I wish I was kidding- http://www.texrenfest.com/heirtothethrone (http://www.texrenfest.com/heirtothethrone)
When the hell did TRF devolve to using Howard Stern/Jerry Springer antics? Seriously, this is the kind of sleazy shock-marketing I expect from cheep beer companies and tawdry-antics-prone companies like GoDaddy and the like, NOT from a (once) respected renaissance festival. This crap makes me regret purchasing the tickets we already have for this year, and makes me SERIOUSLY rethink next year. Louisiana Ren Faire isn't too far off, and doesn't resort to this sort of tacky antic to gin up business.
Terre, as you are the GM of TRF, I am telling you- this has a VERY high chance of backfiring. It offended the hell out of my family, for sure. I don't know if you vetted this before letting it go to press- and I'm sure there are some out there who would do this to their children to get free stuff- but I truly expected better. You guys were doing so well until this, making me think TRF was making a turnaround from the over-commercialized medieval flea market/beer stand it had become. Now... sweet Jaysus, Terre, did you guys do ANY target market surveys before popping this one out? I could see it if you were asking someone to name kids after a key historical figure, such as Henry Tudor X or Anne Boleyn X, but this? Wow. I guess the reason this disappoints me so much is that it's undignified and beneath an institution that prides itself on "the dream" and educating the public. What's next, wet bodice contests at the gate for free tickets? Tramp-stamp tattoos of the TRF logo for a free entry to the King's Feast?
EDIT: I see from the TRF facebook that a great many sycophantic people are lauding this as a good idea, and kissing butt in support, real or faux. I give up, the festival belongs to such people now.
I saw their email announcement and -- with my first grandbaby due any day -- could not believe it. I read it again. Really? Texas Renfest Robb? I think not.
I don't believe I am kissing arse but I thought is was a pretty good idea. I seriously doubt anyone would take them up on it but it does get them talked about in the off season when 'danes might make plans to attend. With this and the pub crawls I am happy that the marketing department is trying different things to appeal to the sort who normally wouldn't attend. TRF after all, first and foremost, is a business. And if a stunt like this helps increase attendance without drawing away from the actual festival, then I approve. Life is too short to take something like this so serious as to be offended. It is a joke.
Now, let's start planning the wet bodice contest. Sounds like something for the Sea Devil to me.
"When tasting of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks."
Lazeras Long.
it's not likely to gin up as much business as it will lose, frankly. Most of the types of people who think this is "cool" would go there anyway, and many of those of us who have been going there for over 23 years who remember what it USED to be are just disgusted by this, and will be taking our money elsewhere. Sherwood and Scarby might as well have handed TRF this stunt, because they stand to benefit from it far more than George does
As an aside, my own critical comments and those of other people have been deleted from the thread on FB, so methinks they are getting a lot more backlash than they are allowing to be seen publicly.
I'm sure that there are plenty of people(me being one) who would love to take those tickets off your hands if you no longer want them. I for one will still be there for sure!
Don't laugh, we're seriously considering it. They're pre-orders in our name at will-call, but once we pick them up, we'll talk as Tiff is pretty disgusted as well. This, word that neither Circa Paleo nor Shunyata will be returning, and some other issues of concern that have been cropping up lately... not liking it. We're already obligated to go to AHE weekend, but the rest of the tickets are likely to get sold off for what we paid for them, and our faire budget for next year is all going to Sherwood. Right now, too many negatives about TRF to justify it for next year.
Sorry to hear that Breandan, I was hoping to get to know you a wee bit better. From some of your tales of tribulations getting to the Festival, you sound like someone I would enjoy. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Guess I shall have to try harder to make it to Sherwood.
Quote from: Breandan on July 17, 2012, 03:40:51 PM
As an aside, my own critical comments and those of other people have been deleted from the thread on FB, so methinks they are getting a lot more backlash than they are allowing to be seen publicly.
My comment against the idea has also been removed, or at least wasn't there last time I looked. Now, whether that was the faire FB page moderator or whether it was yet another FB glitch, I can't say. It just wasn't there any more.
Quite frankly, this is an embarrassment to all Texas festivals, and festivals in general. The general public already has a negative or condescending opinion of faires (sadly, though considering the things that ARE considered popular entertainment, I don't see how they have the gall to judge), and stunts like this only serve to increase the disrespect and derision.
If it was meant to get publicity via the "Odd Things" sections of newscasts and publications, it succeeded, so congratulations I guess. Unfortunately, that notoriety carries a price, and that price is a total loss of validity.
It is very disappointing that they did this.
I can't believe I'm about to do this because I strive to be a compartmentalised individual and to each their own...but as age and experience go on I find myself more and more firm on many things....and this one of them.
A name is a sacred thing. Not a ploy to drum up revenue, not a gimmick. I may not like the definition of what my name means as I don't hold the values upon which I was named, but it is mine. It stemmed from something my parents held dear to themselves. A parent names their child in such a way as to honor something that coils around their existence as a family, what made them whole...the tie that binds so to speak....I spoke for this because it amused me and it didn't affect me in any way..but I've thought on it and I can't shake that, I too, am appalled by this. I will go back to faire because I love faire. My tolerance is still high for that which strays....this is a fact. But jebus, I can't believe that. I do hope no parent does this, because while I may shake my head at someone for naming their child Woodstock or anything that was an location or even that meant something to them *or because you were conceived there*, for a contest...for life....the price is too high, bad PR aside.
I need to add my name to the list of folks who think this is in horribly poor taste, too. Tho any who would name their child thusly may have been planning a name much worse to begin with.
Nicely said Mouse on the sacredness of a name.
Well said indeed Mouse.
This has got to be one of the worst ideas that I have ever seen.
I can't find any commentary on their facebook page or on the friends of facebook page. So I have to wonder if they are deleting it due to overwhelming negative feedback.
**edited for additional content**
I posted this morning on their Facebook page and added my commentary. So far it has not been deleted.
There is an email address at the bottom of the page linked in post #1 - marketing@texrenfest.com. Has it been flooded yet I wonder?
Oh, and while I'm here, put me in the "NO" column as well.
Carry on, doing a fine job everyone (o:
Yeah, mine were some of the negative responses that were removed. Not only that, I have been blocked from further commenting on anything on the TRF FB page.
This doesn't surprise me, really, because my responses were VERY passionately negative. I can understand them not wanting feedback like that (especially when it was supported by published research) on a page that is used for marketing purposes... not good for business.
Another reason I think that my responses were removed, while others characterizing the contest as "cruel", "stupid", and "utter horseshit" were left alone, is that (a) I pointed out that the detrimental effects of giving children highly unusual names has clearly demonstrated by research, and that it is actually very easy to find published data to support this, and (b) I continued to defend my position by pointing out that all of the defenses of the contest so far were based on either violating the spirit of the contest ("you can always change the name") or pointing out that people have been saddling their children with difficult names for ages (which apparently makes it a fantastic idea to encourage people to do so NOW).
But I happen to be one of those who is very passionate about names. I think names have power. Names are important. If they weren't, why on earth would expectant parents spend so much time and energy choosing just the right name for their child? And I would challenge any parents in the TRF marketing department or in TRF management: how much care and thought did YOU put into your child's name, and would you have considered "Texas Renaissance" an appropriate name for your child? WHY NOT??? It's just a name, right?
Yes, people have been giving their children unfortunate names for forever... yes, there could be names more difficult and cumbersome that what TRF is proposing. But IMO, that doesn't make it any less difficult on the poor kid. I always found the idea that parents would intentionally give their children names that would paint a target on them to be mind-boggling; the possibility that a parent would do for what is essentially monetary gain is just... REALLY disconcerting. And then throw in the fact that TRF is SOLICITING inflicting this on a child...
I'm just... I don't know what else to say. I am very proud of the years I spent at TRF, and very proud to have been a part of the entertainment company. I still love TRF, and want it to succeed and grow. But RIGHT NOW, I cannot say that I am proud of this. Because I'm not. I'm ashamed that an organization that has been such a large and valuable part of my life for so long, and is so close to my heart, is promoting something like this. Yes, ashamed. And that is heartbreaking.
Go ahead and put me in the "NO" column as well...
I can't imagine naming my child anything other than the name I gave her... even if it did offer lifetime passes. Love TRF, but not to where I have to basically give up my child's identity in order to save some money on passes for the rest of our lives.
I had a hard enough time with being called "Drew" let alone "TexRen" or "Moon Unit"...
Don't forget "Dweezle"
I guess I am about the only one who took the whole thing as a joke. Kind of like the Dominos Pizza commercial where the guy is going to change his kid's name to "$7 Pickup Deal" (or something like that).
Course, I used to know two sisters, Alice & Sally Broken Face. And a friend named Eddie Running Rabbit.
The joys of going up in Montana on an Indian Reservation...
Know a woman named Pashama! Spelled Pajamas!
I kinda treated this as a joke as well. But if someone loves the TxRenFest enough to name their child after it for lifetime tickets because they love this faire so much, then there is your passion. It is their right to do so. And everyone has the right to their own opinion about it. Keep it honest and clean. Just don't flame the entire company or those that like this. Also, flaming entire towns like Cut n Shoot or anyone who lives in the country is not the way to go either. It may make one feel better about themselves, but really only makes a person look more and more like an idiot. I live in the back woods of southeast Texas, AND I have all of my teeth. Imagine that. ;D
But in an instance like this, majority wins. And if the majority of folks visiting the faire are into this kinda of marketing, then that is the way TRF will head. TRF is in business to make money. As much money as they can. It is sad, but true. The only way to change TRF to head in the direction that us rennies want it to go, is to become the majority. Get more folks interested in enjoying renfaires like we do, and TRF will change to what we would like to see it as.
Boycotting TRF will not hurt them one bit either. All that would do is hurt ourselves and our friends that we have made out at TRF over the years.
Glaodian:I understand, this is not a personal attack on me. That said my nephew & his lady love (both of whom I love dearly) will be naming their son (due in Sept.) After my father and the truck that he loved!
Diesel Oren (Oran)!
Quote from: JimsDana on July 19, 2012, 11:51:30 PM
Glaodian:I understand, this is not a personal attack on me. That said my nephew & his lady love (both of whom I love dearly) will be naming their son (due in Sept.) After my father and the truck that he loved!
Diesel Oren (Oran)!
;D Grats on the upcoming new addition to the family.
Last time i checked, this was still a free country. If someone wants to burden their child like that, so be it. They could call them Sue if they want a boy to grow up tough... :D
As I have said, it's their right as an organization to do this, and its mine as a customer to walk away in disgust and spend my money elsewhere. Realistically, TRF has been on the decline in spirit, albeit not in numbers, for years. It's lost its soul along the way in the eyes of many of us who have been going or working there for 20+ years. Will they continue to bring in big numbers? Sure, for a while. Will my taking my money elsewhere so much as dent George's pocketbook? Absolutely not. I, however, believe in concepts like integrity, and will not support an organization that has devolved to such tawdry tactics to gin up buzz as to court the more debase elements of society who would bugger their children over for a freebie.
Names are V E R Y important to my culture, they have power and carry weight. I have gotten into heated arguments with my wife over what to name our children more than once because we are extremely passionate about such things, and want those names to have meaning. My name wasn't chosen flippantly, neither were any of my siblings or our children. My wife's was, and it has irritated her and been a problem for her entire life. So, we both know the value of naming, me from being part of a multi-millennia-old tradition and her from negative experience created by a mother who stepped away from that tradition. I get the fact that we're not American culturally, only nationality-wise, and so we view American society from the outside and thus have to understand that it does not share the same values. This is a fact I get reminded of daily, trust me. However, even to the Americans this is not something normally taken lightly.
Nor is the cop-out reply of "well, they can always get it changed later" valid. One of the comments I made that was removed detailed the long, drawn-out and potentially expensive procedures required to do a legal name change for a minor in Texas- and I didn't even point out how MUCH more expensive and difficult it is to do as an adult, if the parents refuse to do so to keep those freebies coming- and how it can cause significant difficulties later in life. If that child ever went for TS-SCI clearance (and yes, I know that is unlikely, but it is still a potential), ANY form of name change can complicate the hell out of the process. I speak from experience of having had my surname changed, dropping my father's and taking my mother's maiden name when I was younger. It caused a lot of issues for me for background checks for law enforcement jobs, for my security clearance, and military enlistment. These are things the potential "winners" of this contest and its promoters have not taken into consideration, because the former just want a "gimme! gimme! gimme!" freebie at any cost, and the latter wants to gin up marketing exposure at any cost. Might as well just pay someone to run around naked with TexRenFest.com painted on their backside.
Contests like this rank up there with getting a company logo tattooed on one's head or "tramp-stamp" (dear GODS do I hate that term) area, and other forms of permanent or semi-permanent humiliation of one's self or- worse- one's family for a handout. It is debase, disgusting, and I, frankly, have been more than a little shocked and disappointed at the people who consider this a good idea or find it amusing. I have often been accused of seeing better in people than is actually there, and I guess this is one of those cases. I guess I expected them to take the sacredness of naming one's offspring, the very legacy we leave in this world when we are long gone to dust, at least half as seriously as I do. I do not see this as a joke, though I can plainly see the marketing folks at TRF sure as hell didn't take it seriously, nor do I take it lightly. Again, as I keep saying, it is their right to do this, and mine to walk away in utter disgust.
I think I'll be heading back to my thread and stay there since no one here seems to have a sense of humor.
*I believe i know the cost of this "free country" by the chunks of metal i still carry in my back and legs... and by being the only fat kid, in my whole school district, with the name "Drew" while growing up... or, when i reached a certain size, my mother stopped using her hand to slap me and started using a night stick. Luckily i had already started training in Aikido so i knew how to take a blow*
>:(
So... it looks like the primary negative feedback removed was that from people who backed up their negative opinions with actual facts.
Derned pesky facts.
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on July 20, 2012, 11:57:19 AM
I think I'll be heading back to my thread and stay there since no one here seems to have a sense of humor.
*I believe i know the cost of this "free country" by the chunks of metal i still carry in my back and legs... and by being the only fat kid, in my whole school district, with the name "Drew" while growing up... or, when i reached a certain size, my mother stopped using her hand to slap me and started using a night stick. Luckily i had already started training in Aikido so i knew how to take a blow*
>:(
I have a sense of humor. And also I bet that metal in your back and leg plays hell for ya at airports. ;D Thanks for carrying that metal around for us. :)
Speaking as one with one of "those" names, I'm 49 years old and people still find it amusing to "Polly Wolly", "Polly-want-a-cracker", "Polly this, Polly-that". What gripes me, is that they think they're being funny. Honestly, I've heard them all. Not one "funny" name is actualy funny.
Good lord this is shine. What were they thinking? I mean... Really?!?! I hadn't been to TRF in quite a few years, but this makes me think twice about going back... Going down the same road as MNRF
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Quote from: DonaCatalina on July 20, 2012, 09:25:50 AM
*Rant Warning for those easily offended*
It's a Free Country
I have heard that many times as an excuse to look the other way when someone slaps a toddler's face in Walmart; the toddler in the grocery store is told she is stupid when she can't keep up with her harassed mother, the girl who acts out in class comes to school with bruises on her body 'because she is a difficult child', the too-thin boy steals food from the school lunchroom because he was sent to bed with no supper when he got on his mother's nerves.
Too many people treat their children as possessions; and the witnesses who see abuse everyday look the other way because to intervene would cause them some embarrassment or discomfort. Given what we now know of child psychology, giving a child such a name and making him a target for bullying, is nothing less than child abuse.
Bad Baby names have long lasting effects on children. (http://www.livescience.com/6569-good-bad-baby-names-long-lasting-effects.html)
Studies showed that children with odd names got worse grades and were less popular than other classmates in elementary school. In college they were more likely to flunk out or become "psychoneurotic." Prospective bosses spurned their résumés. They were overrepresented among emotionally disturbed children and psychiatric patients.
"The Psychological impact of names."R.L. Zweigenhaft, K.N. Hayes, C.H. Haagen. Journal of Social Psychology, 1980.
**End Rant**
Well said taking no action is still an action with consequences. If a child needs a butt warming so be it warm the butt or slap the hand if they need it but slapping the face might result in getting your own butt warming if I see it. yes this is a free country and like Laird Fraser I too have paid my price. We did this so people from Westboro Baptist Church can picket our Soldier funerals or kids can be raised racist and bigoted but we also did this to protect the positive things around us as well. Personally I find TRFs competition to be beyond tacky and think if they had meant it as a joke they should have worded it in such a way. While boycotting TRF may have little affect on them if enough do so it can get their attention. That same freedom gives us the right to choose where we spend our hard earned money and to create blockades to back down protesters. I can not even begin to fathom the concept of this contest as I thought it was to screwy to even be worth considering as real. Breandan I agree with your sentiment Integrity, Honor, and Respect are too often lost in todays society and I would much rather take action then to stand idly by and suffer the consequences.
A group of people boycotting the fair will not make a dent in the fair, but a ploy like this on the marketing side of the business approved by a new GM that really only seems to have business experience in marketing is another sign that he may not be as competent in that role as one would be led to believe. After talking to him, I personally feel he is not a very strong manager, businessman, or leader and poor decisions usually are followed by other poor decisions if you do not learn from your mistakes.
Poor treatment of performers, dishonesty in dealing with employees/contracts, lack of respect or loyalty for anyone working for you, increasing fees charged to food vendors per ticket without any real potential to offest this with higher revenue to those same vendors, rapidly expanding an infrastructure by either assuming more debt, making capital calls or eating up your retained earnings the years after a major fraud is discovered in the front office, lengthening hours of operation (which will increase expenses for all involved with little potential of increasing revenue), forcing employees to work longer hours without further compensation due to those same longer hours, increasing potential risk for liability/injury to patrons and workers from traffic accidents due to increased fatigue, intoxication, etc. (also due to longer hours of operation) are some examples of decisions that could be questioned and seen as poor. Remember, there is a lot more to running a company than marketing and seeking sponsors for your festival.
Maybe Breandan or any one person on here starting to voice dissent may not make a dent in TRF, but a combination of poor decisions combined with that negative publicity certainly can. After the way we were treated these last few months, I have certainly spoken to my family, friends and business contacts when asked about my experiences and opinions of TRF, and the consensus from 100% of those conversations is that they have little respect for anything dealing with the managers and businessmen running TRF. If we can learn anything from business in the past decade, it is even the largest companies fail when they lose tone at the top, have poor internal control, and lack enough business knowledge to run their organization. I work in business litigation and see cases of this every day of my career. I know many people have experienced censorship and backlash, either after leaving employment with TRF or after voicing concerns over various issues, but it is their problem, not ours. Eventually, poor business decisions catch up to you, and you have to eventually pay the piper.
Seems I missed a lot!
I'm sorry you feel this way about this contest. We feel we have some of the most loyal, dedicated fans in the world. Many people have told us stories about what the festival means to them and other have told us their child is named Tex or Ren or a combination of the two in honor of the festival.
While the contest isn't for everyone and it was thought to be a fun expression without any permanent consequences. Many people name their children after something they care about, Bow Hunter, Cannon Ball, Blue Ivy, Apple and other give their children names with hidden meaning. We believe that someone cares about the festival and it has enough meaning that they would do the same, we are just rewarding them.
A name is nothing permanent. If a couple names their child Terre Jonathon Texas Renaissance Albert and accepts the prize they can change or delete our name at any time. We will not take back the $1,000 savings bond or charge them for any seasons they have already attended. It may not be an easy process but it is still an option.
Our fans are fun loving tolerant people who don't take life serious. I hope you understand that and this contest was meant to allow them the chance to have fun.
We may not have any takers but we have had support from our fans and as far as Marketing we have generated a buzz. We also have the right to choose our winner so we won't just pick the first person to walk thru the door. We will agree as a group if they should be allowed to use the name. And that could be no one!
I respect everyone opinion and their right to it.
Again this is for fun, we researched and realized we would receive some negative feedback but at the end of the day I would never have thought I would turn people against the festival.
I also beleive people have a right to voice their opinions and should in the proper place. A public sight (facebook) with all ages welcome is not that place and we will monitor and delete comments that are not welcomed or in bad taste. You can always e-mail me direct at talbert@texrenfest.com.
Quote from: Terre Albert on July 23, 2012, 11:32:11 AM
Our fans are fun loving tolerant people who don't take life serious. I hope you understand that and this contest was meant to allow them the chance to have fun.
This is an overly simplistic view of your patron base and your target market. It is almost patronizing to be honest. Are the 450,000 people who attended TRF last year a homogenous base in your mind? Not even the people on this forum are homogenous. We all attend renaissance fairs and enjoy them for completely different and various reasons. We come from different ethnic, social, education, work, religious, and political backgrounds. I do not think you truly understand your market if that is really what you think.
Quote from: Terre Albert on July 23, 2012, 11:32:11 AM
I also beleive people have a right to voice their opinions and should in the proper place. A public sight (facebook) with all ages welcome is not that place and we will monitor and delete comments that are not welcomed or in bad taste. You can always e-mail me direct at talbert@texrenfest.com.
People have a right to express their view in any forum available to them. You made the decision to market this contest in an open forum, and they have a right to respond. You make comments in an open forum and should expect that they will be discussed in that same forum. It is very convenient that when people have a problem with decisions made by this festival; threads, comments and opinions magically disappear even when they are supported by facts, are professional, and do not violate any terms of the respective website. Ignoring people's remarks, responding with overly generalized feel-good comments, and ignoring anything you cannot respond to in a logical or sufficient manner does not make those concerns go away. Many of us were on these forums long before you ever decided to join. I personally have a problem with you using these forums as a tool for you to drum up business for your establishment if people are not allowed to equally voice their own dissenting views. This is not a marketing site for the fair.
Don't feel that it is a marketing voice for TRF.
Would you rather I leave and then you can discuss and make-up what every you wish? Similar to your comments below:
Poor treatment of performers, dishonesty, lack of respect or loyalty for anyone working for you, increasing fees charged to food vendors per ticket without any real potential to offest this with higher revenue to those same vendors, rapidly expanding an infrastructure by either assuming more debt or eating up your retained earnings the years after a major fraud is discovered in the front office, lengthening hours of operation that will increase expenses for all involved with little potential of increased revenue for anyone other than TRF itself, forcing employees to work longer hours without further compensation due to those same longer hours, increasing risks for liability/injury to patrons and workers from traffic accidents due to fatigue, intoxication, etc. also due to longer hours of operation are some examples of poor decisions being made by current management. Remember, there is a lot more to running a company than marketing and seeking sponsors for your festival.
It's easy to make these comments without any way to back them up.
No. I actually would prefer open dialogue between adults on a forum. I am entitled to my views, but I also respect your right to express yours.
As far as the paragraph you quoted, my comments are based on firsthand experience as a performer, countless discussions with vendors, other performers in and outside the performance company, discussions with prior employees of the fair, and personal observation. My opinion that there are numerous things that are wrong with how the fair is run is based on 15 years of business experience to include time as a consultant for two large multinational accounting firms, a BBA in accounting from Texas A&M, an MBA from UTEP, time spent in the US government, my certification as a CPA and a CFE, experience in litigation and expert witness consulting in law suits such as the lawsuits against Andersen for the Enron audits, and other life experience. I stated them as opinions and you are free to choose whatever you want to do in your role based off of your own credentials. I just happen to be one that does not agree.
I believe you are very qualified to voice your opinions about TRF. We have discussed this before. I welcome them!
@ChrisB - As you made free to use me as an example, it seems, of the poor treatment that "ex-employees" receive, please allow me to speak for myself on this matter. Just to be clear, since I made known my decision not to return to cast this year (which was, for the record, a decision having more to do with NON-fair issues than anything else), my experiences with TRF and it's management have NOT been, by and large, negative. I have not been made to feel unwelcome to return (quite the opposite, actually!), and I have not had negative or exclusionary responses to the feedback that I have provided up until now.
I also have to convey that, for the most part, the feedback I have heard from vendors, performer, and playtrons has actually reflected a POSITIVE response to new management... so the negative opinions you are stating may be valid, but they also seem to be representative of opinions of a minority.
THAT BEING SAID...
Terre, I understand and appreciate why my and other negative feedback was removed from the FB page. Yes, it is "public", but it is the right of any entity on FB to control the content of their pages, when that page is a marketing tool, it would be foolish for a business to NOT exercise that right. My outrage got the better of me, I posted a very negative opinion, and am not surprised that it was removed.
This is not to say that my opinion has changed. I am still appalled, as are quite a few other people who call TRF home (unfortunately, most of the people that I know who share my views on this are still employed at the fair, and are thus not in a position to freely voice their opinions). Yes, the public response to this has been mostly positive. My argument was NEVER whether or not TRF would get a positive or negative response. It is no surprise that there are PLENTY of stupid people out there; TV shows like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich bank on that fact. My point is this: with this contest/PR stunt, TRF is actively promoting something that has the potential to have long-lasting negative consequences to a CHILD. This, from a business that has worked very hard to promote itself as "family friendly".
And thus far, your defenses of this have hinged on 2 points:
1) Citing instances where children have been given unusual names before - Ok, fair enough. But there is a HUGE difference between naming a child something unique (but still obviously a NAME), and naming a child something that is OBVIOUSLY a commercial ploy. Yes, people have participated in naming contests like this before. Yes, people have named children after sports teams. But does THAT negate the fact that doing so can have negative consequences that can follow a child into adulthood? No, it doesn't. Defending TRF's encouragement of poor parenting choices by pointing out that other parents have made a similar poor choice is just asinine.
2) You can always change the kid's name - Yes, you can. But the whole selling point of the contest is "Lifetime passes". The reality is, "passes for however long you allow your child to carry this burden". And if said child has to wait until age 18 to change the name on their own, how much of that $1000 bond is going to be eaten up by that process? Even all that aside... you are defending the legitimacy and "rightness" of this contest by promoting WITHDRAWING from it and relinquishing the prizes... essentially, promoting violating the spirit of the contest in the first place. And like the first defense, it's just asinine.
I'll give your marketing team this: From a marketing standpoint, as a PR stunt, it was successful. It got people talking about it, that's for sure. And it may end up drumming up attention and business. But that doesn't make it RIGHT. And I know this is a strong opinion, but for the first time EVER, I am actually ASHAMED of TRF for trying to say that it is.
I'm very interested to see what kind of response/backlash might come if someone actually DOES win and name their child "Texas Renaissance", and whether TRF will promote it when they do. I imagine that those parents might want to gird their loins if they are "outed"... I suspect that there might be a negative response to them giving their child a "non-name" for what is essentially monetary gain.
To clarify, I only mentioned your name with the intention of it being in response to comments being removed; hence, mentioning your name in a separate paragraph. I did not imply agreement with my comments above or intend to imply such. I could have worded that a little more clearly on a second read.
As far as my comments being a minority...I disagree. I have talked to countless other independent acts and they voiced these opinions without any provocation on my own part. I would tend to believe in the independent performers circle, positive views are slightly the minority.
Another comment I would make is that you say people still working within performance company "cannot voice their opinion". That is a major problem. Management 101 would tell anyone in a leadership position that employees should feel comfortable voicing concerns or disagreement in a professional manner with superiors. That is a constant in business and not open to opinion. Not any textbook, professor or business advisor would say otherwise.
Thanks Morrigan. I respect you opinion on this matter. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Quote from: Chris B on July 23, 2012, 01:26:41 PM
Another comment I would make is that you say people still working within performance company "cannot voice their opinion". That is a major problem. Management 101 would tell anyone in a leadership position that employees should feel comfortable voicing concerns or disagreement in a profession manner with superiors. That is a constant in business and not open to opinion. Not any textbook, professor or business advisor would say otherwise.
You misunderstand. Had I been still employed by TRF, I would not have hesitated to express my opinion to "my superiors". Terre has made himself very open and available to feedback from everyone associated with TRF. However, as someone who would potentially be representing TRF at promos, on FB, and during performances, I would have hesitated to PUBLICLY express those objections. Even so, I still strongly hesitated to do so in this instance, simply because I recognize that with my long tenure out at TRF, my speaking out had the potential to reflect badly on others. As I said, my outrage got the best of me.
An opinion different from that of the office is completely acceptable. Voicing them in a constructive way is also welcomed.
*rant* I hate contests like these on general principle. It's immoral and disgusting to encourage morons to do stupid or debasing stuff simply because they will. It's like throwing food in the dirt because you think it will be amusing to watch a starving person scrabble after it.
I dub thee-'Jackass-The Contest'.
Step right up and expose yourself and your newborn to ridicule, sow doubt about your parenting skills and show the world that you will do anything for....what?
A Saving Bond? Free tickets?
You say it's all in fun, maybe even that nobody could be stupid enough to take you up on it, or even that you can't be blamed if someone does? Think again.
Remember that radio contest where the Mom killed herself drinking water to win an Xbox for her kid? They are still living it down.
Some folks need to be saved from themselves. In this case, an innocent baby. *end rant*
That said: In the spirit of 'constructive criticism' , might I suggest a modification to the contest?
Perhaps a 'name your pet' or 'most elaborate henna (or real) tattoo featuring the name and logo of the faire', or even a 'Paint your car with faire scenes' (that one makes sense from an advertising perspective).
Involving an innocent kid in the name of whatever-the-purpose-this-serves is, is not funny in the least, definitely not cute, and has long term ramifications beyond the immediate gratification of whomever thought this up.
Good Idea, maybe we can alter the contest in order to declare a winner with less impact to the babies of the world.
It is a face-saving suggestion.
It's out there, for better or worse, and like the curse of the fairy godmother-while you can't make it go away; but it is within your power make it much less harmful and actually fun.
Suggestions?
I personally like the paint, decorate (or wrap) your car/van/RV with promotional media for a rolling advertisement.
A radio station here did something similar. The winner covered his entire car with bumper stickers and lights.
I believe names are sacred. They hold meaning and in many ways shape who we are as we grow older. I was given a very meaningful name by my mother and I strive to live up to it. I believe that naming anything should be done with extreme care but especially a child, and I don't think that changing names is as easy as you make it sound. Perhaps, legally it is easy, but there is so much more to the changing of a name.
I truly believe that this contest is in poor taste for several reasons and there are so many ways to perhaps modify it. TRF is set during the King Henry VIII's reign, perhaps you should utilize the historical aspect of the faire and reward those who incorporate a historical character into their child's name?
I do not think any malice was meant, and it is the right of anyone to name their child/promote their business in such a manner. I merely thought that TRF was above such...cheap advertisements or perhaps juvenile is the right word...it somehow seems below the faire imho.
Terre, Drac hit upon something I pointed out the day I discovered this- TRF is a business, yes, but it also prides itself on being (at least nominally) and educational business. I would have no problem with the contest advocating naming a child after a key renaissance-era historical figure as it is A) within the norm of names, and less likely to cause stigma, B ) lends itself- however tenuously- to an educational purpose, and C) is just flat less tacky than naming someone after a business or product.
Additionally, as I pointed out in a reply to the argument that the parents can always change the name on the TRF FB (which was removed), it is neither a simple nor cheap task. Between having to file numerous forms with several agencies ranging from the county clerk to the IRS, paying fees to each as well as to notaries, there is also an unforeseen consequence for the child if they wind up in the military or working for the government later in life. My surname was changed to my mother's maiden name as a resort of a very messy divorce when I was young, and when I went through my background checks and interviews for my security clearance it cropped up, causing delays and other problems that caused me to be unable to get my job slot for six months while they vetted the documents and verified them with the court in which they had been changed. Considering the intervening years, this took time. Imagine a kid getting such a name change around, say, three years of age. Fast forward 17 years to said child now enlisting into military intelligence or another position requiring TS-SCI clearance. They may well lose jobs or slots due to the delay this will cause, and could be denied clearance because the interviewer and OPM determine that the parents' decision to name their child after a business reflects poor judgement and a willingness to compromise basic principles for personal gain, which would then lend suspicion that the applicant's upbringing has influenced them in a similar manner and makes them a potential security risk. I have seen it happen before, where relatively inconsequential actions on the part of the parents (compared to criminal acts) cost some of my coworkers top-tier clearance for that very reason. I've worked in vetting for a PMC before, and know well how psychotically picky the Dept. of State can be.
All of that aside, in the end you have potentially lost some dedicated people over this due to how... well, speaking bluntly, how debase and crude this sort of contest is. I expect this sort of juvenile contest from beer companies, The Buzz, or Howard Stern, but I held TRF to a far, far higher standard than that, and was- frankly- shocked when I saw this. My wife's first words were "Someone at TRF has lost their everloving mind... look at this and tell me if you think they're out of their gourd". I agreed with her, and I say unto you, as the GM, this was a V E R Y bad idea, and doubling-down on it is even worse. It's your right to do it, but it is a mistake in the opinions of many of your loyal customers, the ones who pay out the nose to come several weekends a year and do the King's Feast as opposed to the boobies-n-beer types this appeals to, who maybe come out one or two days a year. Again, I expected better. You've been offered alternatives, so you have options. I will wait to see what you do with them to determine what we do.
I'm not even going to take the time to voice all of the reasons why I think this is a very negative sort of promotion... mainly because many of them have already been posted here, but also because it would end up being a far more lengthy post than I want to make at this late hour. Suffice it to say, Terre, that the sort of people who would do this sort of thing to a child who had absolutely no choice in the matter are not likely to be the sort of people who will bring positive attention to your business establishment. This sort of cheap attention grabbing will quite likely end up reflecting negatively on TRF, itself, at a time when people are choosing very carefully where and how to spend their hard earned money.
As bawdy and uninhibited as many aspects of Faire can be, there is still a certain... refined charm... that many who attend not only expect, but also look forward to as an escape from the often base and tawdry events of everyday life... and if Faire becomes too interchangeable with mundane existence then it will simply cease to exist, because no one is going to be drawn to another venue that offers more of the same thing they see everywhere else they look. Faire is supposed to be a place out of time, where magic reigns and fantasy comes to life, even if only for a few hours or days at a time... please don't take that away.
If you are looking for promotions that will catch the imagination of not only loyal patrons, but also those who might someday become such, perhaps you could ask some of those same people what sort of contests they would like to see, and/or participate in. I do understand that for something as grand as a lifetime pass, and savings bonds, or other such things, the contest would have to be pretty unusual... but right here we have some of the most unusual imaginations that you will find anywhere! You have already been given several suggestion on how you could modify this promotion to lessen the personal impact on an innocent life... and I'm sure if you asked there would be an almost unending supply of suggestions from both this venue and the FB page, as well.
One more point, and then I will finish... The public at large tends to have a soft spot for companies who admit when something they've done wasn't completely thought out, and asks for their help to fix the issue. I believe it could likely be a HUGE marketing tool to come out with some humorous statement to that effect, and then ask for suggestions as to what sort of changes TRF might make to turn this contest into something that will appeal to a wider audience, and generate more positive response.
As a marketing and graphics designer specializing in corporate branding I speak with some experience... and I hope you will consider carefully everything that has been said in this thread, and in other public venues, as well. The people who have commented here have done so because they care about Faire, in general, and about TRF in particular, and they want to be able to point to it and say to others, proudly... "this is MY place... this is where I call home". Please, Terre... help us to continue to do so without reservation. You have listened many times in the recent past, and made numerous changes that have been beneficial for patrons and business, alike, and no one here wishes anything but the best for TRF. We all want to think of it as home, and want it to shine... not only in our own eyes, but to the rest of the world, as well.
As Dracconia stated, names are sacred...more sacred in some cultures than in others. Making a child go through life with a joke name is, in my humble opinion, terribly cruel. Breandan makes a very valid point: it's not an easy thing to change later. I think you could come up with a better contest than saddling a child with a stupid name for part of their life. Making a child the butt of cruel jokes can have some serious repercussions. There is already enough bad juju in the world. We just saw some of it in Aurora the other day. Rani has made some excellent points that should be taken into consideration.
I wonder if horses are eligible. I'd gladly change my steed's name to "StudMuffin Tex Renn" for lifetime tickets.
How about it Terre?
Ooh, oooh! *hand in the air* ;D
Can you change the horn on the steed to play 'Greensleeves'?
Quote from: Rowen MacD on July 25, 2012, 09:51:10 AM
Ooh, oooh! *hand in the air* ;D
Can you change the horn on the steed to play 'Greensleeves'?
It probably could be done but I don't know how. Besides, I kind of like the hooves clopping and the whinny.
Keeper's right: the whinny and clip-clops sound awesome.
Is there any update as to whether this contest is still ongoing, or did it just disappear quietly? Haven't seen anything on it since the 17th, and comments on it seem to be going *POOF!* on the TRF FB.
http://www.texrenfest.com/heirtothethrone
in the print at the bottom of the page:
"By accepting the lifetime passes, the winners agree not to sue the Texas Renaissance Festival for any damages as a result of the name."
Quote from: raevyncait on July 27, 2012, 11:30:38 AM
in the print at the bottom of the page:
"By accepting the lifetime passes, the winners agree not to sue the Texas Renaissance Festival for any damages as a result of the name."
That's amusing because while the parents can sign their own right to sue away, I don't believe that they can sign their child's right to sue away. Especially a child too young to give informed consent. An attorney would have to verify that, of course, but I can't imagine any Court in the country supporting the decision stating that a child too young to give informed consent can be entered into a contractual agreement like that.
I'd be curious to see if there were any cases of children suing to fight contractual terms that their parents entered them into.
Quote from: lys1022 on July 27, 2012, 11:58:20 AM
Quote from: raevyncait on July 27, 2012, 11:30:38 AM
in the print at the bottom of the page:
"By accepting the lifetime passes, the winners agree not to sue the Texas Renaissance Festival for any damages as a result of the name."
That's amusing because while the parents can sign their own right to sue away, I don't believe that they can sign their child's right to sue away. Especially a child too young to give informed consent. An attorney would have to verify that, of course, but I can't imagine any Court in the country supporting the decision stating that a child too young to give informed consent can be entered into a contractual agreement like that.
I'd be curious to see if there were any cases of children suing to fight contractual terms that their parents entered them into.
Exactly my point Lys.
In the State of Texas no one can sign their rights away. The Thirteenth District Court of Texas has ruled that any waivers are invalid under the express negligence doctrine if the party requiring the waiver knows that harm or damage is inevitable within reasonable parameters.
i.e. having been apprised of opinions by recognized experts that such actions will lead to irreparable harm or damage; sad waiver is considered null and void.
Another defense of this I keep hearing is that people name their kids strange things all the time, thus there is no expectation of harm. Just because some people do it doesn't make it right. A lot of parents smoke and drink while pregnant or around their infants and toddlers, doesn't mean it is right nor that it should be advocated. Its one thing to have a cultural name that is strange to American ears- as it is part of tradition, and is normal within the culture of origin- and another entirely to be named after a business. Additionally, when people name their kids after idiotic things like have been mentioned on the FB page, I question the judgement of the parents, but write it off as stupidity courtesy of the current ongoing societal degeneration. When a business does it, knowing and willfully, I see it as a tacky cheap ploy to drum up attention. I expected better of TRF than the same kind of behaviour I would see from a sleazy beer company or shock-jocks like Stern. Additionally, as has been pointed out, that waiver will collapse like a deck of cards in a high wind in court if the kid- later in life- sues because of abuse, bullying, ostracization, or discrimination due to the name. I deal with lawyers regularly, I know how some of them can be DAMNED good at convincing a jury to shovel out a HUGE reward from EvilBigCorporation to PoorInnocentVictim, especially when said corporation has had the kind of dodgy history and public relations with the local community that TRF has had. It is neither wise nor was this stunt properly researched or thought out before someone in marketing said "Yeah, go for it!"
(** looking for "like" button **)
I'm going to try to express an oposing view one last time. Then I will just sadly shake my head in confusion.
It was a great marketing ploy that got TRF mentioned in many different venues. However, I do not believe that anyone at TRF seriously thought someone would actually try and win the contest. Maybe I am naive but people are generally not THAT stupid.
Lawsuits. Anyone who had been on this forum for long, knows my opinion of the legal profession, but the contract is between TRF and the parents, not the child. Children's rights are somewhat limited until they become of age. If the child wants to sue, they should sue their parents, not TRF. Alas the legal profession seems to go out of its way to reward stupidity. And one of the biggest farces of all is their hallowed "DEEP POCKETS DOCTRINE"
Lastly, people have the right to be stupid and it is not our duty to constantly protect them from themselves. Parents have the right to name their children whatever they want as long as fraud is not involved (no Bill Gates Jr.). However they need to live with the consequences. It is one of the joys of a free society. I may not agree with them, but I will defend their rights to do so. And that includes being stupid.
Maybe I am also being stupid so I shall get off the soapbox and let this be my last comment on the matter.
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on August 02, 2012, 07:54:37 AM
I'm going to try to express an oposing view one last time. Then I will just sadly shake my head in confusion.
It was a great marketing ploy that got TRF mentioned in many different venues. However, I do not believe that anyone at TRF seriously thought someone would actually try and win the contest. Maybe I am naive but people are generally not THAT stupid.
Lawsuits. Anyone who had been on this forum for long, knows my opinion of the legal profession, but the contract is between TRF and the parents, not the child. Children's rights are somewhat limited until they become of age. If the child wants to sue, they should sue their parents, not TRF. Alas the legal profession seems to go out of its way to reward stupidity. And one of the biggest farces of all is their hallowed "DEEP POCKETS DOCTRINE"
Lastly, people have the right to be stupid and it is not our duty to constantly protect them from themselves. Parents have the right to name their children whatever they want as long as fraud is not involved (no Bill Gates Jr.). However they need to live with the consequences. It is one of the joys of a free society. I may not agree with them, but I will defend their rights to do so. And that includes being stupid.
Maybe I am also being stupid so I shall get off the soapbox and let this be my last comment on the matter.
Very true Keeper. ;D
Just my two cents: I have no idea or concept where such an idea could have been concieved as a good idea and have followed this thread for a time now. Those of us who respect and comprehend the sacredness of a name would never consider doing such a thing anyone who would will eventualy find something equally as stupid to do even without TRFs assistance. Publicity stunt whatever here are my final words of thought for TRF........It is impossable to cure stupidity please dont encourage its growth.
Keeper, I am not saying they can't do this or that stupid people can't muck up their kids with names for their own amusement. I am saying that it was not the behaviour of a respectable business that prides itself on education and stepping away from the tawdry cares of the world to be a place of escape, and that they will be- and are being- judged by it. I am also saying that, in addition to the social backlash, there are very real legal ramifications that they failed to consider. If they didn't believe anyone would actually take them up on the offer, then that just increases the foolishness of this stunt. What attention it did gain TRF beyond those who were already going anyway is negligible, and in exchange they have alienated many of their die-hard dedicated patrons, playtrons and even employees. I guarantee you the income they will garner from this will be seriously offset by people like my family, who spend a LOT of money out at TRF, who are so put off by this behaviour and the direction they are going that we will be taking our money elsewhere. We've already purchased tickets for this year and made commitments for two weekends, but the remaining tickets are likely going to be sold or given away, depending on what Tiff decides to do with them, and we will most likely no longer be attending TRF. They've lost multiple customers with my family amounting to around $8-10,000 in ticket, campground and food sales alone (big family).
I get it that people out there from other cultures don't care about names. I also get that some people will defend TRF to their dying breath regardless of the egregious actions that pop up from time to time. My message is not to those people, as short of being set on fire by TRF management they will never even consider leaving the fair. My message is to Terre and others in charge, a message explaining that this is a bad idea, why, and giving solutions. There are plenty of people out there who are happy to vocalize support regardless of what management or marketing do, I am not one of them. They need to know when something comes across as being in poor taste rather than be surrounded by people blowing smoke up their keesters. The fact that they then doubled-down on the bad idea with poorly-scripted excuses likely written by one of those apologists that not only do not address the concerns raised, but are often insulting to the people who have a problem with this- just made a potentially salvageable situation spiral out of control into irreparable public relations damage. Quietly burying it after the backlash rather than come out and openly say "Okay, we screwed up, we thought this was a good idea but we did not take some factors into account. The contest is over, lesson learned" does precisely squat to solve it. Had they done that, they would've regained a lot of the respect they lost. There's still time to do so, but I'm not holding my breath. The behaviour thus far is indicative of a larger problem within the corporate environment, one which TRF does NOT need considering the many years of scandalous issues they have had ranging from the fraternal war between George and his brother to the armed seizure of food booth assets by George to the most recent front office scandals they've had causing the massive scorched-earth purge. Trust me, TRF desperately does not need yet another public relations black eye, no matter how small.
I love this faire, have been going here and working here for 23 years, but it has been going down a road I cannot follow for many years now. As I keep saying- and let me bold, highlight, and enlarge this to make DAMNED sure people get it...
IT IS THEIR RIGHT TO DO THIS... IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PARENTS TO DO THIS...
It is, however, a bad idea added to a list of bad ideas that have come out of TRF in recent years.
The major premise from each side of the argument has been repeated several times now. We get it. Let's move on.
M.
While I agree wholeheatedly that it's a dumb and tacky way to market anything, I think we need to realize who it's aimed at.
I feel like very little of TRF's marketing is directed towards the die-hard dedicated patrons and playtrons that come every year. They are not worried that we are gonna forget about them during the summer and forget to go next year. Their efforts are directed towards recruiting new patrons. Because they were one rainy day away from 500,000 last year, and the place really needs some more people packed into it!
This year I've seen or heard about TRF, (represented by some dedicated cast members, who are just doing their job) pimping the faire at two Sci-Fi cons, a beer festival, music festivals, ball games, some bar in Kemah, something at the shooting range near my house, a winery, and a couple movie openings. And I'm sure some other stuff too...
I feel safe saying that I believe these efforts are not directed at current patrons, but are primarily an effort to recruit shiny new ones. Fresh ticket buyers to be part of the mundane, bud-lite drinking, screaming kid hearding crowd of 38,000 the rest of us will be shouldering through by afternoon on most Saturdays.
All that and no Circa Paleo, see ya'll at Sherwood Faire
Quote from: Zardoz on August 03, 2012, 12:40:02 AM
While I agree wholeheatedly that it's a dumb and tacky way to market anything, I think we need to realize who it's aimed at.
I feel like very little of TRF's marketing is directed towards the die-hard dedicated patrons and playtrons that come every year. They are not worried that we are gonna forget about them during the summer and forget to go next year. Their efforts are directed towards recruiting new patrons. Because they were one rainy day away from 500,000 last year, and the place really needs some more people packed into it!
This year I've seen or heard about TRF, (represented by some dedicated cast members, who are just doing their job) pimping the faire at two Sci-Fi cons, a beer festival, music festivals, ball games, some bar in Kemah, something at the shooting range near my house, a winery, and a couple movie openings. And I'm sure some other stuff too...
I feel safe saying that I believe these efforts are not directed at current patrons, but are primarily an effort to recruit shiny new ones. Fresh ticket buyers to be part of the mundane, bud-lite drinking, screaming kid hearding crowd of 38,000 the rest of us will be shouldering through by afternoon on most Saturdays.
All that and no Circa Paleo, see ya'll at Sherwood Faire
Real quick sidenote here; is it official that Circa Paleo will NOT be at TRF or is it just a ren-rumor if you will? That would make me sad, but hopeful that they have a group that can expand my musical horizons if you will.
Looking at Circa Paleo's web site, looks like the the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire has them booked for almost 3 months
(8/4 - 10/28). That's a long run for a faire. The band may have simply went for the 3 month contract at the Penn Faire instead of the 2 month contract at TRF.
Here's a link: http://www.circapaleo.com/calendar/
I really like Circa Paleo, so I wouldn't joke or rumor about that.
To be honest, I don't know if the band just went for the Penn faire deal over TRF, or if TRF made them an inadequate offer, or didn't try to keep them etc.. I think it's a shame that the largest faire in the country couldn't book one of the most popular acts from their faire, and indeed in the faire world.
Really though, I'll get other chances to see them, but this is just one more straw in the camels back that is me and TRF for the last few years. The prices, the crowding, the acts I like leaving, the relentless and sometimes tacky promotion, are all part of my problem with the whole thing.
Right now, I'm on bed rest trying to save a high-risk pregnancy that I don't think there is any way we are going to be able to save. I think it is safe to say that I could not possibly be more emotional about babies right now.
I still am not able to get myself all angry about this contest.
I agree that names are sacred. If God intervenes and saves this pregnancy, I will not be naming this baby for the festival, but for my father who I miss more and more each day.
Even so, I can still imagine a different kind of person wanting to give their child a name that honors the place that has held so much meaning to us all. I can just picture the parents staying up and looking for ways to incorporate the festival, maybe in a mother language, maybe in symbolism into their unborn child's name.
I wouldn't enter, but it does not make someone who does uneducated and a drinker of cheap, nasty beer.
I understand why people are disappointed in the direction the festival has taken. Having spent my childhood there, I understand longing for those early years, but no one could make that stay, or bring that back. It just isn't possible.
Yes, everything is bigger and more crowded, but the magic is still there. There is magic in the music and the trees and the unbelievably big HEARTS of the people who work there.
We each have a choice to either be angry about what has changed, or to open ourselves up to the magic. It is still there, we just have to choose to let it in and embrace it.
I can not wait to see all of you again and start celebrating another incredible season on the grounds that we all love.
Very well said, I couldn't agree more.
I couldn't agree more DancingDogDairy. And my heart and prayers goes out to you and your child.
Quote from: Zardoz on August 03, 2012, 11:08:23 AM
I really like Circa Paleo, so I wouldn't joke or rumor about that.
To be honest, I don't know if the band just went for the Penn faire deal over TRF, or if TRF made them an inadequate offer, or didn't try to keep them etc.. I think it's a shame that the largest faire in the country couldn't book one of the most popular acts from their faire, and indeed in the faire world.
Really though, I'll get other chances to see them, but this is just one more straw in the camels back that is me and TRF for the last few years. The prices, the crowding, the acts I like leaving, the relentless and sometimes tacky promotion, are all part of my problem with the whole thing.
Circa Paleo won't be at TRF this season; they just couldn't afford to do it. They were hardly breaking even as it was with their performance location all the way at the back of the faire. I understand if the faire can't afford to pay them more, but even a better stage location could have boosted CD sales. I'm disappointed that TRF (seemingly) didn't try too hard to keep them. But that just makes Sherwood Forest Faire that much nearer and dearer to my heart.
I have not heard any more about this. Did they drop the contest or did someone win?
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on September 17, 2012, 02:23:55 PM
I have not heard any more about this. Did they drop the contest or did someone win?
LoL!! Neither, but as far as I heard, they (TRF) don't talk about it either.
I don't think they expected the controversy it caused- again, poor marketing research of their target market- and quietly shoved it under the rug as a result.