APBA logo

[Dr. Thunder]

Obviously business thinks logos are important, otherwise they wouldn't spend so much on professional graphic designers to come up with something. However, there are some logos that have remained the same for decades and are a constant on our landscape such as the Ford Blue Oval and the Chevy Bow Tie. Neither are particularly intricate or fancy but everyone knows them and they are not about to change. I personally design logos for customers as part of my small sign business and I wish they understood that complicated doesn't necessarily mean memorable or readable.

So, as a professional designer do you like the current APBA logo?

[pops67g]

It's OK

I think the real issue in this discussion is whether or not it is worth the expense to change the logo. I think not. To answer the question of like or dislike I am kind of neutral here. Most people aren't totally aware of what the whole logo actually looks like as all they think of is the stickers we get for boats when we sign up. The complete logo has APBA underscored with American Power Boat Association beneath it. It's simple and readable so it passes the test of a decent logo. If someone wants to argue that it doesn't say anything about racing it really doesn't wash. When the logo is displayed on raceboats and race trailers carrying said boats how could anyone not know?

[Bob Dunlap]

Change it all

The last post saying "How could they not Know" is totally ridiculous. Our boats and trailers are on the road so little only very few people see them, usually at a gas station people say "what are those". When you tell them, they say "I've never heard of that". Just because we did it like that in the 1950's doesn't mean it will work today.
We need to change more than just the logo. It needs to include the word RACING. In the National meeting in the website seminar they talked about how many people googled the word Powerboat Well guess what! Powerboat includes every boat in the world with a motor, other than sailbotes. Just in my town we have about 50,000 powerboats and 12 raceboats. We have 15 or more powerboat dealers and none of them sell raceboats. We need something to set us apart from every pleasure, fishing and plain powerboat in the world. I think if we don't have the word Racing included in the logo or name we never will be able to grow and reach new people.

[racnbns]

Boat Racing

Before we try to promote boat racing take a look at it. We have a sport where the rules are proposed by a commission[mostly racers] and go to be voted on by the racers themselves.

As far as a spectator sport, I don't believe it is. Most of our programs are too long because of too many classes and if they aren't we make them longer by starting tomorrows program today. This not only confuses the few people that stumbled on the race accidentaly but puts a lot of extra work on our volunteers.

Promoting and selling the sport. First of all you have to have a marketable product. As Bob Dunlap said "they only see us at the gas station" and ask "what is it". BOAT RACING IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE WORLD.

I agree with you who believe the money could be better spent elsewhere and we should all be looking at the little things we can do to improve boat racing overall. For instance the appearance of our boat, race trailer, pit area and ourselves[I know we've all heard this a million times].

This is a good sport that I have enjoyed for many years, have made a lot of friends and hope to enjoy it for a few more years but as far as selling it to the public its a hard sell and we don't have the product or the MONEY.

Bruce Summers V-71/V-81

P.S. How about the Mercedes Benz logo. Simple and withstanding the test of time.

[HRTV]

Before we try to promote boat racing take a look at it. We have a sport where the rules are proposed by a commission[mostly racers] and go to be voted on by the racers themselves.

As far as a spectator sport, I don't believe it is. Most of our programs are too long because of too many classes and if they aren't we make them longer by starting tomorrows program today. This not only confuses the few people that stumbled on the race accidentaly but puts a lot of extra work on our volunteers.

Promoting and selling the sport. First of all you have to have a marketable product. As Bob Dunlap said "they only see us at the gas station" and ask "what is it". BOAT RACING IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE WORLD.

I agree with you who believe the money could be better spent elsewhere and we should all be looking at the little things we can do to improve boat racing overall. For instance the appearance of our boat, race trailer, pit area and ourselves[I know we've all heard this a million times].

This is a good sport that I have enjoyed for many years, have made a lot of friends and hope to enjoy it for a few more years but as far as selling it to the public its a hard sell and we don't have the product or the MONEY.

Bruce Summers V-71/V-81

P.S. How about the Mercedes Benz logo. Simple and withstanding the test of time.

Great post Bruce one of the best I have read in years. You are 100% correct which is why I get so upset when I hear people defend the Crown Partners project. How can you hire a company to market and promote a product that does not even exists in the real world. It’s all money just thrown down the tubes.

Everyone should do their best to promote existing races and make each event better then the last one. Make the drivers who still participate happy by offering free dinners etc. even free breakfast. Make the pits as clean and comfortable as possible so the families that do attend have a pleasant experience.

This whole new APBA marketing blitz with web sites and logs is a total waste. I hear they have a new marketing person on staff full time now at APBA what is he marketing?

Enjoy your local races, support the local clubs and try to make each and every race a pleasant experience.

No marketing or web sites needed create a Facebook page for your local club open a YouTube site for your videos and Tweet live action updates from the races. All the tools you need are already in place.

Enjoy!

[ricochet112]

Before we try to promote boat racing take a look at it. We have a sport where the rules are proposed by a commission[mostly racers] and go to be voted on by the racers themselves.

As far as a spectator sport, I don't believe it is. Most of our programs are too long because of too many classes and if they aren't we make them longer by starting tomorrows program today. This not only confuses the few people that stumbled on the race accidentaly but puts a lot of extra work on our volunteers.

Promoting and selling the sport. First of all you have to have a marketable product. As Bob Dunlap said "they only see us at the gas station" and ask "what is it". BOAT RACING IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE WORLD.

I agree with you who believe the money could be better spent elsewhere and we should all be looking at the little things we can do to improve boat racing overall. For instance the appearance of our boat, race trailer, pit area and ourselves[I know we've all heard this a million times].

This is a good sport that I have enjoyed for many years, have made a lot of friends and hope to enjoy it for a few more years but as far as selling it to the public its a hard sell and we don't have the product or the MONEY.

Bruce Summers V-71/V-81

P.S. How about the Mercedes Benz logo. Simple and withstanding the test of time.

When the racers make their own rules the organization can get stuck in a rut.

Why we (APBA) didn't look at streamlining the classes and having a more marketable product before the marketing process got started is beyond me.

PS-when are we going to get rid of the antiquated Feb 28th dead line to join?

[Bob Rusnak]

After reading some of the posts I looked at other racing logo's. NASCAR, USAC, NHRA, ARCA, WoO, etc. This is all they say on race trailers,tow vehicles and posters. ....Bob

[ricochet112]

After reading some of the posts I looked at other racing logo's. NASCAR, USAC, NHRA, ARCA, WoO, etc. This is all they say on race trailers,tow vehicles and posters. ....Bob

I went another route, I tried to think of a logo that had nothing to do with the product.

http://www.applegazette.com/apple-in...he-apple-logo/

[thepiranhabros]

Um... what now?

Great post Bruce one of the best I have read in years. You are 100% correct which is why I get so upset when I hear people defend the Crown Partners project. How can you hire a company to market and promote a product that does not even exists in the real world. It’s all money just thrown down the tubes.

Everyone should do their best to promote existing races and make each event better then the last one. Make the drivers who still participate happy by offering free dinners etc. even free breakfast. Make the pits as clean and comfortable as possible so the families that do attend have a pleasant experience.

This whole new APBA marketing blitz with web sites and logs is a total waste. I hear they have a new marketing person on staff full time now at APBA what is he marketing?

Enjoy your local races, support the local clubs and try to make each and every race a pleasant experience.

No marketing or web sites needed create a Facebook page for your local club open a YouTube site for your videos and Tweet live action updates from the races. All the tools you need are already in place.

Enjoy!

Well, this is an interesting about-face coming from a man whose previous posts right here on this very website bemoaned that APBA wasn't doing enough to market and promote itself and the sport, and that we needed the likes of Mountain Dew and Red Bull to come in, save us from ourselves, and become our corporate shill.

Suddenly we have all we need with a digital video camera, an iPad, and a Facebook account. Seriously, Dan?

I, for one, am tired of all your APBA/Crown Partners bashing going on on this site. Do you honestly think you are doing a better job than Crown simply by popping off here on HydroRacer? Yes, I realize you built this site all on your own; forged it out of the great Internet frontier, and blazed a trail for all future message board websites for the ages to come. And I thank you for putting this site together. But really, for all the complaining you do, you should have called your site HydroWhiner!

Dan, last I heard, you don't even race boats anymore, so where do you get off criticizing us all the time? You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but it is getting rather old and your arguments sad and weak. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; if you're so marketing and promotional savvy, please throw your weight where it can do some actual good and offer up some constructive criticism for APBA and Crown.

[Ron Hill]

Bruce Summer's Post

http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...t=11664&page=2

I replied to Bruce's post on BRF.

Marlee Hill, with my help got some new people in racing last year.

Several things helped:

1. Marlee is young and full of it......She posts on You Tube, she writes her own news letter called the Shearpin. She sets goals.

2. Every boat on the water at our Thanksgiving Regatta (12 boats)in A Hydro was once owned by me, if I didn't own it, it had my motor. (Except for Tammy Dawe and Jeff Conant's A Hydros). We have a new AXS-A Hydro driver coming up, Britany Schwarzenbach. If you have been around boat racing in the last 50 years you have heard of Schwarzenbach...Got to stop, need to go put a prop on the Patrol Pontoon boat for testing today...getting ready for Puddingstone.

Well, hell, I didn't take a picture of the FREE props I gave them...John Soares donated the motor, Danny Bell completely rebuilt the pontoon boat, and Greg Foster sold us the boat and trailer for $1,500. Want to guess who put this "DEAL" together......And John Soares, built the boom and winch.....

John Soares works for Hill Marine, when he isn't busy building race cars...This guy, "Mr. Lucas, keeps John busy building cars for his kids....." John is very talents, an excellent boat racer, second generation, we'd love to hire him full time, he's just too busy...........

Thanks, Steve Sequera, Gordy Jennings, Jr., Dave Rankin, Dave Noyes (Lake Irvine V-Drive Regatta, WE WILL BE STORING THIS NEW PATROL BOAT AT Irvine Lake.....or free). They are off to the LAKE on 2/14/2012........I told them I ain't going out on the lake on Valentine's Day..........

Back to Schwarzenbach: She has boat, motor, propellers, cut suit, jacket and helmet. Provide by Uncle Ron Hill. She will have her first risde this three day weekend at Needles.

3. Why we have been getting new people, Irvine Lake in 20 minutes from Disneyland and we can test race boats there on Tuesday. One at a time, but what a great way to get new people in boats.....give them a ride. Marlee Has learned that teaching new drivers to STOP is as IMPORTANT has how to get them on plane, how to make a corner............And we have all learned to keep the carts back from the water's edge about two boat lengths, as that is as far as anyone has made a "BAAAAAAAT SLIDE"......

4. Young and old, male and female, HAVING A GREAT TIME and putting pictures of their fun on YOU TUBE!

5. HYDRORACER.NET AND BOATRACINGFACTRS.COM HELP TO GET NEW MEMBERS AND I DON'T THINK EITHER WEB SITE HAS A LOGO.....

ADD: You do know what a "BAT SLIDE" is don't you??? Batman knows, he's like THE HONEY BADGER!

[HRTV]

Well, this is an interesting about-face coming from a man whose previous posts right here on this very website bemoaned that APBA wasn't doing enough to market and promote itself and the sport, and that we needed the likes of Mountain Dew and Red Bull to come in, save us from ourselves, and become our corporate shill.

Suddenly we have all we need with a digital video camera, an iPad, and a Facebook account. Seriously, Dan?

I, for one, am tired of all your APBA/Crown Partners bashing going on on this site. Do you honestly think you are doing a better job than Crown simply by popping off here on HydroRacer? Yes, I realize you built this site all on your own; forged it out of the great Internet frontier, and blazed a trail for all future message board websites for the ages to come. And I thank you for putting this site together. But really, for all the complaining you do, you should have called your site HydroWhiner!

Dan, last I heard, you don't even race boats anymore, so where do you get off criticizing us all the time? You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but it is getting rather old and your arguments sad and weak. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; if you're so marketing and promotional savvy, please throw your weight where it can do some actual good and offer up some constructive criticism for APBA and Crown.

Michael have you read the BS on the APBA message board its the same old BS. the hottest thread on the new web site contains nothing but post from people complaining about the logo. Its no different same **** with a new look.

The second hottest thread is the post about the new web site it self, same complaining.

Enjoy!

[thepiranhabros]

Nope.

Michael have you read the BS on the APBA message board its the same old BS. the hottest thread on the new web site contains nothing but post from people complaining about the logo. Its no different same **** with a new look.

The second hottest thread is the post about the new web site it self, same complaining.

Enjoy!

Hmmm.... Sorry, Dan. Somehow I missed the kvetching on the new APBA website. Oh, I know why now... because I was busy taking the Assistant Risk Manager and the Referee/Risk Manager tests so I can actually be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Try it sometime.

[form-e one]

new logo was tried years ago when i was a kid i remember iam now 48 old,,, it did NOT fly then soooo,,,,maybe should get web site running first since seems cant get that in order yet and it costing us allllll,,,,

[Big Don]

So let’s think this through.

We all feel APBA needed to do something because we’re going backwards and losing members.

We all know APBA’s way of doing a lot of things was antiquated.

We had someone who runs a very successful eBusiness company show us how we could embrace change and move into the current market.

Their vision was moving into the Digital world, branding, marketing, new software, changing the infrastructure, etc.

They surveyed the members (owners) and asked us what was important to us and the organization.

The BOD made the commitment to embrace the change.

So now we have today and what they have done for us so far. Is it perfect? No, but they are working on it. Some will say, well it shouldn’t have been launched. I’ll ask this, who has ever launched new software, eCommerce, automation, migration of anything and not had issues. It happens and anyone that says they have launched anything like this and not had some issues you are a liar.

Do you really think this is all we are getting for our money? Go back and read the original document.

The Logo is just a small tidbit of the big picture. I don’t think anyone has said that because of the new chrome looking APBA logo it’s going to have new members jumping on board. It’s about change and moving forward. That is such a small part of the big picture. Think about what you guys are saying. Because the logo does not have a prop or something in it that it does not say what we are. You guys answered your own whining and don’t even realize it. You say that people can look right at the boat on the trailer and ask what it is. That is the product, how in the hell is a logo going to tell people what we are if our own product does not tell them. Think about it.

You can ask anyone about marketing or advertizing and they will tell you their best advertising is word of mouth and all you naysayers and doing nothing but hurting us.

All opinions are of value in my opinion as long as they are constructive and helping move the issue forward. You guys just want to complain and will never be happy.

[raceright]

I'm the one who proposed last year to do some kind of marketing within the Pro category, hence the high point red jackets given out at the National meeting.

Then along came Crown Partners and APBA's new outlook on Promoting.
(just happens to be in the bylaws--but who reads that)
If some of you rember or even know several years ago I posted APBA's financials soooo you could all see that we spent nothing on Promotion and the next year APBA decided to start spending. Again the purpose of APBA is to promote powerboat racing---hey guess what maybe we should do that.

I have many ideas about promoting but guess what APBA did not hire me, or any of you they hired Crown. We are paying them to promote Power boat racing and you nay sayers have had plenty of time to do the promoting but guess what again you all suck at it cause look at where we are.

So win loose or draw this is the horse we are riding so stop kicking him because you will have a rough ride--

PS. but checking with logo inventory (ANN) should have been done.

Business man once told a marketer here is a blank check for your marketing work for my business--but fill it out after I say it works. Marketer gave him back the check and said there are no guarantees.

Pat Wright

Just wanted to add--sales never considers production-WHAT DO THEY KNOW. And production never considers sales ,huh thats easy AND WHAT DO THOSE SALES MAN KNOW.. Racers guess what it takes both