Real-Life Communication
Much of the money rodeo stock contractors get for their rodeos comes
from advertising. Advertisers buy spaces on the arena wall. They buy the spaces
on the gates of the bullpen. They buy the space on the chute gates.
Rodeo
contractor Karen Fowlkes says the financing of the rodeo is "enormously" dependent
on the money that comes from advertising. But this money doesn't simply
come to the rodeo stock contractor. The contractor has to go and get it.
The
Fowlkes operation is a family business. Karen Fowlkes says that her husband
and daughter do most of the marketing. This involves going out into the community
in which the rodeo is going to take place and getting sponsors to put a little
money into the event. It also means that the Fowlkes have to purchase advertising
in different areas.
"There's so many markets -- TV, radio, newspaper.
And to know how much to spend in which area is kind of a hit and miss thing,"
Fowlkes says.
"What radio [station] is most listened to in the area?
You're not there, so you don't know. You have to rely on charts
that say who's the top radio station or TV station and try and get as
many spots as you can for the least money."
You are the advertising
expert for a rodeo stock contractor. Take the important elements out of the
following set of information. Shape them into an energetic brochure that you
can distribute to potential advertisers who might buy space at your rodeo.
- The rodeo is in town for only two days
- The rodeo is going to be broadcast on local television
- The expected attendance is 4,000
- If you buy two chute gates, you get the third one free
- There are many horses at the rodeo
- Rates are $200 for an arena panel; $65 for a chute gate; $300 for the
bullpen gate
You should also try and come up with a slogan for your rodeo company.
It is called Rope 'Em Rodeo.