Hi all,
I am not a member of this forum but was alerted to this discussion by Moose and would like to clarify some of the implications. I was a founder of the Australia's Greatest Boats Competition some 10 or so years ago when both Trade A Boat and Trailer Boat Magazines were owned originally by Packer networks and then Bauer Media. It was structured so that every trailer boat we tested for the whole year was scored on a very good 10 criteria system. At the end of the year all of the top scoring packages were invited to attend the competition. Yes, there were content packages sold to eligible contenders, but this WAS NOT a condition of entry as we valued good content to sell magazines.
I can personally guarantee you that the competition was 100% honest during my time and run with at least 4 judges scoring all of the boats on equal criteria. The fact is that many small manufacturers did not enter the comp for many reasons. Some in fact had no need for any comps nor advertising as they couldn't keep up with the orders they already had, ie Coota craft. Others may even have had questionable financial history or similar factors.
Yes, we judges were paid! But we were all paid the same wage by the publisher only for our input – and to be honest it wasn’t very much. There was never any financial exchange with the manufacturers and the judges to my knowledge. I would have been able to tell as I was the one that compiled the scoresheets and wrote a majority of the editorial.
I can personally tell you that for every year that I was involved that the competition was honest. There was only one year when the short lived Editor of the time did not distribute the actual scoresheets to me; every other year I saw all the scores and comments hand written by the judges. I would not have offered my services if it were any other than 100% honest in its judging. I absolutely resent and challenge any other of the ignorant implications offered by some in this conversation and I offer my full contact details for anyone who should wish to discuss further. I am very proud of my history and am appalled at any fraudulent implications as I see on this thread.
Do you people honestly expect to run such competitions with some of Australia's best boat testers, photographers, videographers, helicopters for footage (before drones) accommodation, travel, food etc without selling advertising and content packages? Of course they did but I guarantee you that as long as it was under my control there was zero impropriety.
Bauer Media sold all of their marine and RV titles to Adventures Group a number of years ago. The group has now had a number of name and ownership changes and I no longer work for them. In fact, I quit after them changing my scoresheet in the Best Aussie Vans Competition early this year. This was the first time I had ever seen deliberate tampering with scoresheets for publication and I was appalled and disgusted. I might add that my decision to leave the group after more than 10 years honorable service reduced my freelance income by approximately 60%! I have since moved on to other pastures.
In their alleged wisdom the new group decided to drop Trailer Boat Magazine and hence I now own the name Trailer Boat - Australasia and am currently expanding its reach. Trade A Boat now concentrates on larger craft and I will resist the temptation to say more on the issue. Both Camper Trailer Australia (now Camper) and Caravan World produce digital and printed content however since dropping out of official audits who knows their actual reach?
A quick word to the Ausfish contributor that wants to “guarantee” that Camper Trailer of the Year Competition was Cash for Comment and won by the “highest bidder”. Your statement is totally fraudulent for any of the previous six years where I was a judge. Please retract your lies and an apology would be welcome. Such incorrect implications are downright personally insulting!
On a more personal note I am very disappointed at the direction taken by much of the media in today's market. It is very difficult for most readers and viewers to separate paid content from independent review and opinion. I came up with a saying some years ago which says, “Review the reviewer before you read the review! “ I give you all a personal guarantee that have always, and will always maintain the highest professional and qualified standards in my 30 years of journalism, and in qualification I began my working career as a boat builder in 1977 and have been involved in boating (amongst other pursuits) ever since.
I sleep well at night, sometimes a little poorer financially but content with my reputation and actions.
John “Bear” Willis
Ph 0407053484
Email
john@beachmarine.com.au
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Originally Posted by NAGG
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