WITH their 65th anniversary approaching in 2020 a partnership between Coonamble Rodeo Association and Vision TV promises to bring extra bang for every buck.
Through his company Vision TV, the owner of Coonamble’s Bucking Bull Hotel, Scott Richardson, approached The Seven Network with the idea of having a screening of the Long Weekend Rodeo & Campdraft on 7mate.
But the network executives had other ideas.
“Within an hour my original plan of a one hour special had grown into a ten part series of thirty TV minutes which equals 22 minutes in the real world.” Mr Richardson said. “That’s 220 minutes in total of Coonamble on TV.”
“The Coonamble Rodeo will be seen on every Seven and Prime station in the country and on all regional stations that take Seven programs, with a potential audience of millions.”
And it’s not just the event itself that is set to benefit.
“We see it as an opportunity of a lifetime,” says Rodeo Association Secretary Steven Butler. “Not just for the event but for the whole district.”
“Having a whole series will give us the chance to showcase local businesses and towns and the people who live here,” he said. “There’s so many great stories we can tell.”
“We want to make the most of it so that every business in town can benefit.”
Mr Richardson has already produced a television advertisement for the 2019 event and has already turned his attention to planning the major production.
“I can’t believe such a great event hasn’t had much TV interest before this,” Mr Richardson said.
“It is scheduled to start in July and a new episode will screen every week for ten weeks on Saturday afternoons.”
The profile should reap dividends in terms of crowd numbers for 2020.
Vision TV plan to have twelve crew members on site to record the rodeo and film at other sites around the district in coming weeks, recording interviews with volunteers, competitors, stockmen, drovers, retail and hospitality businesses, and local personalities.
When put together with production costs it is a very expensive operation and Mr Butler says there is still time for new sponsors to come on board. Along with the Rodeo Association, Coonamble Shire Council and Mr Richardson’s own company have invested in the project which in real terms will cost in the vicinity of more than $150, 000.
“Coonamble Shire Council have contributed towards promoting the event and Scott is kicking the can big-time by donating time, equipment and staff,” Mr Butler said.
“We’d welcome anyone else who wants to get their name out there. It really ramps up the value you get from having your name on the bucking chutes when you’re looking at a tv audience of millions.”
The other thing the Association are seeking is a catchy name for the television series.
If you have a suitable suggestion, catch up with a Rodeo Association committee member or send it in to the Coonamble Times.