The Formula E recently received a significant boost in audience in the United Kingdom, thanks to its appearance on the popular reality show, The Apprentice. The Apprentice is a highly popular program on the BBC, attracting millions of viewers per episode, especially among young adults, who are also a key target audience for Formula E. This presented Formula E with a unique opportunity to reach a much larger audience than its usual restricted paywall coverage. However, the question remains whether Formula E was able to make the most of this opportunity and whether it will contribute to the growth of its audience.
For those who are not familiar with The Apprentice, it is a business-oriented reality show where teams of entrepreneurs compete against each other in various tasks, aiming to generate the highest profit or create the best product. Each week, one or more candidates are “fired” from the program in a rather inefficient manner. In this particular episode, the candidates were taken to Battersea Park, the location of the first London E-Prix of Formula E, and were given the task of creating an identity for a new Formula E team. The challenge included creating a brand, organizing a launch event, and attracting sponsors for the racing team.
Formula E champion Jake Dennis and Jaguar team principal James Barclay made brief appearances in the episode, but their potential contribution was not fully utilized. It would have been beneficial to involve them as consultants or spokespersons for the teams. However, it seems that the focus of the program on showcasing the candidates’ failures may have hindered their inclusion.
The teams quickly got to work, selecting their project managers, both claiming to be motorsport fans. However, their performance throughout the episode raised doubts about their real knowledge and passion for the sport. The paintings created by each team were questionable at best. One team tried to highlight the environmental credentials of Formula E with a tree motif, reminiscent of a Force India painting. The other team centered their theme around the ocean, unrelated to Ocean Racing, in an attempt to emphasize Formula E’s commitment to sustainability. Unfortunately, the execution of both themes fell short, with poorly designed logos and promotional videos that received negative feedback from experts.
The episode revolved around the teams’ attempts to sell sponsorship spaces, which determined the winner and loser. Real Formula E sponsors Allianz and Tata Communications were present for the teams to present their proposals, and in a short period, supposedly £12 million worth of sponsorship spaces were sold. While this aspect of the episode may have been unrealistic, it contributed to creating a sense of excitement and resulted in a significant victory for one of the teams.
From Formula E’s point of view, this appearance on The Apprentice was a worthwhile exercise as it did not harm the brand’s reputation. Instead, it showed the lack of knowledge and competence of the candidates. Formula E took advantage of the opportunity by live-tweeting the episode and acknowledging the leader of the winning team. The popularity of the program also led to Formula E becoming a trending topic on social media, increasing its potential reach. However, the key question remains whether the curiosity generated by the program will translate into new fans actively seeking out Formula E and eagerly awaiting the next race in two weeks.
Unfortunately, the episode itself did not provide compelling reasons for viewers to become fans of Formula E. It failed to highlight the sport’s best qualities, such as its unpredictability, fierce racing, and standout drivers and manufacturers. The representation felt disconnected from the essence of Formula E. Due to the practical filming issues of The Apprentice and the limitations imposed by BBC’s commercial rules, Formula E struggled to convey its true identity during its appearance. The absence of any footage of Formula E cars in action further contributed to this disconnect. In the end, the episode was rather ordinary, with its sole unique topic being what differentiated it from the usual format of the program.
To be fair, Formula E cannot be held responsible for the shortcomings of the episode. Given The Apprentice’s greater influence and control over the challenge, Formula E had limited influence. However, the series’ presence on a high-profile platform undoubtedly increased the recognition of its name and served as a smart marketing move. However, it is unlikely to significantly expand Formula E’s audience as the program failed to showcase the most captivating aspects of the sport.
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Football star Cristiano Ronaldo made a triumphant return to Manchester United, scoring two goals in his debut match against Newcastle United. The Portuguese player, who recently left Juventus to return to the club where he achieved great success early in his career, showed that he still has a lot to offer.
Ronaldo opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 45th minute of the first half, taking advantage of a precise cross from Luke Shaw. The stadium erupted in celebration, with fans welcoming the return of their idol. Shortly after, Ronaldo scored his second goal of the match, showcasing his skill and precision in finishing a counter-attack.
With his impressive performance, Ronaldo proved that he is still one of the best players in the world. His presence on the field brought a new energy to the Manchester United team, which won the match 4-1. Fans are excited about the prospect of more success with Ronaldo leading the attack.
In addition to his goals, Ronaldo also showed his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. His precise passes and vision of the game were crucial to Manchester United’s offensive performance. Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Ronaldo’s contribution and said that his presence in the team is an advantage for all players.
After the match, Ronaldo expressed his happiness at being back at Manchester United and thanked the fans for their support. He said he is looking forward to continuing to work hard and help the team win titles. With his experience and talent, Ronaldo will certainly be a key piece in the quest for trophies this season.
Manchester United fans are hopeful that Ronaldo’s return can mark the beginning of a new era of success for the club. With a strong squad and one of the best players in the world in their ranks, expectations are high. It remains to be seen how the season will unfold and whether Ronaldo can lead Manchester United back to the top of European football.
