How much was blown in these sails?

Has local Leo Rodriguez done 'a runner' with the new set of sails provided by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays, or did he just forget to turn right after going through the heads at Sydney?

There have been no reports, articles, images or footage in the media of the Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays sponsored boat since the quiet announcement of their sponsorship arrangement on Christmas Day (story here).

The sponsorship saga of the 13 year old Volvo 60 'Merit', owned by a member (and supplier) to Tourism Whitsundays, by TQ & TW, is turning more into a marketing's version of 'Dumb and Dumber' and has got to be one of the most ill-conceived marketing campaigns ever run by a tourism organization.

Tourism Queensland's CEO Anthony Hayes said:
"Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays had partnered with Merit, the Volvo 60 round-the-world racing yacht owned by Whitsundays locals Leo Rodriguez and Ian Bishop, to send a clear message to viewers that they’d rather be sailing The Whitsundays." (article). Fail.

Not only has 'Merit' failed to generate ANY media interest (traditional and new) since the start of the race, but according to SailWorld, 'Merit', didn't even compete in this years Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. SailWorld have produced the official handicap results here.

It's Time for a clean-out of our Tourism organizations, in particular the marketing departments.

Not generating any media interest? 'Hit and Miss'.
Not generating any press releases? Marketing Fail.
Not getting listed  in the results?  Dumb.
Not ensuring it is listed in the results? Dumber.

Note: Mr Rodriguez supplies internet services to Tourism Whitsundays. He either owns or manages local businesses called Internet Whitsunday, Net2Phone, TelcoInABox, Hosting Australia.


Sources:
SailWorld
Google News