ScOtT k Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 https://registration.dfw.com/reg/login.do?url=http://www.dfw.com%2Fmld%2Fdfw%2Fbusiness%2F12852893.htm Mr. Six may be looking for a new job if Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder gains control of Six Flags. Instead, the marketing campaign featuring the octogenarian mascot would be replaced by a new slogan, "Clean, Safe, Fun," according to a government filing made Friday by Snyder's investment firm, Red Zone. Snyder also wants to reprice season passes and charge more for premium parking spots if he succeeds in replacing three of the company's directors, including Chief Executive Kieran Burke, with new management. The filing, which is a presentation designed to sway shareholders in favor of Snyder's management changes, detailed new marketing and business plans for Six Flags. The new brand campaign would spend less on expensive television ads, use more direct mail and focus more on families with young children and teen-agers, the filing said. The Mr. Six campaign is "misguided," has an "unclear message" and "weakens the brand," Red Zone said in the presentation. In addition to new marketing launched around the company's 45th anniversary next year, a Snyder-controlled company would: Partner with one exclusive food provider, such as a pizza company or an ice cream company, per category. Create a Six Flags Rewards program to track attendees spending habits at the park. Outsource concessions and sell related equipment. Have official sponsorships, such as an official energy provider, a Six Flags credit card and bring cellphone, cable and satellite providers into the parks to sell their products. Seek to rezone about 3,700 acres of undeveloped property around selected parks and sell it. Eliminate some of the pricing discounts and emphasize "doing more for children under 48 inches tall." Through Red Zone, Snyder is asking shareholders to consent to remove three directors, replacing them with Snyder, home-building executive Dwight Schar and former ESPN executive Mark Shapiro, who would become the new chief executive of Six Flags. The filing also touted the experience of the Red Zone nominees and pointed out Snyder's success in increasing the Redskins' annual revenues to $300 million from $162 million, saying that similar growth opportunities exist at Six Flags. Six Flags spokesman Jeremy Jacobs would not comment on the specific criticisms in the presentation but said the company is focused on its auction process. Six Flags put itself up for sale in August after Snyder announced his intentions to acquire close to 35 percent of the Oklahoma City-based company. So far, no buyer has emerged. "We believe Red Zone's consent solicitation may chill the interest of potentially interested parties and may interfere with this process to the detriment of shareholders," Jacobs said. The company also announced in September that it plans to close its AstroWorld park in Houston and sell the property. Snyder's group also criticized that decision, saying it was a reaction to the Red Zone proposal. Snyder has criticized the company's management for "blaming the weather" for the company's annual losses the past four years. In the filing, Red Zone says current management has lost "billions of dollars in shareholder value" and overspends on thrill rides that don't appeal to families with young children. It added that Six Flags' sponsorships, such as its Looney Tunes agreement, are "tired and dated brands that generate little recognition by children." If Red Zone wins shareholder approval for its director change proposal, the firm would then offer $6.50 per share to boost its stake from 11.7 percent to 34.9 percent. However, Red Zone has said it will not make the offer if Six Flags stock continues to trade above $6.50, which is has since mid-August What do you guys think of dan synder?? I don't know if he's the right guy for SF... What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chauncey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 He wants to get rid of Looney Toons? What? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 This was the part that bothers me: Seek to rezone about 3,700 acres of undeveloped property around selected parks and sell it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScOtT k Posted October 8, 2005 Author Share Posted October 8, 2005 Could all that land be around Great Adenture?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chauncey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 This was the part that bothers me: Seek to rezone about 3,700 acres of undeveloped property around selected parks and sell it. Yeah, that's bad too. Actually, it's all bad! Sell off land instead of devoloping it, bringing in fast food, getting rid of the liscences, etc. I think, really, this is going to make Six Flags worse of a company! He just wants to take Six Flags even more in the wrong direction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 (edited) Clean, Safe, Fun? Save that for a Lysol commercial... Anyways... Have official sponsorships, such as an official energy provider, a Six Flags credit card and bring cellphone, cable and satellite providers into the parks to sell their products. Wait a tick, you mean while I am waiting in line for a coaster, I'm going to have a salesman selling me some generic brand TiVo? No thanks... Seek to rezone about 3,700 acres of undeveloped property around selected parks and sell it. No. Eliminate some of the pricing discounts and emphasize "doing more for children under 48 inches tall." More for kids under 48 inches tall, SF already has plenty for kids... look at all of the generic Bugs Bunny lands. "tired and dated brands that generate little recognition by children." Would they at least keep the rights of using Cartoon Network properties? Since SFGAm has "Camp Cartoon Network" and such and all of those little kids just sit there watching Dexter's Lab reruns 20 times a day... Edited October 8, 2005 by Homer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuakerOaties Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 He wants to bring cell phone companies as well as cable and satellite providers into parks to sell their products? What a joke... Mark "Dumbass..." Luskus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 (edited) Red Zone says current management has lost "billions of dollars in shareholder value" and overspends on thrill rides that don't appeal to families with young children. It added that Six Flags' sponsorships, such as its Looney Tunes agreement, are "tired and dated brands that generate little recognition by children." Although I actually DO agree with this. Look at how successful the Paramount kids areas have been based on all the current cartoons. I don't think kids really look as much forward to "Bugs Bunny Land" when they go to a park as much as they all seem to LOVE the Spongebob ride and 3D movie! Eliminate some of the pricing discounts and emphasize "doing more for children under 48 inches tall." I would actually like to see this happen. They need a few more "family rides" at some of the parks. --Robb Edited October 8, 2005 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I don't think kids really look as much forward to "Bugs Bunny Land" when they go to a park as much as they all seem to LOVE the Spongebob ride and 3D movie! Spongebob isn't a Looney Toon's property last I checked. I didn't see a yellow sponge being chased by a hunter and saying "Whats Up, Doc?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I don't think kids really look as much forward to "Bugs Bunny Land" when they go to a park as they all seem to LOVE the Spongebob ride and 3D movie! Spongebob isn't a Looney Toon's property last I checked. I didn't see a yellow sponge being chased by a hunter and saying "Whats Up, Doc?" Yes, I know....that's what I was saying....READ my post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homey G. Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 If Dan Snyder buys Six Flags, he will turn it around and make $$. But I don't see it being a positive for most enthusiasts. Less big ticket rides/coasters, and more expensive season passes, and maybe a few other things that might annoy us. But it will make $$. Snyder is a shrewd businessman and he won't go all in and not be profitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chauncey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 (edited) Red Zone says current management has lost "billions of dollars in shareholder value" and overspends on thrill rides that don't appeal to families with young children. It added that Six Flags' sponsorships, such as its Looney Tunes agreement, are "tired and dated brands that generate little recognition by children." Although I actually DO agree with this. Look at how successful the Paramount kids areas have been based on all the current cartoons. I don't think kids really look as much forward to "Bugs Bunny Land" when they go to a park as much as they all seem to LOVE the Spongebob ride and 3D movie! --Robb You want them to get rid of Bugs Bunney?!?! Edited October 8, 2005 by chauncey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MF310ryb Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I just hope who ever runs SF next year gets rid of the bad crowds. At least at GADV the crowds are horrible. They are extremely rude, nasty, and over all disgusting. Its not a place for small children or families. If Snyder wants to make it clean, safe, and fun he will have to start with the crowd. I have seen the crews get attacked by foul language and other obscene words. I wouldn't be surprised if this leads to their bad attitude we all read about. Making minimum wage and dealing with those people. It seems the current management does not recognize that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twister II Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 ^ Thats just New Jersey Well lets just say that he dose do this all. Which would be the first park affected? Im betting SFAmer, SFMM or posablly SFEG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 All I know is that it would be quite a feat to make the parks WORSE. At the point I welcome ANY new management into the chain. Sure there might be things that annoy us, but don't we have things that annoy us already? Personally, all I would ask is for them to clean up the parks and have them operated at best as possible. I mean, even if they went to operating the parks just "slightly above satisfactory" that sure would be a hell of a lot better than most of them are being operated now! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterguy618 Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 What!?!? I want the old six flags back.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kroger8 Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Yes, this new management may be different than it is now, its just I have a feeling that hes not the right guy for the job, but then again, nothing now is for the people, its just about how can you make the most money, so there may not be a "right" guy for the job out there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfmmFREAK Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 turn sfmm's parking lot into a parking complex, it would take up less space and leave more parking spots for those who come in the middle of the day, who can never find a parking spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLUSHIE Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Could all that land be around Great Adenture?? I highly doubt all that land is in one location. It would be funny if after the sold the land another park company baught it and built a park on it. I wounder if some of the land is nowhere near a park, maybe where the intended on building one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I actually think that a majority of Snyder's ideas are thoughtful and could end up working great. He addressed some concerns I've had for years: cheap season passes (and parking), over-spending on coasters and neglecting families too much. I would say I agree with about 90% of what he has to say.. Wait a tick, you mean while I am waiting in line for a coaster, I'm going to have a salesman selling me some generic brand TiVo? No thanks... I'd imagine it would be just like at football games where they have a couple of tables set up within the park and they may ask you to come talk to them when you walk by. IMHO no different than the people taking pictures at the gate, or the ones giving out samples of some new product or the people hawking cotton candy and lemonade in line. If it makes the company some money, I say give them a break and let them try it out. Let's actually experience such salesmen before writing them off as bad. More for kids under 48 inches tall, SF already has plenty for kids... look at all of the generic Bugs Bunny lands. I disagree there. I think it was Robb who pointed out the Paramount parks, and when compared to the level of attention to families that Paramount offers, SF is still WAY behind. Would they at least keep the rights of using Cartoon Network properties? Since SFGAm has "Camp Cartoon Network" and such and all of those little kids just sit there watching Dexter's Lab reruns 20 times a day... I believe they were only refering to the old looney tunes, the Bugs' and Daffys of the world. The only concerns I have are that the whole corporate sponsorships thing could be taken a bit too far. I dont mind the log flume sponsored by a water bottler or the sky buckets sponsored by Delta, but I'd like for it to remain lo-key. For the most part, the rides in Universal were sponsored, and as long as the company name isn't in the name of the ride (ie Coke the Ride) I'll be fine. What!?!? I want the old six flags back.... Really? What SF, the one that provides coaster junkies with some nice rides all while mismanaging the parks? Nah, I'd take one less coaster ever 10 years for a much better park thank you At the point I welcome ANY new management into the chain. Me too!! You want them to get rid of Bugs Bunney?!?! YES! Most kids nowadays (sadly) don't relate to the old warner bros. characters too well. Snyder is a shrewd businessman and he won't go all in and not be profitable. That's for sure. I doubt he'd be making these changes if he wasn't certain they would be productive. If they can attain the proposed tagline (Clean, Safe, Fun), I think they can turn it around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MF310ryb Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I agree as well about being open to any new management. I just remember how much fun the parks used to be. I am not saying there not any more. I just have a memory of when my home park was clean, safe, fun in the mid to late 90's. Parents would drop their kids off and not have to worry about thugs or other issues. I disagree with Twister II when its just a NJ thing. I have seen the park in its best and worst. I live in a great area in NJ. I think its all a marketing issue and wanting to bring in money no matter where it comes from. We can not stereotype a whole state for those from bad areas. If they up the prices like it seems Snyder wants to do it may cut back on these issues. Families tend to have more money and if they realize a safe area for their families they will spend the money. A good example is Disney World. Families pay a ton of money in traveling and hotel stays. Look at the Location of Disney World. When I was down their last there was news about issues in Orlando from fights and robberies. Every state has these issues but its how each park wants to bring in their money. The family way or if you can count to $50 dollars bring it attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 ASSASINATE SNYDER (and frye) I really don't want SF to be as commercialized as it will be if snyder takes over. That motto is one of the crappiest things ever. All it is is an oxymoron for the chain, and it is just trying so hard to be an icky rebuttle to the fact that SF is not very clean, and can be unfun (is that a word?). I love the Loony Tunes, and they need to stay. In other news, RED ZONE ALSO SUCKS! the main thing i despise is that icky tag-line, just like fly at the speed of fear. Also, Mr. Six is one of the really great add campaigns from theme parks. He is recognized by most people, and his commercials are always entertaining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfreak101 Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 They can't get rid of Mr. Six!!! He is the 2nd best thing to Six Flags, the best is the coasters! I have always enjoyed his commercials, and now we don't get to see Robb dance anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I don't see how Six Flags could be that much different to be honest. It's already commercialized (they had our cornuts at the exit, there are Toyota and Ford cars on display, they have booths promoting the credit card, etc, etc....) And coming up with a way to actually help the parks MAKE MONEY is only going to benifit the parks! I mean, business that LOSE MONEY don't stay in buisness...or in this specific case, they do things like sell more parks. Is that what we want? Another park like Astroworld to close? And right now Six Flags does a really good of of LOSING MONEY. So if Snyder could come up with a way to actually get the parks to start making money, why would that be a bad thing? I would totally put up with a bit of commercialism and higher priced parking and season passes if he could turn the parks around. Hell, I only paid $46 for my SFMM pass this year which is good at like TWENTY parks...I'd be more than happy to shell out DOUBLE that money if the park was twice as good! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyBreath Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Yes Mr.Six stays as does the looney Tunes I love them both I agree with everything in DATman's post, except Fly at the speed of fear I like that. He wants to raise Parking prices ...ummm like $10 isn't enough I though going to an amusement park was suppose to be an escape, why would you want credit card, cable and cell phone reps/ads in your face at an amusement park. You get enough of that crap on TV, radio, mall/shopping centers,and the mail. So why would anyone want that to be part of an amusement park visit. I don't know this Snyder guy has me unsure if he is the right one to do this job of turning SF around. Yes SF needs to make big changes to the way they operate from top to bottom, I'm just not so sure this Snyder guy is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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