Originally Posted by
Messenger
I was going to say that there are a lot of ordinary characters in the racing game but on reflection, probably no more than in any other industry.
In other industries, if you do something very wrong you are probably not going to be welcome in the industry any longer.
It is also probably true that some will get away with it because in many cases (unlike sportspeople and entertainers) the offence may not receive any publicity.
But just as being in the public eye thanks to the media can be damming for racing people, it can also be a godsend (as Theoldfox suggests) for the media see their role as promoting the industry/portraying the positives - not reporting facts.
This is because the media see themselves as part of the industry team - and pretty much adhere to the belief that you don't air your dirty laundry in public
I know Aussiebreno hates it every time I mention PeterProfit but the only reason PP has an audience is that virtually nobody in the mainstream media is prepared to make waves.
PP up on the beach at Port Douglas may like waves a bit too much but it is his declared mission statement 'Always back the horse named self-interest, son. It'll be the only one trying'
The other thing that strikes me about our industry personalites is - how many of them are media performers
Compare it to AFL, Patrick Cripps told us last night that he sort out help in order to be comfortable speaking to the media, look at how many AFL players perform so very well in media roles (yes, I know some are overrated too)
I don't really follow the gallops other than springtime but it seems to me that they always have a few that are good performers.
I don't watch/listen to Burning Questions - not just because of JB but because I am discerning when it comes to allocating my time - especially because hearing is not that easy for me SO I don't know as well as some of you, who we should be getting in front of the camera to promote our industry. Who we should be 'training up' - I know some do media training
I am trying to think of who I have seen on TrotsVision who seem comfortable and personable - Kate Gath, Greg Sugars - people that NON rusted ons are going to listen to.
ps And hosts who are good at sharing/not dominating the mic
I know I have drifted off track a little - but only a little, as I am concentrating on Theoldfox's point about how the public see us