Why is TransLink sponsoring a soccer game?

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbaneinwinter.com.au/MajorEvents/TranslinkCup/


http://www.brisbaneinwinter.com.au/IMG/MajorEvents/win-ban-trans-ad-rev.jpg

I thought our money, the taxpayers money would be spent on public transport services. 

Can anyone suggest why TransLink would spend money on sponsorships?

[Derwan]

Trying to improve their image?   

[Sunbus610]

Would have to agree this is not a common occurrence for TTA however being an agency of the QG it may have some affiliation with http://www.qldevents.com.au/ that sponsor/promote quite a variety of different events.

[ButFli]

This is not the only thing that Translink sponsors. The other thing that comes to mind is the Translink Cinesparks part of the BIFF. I had quite a nice night of cinema a few weeks ago paid for by Translink.

As for the Queensland Roars Against Racism, I have been to a few of those before too. Quite an innocuous event and certainly not what some might expect from a football match.

Assuming that Translink needs to get it's name out there, sponsoring these events is probably one of the best ways to go about it. For starters, the sponsorship is going cheap. Second, they are events that people are highly likely to travel to by public transport, reenforcing the Translink name on the way home. Third, unlike radio, TV or print advertising the money is not going to profit a private corporation.

And of course there's the argument that if Translink weren't sponsoring these events some other Government entity would have to fork out anyway.

[mufreight]

Seems that Mr Strachan must have an afinity for soccer, pity that he and Translink were not as enthused and supportive of supporting QR to provide public transport services.

[Fares_Fair]

This really is indefensible and reprehensible conduct by Translink.

QR's sponsorship of the Qld Reds Rugby Union team is also another blatent example of the
rampant misuse of taxpayers money !

What an absolute waste of public resources, especially in these times of global financial crisis and it's impacts on the Queensland economy.

Have they gone mad ?
How do they justify the squandering of public moneys
(for advertising a non-competitive government body) ?

My goodness, these decisions should have heads rolling 


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[SteelPan]

On the surface I too am skeptical of alot of "corporate sponsorship" (both where it is taxpayer money or shareholder money in the case of major public corporations).  The real question here is, does the sponsorship further the case for public transport.  Translink may argue and perhaps with some justification, this is the type of event people can and do catch public transit to.  In any case, they open a dangerous train of thought, what happens if they suddenly have a corporate brain explosion and decide to sponsor next years State of Origin League Series - costing million$.   

[mufreight]

Steelpan your comment was on the ball but since Mr Strachan is obviously a soccer supporter it is doubtful that he would sponsor any League football much less State of Origin and we are safe from a brain explosion at Translink as based upon Translinks efforts to this time I for one would doubt that there is one active functioning brain in that entire organisation, possibly a few that are from recycled political hacks still unpacked, unused, uninstalled and definately not comissioned or even service tested.

[Fares_Fair]

Hello mufreight,

You are not going to believe this but I saw a new poster on one of QR's services just yesterday
advertising support for the NRL Queensland Cup in the 2009 season !

I had to pinch myself and read it again .. in light of the comments here.

Sad to say it is true, another colossal waste of taxpayers money by the TransLink / QR crew.

Regards,
Fares_Fair

[SteelPan]

Mufreight and Fares_fair..time will tell - before long, the Bronocos might be playing for the Translink NRL Cup 

[mufreight]

It would be far preferable if these beauracies spent our money on providing the services that they have been created to supply rather than enter into cozy deals to ensure that management and staff of these entities can get prime seats for them to follow their chosen sport.

[ozbob]

The 'TransLink' cup has been happening since 2007.  TransLink sponsors and makes a donation and has naming rights.  

It is a pre season game between the Queensland Roar and an overseas team, this year Celtic.  I would have thought soccer, and big international teams would have enough money without taxpayer donations from TransLink.  Some of these players are paid huge sums of money

I wonder if the 'free travel' is actually paid for as for other 'free travel' for events by the event organisers, or is this part of the sponsorship deal?

http://www.brisbaneinwinter.com.au/MajorEvents/TranslinkCup/

Public Transportation

Travel free with TransLink to the 2009 TransLink Cup ? Queensland Roars against Racism match on Sunday 12 July.

Simply show your event entry ticket when boarding your bus, train or ferry and travel free to and from the event within the TransLink network.

By Train

Milton and Roma Street Stations are the main rail stations for patrons traveling too and from Suncorp Stadium.

Patrons in wheelchairs or with a walking disability should travel to and from Roma Street Station, then connect with a shuttle bus to and from the stadium.

By Bus

Brisbane Transport runs a shuttle bus service between the city, including Roma Street rail station, and major suburban centres.

From all destinations, at least one-third of the shuttle buses have low floor, wheelchair accessible buses.

For more information, contact Translink:
T 13 12 30 W www.translink.com.au

Here is a novel idea.  Instead of TransLink sponsoring a soccer game and film festivals, how about sponsoring the CityLink bus service?  This would be a worthwhile use of tax payer funds .... 

[ButFli]

This is not merely a soccer game. It is a chance for Queenslanders to come together and make a stand against racism. The football plays second fiddle to the cultural event.

The event is deserving of Government funding, so all this talk of soccer players getting paid lots is barking up the wrong bush. The only real argument here is whether the money should be coming out of Translink's budget or some other Government department. I notice Go Card being heavily pimped on commercial television so how is that any different? If Translink has a message to get out there then event sponsorship is a proven way to do it effectively. At least this way a deserving community event benefits rather than Channel 9's wallet.

[ozbob]

Subscribers can watch the game live here -->  http://www.celticfc.net/channel67/default.aspx 

Celtic http://www.celticfc.net/home.aspx  It is a pre-season friendly.

Clearly some people are not happy with the deal.

Personally I see a difference between go card advertising and football sponsorships even if I don't support it. 

At least with the football sponsorship I guess there would be some corporate boxes ...