Comments on: City top of the PR league

By: Andrew Spinoza

Andrew Spinoza — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:17:13 +0000

I think you did a great job in those days with, as you say, little dosh. How times have changed.

I’m not sure why there should be any confusion! I was asked to comment on the effect of the Ronaldo transfer on Brand United in my capacity as a marketing expert, and not as a footy fan. I was soundbitten down to one line, but that’s showbusiness. I handled the PR for Fergie’s testimonial, and neither he nor I let my football allegiance get in the way of what was basically a job.
I’ve been offered guest list for The Charlatans on Saturday night at Haydock Park which is a weird one – rock music and horse riding, anybody?

By: Geoff Durbin

Geoff Durbin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:48:18 +0000

Having seen you interviewed on TV ref the Ronaldo transfer, I am now confused Andy – are you a key opinion former for the mighty Blues or our in-debt friends at Old Trafford??!! I hate to tell you but anyone watching will now assume you are a Red!! Good PR?? Probably!!

Also intersting just how long City have been pursuing this strategy, having got the Oasis boys to pose in City kit for the programme and magazine back in 1995 when I was Commercial Manager at City. I think the strategy has made us a “cool” Club, something which does take some time to engender, but sadly my contribution to the cause did not result in any on the pitch success as we were completely skint in those days!!

See you at the cricket Club for Take That if you want to see a decent band!!

Geoff

By: Andrew Spinoza

Andrew Spinoza — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:09:25 +0000

Well, glad you agreed with that at least.

By: Trevor Ward

Trevor Ward — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:27:14 +0000

If there’s one business that needs some decent PR, it’s professional football. City can invite all the fanzine editors they want to the launch of a new kit, but until it bears a sponsors logo saying UNICEF a la Barcelona(or, in the case of Aston Villa, Acorn Hospitals), it will always be regarded as just another greedy, cash-obsessed, ego-riddled football club.
PS Loved your last line.

By: Andrew Spinoza

Andrew Spinoza — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Your point is well made but hopefully backs up my main one, which is that the clubs’ expertise to make City a worldwide brand, with the likes if Gary Cook on board, is almost a given. But if they do that and don’t take local opinion with them, that’s when you get the kind of disaffection which causes a backyard revolt a la FC United. As United have enjoyed sustained success over many years they have ridden that little local difficulty, but I don’t think City could – and it’s heartening to see that, despite their Middle East base, the owners are hugely sensitive to the relationships on the ground; the minute they lose that perspective, they risk corroding the foundations of the entire project. But they have shown no sign of that.

By: Dave Ryan

Dave Ryan — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:59:35 +0000

After watching City for well over 60 years, I haven’t had a lot to be smug about.The lows certainly surpass the highs.
I watched City’s “Boys from Brazil” last night as they won 4-0. Then I realised that we have quite a number of Internationals in our squad.

City have never been a regular top team but I am certain they are going to be that now. I even expect us to win every week, instead of waiting for the football results with forboding. We shall “come of age” this next season and stay in the top 6 for years to come. It’s our time.

By: Paul Johnston

Paul Johnston — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:01:58 +0000

PR is your game not mine ( thats the disclaimer sorted),and no doubt your assessment of the club’s PR savvy is right,but its going to be some trick to pull off local influencer endorsement verses world wide brand acceptance which is surely what the owners are after. I really hope they get it right, and that the essential quirkiness that is City isn’t lost in the mix, because that what’s kept us all there for the last 20 years. Do you really think we can avoid being the media’s chosen successors to Chelski i.e. our cash is ruining football? I’m not so sure. Oh and one more thing – can the City PR machine haul Dunney off to the hall of fame and get us a new centre half. He’s sadly past his sell by.

By: Andrew Spinoza

Andrew Spinoza — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:26:45 +0000

Thanks for your comments Mike. There are plenty of obscene things in this world, but footballers’ salaries are lower on the scale than many others.

By: Mike Barnett

Mike Barnett — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:20:11 +0000

PS: In my experience of interviewing footballers, most of them perform community work and other such tasks with some reluctance.

By: Mike Barnett

Mike Barnett — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:14:20 +0000

Me too Bill, I wasn’t invited either. But the days of me going to envelope-opening events are long behind me.

But on a serious point…

It does indeed make a change to see City being in control of their own PR. News of Gareth Barry signing for City did indeed come out of the, er, blue.

But the game at the top level is passing certain people by, and I’m one of them. Market forces is one thing, but if City want to pay Gareth Barry 100 large a week that’s up to them, but I surely can’t be the only fan who thinks it’s obscene. It’ll take most City fans three or four years to take home that amount of loot.

He wants a new challenge? As Jim Royle would say, well, fill the rest in yourself.