What's new for TRU in 2017
Rugby writer and thinker, Matthew Wood talks with Max Ashcroft and Max Skofic to learn more about the content planned for 2017.
Firstly how was 2016 for the team at TRU?
MAX A: “We continued to grow our relationships with the National Leagues and Clubs. They are at the heart of what’s good in English Rugby Union. We worked with all our rugby journalists to provide unique rugby news but most importantly ensure we have the best access to rugby sources; with that comes credibility and authority”
MAX S: “The site has became a 24/7 rugby news site, covering rugby globally. We developed our in-house videography and maintained our responsiveness with commercial partners; there is a need to fund the site so getting a balanced approach to our partners and what we charge is critical”
How’s the plans for 2017 looking:
MAX A: “Commercially we have 2 large proposals with sponsors in the hope that we can send a team to NZ. We want to cover both Durham University and the British & Irish Lions. It will be a very different coverage than Sky or BT can offer. So here’s to the proposals being well received. Our editorial plan doesn’t just focus on major tours, we added Dubai7s to our extensive Rugby7s coverage and will return in 2017. Other additions will include more GKIPA Championship Rugby and a series of investigative features on the state of rugby club finances.”
MAX S: “The use of Audio and Video are becoming more and more prominatant in our editorial world. Increasing this type of content on our Facebook Channels such as Facebook.com/RugbyUnionFans has seen videos go viral, purely organically. I want to see how we can equip our correspondents so that they can use the iphone for interviews and match highlights. Facebook Live is something to look at going forward. The other important development that Max and I are working towards is expanding our National league and University rugby content both written and video. We worked with BUCS and Red Bull this year on 7s and have more planned in 2017”
How can student journalists and broadcasters get involved?
MAX A: “ there’s an open invitation to contribute regularly or on an ad hoc basis. Students are welcome to come and work with us for up to two weeks at a time. We provide free accommodation and allow them to experience the demands of reporting 24/7 with accuracy and authority.”
MAX S: “ I have been impressed by the student journalists and newly graduated journalists we have worked with. We give the writers credit and it allows them to develop their CV’s."
What about photographers?
MAX A: “this always seems a nightmare to us, we try to be ultra-cautious. We want to credit every photograph we use. We do get the occasional irate tweet but overall the rugby photography community have come to our aid on a number of occasions”
MAX S; “ I can only second that. We have built relationships with many great photographers, mainly through social media, and intend to keep going that way... We also get our own photographers out to 7s, National Leagues and University rugby, to help develope the exposure of those rugby sections”
Why sponsor a 7s Team?
MAX A: “ I had a view that many talented rugby players were not either getting game time or being allowed to showcase their clients. With that in mind, I founded RedPanda7s. In year one, it was about Bath University, in years two and three we combined Durham and Bath Universities. Now we open up to players in the 18 to 25 years bracket either playing university or national league rugby. We attempt to incorporate academy players but there is a certain politic to that.”
MAX S: “The team sponsorship has gone way beyond TalkingRugbyUnion. We now have a principal partner in Ascot Underwriting and a charity partner in Tom’s Trust. New sponsors are lined up in 2017. We will do up to 5 tournaments and will definitely be at Skofic7s and Chester7s”
How do you describe the organisation you work in?
MAX A: “ 100% Rugby. We offer rugby fans, players, coaches and clubs an independent channel that is free to air. We offer our commercial partners influence and reach. We talk rugby union”
MAX S: “ We are creative about rugby union, looking for fresh approaches, and we are constantly looking to provide rugby fans with new and exciting content.”
And final thoughts?
MAX A: “ I think as our good friend and commercial partner Tim Baynes would call it; Say it in 7. This year’s journey has put us in front of so many rugby people who are interested in what we do and appreciative of the way we do it. The level of access that we have in rugby and this independence of thinking is key to our next steps. It’s great to see we were rated as one of the top 5 independent rugby websites and I was flattered last week when Google called me up to talk strategically; clearly they think we have the traffic and reach that advertisers want.”
MAX S: “ When a story really connects with readers and gains the viewers an article deserves is what it's about for me. Our reach has often engaged many professional minds in the rugby industry, which convinces me our reputation and brand is growing.“
Wishing all the fans of TalkingRugbyUnion a great Christmas and a healthy New Year. To our commercial partners a heartfelt thanks.
