Rich said...

I was also one of the lucky ones to receive the "Thanks but no thanks" bulk email. I have been marketing this sport for over 13 years and in hindsight, it should be no big surprise that the same names are on the "chosen" list that have been on every list from the past. These are the same people who have not had any good ideas and also the same people that wonder why this game is floundering so badly. Fresh faces and fresh ideas are very much in need but as long as the same people are making these types of decisions, change will never happen.

posted at 12:27 PM on May 28th 2008

Nicky E said...

Maybe this is an opportunity.

Contact the others who applied and who didn’t fit into the ‘old boys’ selection. These people are obviously passionate about changing the industry and this interest should not be hung out to dry.

Get them together and contact the horsepeople & related societies, they all have the best interests of the industry at heart (well should do). Get their support. Even take it another step and get the tracks on board.

Create a “real industry’ marketing team that has a mix of marketing people (inside and outside the industry), trainers, owners and bettors. Add a representative of associations like the SBOA. The concepts and ideas that will be created will be astonishing and the right driver for the industry. When this plan is presented to the USTA with the backing of the real people in the industry they can hardly turn away.

As much as the USTA is supposed to take a leadership role in the industry, obviously agendas have got in the way. Do something about it – step beyond the cube. There is still an opportunity to do something and all the resources are right there, already perked with interest and passion
It doesn’t matter if they are spread around the country, most people have computers and there is a programme available called Interwise where people can have meetings on line or you may find that an owner or two may have net meeting facilities at their companies or offices that can be utilised. It can be done, it just needs driving from a different angle.
Food for thought

From Andrew: Here, here, Nicky!

posted at 4:39 PM on May 25th 2008

Bryan Owen said...

I got a letter too. Im only 28 and have only recently entered the marketing business, so it is understandable that I wasn't selected. That said, I did take the time to call Ellen Harvey and would have appreciated some feedback on what the USTA was looking for before being rejected by mass email. As a younger racing fan I thought (and still do think) that I had some relevant thoughts and opinions, but seeing that people much more established than me were snubbed, I have nothing to complain about. Maybe the USTA doesn't care what outsiders really think. The funniest thing about that. they forget that most of the outsiders are the owners, without whose horses the USTA engine doesn't run. Just my thoughts...Go Corleone!

posted at 9:32 PM on May 23rd 2008

Jay Wolf said...

Andrew -

I sent an e-mail to Mr. Axelrod earlier in the week regarding my non-selection to the marketing committee. I also received the "thanks, but no thanks" e-mail, from Ellen Harvey, not Mr. Axelrod. I couldn't agree more with your comments regarding fresh ideas. Let's form our own marketing commitee. I'll start...Why doesn't Yonkers Raceway have a website? Why does Scioto Downs require groups be 25 persons or more to get free admission? Are groups of 23 too much of a pain?

posted at 9:01 PM on May 23rd 2008

Paul Siegel said...

FYI, I finally got the form letter, along with a note from Ellen apologizing for neglecting to send it earlier.

In my response, I expressed my displeasure with Axelrod's failure to make even a cursory inquiry into the qualifications and ideas that may have been offered by some volunteers.

posted at 8:29 PM on May 23rd 2008

Sam Lilly said...

I guess I'm not the only one who received nothing in response to my application.

posted at 7:12 PM on May 23rd 2008