Showing posts with label Marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marketing. Show all posts

Saturday, June 30, 2018

New indoor Adventure Golf course in Edinburgh

There's a new Volcano Falls indoor Adventure Golf course in Edinburgh.


While on holiday in Edinburgh Emily spotted this bit of bus advertising about the new Volcano Falls indoor Adventure Golf course that has opened at Fountain Park in Edinburgh.


Bus advert for Volcano Falls Adventure Golf in Edinburgh
As part of the launch activity the course ran a Spot the Bus promotion

We've played the Volcano Falls course at Xscape in Castleford on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Google Home Mini Golf

Google has created a miniature golf course!


The Google Home Mini Golf course. Photo by Google

The Google Home Mini Golf course is currently touring the US. I hope it comes to the UK at some point too. Check out the video of the course.



Top marks to Google for choosing minigolf in the campaign. The Google Home Mini Golf course looks great fun.

The course has been to New York and is currently in Chicago (until 17th June) before it moves on to Los Angeles (30th June to 5th July) and Atlanta (26th - 29th July).

Check out the Google Home Mini Golf website for more info.

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Marking a year since the publication of my marketing ebook.


A year ago today I published The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing, my ebook guide to promoting the great sport of miniature golf.

Richard Gottfried at the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
Find out how to wow the crowd in the crazy world of miniature golf

It's amazing how quickly the last year has flown by and I've been really pleased to see the book bought and used by a number of players, courses, bloggers, associations and federations around the world.


The marketing and communications guide was designed for anyone interested or involved in minigolf. It's certainly a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about. 

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game. I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association and World Minigolf Sport Federation.

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

There are a huge amount of stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing should give federations, associations, clubs and fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

A lot of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

Links:

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

End of the minigolf season – and the year ahead...

Here in the UK another year in the domestic minigolf tournament season has come to an end, which means it is the perfect time to look back and reflect on the year. However, this should be about more than rankings and stats. No matter how high or low you are on the leader board, or how many tournaments you took part in – if you enjoy participating in minigolf you have a story to tell.

There are plenty of opportunities to get your story out there, this can be about your achievements and what you've got planned for the 2018 season too, but it can also just be about your participation, and your enjoyment of the sport, spreading the news and awareness of minigolf in general.

Minigolf is a game for all. There are a huge variety of stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors, as well as wider sport, recreation and leisure communities.

The characters from the annual Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf Competition in Prestatyn
The characters from the annual Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf Competition in Prestatyn

There are a lot of communications channels to use to reach your audiences too! From newspapers, radio and TV, to blogs, social media and more, there’s a lot of choice when it comes to ways of getting your story out there.

Back in May this year I published my minigolf marketing eBook and it's received great reviews from a mix of people in the game. This marketing and communications guide has been designed for anyone interested or involved in minigolf.

I've been blogging about minigolf since 2006 and have played the game for as long as I can remember. I got seriously involved when I played in my first official tournament under the auspices of the British Minigolf Association back in 2007.

The top-three players at the Great Northern Minigolf Open (from l-r) Richard Gottfried (2nd), Scott Lancley (1st) and Russ Dent (3rd)
The podium of the first Great Northern Minigolf Open tournament. Held in Wigan back in April

Emily and I have been to almost 800 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and have played in a number of events, facing-off against each other but also sometimes as team-mates.

Southend Pier Crazy Golf course
At the Southend Pier Crazy Golf course - 1.3 miles out to sea. We held a tournament on the course last year

On our travels to courses and tournaments we are always keen to highlight the positive aspects of minigolf. Win or lose we've shared updates on tournaments we've competed in. Over the years this has earned us some brilliant local, regional, national and international media coverage.

This year I've added some variety to my minigolfing by competing in the MiniLinks Par-3 Miniature Golf tournaments in Lytham St Annes - they have a Winter Trophy tournament on at the moment, it's running from November to February

There are courses opening up all the time which means our 'To Play' list keeps growing! Minigolf is experiencing a real boom and it's a great time to be involved in the game.

This year I competed in a number of independent and national events – including the first staging of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships, which culminated in a grand final broadcast on Sky Sports.

Peter Jones in action in front of the cameras during the American Golf National Adventure Golf grand final at The Belfry
Peter Jones in action - as I look on - during the American Golf National Adventure Golf grand final at The Belfry

Unfortunately my team-mate Peter Jones and I were unable to win the title but came very close, with a very respectable second-place finish.

Celebrating our big minigolf win in the American Golf Welsh Regional Qualifier at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham
Celebrating our big minigolf win in the American Golf Welsh Regional Qualifier at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

With the 2017 season done and dusted now is a good time to reflect on the highs and lows and look ahead to the 2018 season and beyond.


  • Why do you enjoy playing minigolf? What made you take it up as a sport?
  • What results did you get this year? Were they better / worse than you expected?
  • What do you want to achieve next season?
  • Where do you want to play?
  • What new tournament opportunities are there?
  • How are you preparing?


If you're looking for help with your sports marketing and communications activities, no matter how big or small, do get in touch. You can buy my eBook, The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing, on Amazon.

You can find out more about our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on the Ham & Egger Files blog.

Details of my results during the 2017 season can be found in my summary blog post.

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

You could be owed £0,000

Checking your PPI here looks like a bit of a gamble to me!

Checking your PPI here looks like a bit of a gamble to me!

Monday, November 06, 2017

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport

One of my favourite things to see while out and about is inflatable advertising - whether it's a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man promoting an antiques shop, to a more static inflatable directing you to an amusement arcade - they're always fun to see. So, you can imagine my reaction when I spotted this BIG inflatable piece of signage advertising a MASSIVE SALE at the Toyota car dealership on St Mary's Way in Stockport!

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport
We were heading home from a bit of a bike ride round the borough when I saw the inflatable thing in the distance

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport
What a sight!

It's the third piece of inflatable advertising I've seen since moving to Stockport last year. The first was a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man Father Christmas advertising Terry's Fabrics in Cheadle Heath. The second was a 'static' inflatable promoting beds at United Carpets and Beds in Hazel Grove.

Related blog posts:
- Wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men 
- Inflatable advertising
Advertising
- Marketing
- Stockport

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Have a break...

...have a KitKat.

It looks like this in-store promotion took the brand's tagline literally.

KitKat and Nescafe promotion in Tesco Stockport
Back soon

Related blog posts:
- Funny
- Business
- Marketing
- Chocolate

Links:
- KitKat
- Nescafe

Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Crazy Golf at the Mid Sussex Business Expo

Golf-themed business expo in Burgess Hill, West Sussex this Thursday.

The team at Network Xpress are organising the golf-themed Business Expo at The King's Centre in Burgess Hill this Thursday, 7th September. The Sussex-based business event organisers are offering a fresh approach to networking with new, fun and themed-events. In addition to the 60 exhibitors, keynote speakers, workshops and seminars there will be a Crazy Golf tournament running all day.

It sounds great.

Information about the Network Xpress Mid Sussex Expo 2017
Information about the Network Xpress Mid Sussex Expo 2017

Visit the Network Xpress website for more information on the Mid Sussex Expo and other events they run.

As a marketer I'm all for innovation in business and events. Over the years I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly of events and so it'll be interesting to hear the feedback from the Mid Sussex Expo.

Crazy Golf is experiencing a boom and is getting more poplar as a business tool. The team at Putting Edge are receiving a number of bookings from the corporate market and for events in my local area in the North West, while UrbanCrazy's range of minigolf games and course layouts have been going strong for well over a decade. One of the first portable courses I played was an UrbanCrazy layout at the International Direct Marketing Fair in May 2007. Our friends at Putterfingers also offer Crazy Golf layouts for a number of different business and leisure events.

The Trade On Tap Hole-in-One challenge from Plumb Center and Parts Center at the CIH Housing 2016 Exhibition
The Trade On Tap Hole-in-One challenge from Plumb Center and Parts Center at the CIH Housing 2016 Exhibition

More recently I played a very nice bespoke minigolf hole at the CIH Housing Conference and Exhibition at Manchester Central and a two-hole layout at the Prolific North Live Show at EventCity.

The Putting Edge minigolf layout at the Prolific North Live Show earlier this year
The Putting Edge layout at the Prolific North Live Show earlier this year

If you enjoy minigolf and marketing crossovers you'll like my ebook too - check out The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing on Amazon. There's a preview of the book below.



If you'd like to know more about my marketing work and how I can help you and your business please do get in touch via my website.

Related blog posts:
- Business
- Marketing
- West Sussex
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Monday, June 19, 2017

Tenpin bowling at Parrs Wood in Manchester

Spotting some fun new posters at the Tenpin bowling centre at Parrs Wood.

We enjoy a game of bowling and last week we visited the Tenpin bowling centre at Parrs Wood for the first time in what seemed like ages. Walking through the entrance we spotted some new posters that made us smile.

Don't be a groan up! poster at the Tenpin bowling centre at Parrs Wood in Manchester
I'd like to see these warning posters in more places

It's always nice to see some added FUN - especially somewhere like a bowling alley where the game SHOULD DEFINITELY BE FUN.

Don't be a groan up! poster at the Tenpin bowling centre at Parrs Wood in Manchester
I've done 'The Robot' as a celebration after scoring a minigolf hole-in-one

In our match-up I picked up the win and we both got some Strikes. I wasn't far off getting a Turkey at one point too.

Don't be a groan up! poster at the Tenpin bowling centre at Parrs Wood in Manchester
What do you call 'Tag'? Emily calls it 'It' or 'Tag', while I know the game as 'Tig'

We'll be back for some more FUN at the Parrs Wood entertainment complex soon. We've still got to play the Sector 7 Laser Tag game they've got there!

We were lucky enough to get magic Lane 13 on our visit. We also beat the rush and played in 'Haunted Bowling Alley' conditions like something out of Scooby Doo
We were lucky enough to get magic Lane 13 on our visit. We also beat the rush and played in 'Haunted Bowling Alley' conditions like something out of Scooby Doo

In the meantime I'll be wasting some time popping bubble-wrap and other stuff on the Don't be a groan up website.

Tenpin bowling in Parrs Wood Manchester
Perfect bowling conditions

Links:
- Tenpin Parrs Wood
- Parrs Wood Manchester

Related blog posts:
- Tenpin bowling
- Parrs Wood

RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes

Last April I blogged about Tandy after my memory was jogged seeing an old sign for the brand at the back of an electronics shop in Hitchin.


Well, at the weekend I found another remnant of the once prominent high street brand - a RadioShack shop in Lytham Saint Annes!

RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes
RadioShack on the Fylde coast high street - still weathering the stormy retail sector 

My first job was at a Tandy franchise shop in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where I remember selling a number of electronic products bearing the 'RadioShack', 'Genexxa' and 'Realistic' brand names.

RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes
Great to see the Tandy logo still on display

Stepping into the RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes was like a time warp. It was brilliant having a chat to the man behind the counter about Tandy and RadioShack too.

RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes
They stock a lot of formats of tape at RadioShack

Looking online there are only three RadioShack shops left in the UK. The others are in Chester and Wrexham. As a fan of 'tickable list' challenges I fancy visiting the other two stores to complete the list.

RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes
They've got a lot of VHS tapes in stock at RadioShack

Visiting the shop was a bit like the classic shopping trip Alan Partridge makes to the Tandy in Norwich in Knowing Me Knowing Yule.

I treated myself to a new blank VHS tape at RadioShack in Lytham St Annes
I treated myself to a new blank VHS tape

In 2001 Tandy said goodbye to the UK high street as the last of the shops were converted after their acquisition by Carphone Warehouse.

I thought the Tandy brand name was still defunct, but no - a search found that Tandy lives on as an online retailer of electronic components and kits!

Interestingly the name Tandy comes from one of the founders of a leather goods company called Tandy Leather - a business that later became RadioShack.

You can find the RadioShack at 47 St Anne's Road West, Lytham Saint Annes, FY8 1SB.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Junkyard Golf Club on the London Underground

Spotting another advert for London's Junkyard Golf Club on the London Underground.


My mate and minigolf rival Gareth Holmes has spotted another advert for the Junkyard Golf Club while travelling on the tube in London.

Junkyard Golf advert on the Jubilee Line. Photo by Gareth Holmes June 2017
Junkyard Golf Club's latest advert for its London Crazy Golf courses

There are four Crazy Golf courses at Junkyard Golf Club in the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.

The brand also has two courses in Manchester Piccadilly - although the Manchester venue is moving to a new site in August.

Junkyard Golf is heading to Oxford too, with a new location opening at the redeveloped Westgate shopping centre.

Visit the Junkyard Golf Club website for more details on the venues, opening times and prices.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy Golf in London
- Junkyard Golf
- Junkyard Crazy Golf on the tube

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

As a keen marketer, writer and minigolfer I've written an ebook to help promote the great game.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing


You can now buy The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing on Amazon and Ganxy. There's a preview of the book below.



If you'd like to know more about my marketing work and how I can help please do get in touch via my website.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

The Geoff Capes Driving School in Stockport

I reckon you'd have a strong chance of passing your test if you learn to drive with Geoff Capes!

Geoff Capes Driving School in Stockport

Thursday, April 06, 2017

What a scrap metal van!

I spotted this Scrap Metal van in Cheadle Hulme earlier and had to get a snap of it. There's so much going on on it!

Scrap Metal van spotted in Cheadle Hulme
Let Stevie Scrap move your cr*p!

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Inflatable advertising man at United Carpets and Beds

While driving out of the Borough for a weekend away in Hastings we spotted a great piece of inflatable advertising at United Carpets and Beds on Buxton Road in Hazel Grove, Stockport.

Inflatable advertising man at United Carpets and Beds
While the United Carpets and Beds inflatable is not of the wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube variety he is still attention grabbing

It's the second inflatable spotted since we moved to Stockport. Last Christmas I saw a Santa Claus wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man advertising the sale on at Terry's Fabrics in Cheadle Heath.

On our recent roadtrip we saw a couple of other interesting ways to advertise beds. Vic Smith Beds in Enfield is currently using a tank on his roadside advertising on the M25, while Sussex Beds in Bexhill is using a dinosaur outside their store to entice people in.

We've spotted a lot of inflatable advertising and wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men on our travels over the years. Unfortunately I haven't had a need to hire or buy a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man for my own marketing business. Not yet anyway...

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Junkyard Crazy Golf on the tube

Spotting an advert for London's Junkyard Crazy Golf on the London Underground.


Thanks to my mate and minigolf rival Gareth Holmes for sending me this snap of an advert for London's Junkyard Crazy Golf course he spotting on the tube earlier this week.

The Junkyard Crazy Golf advert on a Northern Line tube train. Photo by Gareth Holmes
The Junkyard Crazy Golf advert on a Northern Line tube train

We haven't been to the four London Junkyard Crazy Golf courses at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane yet, but the Manchester courses are two of our most local minigolf layouts and were the 718th and 719th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

One of the holes at Junkyard Crazy Golf in Manchester
One of the holes at Junkyard Crazy Golf in Manchester

Check out the Junkyard Crazy Golf website for further details, opening times and prices.

It's always nice to see minigolf advertising. Last year we saw an advert for the Shanklin Seafront Crazy Golf course on an Island Line tube train.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy Golf in London
- Playing Junkyard Golf in Manchester

Link:
- Junkyard Crazy Golf

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Free Jaffa Cake... if you buy a tyre

What a sales promotion!

While in Altrincham I spotted this great bit of advertising for The Tyre Warehouse.

Free Jaffa Cake with every tyre at The Tyre Warehouse in Altrincham
A free Jaffa Cake with every tyre at The Tyre Warehouse in Altrincham. Why yes, I'll take a dozen!

I wonder how many people take up the offer?

Related blog posts:
- Marketing
- Funny sign

Link:
- The Tyre Warehouse

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Putting Edge portable minigolf

Playing the Putting Edge portable minigolf course at Prolific North Live 2017.


The team Putting Edge minigolf were exhibiting at Prolific North Live 2017 at EventCity in Manchester so I got to play minigolf while wearing both my @putting_gott and @marketing_gott hats!

Putting Edge portable minigolf
The Putting Edge minigolf course gets the thumbs-up from me - even if David from Putting Edge had made the second hole very very tough indeed!

The tricky little 2-hole Putting Edge minigolf layout was the 722 visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 423rd played since September 2006.

Putting Edge portable minigolf
I really liked the ramp and jump on the first hole - I shot a few aces on it

Admittedly I had a fair few goes on the course (probably enough to constitute a full round of 18-hole), but by the time I left I'd equaled the day's low score of 4, with an ace and a three. The long dog-leg second hole was nigh on impossible to get a hole-in-one on.

Putting Edge portable minigolf
On the leaderboard

Check out the Putting Edge website for more details and do get in touch with David to find out how he can help make a difference to your event, function or exhibition space.

Putting Edge portable minigolf
David and the team at Putting Edge can tailor the obstacles and branding on the course to suit your needs 

Check out the video of me scoring a hole-in-one on the first below.





Links:
- Putting Edge
- Prolific North

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Portable Minigolf

Video:
- Hole-in-One on the first

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

Tripe in Stockport

A blog post about tripe and the Tripe Marketing Board.


Ever since I first spotted tripe on a butcher's stall at Wigan Market in 2012 I've been following the Tripe Marketing Board with interest. Although not enough interest to have actually given tripe a go. Yet. I'm fairly certain that cow's stomach is something of an acquired taste.

While shopping in Stockport's Produce Hall at the indoor market last weekend I spotted tripe for sale at Deli Delights. The first I've seen since moving to the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport last summer.

Thick seam tripe for sale at Deli Delights in Stockport Market!
Thick seam tripe - a deli delight!

The Tripe Marketing Board tell me that up until the 1960s you could find hundreds of tripe shops throughout Lancashire, with many of the shops run by United Cattle Products (UCP) and offering nose-to-tail food at the attached cafes and restaurants.

The country's last remaining Tripe Shop is in Stalybridge. I'll have to go there when I eventually get round to travelling on the once a week Parliamentary one-way rail service from Stockport to Stalybridge.

Back in December we were in Leeds and saw that there was a new Tripe Counter at Ramsdens Fishmongers at Leeds Kirkgate Market!

Tripe Counter at Ramsdens Fishmongers at Leeds Kirkgate Market

Tripe Counter at Ramsdens Fishmongers at Leeds Kirkgate Market
What a lot of tripe!

I've also seen tripe for sale in Bolton and Blackpool.

Tripe at Bolton Indoor Market
Tripe in Bolton

Tripe at Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool
Tripe in Blackpool

The Tripe Marketing Board are dedicated to educating the public about eating tripe as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The Tripe Marketing Board was an industry-wide response to the continuing post-war decline in tripe sales in the UK. This was due to the ending of rationing, increasing affluence and a widespread perception that it is not fit for human consumption.

Visit the Tripe Marketing Board website for more information about tripe. You can also use Tripe Adviser to locate sellers of the delicacy.

Links:
Tripe Marketing Board website
Tripe Marketing Board on Twitter
Tripe Marketing Board on Facebook
- Stockport Market

Related blog posts:
- Marketing
- Stockport
- Food

Friday, January 27, 2017

Laser Disk shopping!

I've found the perfect shop to take over to expand my business empire!

At the out-of-business Jubilee Films video, DVD and Laser Disk shop in Ashton-under-Lyne
Laser Disks!?

I'm sure there's still money to be had in the VHS tape and Laserdisc markets...