Originally Posted By Rebekah This topic is for discussion of the 2/24/2003 news item <b><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-cfbtoursty24022403feb24,0,7725329.story" target="_blank">OrSen: Disney rides sponsorship tilt-a-whirl</a></b> The February 24th <I>Orlando Sentinel</I> takes a look at the revolving door of Walt Disney World sponsorship.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Interesting to note that Screamscape.com reported today that another big sponsor is jumping ship, Exxon/Mobil. <a href="http://www.screamscape.com/html/walt_disney_world.html" target="_blank">http://www.screamscape.com/htm l/walt_disney_world.html</a> >>Exxon/Mobil may opt out of their 10 year contract early it (Jan 1st, 2004) due to the fact that they are just getting so little back in exchange for the price they are paying Disney, rumored to be in the range of $10 million a year. This has become an ongoing problem for Disney in general (FedEx just left Space Mt. at both DL & WDW) and has reached a critical level at Epcot where they have lost many sponsors over the last several years: MET Life left the Life Pavilion, United Technologies left Living Seas, AT&T just left Spaceship Earth and several companies have dropped out of Innoventions. There are even early rumors talking about GE dropping out of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and the ongoing saga of the troubled relationship between GM and Disney over Test Track.<<
Originally Posted By Jim in Pasadena CA I thought everyone hated corporate sponsorship -- or sort of tolerated them. Isn't this good news? Or is it depending on the company? Coca-Cola -- good McDonalds -- bad GE - good GM - bad I can't really keep track of why some sponsors are 'good' or 'bad' -- but I've always sort of liked seeing them.
Originally Posted By dshyates Corporate sponsorship is good when it brings us space mountain, its bad when it brings us a lame demonstration of how sourdough bread is made. Its good when it brings us Tiki Room, bad when it brings us the future in the form of a discontinued '96 Chevy Blazer.
Originally Posted By Jim in Pasadena CA So then, it's when the attraction is good then, the sponsorship is good. Was Wonder Bread's sponsorship of 'The Country Bear Jamboree' good? How about Mondavi's sponsorship of 'Golden Vine Winery'?
Originally Posted By SJHYM I always loved "Welcome to the Country Bear Jamborree presented by Pepsi Cola and Frito Lay"
Originally Posted By Jim in Pasadena CA Everyone complains about McDonalds, but is okay with Exxon/Mobil... go figure!
Originally Posted By plpeters70 Is it really that people have a problem with McDonalds, or the fact that they're serving McDonalds food in the parks?? I don't think anyone would really care if McDonalds was sponsering something as good as Pirates or Space Mountain.
Originally Posted By dshyates Right, if the attraqction is good then the sponsorship is good. McDonalds is more of a vendor than sponsor. And I think most people complian about such a high profile low quality partnership. They think it could tarnish Disney's image of high quality (as if Disney needs any help doing this). Now if Exxon was sponsoring a retro gas station that was charging $.30 a gallon more than across the street people would complain about them. I do remember a couple of Tie-Dyed/Birkenstocked protesters outside the Universe of Energy once, but I think they got bored and went to stare and giggle in the Imagination Pavilion.
Originally Posted By SJHYM I think sponsorships are good when they make sense. GE and Carousel of Progress or AT&T and Spaceship Earth, Kodak and Imagination. I also feel that the problem that many have with McDonalds is the food on property rather then they sponsor CTX.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<I do remember a couple of Tie-Dyed/Birkenstocked protesters outside the Universe of Energy once, but I think they got bored and went to stare and giggle in the Imagination Pavilion.>>> Or drank the water from SMALL WORLD ala Lisa Simpson! lol!
Originally Posted By Jim in Pasadena CA Coca-Cola has sponsored Corner Cafe on Main Street [Disneyland] for years and years. Essentially just selling product. That good old-fashioned bubbly brown sugar water. As I say, I like the sponsorships -- I think they give some rides a sense of legitimacy believe it or not. Exxon/Mobil sponsoring 'Universe of Energy' is really, really cool to me. Is it worth $10 million a year? Not to me.
Originally Posted By Futurist Not having read that article yet, I think the slow decay of major sponsorships is due to a constant changing business world always looking for ways to cut costs. Especially in these troubled economic times. Then the other half I think is the growing tarnished reputation Disney has created for itself.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m I didn't read the article, but do these companies spend money to sponsor attractions just to have their name in the park, like advertising for them? Like when I watch General Hospital, in the beginning they say "brought to you buy....." thanks!
Originally Posted By rasvar ADvertising has changed and gotten much more focused[allegedly]. You have all kinds of study and focus groups now. Advertisers use the focus groups to help tailor their campaigns for their target market. To a lot of advertising execs, having the name as a sponsor at Disney World does not give the bang for the buck that they can get with a more focused advertising campaign that costs less money. It is all about advertising.
Originally Posted By Memory Personally, I'm perfectly happy to not have any sponsors anywhere. I'm getting so I detest ads in any form anyway. They're just getting so insidious these days. I get physically nervous when I think that the future could turn out like it is in Minority Report. Ads following you around everywhere, knowing your name. *shivers* -Memory
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn Disney has had corporate sponser since day one of Disneyland. Money does bring enjoyment.
