Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas?

General / /

The “Grinch” never came any closer to stealing the true meaning of Christmas than has trying to be “politically correct.” In recent years, there has been a strong move to change the traditional Christmas greeting of “Merry Christmas” to the “politically correct” terminology of “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” What do “Happy Holidays,” and “Seasons Greetings,” have in common with “_ _ _ _ _ _ mas?” They both leave “Christ” out. So what? What does “Christ” have to do with the celebration of Kwanza, Hanukkah, Santa Claus, presents, office parties, red nosed reindeer, decorating trees, wreaths, holly, sleigh bells, retail sales, booze, atheism and feasting? Not much! …

Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas?Read More »

Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas? Read More »

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together?

Branson, General, Marketing, Opinion / /

“The question is, are there those in power in this city who are grateful for the decades of growth which the shows have provided this community and who want to help the shows recover in a protected and logical way, preserving that special and important element that has made Branson unique?” asked Sheila Dutton in her letter to the editor, published in the Dec. 7-8 edition of this paper. It was entitled “Outlook for Branson shows bright if we all work together.” …

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together?Read More »

Isn’t the reality for Branson shows brighter if we all work together? Read More »

“Outlook for Branson shows bright if we all work together”

General, Marketing, Opinion / /

As regards the Ole Seagull’s column on Sunday, we are very grateful to receive the corrected viewpoint of Jerry Henry. We hold him and his work in high regard. The problem that we see is that Jerry is a statistician who does a fantastic job of analyzing correlations, but correlations do not indicate causation. Other forces can be at play at the same time. …

“Outlook for Branson shows bright if we all work together”Read More »

“Outlook for Branson shows bright if we all work together” Read More »

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality?

Branson, Opinion / /

After ignoring repeated requests by The Branson League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers (League) for the grant of some independent marketing funds and the formation of a “Blue Ribbon Task Force” to look into the way Branson is being marketed by the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB (CVB), the Branson Board of Aldermen awarded more than $480,000 to the CVB for use in their marketing of Branson. Depending on one’s viewpoint, some might call it a SmackDown of the Leagues efforts, but to an Ole Seagull the payment is not only consistent with, but a strong endorsement by the Board, of the CVB’s marketing plan that has been in place for over three years. …

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality?Read More »

Is Branson’s $480,000 CVB payment a SmackDown of shows or their marketing reality? Read More »

Don’t Branson’s shows deserve a significant marketing voice in their destiny?

Branson, Marketing, Opinion / /

An Ole Seagull just has to believe that The Branson League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers” (the League) would answer that with a resounding, “Yes!” The League has requested the establishment of a Blue-Ribbon Task Force by the Branson Board of Aldermen, (the Board) repeatedly, both privately and during its public meetings. The basis of the request appears to be the Leagues dissatisfaction with not only the way that Branson shows and Ozark Mountain Christmas are being marketed, but that its feeling that the shows have very little say regarding that marketing. …

Don’t Branson’s shows deserve a significant marketing voice in their destiny?Read More »

Don’t Branson’s shows deserve a significant marketing voice in their destiny? Read More »

Branson mayor “bests” Pelosi for dumbest political statement ever?

Branson, General / /

Until this week, the dumbest statement that the Ole Seagull had ever heard a politician make was the justification that Nancy Pelosi gave for passing “Obama Care” when she said, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what’s in it…” Well, after hearing the comments of Branson Mayor Karen Best, regarding the request of the Branson League of Theatre Owners & Show Producers (the League) for marketing assistance, at the October 20 study session of the Branson Board of Alderman (Board), Pelosi’s statement is now the second dumbest thing he ever heard a politician say! …

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Branson mayor “bests” Pelosi for dumbest political statement ever? Read More »

The best answer to Branson’s reduced show attendance?

Branson / /

Last week’s column stated what the Ole Seagull believes is a simple truth necessary to the economic success of just about every Branson show. That was, “The ‘Best Ticket’ a Branson show can sell is one netting the show as close to the box office price as possible, that is sold to the ticket purchaser prior to their arrival in Branson.” In recent years selling enough tickets, “Best Ticket” or otherwise, to keep from losing money has been a continuing challenge for all, but Branson’s most popular shows. A challenge that surely must have some of them asking themselves, “Is it worth the effort to keep on in the hopes that things will change?” …

The best answer to Branson’s reduced show attendance?Read More »

The best answer to Branson’s reduced show attendance? Read More »

Is the “Best Ticket” a Branson show can sell becoming, but a fading dream?

Branson, Marketing, Opinion / /

An Ole Seagull just has to believe that, in all too many cases the answer is “Yes, but it gets worse.” First, the answer depends on one’s definition of “the Best Ticket.” As used in this column the Ole Seagull would define the “Best Ticket a Branson Show Can Sell (Best Ticket),” as, “a ticket netting the show as close to the box office price as possible and sold to the ticket purchaser prior to their arrival in Branson.” …

Is the “Best Ticket” a Branson show can sell becoming, but a fading dream?Read More »

Is the “Best Ticket” a Branson show can sell becoming, but a fading dream? Read More »

From a marketing perspective can Branson shows say, “We have met the enemy and it is us?”

Branson, General, Marketing / /

Sadly, for many Branson shows, that might just be true. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s a lot harder for shows to make it in Branson that it was 15 years ago. As Branson visitors enjoy all that Branson offers, all the shows, attractions, and other entities providing that experience, are competing against each other trying to entice those visitors to spend some of their money and time “with” them. Branson could have 100 million visitors but, as to individual shows, their success depends on how many of those visitors end up sitting in the seats of their show. …

From a marketing perspective can Branson shows say, “We have met the enemy and it is us?”Read More »

From a marketing perspective can Branson shows say, “We have met the enemy and it is us?” Read More »

Ever wondered what side of the Conservative/Republican or Liberal/Democratic Fence you sit on?

General, Opinion / /

Received this in my email this morning [Jan. 25, 2016] with no copy right or other certification that Jeff Foxworthy actually wrote or said these words. It’s forwarded on because, based on 75 years of living in America, an Ole Seagull believes that, in its majority, it express a truism that has forever changed America into something he doesn’t even recognize anymore. Although it’s in terms of “Republican” or “Democrat” he believes that the terms “Conservative” or “Liberal” could be interchanged with them.

“Republican or Democratic

The Fence Test… straight forward thinking.. by Jeff Foxworthy…

If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test! …

Ever wondered what side of the Conservative/Republican or Liberal/Democratic Fence you sit on?Read More »

Ever wondered what side of the Conservative/Republican or Liberal/Democratic Fence you sit on? Read More »