Open Letter to the Sponsors / Advertisers of the NRL

[Buzz]

The following has now been sent to Telstra, Fosters Brewing Group (VicBitter), Crazy Johns and Microsoft (XBOX).

Please feel free to add / modify / rebrand and resend!

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Dear Sponsor of the National Rugby League,

as a fan and keen watcher of National Rugby League matches, I have noticed that your product has been advertised through the Rugby League product. As a consumer, I make the following plea to you:

Your company spends large sums of money to promote your products and services to a large audience of Rugby League fans in what is ostensibly a National sporting market. What you may not be aware of is the fact that a large potential market is not available to you through the determined ignorance of the national broadcaster of the National Rugby League.

Channel Nine have, in their wisdom, again relegated the National Rugby League final series to the "witching hour" - with only one game starting prior to midnight in the first weekend. Channel Nine believe that Rugby League does not rate in the AFL heartland of Melbourne - a supposition that has been proven incorrect when Nine has indeed shown a game live with appropriate advertising before hand. It has in fact been noted that Rugby League, when shown in Victoria, will usually out-rate whatever 2nd or 3rd repeat program they put on.

How does this affect you? Channel Nine, by their very actions, have excluded you from the second largest (although some contend the largest) sports market in the country. Nine does not show the faith in the Rugby League product that you so clearly have.

I request, and implore you, as an advertiser, as a fan of Rugby League that you demand from the NRL the returns you deserve for spending your money. Demand that the NRL force Channel Nine to show your product to us.

Those of us who either have no choice but to wait till midnight, or to travel two hours to view the game live on an alternate network (WIN) have tried all our avenues. The NRL and Channel Nine won't listen to the fans.

Maybe they'll listen to you.

Thank you for your time.

[NZ Storm]

Onya Buzz, top stuff!

[Hailstorm]

Here here Buzz... great work

[Insomniac]

yeah, once again, POW for Buzz!

[AAS]

and put it in a Important Election evenolope

[Super Cronk]

like on the panel

[Heritage XIII]

Well said Buzz!!

[nat]

nice work buzz u are my hero!

[Buzz]

For what it's worth, I'll post any replies I get as a result. The following is from Telstra:

Dear Mike,

Thank you for your email regarding television broadcast of NRL matches.

We understand your concerns, however, all aspects of the management of the sport including negotiations with broadcast partners are the responsibility of the NRL.

We have forwarded your email to Paul Kind (Commercial Director) at the NRL.

Thank you for your enquiry via the telstra.com website.

Yours sincerely,
Michelle Scalzi
Sponsorship Manager

[Rose Madder]

Oh well 10/10 for telstra Re the response..are you taking bets on whether or not you will get a reponse from' Paul Kind'
Well Done Buzz

[Hailstorm]

Problem is, the idea with Buzz's email was to request help from these sponsors to pressure ch9 and the NRL and not just pass the buck. You might say 10/10 for the response but 0/10 for the help...