Actress Michelle Keegan to open the 2016 Southampton Boat Show

[laika]

Following the trend of previous London and Southampton boat shows, another "actress/model" with no obvious boating connections?

A few years ago, trying to convince First Mate that her pre-conceived notions of yachting as being dominated by sexist old boors in blazers were wrong we went to the Southampton boat show to find ourselves amongst...."Ladies" in frocks and big hats because it was "Ladies' Day". Presumably the other 9 days are for gentlemen clad in garments appropriate for watersports.

Having a "Ladies' Day" and having what my aging father would describe as "dolly birds" doing the openings...seems the organisers concur with the stereotype of their punters and are giving them what they want but are they missing a trick by deterring people put off by the stereotype?

If they can't get an A-lister like Colin Firth doing pre-publicity for the Crowhurst film to do the official opening, aren't there "cheap" options who'd at least be of sufficient interest to warrant a paragraph in a yachting publication: yachtmaster of the year, apprentice boatbuilder of the year, someone who's running a yachting-related charity and would benefit from the publicity?

I find the yachting stereotype embarrassing enough without the boat show organisers reinforcing it.

 

[savageseadog]

Following the trend of previous London and Southampton boat shows, another "actress/model" with no obvious boating connections?

A few years ago, trying to convince First Mate that her pre-conceived notions of yachting as being dominated by sexist old boors in blazers were wrong we went to the Southampton boat show to find ourselves amongst...."Ladies" in frocks and big hats because it was "Ladies' Day". Presumably the other 9 days are for gentlemen clad in garments appropriate for watersports.

Having a "Ladies' Day" and having what my aging father would describe as "dolly birds" doing the openings...seems the organisers concur with the stereotype of their punters and are giving them what they want but are they missing a trick by deterring people put off by the stereotype?

If they can't get an A-lister like Colin Firth doing pre-publicity for the Crowhurst film to do the official opening, aren't there "cheap" options who'd at least be of sufficient interest to warrant a paragraph in a yachting publication: yachtmaster of the year, apprentice boatbuilder of the year, someone who's running a yachting-related charity and would benefit from the publicity?

I find the yachting stereotype embarrassing enough without the boat show organisers reinforcing it.

I thought the same myself but wasn't quite able to motivate myself to do a post.

 

[Sandyman]

Never heard of her. Don' do Luuvies of any sex.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I thought the same myself but wasn't quite able to motivate myself to do a post.

I assume they know we're probably going anyway and want to appeal to the non (but sensible)
boatless masses.

If they had only booked earlier in the year they could have got Boris. Could have stuck him in a Topper and see what happens.

 

[colhel]

she looks quite fit though

 

[[70521]]

Who is she? Never hear of her.

 

[flaming]

Following the trend of previous London and Southampton boat shows, another "actress/model" with no obvious boating connections?

A few years ago, trying to convince First Mate that her pre-conceived notions of yachting as being dominated by sexist old boors in blazers were wrong we went to the Southampton boat show to find ourselves amongst...."Ladies" in frocks and big hats because it was "Ladies' Day". Presumably the other 9 days are for gentlemen clad in garments appropriate for watersports.

Having a "Ladies' Day" and having what my aging father would describe as "dolly birds" doing the openings...seems the organisers concur with the stereotype of their punters and are giving them what they want but are they missing a trick by deterring people put off by the stereotype?

If they can't get an A-lister like Colin Firth doing pre-publicity for the Crowhurst film to do the official opening, aren't there "cheap" options who'd at least be of sufficient interest to warrant a paragraph in a yachting publication: yachtmaster of the year, apprentice boatbuilder of the year, someone who's running a yachting-related charity and would benefit from the publicity?

I find the yachting stereotype embarrassing enough without the boat show organisers reinforcing it.

I think you've missed the point that the show opening isn't for hardened sailors - that's what the show is for!

Full disclosure - I used to work in marketing for the Show organisers...

The celebrity opening the show is a tool of the PR trade designed to get more newspaper coverage. Simply put, what the organisers want is for every newspaper and media outlet in the land to run a story in their papers and on their websites on the opening day that says "BOAT SHOW OPEN!!!!"

But that obviously isn't going to happen, as most of them don't care at all, and those that do even have a sailing corespondent any more only care a very tiny amount. So the celebrity is a hook - a tool to get the papers to send photographers and reporters to the Show, and the rules of the game are that when they run their piece about the celebrity they mention that she's at the Boat Show, and that it runs until next weekend. Getting the news out there.

And sometimes there is another benefit, I remember when we had Tamara Ecclestone opening the London Show, there were well over 100 photographers from every paper I'd ever heard of and a dozen that I hadn't. She did her opening bit and then some of the photographers and reporters were subsequently seen staring open mouthed at the boats, and a good half dozen filed stories about the Show in itself because they were interested. We got more coverage, far more coverage, that mentioned the show than when a sailing celeb opened it, and some actually good pieces directly about the Show. They'd have never come if it was just "hey, come a see some sailor you've never heard of at the Boat Show."

 

[JumbleDuck]

Who is she? Never hear of her.

According to various newspapers (thanks, Google)

She said: “I am thrilled to be opening the Southampton Boat Show this year. As an avid fan of all types of activity on the water, I’m really excited to spend some time at the show, soaking up the atmosphere and experiencing some of the brilliant attractions on offer.” ​

which I think translates as "I'm fairly near the bottom of my agent's rate card and I once went to the seaside".

 

[laika]

Who is she? Never hear of her.

Google tells us she's on Coronation Street and the YBW article tells us that she's "an avid fan of all types of activity on the water,". At least she's an actual soap actress which is a step up from the London boat show 2016 which was opened by reality tv star Lucy Watson who, the YBW article from earlier this year informed us, is "a fan of all kinds of activity on the water". Michelle has added avidness.
http://www.ybw.com/news-from-yachting-boating-world/made-in-chelsea-star-to-open-2016-london-boat-show-15980

 

[Giblets]

She is also the star of the second series of the BBC drama "Our Girl" which starts on 7th September.

 

[Mariner69]

She played a superb Vestal Virgin in Plebs!

 

[LONG_KEELER]

What are the tits like ?

 

[Seajet]

What are the tits like ?

a couple of my smallest ' teardrop ' fenders, but probably not as useful - they would be more awkward to bop annoying neighbours on the head with when rafted up, for instance.

Since you ask.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I think you've missed the point that the show opening isn't for hardened sailors - that's what the show is for!

Full disclosure - I used to work in marketing for the Show organisers...

The celebrity opening the show is a tool of the PR trade designed to get more newspaper coverage. Simply put, what the organisers want is for every newspaper and media outlet in the land to run a story in their papers and on their websites on the opening day that says "BOAT SHOW OPEN!!!!"

But that obviously isn't going to happen, as most of them don't care at all, and those that do even have a sailing corespondent any more only care a very tiny amount. So the celebrity is a hook - a tool to get the papers to send photographers and reporters to the Show, and the rules of the game are that when they run their piece about the celebrity they mention that she's at the Boat Show, and that it runs until next weekend. Getting the news out there.

And sometimes there is another benefit, I remember when we had Tamara Ecclestone opening the London Show, there were well over 100 photographers from every paper I'd ever heard of and a dozen that I hadn't. She did her opening bit and then some of the photographers and reporters were subsequently seen staring open mouthed at the boats, and a good half dozen filed stories about the Show in itself because they were interested. We got more coverage, far more coverage, that mentioned the show than when a sailing celeb opened it, and some actually good pieces directly about the Show. They'd have never come if it was just "hey, come a see some sailor you've never heard of at the Boat Show."

Now that makes sense.... probably even better then, if she turns up in something revealing.... sexist? moi??

 

[laika]

We got more coverage, far more coverage, that mentioned the show than when a sailing celeb opened it

Who here had even heard of Tamara Ecclestone before that boat show opening (or since)? She seems to exist mainly as a symbol of how a short ugly man can attract a woman more than 50 years his junior so long as he's got a billion quid. Which seems to be part of the message this whole "boats == luxury lifestyle" strategy at the London show (more rangerovers and jacuzzis, fewer discount rope offcuts).

I suggest that the people opening the shows aren't chosen purely on the degree of their "celebrity". If that were the case surely Bill Roache would be the better choice of opener ("Bill is a dedicated fan of all sorts of activity on the water").

Sad that we won't ever know how this strategy translates into actual ticket sales. Even if they do have hordes of wannabe 70s medallion men queueing for tickets, it's a shame that that's the image being crafted of us all.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Who here had even heard of Tamara Ecclestone before that boat show opening (or since)? She seems to exist mainly as a symbol of how a short ugly man can attract a woman more than 50 years his junior so long as he's got a billion quid. Which seems to be part of the message this whole "boats == luxury lifestyle" strategy at the London show (more rangerovers and jacuzzis, fewer discount rope offcuts).

I suggest that the people opening the shows aren't chosen purely on the degree of their "celebrity". If that were the case surely Bill Roache would be the better choice of opener ("Bill is a dedicated fan of all sorts of activity on the water").

Sad that we won't ever know how this strategy translates into actual ticket sales. Even if they do have hordes of wannabe 70s medallion men queueing for tickets, it's a shame that that's the image being crafted of us all.

.....if Flaming is right, she's just a glamorous advertising board with only one purpose - to get column inches into newspapers and magazines whose readers have heard of her... as free advertising goes she's probably very cheap compared with taking out actual advertising in the said periodicals... as you say I have no idea how many extra visitors it might turn into, but she's probably as good a chance as any of getting the attention of the average "Hello" reader.. and she's surely nicer to look at than Bill Roache

 

[prv]

Who here had even heard of Tamara Ecclestone before that boat show opening (or since)?

Very few here, myself very much included. But that's Flaming's whole point - us here aren't the intended target. The intended target is other inhabitants of the Meeja bubble, who one assumes have heard of her.

I suggest that the people opening the shows aren't chosen purely on the degree of their "celebrity".

Indeed, their appearance rates no doubt factor heavily as well

Pete

 

[flaming]

Who here had even heard of Tamara Ecclestone before that boat show opening (or since)? She seems to exist mainly as a symbol of how a short ugly man can attract a woman more than 50 years his junior so long as he's got a billion quid.

Just FYI - she's his daughter, not his wife! At the time she was launching a career of some sort, I forget what, and so was being followed by press everywhere. Which was exactly the point, the press followed her into the Show, more than I've ever seen before or since. And when they were there they looked around and found that boats are quite interesting really.

Which seems to be part of the message this whole "boats == luxury lifestyle" strategy at the London show (more rangerovers and jacuzzis, fewer discount rope offcuts).

I suggest that the people opening the shows aren't chosen purely on the degree of their "celebrity". If that were the case surely Bill Roache would be the better choice of opener ("Bill is a dedicated fan of all sorts of activity on the water").

Sad that we won't ever know how this strategy translates into actual ticket sales. Even if they do have hordes of wannabe 70s medallion men queueing for tickets, it's a shame that that's the image being crafted of us all.

I have no idea who Bill Roche is...?

I don't think the celeb opening the Show has anything to do with the image being crafted. It's purely and simply a hook to make the media turn up and cover the Show. As it happens I also utterly lament the celebrity obsession of the media, but if your job is to get them to turn up to something you either give them what they want (within the limits of your budget...) or you stick to your principals and then try and explain to your boss and the whole marine industry why no press turned up to the Show.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Google tells us she's on Coronation Street and the YBW article tells us that she's "an avid fan of all types of activity on the water,". At least she's an actual soap actress which is a step up from the London boat show 2016 which was opened by reality tv star Lucy Watson who, the YBW article from earlier this year informed us, is "a fan of all kinds of activity on the water". Michelle has added avidness.

Both with United Agents, I see. Someone at BMIF isn't very imaginative, or is a bit of a lech, or both.

 

[laika]

Just FYI - she's his daughter, not his wife!

Oops. Fair cop. A little research shows that Bernie's current wife is only 48 years his junior and only 19cm taller.

My issue wasn't about obsession with celebrity: that's a given for the media. It's about perpetuation of an image of the yachting world where women are eye candy. Ladies' Day. Opening "celebrities" chosen not, I'll argue, for media interest alone but because they're attractive to a "certain sort of gentleman".

Bill Roache is also a coronation street actor but one rather more people (even me) have heard of.