More proof the economy isn't turning around any time soon. Jack Daniels to end NASCAR sponsorship

[RB TexLa]

If Jack Daniels doesn't find advertising to NASCAR fans worth the money for 2010, I think that says a bit. I still think we can start the turn around by 2015 or so.



Racing team to lose Jack Daniels as sponsor
Jack Daniels leaving Richard Childress Racing's No. 7 car at end of season
On Monday September 21, 2009, 3:31 pm EDT

WELCOME, N.C. (AP) -- Richard Childress Racing will lose sponsor Jack Daniels at the end of the season.

Jack Daniels has been with RCR since 2005 and spent this season sponsoring the No. 07 Chevrolet for Casey Mears. The decision was made after a change in spending priorities by parent company Brown-Forman.

"While it is difficult for us to end our formal relationship with RCR, the current economic environment has compelled us to reevaluate our spending, and we've concluded that other areas in the marketing mix require additional investment," said Tim Rutledge, vice president and brand director for Jack Daniels.

Jack Daniels has been with three different drivers at RCR through 171 races. Its most successful stint was with Clint Bowyer in 2007 and 2008, when he twice made the Chase for the championship and finished third and fifth in the final standings.

But Childress this season moved Bowyer to a new fourth team in the organization and signed Mears for the No. 07 with Jack Daniels.

Childress gave no indication what will happen with Mears or his fourth team in 2010.

"We understand the shift in their spending priorities during these tough economic times, and the No. 07 Jack Daniel's Racing program will continue to provide that successful platform for the rest of the 2009 season," Childress said.



http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Racing-team-to-lose-Jack-apf-1337627503.html?x=0&.v=1

[darkstar3]

1. Maybe they finally just figured out the hypocrisy

or the irony, or whatever, of sponsoring NASCAR while trying to tell people to "drink responsibly."

I never understood how alcohol companies could sponsor NASCAR and get away with it publicly.

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. "drink responsibly"... NASCAR sponsorship aside -

You don't see the irony in that very phrase?

I made two T-shirt transfers a few years ago, one for the front that said "Please Drink" and one for the back that said "Responsibly". My friends said I should have marketed it.

[darkstar3]

6. Well, I DO, but I don't.

How's that for ya? :)

You're right in that "drink responsibly" is a horrible campaign, and definitely ironic from the alcohol marketer's standpoint, but that said it is something that I and many of my friends practice.

So I see the irony, but I wouldn't call it completely ironic or a total oxymoron.

[RB TexLa]

4. I don't see the irony

[darkstar3]

7. So, the logo for Jack Daniels

plastered all over a speeding car driving unsafely in tight traffic fits perfectly with "drink responsibly."

Something about the pairing has never seemed right to me. A little like selling cold beer in 40 oz cans at the local gas station. Sure, you're not TELLING people to drive drunk, in fact you're telling them the opposite, but you're sure as hell encouraging them to do so.

[RB TexLa]

8. I don't think anyone is saying that the driver of the car has consumed whiskey before or while

driving the race car. I also don't see how cold beer for sale at a gas station in any size is telling people to violate the law. Those are both strange assumptions.

Do you think the Tide sponsored car encourages people to fold their laundry while driving?

[darkstar3]

11. Strange parallel

Of course the Tide car doesn't encourage people to fold their laundry while driving, but it does encourage people to use Tide FOR their laundry.

Similarly, the JD car encourages people to drink JD. That's all it does. But personally, with drunk driving being such a problem in this country, I have a problem with anyone who encourages drinking while they personally are behind the wheel. I'm not saying that the car itself specifically says "DRIVE DRUNK ON JD," but I do think it unnecessarily blurs the lines between drinking and driving.

As for the cold beer in single 40 oz cans in the gas stations, that's just flat out encouragement to drink it right after you buy it. What, are you gonna buy a 40 and drive it home and put it in the fridge? No, you're gonna buy a 40 and drive to the party and drink it there. But, of course, everyone hates warm beer, so you crack it early to get that ice cold refreshing first drink, and suddenly you're drinking while driving. At that stage it's true your driving skills are probably fine, but the cops won't care when they pull your ass over and find an open container in my state.

Bartenders are required by law in many states to do what they can to ensure their patrons do not drive drunk. And yet, we have gas station clerks who sell ready-to-drink singles of ice cold beer to people who are obviously are getting back in their cars and driving away. I don't think that's fair to bartenders, and I don't think it sends the right signals when we as a nation are clearly so against drunk driving.

[thunder rising]

2. I'm sure this is a sign of the apocalypse. I guess NASCAR is going back to moonshine!

[Initech]

5. I love this - Jack Daniels sponsors NASCAR.

And then every commercial break they have to clarify the message - "Drink responsibly!!!!".

:rofl:

[Thothmes]

9. Prefer to see JD sponsor a NASCAR team

than one that says ARMY. JD is a private business and can spend their money that way if they choose to. Army sponsorship is my tax dollars and I object that they are spent that way.

[NNN0LHI]

10. I think it is more proof that no one gives a fuck about NASCAR any more

People I know that never missed a race a few years ago have lost interest in watching cars driving around in circles. I am surprised it took so long. One race was enough for me.

Don

[kenny blankenship]

12. NASCAR fans have moved on anyway

Paint thinner is your best value in "good times".