Am I missing something here?

[Modelmartin]

So Revell sponsors an EXISTING contest, then. No logistics, no time spent on their part, all they'd have to do is supply a big banner and a representative or two at the contest. Gee, how hard was that???

The "Revell Heartland Classic"... the "AMT Whatever"... the "Moebius Models NNL"...it's done all the time, especially in sports. Every single bowl game now has a corporate name attached to it. The model companies could do the same regarding existing model contests. In exchange for the publicity gained by being the contest "sponsor" they pony up a few kits or gift certificates to give out as prizes to the winners. The model company gets free exposure, the winners get free kits, people talk about what a cool company the sponsor is... everybody goes home happy, all at basically no cost to the company. You can't find advertising much cheaper than free!

This isn't rocket science! Why are some of you so all-out determined to insist that nothing like this can be done, or nothing can ever work? You guys with your "oh it'll never work" mentality! Sheesh! Thank goodness you guys weren't around to talk Edison out of that crazy "electric light bulb" fantasy that he thought just might work!

We just concluded our NNL North show and we had a big display from Round 2 that they very generously sent us. It included lots of catalogs, kits and display posters. We have had donations from Revellogram and AMT/ERTL in the past. They do get out there after a fashion. The Round Two donation this year was very impressive. These guys already do what you suggested. There is no need to call it the Round Two NNL North!!!

I also think there are problems with naming a contest after a model company. I think people are sick of the corpor-izing of America. Name changes of shows cause continuity problems. Then there is the turf thing. The show is put on by the local organizers and they rightfuly don't want to be sold out.

I don't get why you think I am a Luddite just because I don't like your ideas. Am I calling you a corporate whore?

[Modelmartin]

Huh???

Who ever said it's "all about me?"

How do you get the impression that it's "all about me?"

And no, I'm not on any "weird high horse" either.

What I am referring to is your prideful insistence that you have not nor will you ever enter a contest. That is "all about you". Entering a contest to me is supporting the people who put it on. Insisting on not entering a contest or going to an NNL is very selfish. You talk of promoting the hobby but what better way is there than to go out and participate in it in the real world. You have a great presence on this forum and you may be the most famous model builder that nobody has ever met in person but I think you need to crawl out from behind the keyboard and help promote the hobby in person.

[Modelmartin]

In all honesty, Harry, while I am not trying to beat you up, I also think if you'd ever been to a contest, you'd have a much better idea of why a model company might not want to become the name sponsor of one. Seriously ... the amount of griping, back-biting and ego-driven jealousy one can witness at those events can be off the charts!

Come on, Ken! I was trying to get Harry to come out and play with us and now you are discouraging him!! Besides, I don't know what contests you have been to but it doesn't sound like any I have been to. There is always a little bit of discontent but there always is in any group of humans! 99% of of people going to model shows are just fine!

[Harry P.]

Umm ... hate to put it this way, Harry, but, perhaps if you'd get out to a contest every now and again, you'd be aware that Revell is already more or less doing exactly what you've described here! They have reps at a lot of the major shows, displaying the latest test shots and just talking and meeting with modelers.

Seriously, where do you think those built test shot photos that get posted here from time to time come from? Spy satellites?

I'm talking about sponsoring the whole contest. The Revell Podunk Invitational. Big Revell banner at the contest, big splashy mention on their home page, big boatload of Revell kits as prizes, drawing for a big Revell prize package for all attendees... that sort of thing. Not just being there, but making the event a "Revell" event (or whoever the sponsoring company would be). Get people to connect the sponsor to the event, so people don't think of the "Podunk Invitational" but the "Revell Podunk Invitational."

[Harry P.]

I don't get why you think I am a Luddite just because I don't like your ideas. Am I calling you a corporate whore?

Just don't call me late for dinner!

[Harry P.]

What I am referring to is your prideful insistence that you have not nor will you ever enter a contest. That is "all about you". Entering a contest to me is supporting the people who put it on. Insisting on not entering a contest or going to an NNL is very selfish. You talk of promoting the hobby but what better way is there than to go out and participate in it in the real world. You have a great presence on this forum and you may be the most famous model builder that nobody has ever met in person but I think you need to crawl out from behind the keyboard and help promote the hobby in person.

I'll agree, you have a point there. Not my "prideful" insistence of not entering a contest. Pride has nothing to do with it. But the rest of what you said... you do make a valid point.

[Modelmartin]

My final thoughts on the subject are this - over the years the model company support has come and gone many times only to break our hearts! The longest running shows are put on by model builders themselves. GSL started in 1980. The NNL concept began about then and the Toledo NNL started in 1980 also. That is a lot of stability. There are many shows going on 10, 20 or more years now. Stability is essential to any growth of the hobby and unfortunately the model companies for many reasons can't provide that when it comes to support for the show scene. How many times have each company changed hands since GSL started? A lot!

I would rather have slow, steady growth of the hobby based on enthusiasts work and participation. We will always accept any model company support but I wouldn't pursue it. It's not reliable.

[Madd Trucker]

In the 90s and further back AMT did sponcer a model contest in conjuction with the World of Wheels car shows and Street Rodder magazine my daughter took a first place and best of show at the last World of Wheels when it was held in the DC Armory in doing so it put her in the National show held in Detroit at Cobo Center in which she won the over all in the Junior class that was in 1996 the last World of Wheels show for the show sesion. Engraved on the throphy is 1995 Model Car Nationals presented by AMT

[Terror]

Sponsorship just adds more work for the CEO's.They want money without more work(for them).CEO's have sucked the pride out of this country.I said it before,if the cell phone works,who cares about anything else?They should make cell phone kits.Build your own phone.!?!

Edited June 15, 2010 by Terror