truman

lol...probably a lot of that! This is a valid marketing question. Why did he not want to go for the last 5 years, when obviously he still felt some attachment?

I already acknowledged your first point in my OP. Just out of curiosity, how many people do we think 40,000 views represents. I think perhaps 500? That's an average of 80 clicks a person? Alot probably click 2 or 3 times, and others a couple hundred, but I really have no idea. Certainly not conclusive in some ways, but definitely conclusive of the fans that do come here, and who do vote in this. I won't be calling for DCI to pay heed to whatever these results are, if that is what what you are implying. DCP DOES indeed represent a small demographic of the DCI fan base. Please Vote!

This is meant to be FUNNY. No disrespect was intended when writing this. The "wording" concerning proposals was obtained from DCI.org The rest is just made up. Fly on the wall report of the DCI Rules Congress Minutes February 2014 The Madison Scouts introduced a proposal for a new judging caption, called Entertainment Effect. In a nutshell, 20 points of the current 40 GE points would be on the line for a corps ability to communicate entertainment value to the audience. In the specific wording in the purpose section, it was said that this new caption would give "more than lip service" to the relevance of audience reaction to a show design. A sigh was heard from somewhere around where Mr. Gibbs was sitting. It was further stated that "having the audience invested in our product can only strengthen every facet of this activity" and that it would make "the activity more accessible to a larger mass-market audience" thereby increasing revenues and the "escalation of public awareness and overall growth for the activity." Immediately after the proposal reading was completed, the room burst into spirited conversation and debate. Mr. Jacobs, from Jersey Surf, yelled YES! YES! YES! as he enthusiastically clapped his inflatable sticks together. As with most scoring change proposals, those who had placed in the lower positions recently seemed much more supportive than those who had recent competitive success. We have barely figured out how to win in this current system, and now you want to change it? was heard from someone in the group of Hopkins, Gibbs, and Coates. Seems pretty cool to us was heard from Fielder and Valenzuela as they high fived Jim Mason. Mr. Blenski from Pioneer asked how this would affect his corps, as the audience usually isn't even in their seats yet when they perform. After a couple hours of debate, it was decided to give it to Michael and a task force to study and present again in March, hopefully in a form that could be accepted by all, and more importantly to allow for behind the scenes posturing to continue. Next up was another Madison proposal for approving the use of additional brass instruments. Sheesh, another one from you guys, what's up with that? asked Hopkins. The first statement of the proposal was "By the word Bugle, as used herein is any traditionally-defined brass instrument pitched in any key; whereas sound is produced by the vibration of the player's lips in a tubular resonator." Someone in the back of the room had a plastic vuvuzela stadium horn they had brought for when they would later watch some Olympic snowboarding at the bar, and let out a loud honk. Mr. Acheson gave him a stern look. In the audience impact section of the proposal, it was said that "this is the next logical step to complete the brass palette to be included in our productions. It will inspire new color and excitement to the shows" It will inspire a 50 page thread of complaining on the internet by the dino whiners! said someone else. That's not a problem said Hopkins, they did the same thing with electronics and look how great that turned out! There was a sudden silence in the room, and he recanted, well maybe a bad example, but how about the change from valve rotor bugles, that was the same thing, and we showed em on that one! There was nodding agreement as the horn in the back of the room honked again. We're monitoring social media right now, said Acheson, as he pointed to the guy in the back of the room on his laptop. ($1 to Garfield). How's it lookin,? he asked. Well sir, there is the usual 10 or so on DCP eating each other alive, so we don't have to worry about them. There is a rumor of a petition starting on Facebook though, and that it could garner 5,000 supporters! Ah, not to worry, we can get to them and make them an offer they can't refuse! said someone. Maybe we can post a video link of something really out dated to remind people not to listen to the dino's, like 55 Madison or something said another. And we could tweet how G bugles are still legal, so start your own drum corps if that's what you want said another. By the time it went to vote, there were 7 or so directors having a whisper session in the corner about the last proposal, and after they confirmed that no scoring changes were at stake, they voted with a few sure what evers and we already do enough crazy crap with everything else, so this is nothing comments. Does anyone know how much marching bands would pay for a used trombone? asked someone. Does anyone else have a proposal? it was asked . They all looked at Hopkins. Not anything I am allowed to ask for this year, he sheepishly grinned, and the meeting moved along.

If I remember correctly, the announcement that last year's finals would be webcast was made pretty late in the season? I wonder how many will not buy tix and go this year in anticipation of being able to see finals on line. I would think that this could be a huge revenue stream for DCI if they can handle the traffic. I can even see it being a great chance to advertise, promote, and sell commercial spots. Jeff is right, many have asked for this for a while now, and it would seem that by listening, DCI made some cash. I have also read that they have surveyed those who bought the webcast? Market research? Yipeee!!!!!

I will keep bumping until you vote! Come on, I see those lurking out there!

OK, O'll give it a shot, won't be the first or last time I get made fun of! Hope this is taken with the tongue in cheek intention it was written! I know I get heated on here once in a while, but this preaching type posting stuff is getting to be really pathetic. The constant telling people what they should do and how they should feel on here is at best comical, and for some, well, scary! Yes, we all want others to see our point of view, and we all feel that we know better than someone else what is intelligent and what is not. To me it is far less destructive to share your feelings on a drum corps forum than it is to tell somebody else how they should feel or what they should or shouldn't say, or how they should say it. But the solution is really simple if you hate these posts so much: Stop reading the forums Stop posting in the threads Stop participating Just stop, just walk away. I tried to not come here for a while, and actually come on here a lot less than I used to. Eventually, no matter how much the posts of a select few bothered me, I came back. Ya see folks, you can #### about what others say, you can #### about how they say it, you can #### that someone doesn't agree with your point of view, but you're still posting, so in the end, who wins? The DCP forums...the ones that just got another large viewing for a thread about this latest controversy filled with drama and hysteria. Now do I think some posts are out of line? Yes. Do I think the forum could be so much better than it is now? Yes. Do I think the mods and designers in some cases have hurt themselves and the site? Yes But I still post here, and as such, that's giving my tacit support to DCP, it's members, and it's mods to keep doing what they're doing. When the day comes that there is only 5 people posting here, or the conversation is just so totally lame, I'll go. I have already cut down quite a bit, I'm ok with that, and apparently DCP is too, because not enough other people have done the same to a degree that it hurts them. So if you hate the drama and negativity that is on here, just go. If enough people do that, then DCP will try to figure out what happened and try to fix it. Maybe they won't, but at least I won't have to log on here and be preached to about what I should do and how I should feel. I've said this before and I'll say it again. I've never seen a discussion board with so few people trying to control what is said and what is represented. And we wonder why those in the activity discourage people from posting their thoughts here. I'm not saying it has to be a love fest, but we've had passionate debates in this activity from the beginning, and that's far less destructive than just preaching and not caring about what anyone who is passionate about drum corps might think or say. Flame away, I won't like it, but I will welcome the discussion.

So what you're saying is that for this to be a TRUE representation of DCP opinion, It needs to allow for unlimited vote casting....hmmmm...I could call it the Ream Projection Poll!

Awe...After all the positive thinking posts I have read from you over the last few days, now when I really need some optimism, you go all pessimistic on me!

cmon peeps...it's your civic duty to vote!

Another logical reason for trombones....easy sale to the other bandos!

Considering probably 40 people "viewed" the other thread a few hudred times each, I would be happy with 1,000! I would ask you make an educated guess or follow your gut feeling about what you expect your reaction to be then. You must lean one way or another with your expectations, no?

Yeah, I thought of that, but also kinda thought the center one would work for that answer, as that really means as of NOW it does not effect you

Over 40,000 views of the "other" thread tell me that DCP can be a somewhat viable poll for drum corps. This is a chance for those that come here and are reluctant to post their thoughts, (another topic entirely), to give the drum corps world some honest feedback without having to explain why they feel how they do. PLEASE cast a vote! Your vote will be anonymous.

Can you hear me Major Tom?

The difference now is that many inside the drum corps world see less and less of the difference between the two entities.

I am sure he is a little bitter about last season.

Pretty strong statement, as I doubt you know the OP personally. We need to cut and paste this in the thread where some pearl clutchers were complaining that DCI could benefit from some market research. You seem to have everything all wrapped up for them! . I find myself relieved that we seem to be on opposite sides of most of this discussion.

Thank goodness there is someone here to represent DCI's true feelings on the matter

Not in anyway related to the obvious instrumentation differences, here's a couple that come to my mind. Few marching bands (like none?) sleep on gym floors and eat out of trailers away from home, friends and loved one's for the season. Sacrifice and commitment of the drum corps performer are at a higher overall level I would say. The crowd mix is also another difference. Much higher percentage of performers and their parents in marching band audiences, at least in my experiences. Don't see too many bando alums having mixers under the tent before the band competition. Many marching bands have to perform at halftimes for less than courteous and appreciative fans. Currently, only the Blue Devils seem to be the same in that regard...

Seriously...perhaps it is not any one thing, but a combination that has caused a fan to want to not go. Everyone who is engaged at some level with a brand has a point that they will become disengaged. That point is different for everyone. I can't imagine ever walking away from drum corps, whatever that becomes, but that is just me. That will not prevent me from having contrary opinions to what is being done that causes this reaction to a brand I care about. Be as critical as you want of those that have this type of reaction, but also consider the same judgement on those that caused it. Is the reward for losing 100 fans worth the benefit of making this change? What exactly is the number that is "worth it"?

From wikpedia concerning Boys and Girls clubs: "The Club's former president, Roxanne Spillett, received a base salary in 2011 of $455,829 with an additional $116,000 bonus and $1.2 million in deferred compensation and retirement making her one of the highest paid executives for a charitable organization in the United States" and "In total these clubs serve over four million boys and girls. Clubs can be found in all fifty states as well as locations in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and US Military Bases. In total, Boys & Girls Clubs of America employ about 50,000 staff members." I cannot find historical numbers for comparison, but it would seem there is plenty of market for philanthropic associations that serve youth.

Agreed sir, but that does not mean it cannot become whatever we want it to become. We can make choices and decisions that will control this evolution. What do those who are in control of making decisions today have as a vision? That is always the crucial component when implementing change, and the thing we require to buy in or to support changes. I truly believe DCI needs to consider changes they make, no matter how small, that secure the buy in of every fan they have already. If there is a chance that the change will alienate or disengage any of their current fan base, it must be weighed with utmost care and concern.

I agree, you easily can defend any changes when comparing the 55 footage to the current product. I think that was DCI's intent by posting it. It's like they were saying, "If there is any change you don't like, you must want to go back to this". That was my original point.

For some reason, this is much more objectionable to me than any instrumentation argument. That, I suppose, is the intended effect for those who like to make this statement.

Really? That's all you got? I would have hoped for some more from you than this. Then again...maybe not. Yeah, probably just some strange coincidence that I am making too much of. That could be the case. Then again... recent facebook comment posted: "It's great to see some older stuff historic Drum Corps. I wonder if those that scream about changes really want it to stay like this though because quite honestly, I wouldn't watch it if it was like this"