BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS - NAUI ends cooperative advertising program

Joined on
1/10/2006

The NAUI and MSD cooperative ad program has ended after 18 months. Only a few shops took advantage of a program which made it effectively FREE to advertise in the Magazine and online, due to NAUI and MSD absorbing all the costs. Every dive shop that was NAUI affiliated in the Midwest region was contacted and numerous press releases were distributed, yet only afew signed up. Shops wonder why 12% of all shops are failing per year. Here's your answer: it is the brilliant marketing programs that the shops have implememted! Who wouldn't want to participate in a program which made it FREE for the shop to advertise!

Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972

Joined on
6/1/2006

Does anyone know what percentage of shops are NAUI?

I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Carmella Soprano

Joined on
3/13/2006

Seems like an anti-shop atmosphere on the forums. When you have dive clubs with volunteer instructors giving away cheap classes, encouraging people to shop the net for gear, etc. etc. Dont' get me wrong some of these places deserve the abuse. I'm just saying ya cant expect them to give their advertising dollar to a site where they are kicked in the balls pretty regular!!! I mean I aint one to start an arguement or anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"" Not throwing my hands up or my dress above my ears don't mean I ain't awstruck.""

Joined on
1/10/2006

I don't think the forums are anti dive shop. I think individuals who are offering cheaper classes and buy stuff on the internet are using the site more effectively than the shops! I have called many dive shops to participate in the forums and advertise their classes on line FREE! There is very little participation even with my prompts. Besides, what difference does it make, the NAUI program was FREE advertsing, you can advertise your classes in the forums free. Guess the shop owners aren't smart enough to take advantage of FREE advertising.

Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972

Joined on
1/10/2006

I don't think the forums are anti dive shop. I think individuals who are offering cheaper classes and buy stuff on the internet are using the site more effectively than the shops! I have called many dive shops to participate in the forums and advertise their classes on line FREE! There is very little participation even with my prompts. Besides, what difference does it make, the NAUI program was FREE advertsing, you can advertise your classes in the forums free. Guess the shop owners aren't smart enough to take advantage of FREE advertising.

Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972

Joined on
3/13/2006

not smart enough, kind of a kick, wasnt it? Oh well, your site, your mag, your rules.

"" Not throwing my hands up or my dress above my ears don't mean I ain't awstruck.""

Joined on
7/28/2007

Where has everyone been lately? Guess everyone is just about ready to crack the ice and begin the season. One thing i would like to address is NAUI new affiliation with NASCAR at a second tier level with a 16 year old driving personality and renting 6 booths at our world underwater to promote this affiliation using revenue generated by NAUI shops to promote Mr. Black's racing team. From what I saw at the show there was not a lot of traffic or interest generated by the NASCAR booth. Would someone please explain the relationship between NASCAR and diving and how this is going to attract more divers to the sport? Maybe NAUI should begin a relationship with professional wrestling also. It is ashamed that the cooperative program ended which really benefited NAUI shops. Guess we will once again be training more PADI divers at the shop!

Joined on
1/13/2006

Yeah, I also noticed press releases from NAUI touting their relationship with NASCAR. I to cannot understand the concept behind this relationship and how this will attract more divers to the sport. Perhaps a NAUI rep can answer this in the forums (but probably won't). I too noticed very little traffic at the expansive OWU display. This same type of affiliation was tried about 5 years ago when OWU decided to join the scuba show with the outdoor and boat show. The results were overwelmingly negative. The markets really didn't crossover and it almost closed future expositions of OWU because of lack of participation. Some one close to this magazine told me a joke: What do you have when you've got 28 NASCAR fans in the same room? AFULL SET OF TEETH!

Joined on
1/10/2006

I was obviously disappointed when NAUI discontinued the cooperative program. MSD really wanted to make a difference in the dive community and provide affordable advertising for NAUI affiliated shops in the entire U.S. We went through great personal expense to do so. It was a great program, but it was replaced by the NAUI NASCAR promotion. I agree with MARKV in that the basic philosophy of the NASCAR promotion and crossover marketing was tried by Pat Hammer at OWU years ago and I am pretty sure the concept did not work. I am not exactly sure of the numbers regarding NAUI affiliated shops compared to PADI, but we all know that PADI is the 800 pound gorilla. I am asked at least 50 times a week if I teach a "PADI CLASS". The info I received from shop surveys nationwide is that very few people are interested in a quality dive education. Candidates want it faster, easier and cheaper and thus the current level of dive competency among recreational divers.

Captain Darrick Lorenzen
captdarrick@midwestscubadiving.com
www.divemaxscuba.com
773-732-8972

Joined on
3/13/2006

I'm just glad that NAUI is making some sort of marketing effort (NASCAR) doesnt matter if I understand it or not. PRO WRESTLING!!!!!!!!!!!! Hell why not!!!!!!!!!! NASCAR fans & WCW fans cant be any cheaper than the rec. divers out here now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joined on
3/13/2006

In preparation for the redneck onslaught Im stocking up on camoflauge wet suits, spear guns,etc. I'm even gonna get a liqour license. We will be offering underwater huntin trips, go out and kill some purty fish and have a cook out on the beach and get hammered drunk!!!!!!!!!!!!! My son Joe is out on the boat right now installing a CD player!! We are gonna roll up to the dive sites Rebel flag flyin and Skynyrd playing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sh#t yeah bubba now thats what I call divin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joined on
3/13/2006

Deep fried Angel fish with hush puppies!!!!!!!!!! DAAAAAAAANNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!! Thats what I call good eatin.

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