Sportspick

www.sportspick.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Sportspick is Australia's largest sports tipping business. We run tipping competitions in pubs and clubs across VIC, SA, NSW, QLD and Tas. Our players can tip on AFL, NRL, Autumn, Winter & Spring Racing plus EPL, the Brownlow Medal and more...

2. When and why did you start your business?

Our business started 9 years ago because our business principles were sick of filling in bits of paper to join footy tipping at the local pub. From there our business has grown to include a broad distribution and range of products.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with of your business?

Although I am new to the business I have been able to work with our team to deliver some new marketing initiatives including online advertising and leveraging social networks to engage our players and venues.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Whilst our channel is exclusive to us we face major competition for tipping products, that combined with the fact that with our product it is not always easy to directly calculate a revenue stream can make it difficult to get the attention and engagement of our venue managers and staff.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

This year we did an integrated campaign with radio, print, online and in venue. By using the same concepts and artwork we were able to build brand awareness and reinforce to our venue partners our commitment to the brand and therefore their business.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Interestingly staff incentives for venue staff (third party) were less effective. I believe that this was due to the fact that hospitality staff are often confronted by a wide range of promotional messages to remember and sell and getting cut through with a small incentive wasn't overly effective.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

I love sports and the spirit of competition that tipping generates. Our customers are passionate about their teams and topping the state leaderboards in their competition.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I am inspired by people who get things done, whether its because they aren't afraid to innovate or because they just have a go. Some examples for me include - Paul Lidgerwood from Niche Media, Cheryl Patten from Member Advantage, Doug Wilson from Erwins Printing and David Solomon from the Solomon Partnership. I have worked with each of these people and their passion, bravery and commitment has always inspired me.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

Our business is about securing the channel and engaging the customer. To that aim we are developing a number of tools that will assist our channel get more out of our products and a program that engages our customers inside and outside the venue.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Approach everything with fresh eyes - last year's campaign shouldn't just be trotted out again because it worked - the world has changed. Look at each marketing or business planning activity as a chance to engage new customers, reinvigorate old business partners with a new attitude, product or deal and of course yourself with a fresh approach.

Visit us at: www.sportspick.com.au