Hossfly

Yes, right there in my post that you quoted. That reading is really a problem isn't it? Being quick on the draw is a good thing, however hitting the target is my preference when one cannot do both! [sm=47_47.gif]

dbcisco

The word monopolizing comes to mind with Hobbico Et Al, in the AMA. Why is that?

Woody218

My Feedback: (24)

If you want to know why something is the way it is...just follow the money!

Silent-AV8R

Monopolizing what exactly with regard to the AMA??

dbcisco

The AMA marketing team is monopolized by three companies.
Just a fact.

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Please clarify. How would you suggest that be achieved? Don't be swinging at somebody who's not attacking you, it would be more sensible to spell out a course of action.

Dave Olson

dbcisco

Suggestions:
Put "term limits" on companies represented.
Add non-hobby companies.
Add non-corporate individuals.
Get retired experts to help.
Get rid of a comptroller and get a marketing specialist instead.
Get rid of the Marketing team completely.

Hossfly

How much more can I offer? I stated," Of course the operation of the business world is not what AMA can, or should even try to control." Therefore the business end of it was not my main topic.

Now, AMA has a "Marketing Committee" (MC) which is composed of three individuals, each being a top official of one of the 3 big Hobby conglomerates. This MC is chaired by the member-elected Executive Vice President of the AMA's Executive Council.

Therefore I proposed under the "....something missing..." paragraph 3, that AMA should include on that committee an equal number of non-hobby- business individuals that have the consumer-AMA member in mind when an elected AMA National Officer is collaborating with major suppliers concerning any program that may significantly effect the AMA membership, as a unit. At least the officer would be listening to two sides of any question, not just one side based on someone's personal gain.

Perhaps you are not aware of the various AMA committees and their structures. Information is available in the AMA Web-site under the Members Only portion.

If you cannot understand my very simple outline then I am sorry for you. I can't make it any more simple. [sm=49_49.gif]

Silent-AV8R

The difference being that I do not see any hidden agendas or evil intent on the part of the companies. Nor do I see any negative impact to the AMA or its members. I see three of the largest hobby companies in the US, and possibly the world, allowing some of their top people to have the time to work with the AMA.

Luchnia

My Feedback: (21)

What about the smaller hobby companies? Should they be included as well? So if they cannot afford to get involved are they any less important to the hobby? It does not have to be an hidden agenda to be handled wrong.

Do you think the AMA would spend the same amount of time with the "small guy" hobby company? So why would there even be an interest in the big guy and not the small guy? I think we all know this answer.

I am not implying any wrong doing at all, but I am on the same page as Hoss on this one because I have seen what happens when this type of process starts taking place. It is much like lobbying congress to get your "pet" bill stuck on a much larger bill. What will be the outcome down the road that will be beneficial to all concerned parties?

Luchnia

My Feedback: (21)

I am sure this is a far stretch, but food for thought. Why not go one step further and have the input of NON-AMA members? An AMA committee officer could compile the non-AMA members info and bring that to the table as well to make more informed decisions as to what is best for the hobby as a whole. Would not his/her input be extremely valuable in making the correct long term decisions? I am sure that many are thinking, "NO WAY" this would ever work.

Sometimes a sojourner in the land has the best insight because he can see from the outside in

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

We are talking at cross purposes. I ask what I can do, you choose to attack me for questioning you.

I cannot effect the change you propose. You do not call for specific individual action by those who read. If you choose to specify something that I can actually do, I will no longer be watching.

Dave Olson

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

How does marketing the AMA significantly affect anyone ?

And why shouldn't the best and brightest be involved in marketing the AMA ?

Mokken

My Feedback: (63)

How you could say they "took them over" is funny. ACE is not a publicly traded company, so there was not takeover. The owner(s) were approached by Hobbico and got paid!!..

KidEpoxy

So walmart can just crush a guys sales for a few years,
and then buy the guys little 'untenable' business for cheap,
and we would commend walmart for savvy business practices

As Sandy Bullock said in Demo Man
In the future ALL restaurants are TacoBell

littlecrankshaf

My Feedback: (58)

Somehow I find "marketing" the AMA, which is essentially a monopoly by many standards, less than appealing but the thought of having AMA's direction guided by a few profit driven interests is absolutely repulsive.

AMA's concerns should always be more about promoting the hobby than promoting itself and its own membership size. With the proper focus AMA's relevance will be assured.

Mokken

My Feedback: (63)

Capitalism..

The way I see R/C now, from the little guy standpoint.. Your better off making a product and selling it to someone else to distribute, rather than trying to do it all yourself.

And if Wal-Mart, got into the R/C business, the AMA wouldn't be complaining about memberships problems.

Silent-AV8R

Which smaller companies? Where do you draw the line??

I do agree that it might be better to have a larger group, but I also think it is silly to act like this is some dark plan or something.


How much "time" is the AMA spending? Are you concerned that the big 3 companies are gaining some benefit that allows them to cruch the little guy? What exactly is the concern here??

I don't.

Silent-AV8R

How do you know that? As I read the press release, Thunder Tiger made the decision to have Hobbico do their distribution. I am not sure that Hobbico paid for anything. They will make a profit off the sales and relieve TT of having to pay for running Ace.

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

Yes. Walmart can do that and has done that several thousand times. However, they do not bother buying the businesses that they crush. There is simply no need for them to do that.

Your analogy to "All resturants are Taco Bell" is correct. Many people have been fighting this trend for decades. Surprisingly, many Americans actually defend this trend and fight for it. I can't say that I completely understand their motivation.

However, we aren't talking about a Mega-brand chain devouring a Mom & Pop store in this situation. We are talking about people fromone company serving on another company's board. That is a very common practice in America. Wealth and power have gravity.It isn't inherently malicious.

The AMA is a non-profit company, not a charitable organization. There is nophilanthropic goal.I fail to see the threat. Can someone connect the dots for me. How would Hobbico manipulate the AMA marketing commitee in its favor ? Are you or is anyone suggesting that Hobbico is the RC equivalant of Walmart and that itis engaged in preditory behavior and therfore is not trust worthy to direct the AMA's marketing board ?

I am not advocating one view or another about Hobbico. I simply don't see the evidence to support anyaccusation.

zman5000

i you look at the r/c car side horizon owns losi, and if you check ace r/c owns thunder tiger who in turn owns team associated. so great planes is just catching up with horizon.

dbcisco

According to the IRS they are and there is.

KidEpoxy

FrankH
If that is the case,
can you explain why members are shouldering the subsidies we give on MA advertizing

If we are not phili or charity, why are we subsidizing the ads for these comapnies?

dbcisco

Because three of them are on the marketing committee?

TexasAirBoss

My Feedback: (22)

Feed the Children is a charitable organization. The AMA is clearly not. The AMA does not raise funds to disperse among needy people or those in crisis. The AMA is a non-profit company.There isa difference.