Can't wait for Simmons payoff

[Field of 33]

Just listening to Gene Simmons talk on IRW this week, I cannot wait to see how his vision will work out for the IRL. We need to be fair and give it time but I can't wait to look back 2 years from now and see how it comes along. Some of his ideas seem extremely grand but if they go, it would be awesome! Stuff like an "Indy House", Indy-girl clothing and more... I have no doubts that this guy knows EXACTLY what he's doing!

[TUBORG-fan]

Well let's hope so

[markinsand]

Anyone who can make KISS into a big thing knows what they are doing...

[homeslice]

Anyone who can make KISS into a big thing knows what they are doing...

Excellent point.

[MoparsRule]

He & Paul are obviously marketing genius personified... I hope they can help the IRL.

It's obvious that incredible racing isn't going to do it... so maybe they can help.

[oldtimer]

I have two worries about Simmons (and I think he is just another George mistake - another case of "Bring in the Clowns"):

1. He doesn't have a clue as to what racing is about, and will fail.

2. He will succeed at promoting something that will be a sh--ty imitation of the real thing.

Given a choice, I'd take #1. Poor promotion of the real thing is better than successful promotion of a carnival. Let's keep Indy a race, not a show.

[StatMan]

Anyone who can make KISS into a big thing knows what they are doing...

I was about to say the same thing.

[MD-IRLFAN]

In keeping with comparisons to Kiss. If Gene (with Paul) can bring Kiss back from what they did between the early 80's thru the mid 90's. I believe just about anything is possible.

[Racemind]

Dang, I thought this was going to be about Jeff Simmons...

[jkg]

Dang, I thought this was going to be about Jeff Simmons...

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[sf-indy-fan]

1. He doesn't have a clue as to what racing is about, and will fail.

He couldn't do any worse than the promotion job done by those who DO know what racing is about.

2. He will succeed at promoting something that will be a sh--ty imitation of the real thing.

How do you define "the real thing," OT? The roadster era? The 70's? If so, well, one could easily argue that the original IRL already was, right from the get-go, a sh--ty imitation of "the real thing."

I'm confident that Brian Barnhart has exerted his influence and made his feelings known, to the effect of him saying, "The racing end of things here is MY territory, pal."

[jkg]

I'm confident that Brian Barnhart has exerted his influence and made his feelings known, to the effect of him saying, "The racing end of things here is MY territory, pal."

I doubt if he needs to.

Simmons at the initial presser: "Brian and Tony George and all the great people at Indy, they put on a terrific race and a terrific product. We have nothing to do with that. We’re not going to change a thing or advise they change a thing, even if we could."

[Grinder-Tank]

"Originally Posted by oldtimer
1. He doesn't have a clue as to what racing is about, and will fail."

Excuse me Oldtimer, but it has NOTHING to do with racing. That is called pop culture and it's what NASCAR has become. You don't tell potential new fans that they're stupid because they don't know about the sport. If there is someone who really likes it, like Gene does, all he needs to do is tell others what it is that gets him into it. He does not have to know how to set up a car and name all the Indy 500 winners.

Have you given Simmon a quiz and determined His lack of knowledge or are you just pizzing in the punch bowl?

[Racemind]

Right. At my current place of work, we focus on our product and making it the best possible. But we farm out the PR and marketing efforts to splashy East Coast agencies, and I hold my nose during my meetings with them because they are SOOOO ignorant of our product and show no interest in learning much about it.

But they know the world of promotion. And they get huge results.

[Field of 33]

I have two worries about Simmons (and I think he is just another George mistake - another case of "Bring in the Clowns"):

1. He doesn't have a clue as to what racing is about, and will fail.

2. He will succeed at promoting something that will be a sh--ty imitation of the real thing.

Given a choice, I'd take #1. Poor promotion of the real thing is better than successful promotion of a carnival. Let's keep Indy a race, not a show.

Geez, who pissed in your cheerios?!