MMA Competing w/ KCBS?

[motoeric]

(mods: I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for this thread. I didn't put it in the For the Board area as it's not necessarily for the BoD)
MMA Competing W/ KCBS?


Am I reading too much into this? So, it seems that the Great American BBQ Tour is a success. It's drawing advertisers, making money and raising awareness. I'm certainly not familiar with the intricacies of the tours development and who handled what (between MMA and the KCBS), but I would assume that the KCBS brand, expertise, staff and contacts played a big part in it's creation and execution.


MMA now has something called the Gridiron Rivals Tailgate Tour. They go to different football games, have structured activities, sponsors such as Kingsford, KC Masterpiece, Glad and others, they have grilling competitions at these events and give away food samples.


Is the KCBS involved with this in any way? I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. Is MMA using contacts developed from their work with the KCBS to gain sponsors? How is the MMA assuring that money spent on the Gridiron tour by sponsors is money that would not be going to the Great American BBQ Tour?


If the general concept of the tour is successful enough to emulate (nice euphemism for 'rip-off'), why didn't they just expand the Great American BBQ Tour to encompass football games? Isn't one of the main reasons for existence for the BBQ tour to get out the word about BBQ? Wouldn't these events be great venues for that?


So, is the KCBS grooming their successor?


Eric

[ThomEmery]

Interesting questions.
My hope is at contract renewal these will be explained.

[lunchlady]

ah...
the ever-present, much debated "grilling vs. BBQ... and who gets the money" issue...

[Jeff_in_KC]

MMA is a private company. They can work with any other company out there with the exception of another barbecue competition sanctioning body. As for who they know in their efforts with KCBS, I believe that's good networking. But it's MMA who, as the marketing company, cultivates these relationships. I don't believe it's KCBS who brings anyone to the table for MMA to associate with.

[Smokedelic]

Originally Posted by Jeff_in_KC

I don't believe it's KCBS who brings anyone to the table for MMA to associate with.

Hmmmm....I don't think Kingsford or Sam's Club would know who MMA was if it weren't for their association with KCBS...the largest organization of BBQ cooks and aficionados in the world.

That being said...I applaud Mike McCloud and MMA for all they have done for KCBS. I don't blame MMA for parlaying their relationship with KCBS into other relationships. I think my concern lies in the fact that, while Mike is looking out for MMA's best interests, the majority of our current board is not looking out for KCBS's best interests.

In corporate America, it is against the law for board members of a corporation to profit from an organizations assets, information, or opportunities. This simple truth appears to be lost on the majority of our current board. Ultimately, we, as members, are responsible for correcting this through our ability to choose our board members. I hope we choose wisely next month.

[Jeff_in_KC]

Originally Posted by Smokedelic

Hmmmm....I don't think Kingsford or Sam's Club would know who MMA was if it weren't for their association with KCBS...the largest organization of BBQ cooks and aficionados in the world.

That being said...I applaud Mike McCloud and MMA for all they have done for KCBS. I don't blame MMA for parlaying their relationship with KCBS into other relationships. I think my concern lies in the fact that, while Mike is looking out for MMA's best interests, the majority of our current board is not looking out for KCBS's best interests.

In corporate America, it is against the law for board members of a corporation to profit from an organizations assets, information, or opportunities. This simple truth appears to be lost on the majority of our current board. Ultimately, we, as members, are responsible for correcting this through our ability to choose our board members. I hope we choose wisely next month.

I completely and totally agree with everything you said... except the first line. It was MMA who approached these companies about aligning with KCBS. Was KCBS an attractive organization to align with? I think so or they wouldn't be there now. But MMA sold them on the idea.

[Smokedelic]

Originally Posted by Jeff_in_KC

I completely and totally agree with everything you said... except the first line. It was MMA who approached these companies about aligning with KCBS. Was KCBS an attractive organization to align with? I think so or they wouldn't be there now. But MMA sold them on the idea.

Yes...but MMA had nothing to sell if they hadn't been aligned with KCBS.