Vision's Web Site Becoming Place To See Tony George's Thoughts
By Michael Smith, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
 |
Tony George Utilizes Vision Racing Web Site
To Change Perception That He Is Inaccessible |
It is not quite "Tony George Unplugged," but there is only one place to access the thoughts of the former Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO. George, who otherwise has attempted to stay out of the media's glow since being ousted by his family, has twice posted messages on the site that represents his IndyCar Series team, Vision Racing (visionracing.com). That is part of a strategy George, who often has been accused of being unavailable, is using to change his perception. In his most recent post July 26, George wrote, "I continue to be perplexed by the board's recent decision to relieve me from my responsibility as CEO of the enterprise. To date, I have not received a reasonable explanation as to why; the statement they released to the press not withstanding, I feel as though after 20 years I am entitled to one." Vision Racing Dir of Media Relations Pat Caporali said George wrote the entry himself. It was George's idea, in fact, to share his thoughts only through the site. "The most important impact seems to be in the perception that Tony is sharing more and talking directly to the people instead of talking to a reporter who quotes only part of what Tony says," Caporali said. "'Tony Uncensored' seems to be a welcome change." Caporali added: "It was the only way to get the message out without being misquoted, edited or showing preference to a particular media outlet for an exclusive one-on-one." George's posts are also driving traffic to Vision's newly-redesigned site. Racersites.com, which manages the site, reports that traffic peaked at 633% over previous levels at the end of June when the site relaunched. The first George post produced a traffic increase of 120% over those new high-water marks, while the most recent George post boosted traffic an additional 30%. Vision Racing, a relative bit player that has struggled to find success until Saturday night when driver Ed Carpenter finished second at the Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky Speedway, finished July with 12,000 total visits to its site and 9,000 unique monthly visitors.
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
IndyCar Series Fan Demographics
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
IndyCar Series Entering '10 With Changes
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
De Silvestro To Drive For HVM Racing In IRL
March 3, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
IndyCar Close To Deal For Houston Race
February 11, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Randy Bernard Officially Named IRL CEO
February 3, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Top ISC Execs See Pay Increases In '09
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
IndyCar Series Fan Demographics
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
IndyCar Series Entering '10 With Changes
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
USF1 Employees File Complaint With NCDOL
March 12, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Rahal Lands IndyCar Ride With Sarah Fisher
March 11, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
