For reader perspective on the opinions expressed in his columns, the Ole Seagull would take this opportunity to inform his readers that he is working as an independent contractor for the Branson Tourism Center and Branson.Com writing internet content and coordinating the internet content of their different sites. He would also state that he is a long time member of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on its Small Business Development Advisory Council since its inception. He was an owner of the website “Branson.Com” until it was “sold” in 1999. It was subsequently resold by that purchaser to its current owner, “Branson Tourism Center.”
Like a lot of people, the Ole Seagull is no more of an expert on pie shows than he is a marketing expert. But, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have an idea or two about pie shows or marketing. From a pie show perspective, how about limiting the type of pie a contestant can submit for the show to, the hard to find, Pineapple Cream Pie? Here’s a great marketing idea, how about using the internet to market Branson?
Now it’s not too hard to imagine that the organizers of the pie show might not share the Ole Seagull’s enthusiasm for Pineapple Cream Pie and would simply ignore the idea. However, what if someone pointed out that “The Great American Pie Show” was only one of over 40 events making up Ozark Mountain Spring?
What if that person suggested that during the final awards ceremony for the pie show it might be a good idea to encourage those who had attended the pie show to attend other Ozark Mountain Spring Events that are taking place concurrently with the pie show, such as “Kewpiesta,” “Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients,” “Area ’57 Cruise In & Drive-In Movie Night,” and the “Bonnie Brook Open House?”
Some might say, “But Seagull, you have gone from a pie show and Pineapple Cream Pie to promoting other things that are going on in Branson.” That’s absolutely true, but, at the end of the day, isn’t that supposed to be one of the primary purposes of spending taxpayer funds to hold the “Great American Pie Show” and bringing in a celebrity judge?
Speaking of marketing ideas, how about the idea of using the internet to market Branson? Again, some might be thinking, “Duh, Seagull, what do you think we are doing?” True, but timing is everything and it wasn’t always so.
“Way back,” when the Ole Seagull and his son Basil, recognized the marketing potential of the world wide web (WWW) of the internet, obtained the WWW URL “Branson.Com,” launched the first active, viable, and to date, longest continual running website devoted to sharing Branson with the world, “Branson.Com,” it was a “Duh” that meant the exact opposite of what it means today. Today it would mean “Duh” what do you mean use the internet? Unfortunately, back then it was “Duh, what is the internet?”
What’s interesting, and experienced by the Ole Seagull first hand, was that even after Branson.Com was featured on CNN shortly after its launch, just how far behind the internet power curve those having the responsibility for marketing their respective venues and the Branson area were. How many millions of dollars were spent by the city of Branson marketing Branson before the city had a website promoting Branson? What year was that?
What if there had been a “Great Branson Marketing Idea Show” back then, where tax payer funds were spent to get ideas and concepts for marketing Branson? Like the pie show, contestants would submit their ideas in writing to the initial judging panel who would select the 12 finalists.
The 12 finalist would then compete in Branson at the Branson Convention Center and be weaned down to a final three from which the winner would be chosen. Is there just the possibility that the new technology represented by the internet might have been integrated into the marketing of Branson years earlier?
“But Seagull, will there be a celebrity judge?” Great idea and all the finalists, judges, and attendees get a piece of Pineapple Cream Pie too.
