Sexton gone from CDI

[FenceBored]

Churchill Downs Inc. will not hold its HullabaLOU Music Festival in 2011 and has accepted the resignation of CDI executive vice president Steve Sexton.
-- http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59228/sexton-out-at-churchill-downs (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/59228/sexton-out-at-churchill-downs)

[andymays]

All these guys try to copy the summer meet at Del Mar and they keep getting burned. The Del Mar summer meet is unique and the concerts there work. They really don't work in most places as Mr. Sexton found out the hard way.

[FenceBored]

All these guys try to copy the summer meet at Del Mar and they keep getting burned. The Del Mar summer meet is unique and the concerts there work. They really don't work in most places as Mr. Sexton found out the hard way.

HullabaLOU wasn't tied to the race meet, so I don't think that's a fair criticism. It and the other projects the 'entertainment' division were working on were specfically for dark periods. Whether HullabaLou could have been more successful without the heat is debatable, but in general I do think there's merit to trying to find a profitable use of these large plants during the period between race meets. The difficulty is in doing so in a manner that doesn't adversely impact the track's routine. HullabaLOU necessitated a larger than usual resodding of the turf course and disrupted training. Not the most horseman sensitive deal.

[Grits]

It has become clear that launching new, upscale entertainment events in the current economy, particularly with the persistently high levels of unemployment, is extremely difficult,” said CDI president and chief executive officer Robert L. Evans. “While we received exceptionally high marks from the nearly 80,000 people who attended our CDE events, we fell short of the attendance levels necessary to operate these events profitably.”

Paraphrased it might sound something like:

"The entertainment division wasn't our best move given the financial climate at this time, though sacking Sexton, yes, will save us money. Hell, sacking anybody we can shove out the door is, indeed, favorable for CDI. Last week we handed out 60 or so pink slips through our acquisition of YOU BET. Redundantcy being found unnecessary, as we learned and carried out previously through our acquisition of Bris", CEO Evans explained.

"Our current goal going forward through 2011 is to generate further income for our shareholders who are always our primary concern. We feel we are on that path in continuing to buy up overpriced casinos (slang: slot havens) in states with high unemployment rates. Targeting areas with a significant population of the addicted, hoping for a pipedream, low income (if any income) five to seven day a week patron. Everyone has dreams and CDI wants to assist with those. We will be providing player's rewards for our most valued slot patrons," Evans stated with confidence and renewed enthusiasm.

[sandpit]

Paraphrased it might sound something like:

"The entertainment division wasn't our best move given the financial climate at this time, though sacking Sexton, yes, will save us money. Hell, sacking anybody we can shove out the door is, indeed, favorable for CDI. Last week we handed out 60 or so pink slips through our acquisition of YOU BET. Redundantcy being found unnecessary, as we learned and carried out previously through our acquisition of Bris", CEO Evans explained.

"Our current goal going forward through 2011 is to generate further income for our shareholders who are always our primary concern. We feel we are on that path in continuing to buy up overpriced casinos (slang: slot havens) in states with high unemployment rates. Targeting areas with a significant population of the addicted, hoping for a pipedream, low income (if any income) five to seven day a week patron. Everyone has dreams and CDI wants to assist with those. We will be providing player's rewards for our most valued slot patrons," Evans stated with confidence and renewed enthusiasm.

You've got a future in writing press releases.

Canning Sexton is the second best thing CD could have done. They should have followed it up with the same for Evans, but instead they gave him a raise and a six-year extension that includes the possibility to be awarded a 100% annual salary bonus if performance metrics are met. (The 100% is up from the lowly 75% max he was getting.)

[Grits]

You've got a future in writing press releases.

Canning Sexton is the second best thing CD could have done. They should have followed it up with the same for Evans, but instead they gave him a raise and a six-year extension that includes the possibility to be awarded a 100% annual salary bonus if performance metrics are met. (The 100% is up from the lowly 75% max he was getting.)

I read this one later in the day, SP, after noting the blurb on Sexton.
Ain't it a hoot!