, a very small part of our revenue; small, like less than 5% and in many years 0%. I suspect for the many other media platforms that also submit these RFPs it is also a very small part of their revenue. Just not worth the effort to try be the low bidder for work that usually comes with a lot of extra requests.
If you go to the SHOT Show, you would be floored by the presence of some of the state tourism agencies. The wildlife departments don't have budgets to be at SHOT or to spend on media like tourism agencies. Tourism must be a completely different ball game, in terms of dollars and budgets. There is one state tourism agency that has been the incubator for many TV platforms. I've declined every request from that state, but you don't have to look hard to see them in a lot of TV shows.
When you see those hosted shooting events, pheasant shoots, or fishing contests that have Governors and politicians, I'd bet money that idea was crafted by an advertising/communication agency that represents a state tourism department. I've been asked to be a part of a lot of them. I've decline them all.
Now that I've answered your question and given some insight in how this small part of the media world works, I would suggest you go ask the same question of every other large outdoor media platform, whether a TV show, internet platform, national magazine, well known newsletter, podcast; any media outlet that has a large reach.
Unlike me, I suspect they will tell you to pound sand; that it is none of your business. If they don't tell you to pound sand, they will probably provide a very similar answer to what I've provided here. So, in spite of your colorful know-all descriptions of me and my activities, I was kind enough to answer your question.
Your next likely question is whether or not we apply for film credits and tax rebates from state film tax credit programs. The answer is no. Some other groups do. We don't.
We decline far more invitations for RFPs than we submit. Most often it doesn't fit what we do, what our message is, or the advertising agency is not familiar with the hunting-conservation message we promote and what kind of message our audience wants. As a CPA, I understand that building a business around advertising agencies that represent tourism and wildlife departments is not a sustainable or predictable business model, so I will never let it be more than a small percentage of our revenue, relegated to where it fits what we are doing to fulfill our WHY.
So, there you have it. Our focus is on much different relationships and different content than most ad agencies plan for tourism and wildlife departments. Our content allocation of 25% entertainment, 25% information, 25% education, 25% advocacy usually doesn't fit well with how ad agencies design communication plans, so I focus our efforts elsewhere.
Now that I've been gracious enough to answer your question, you are getting tossed from this platform. You know why you're getting tossed. You know why some of the regulars here have given you a rough ride already in your first few posts. They see your BS in other places on the internet and they know why you are here. They have no use for your BS and neither do I.
I'm not inclined to let someone who I've never met, who blows smoke about who I am and what I stand for, hang out on a forum I own and pretend like they want to be friends, when they have no intent to add anything valuable to the discussions of hunting, public lands, and conservation. Might work in 3rd grade, not here.
Hope that answers your question. Good luck this season.
Bye!
