Opinions regarding Reed Timmer from within the chaser community?

[JamesCaruso]

If there's one thing that Timmer is "best" at and as good or better at than chasing, it's marketing his image, businesses, and brands. It's all over this thread. "I met Timmer at such and such event, he seems like a great guy." He knows how to talk to and engage with his fans, while his marketing has created a huge following. Many are trying to emulate this now. Some have convinced themselves that this is what chasing is now: selling yourself as a chaser. That's fine if that's your goal. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with it.

What about the other guys that have been chasing for decades longer, are more responsible, genuine, and have served the community in a more meaningful manner? Shouldn't they be the most famous ones? They never will be because they don't have that marketing. Nobody knows who they are because their exposure to the public (and even other chasers) is minuscule compared to the huge media machines that Timmer's group and similar ones have created. .

Skip is right that it is all about marketing and I agree there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, IF you are Reed Timmer trying to make a career out of chasing, it is absolutely necessary to focus on marketing and personal branding.

I am a CPA (hardly as exciting as storm chasing) and even in my field we need to market ourselves and focus on our "personal brands" in order to build market presence, recognition and imminence in the business community. Social media is a double-edged sword in this regard; it enables us to self-market, yet it creates a lot of noise that we have to compete against to be heard. I have to do good work, but that is not enough to be successful. I cannot expect to just toil quietly in the background and hope to be noticed. Potential clients evaluating my and my firm's services expect to be able to find an online presence when they do their research on us. So my point is, I have no problem with Timmer or any chaser promoting themselves. Of course, like in any profession, there are ethical, moral and legal limits/considerations. And in professions like accounting, law, medicine, etc., there are formal standards as well - not so in chasing, but I don't want to see us go that far!

 

[JamesCaruso]

I'm a little annoyed that Timmer gets put under a microscope and/or on a pedestal by other chasers who at the same time have no idea who Jim Leonard, Gene Moore, David Hoadley, Al Moller, Jack Corso, etc are. Nothing against Reed, but if you're going to put any chasers on a pedestal, give the distinction to guys who got this whole thing started and have been doing it since the 70s or earlier. Making it seem like Timmer is the end-all-be-all of chasing reveals one's naivete that IMO is quite cringe-worthy.

Speaking of Jack Corso, ironically when I first started chasing in the mid 1990's HE was considered one of the maverick, renegade, "bad boy" chasers! All because he dared to core punch. His edgy New York City attitude probably added to his reputation. It would be years before I actually met Jack; he is certainly a unique character and I have enjoyed getting to know him. And he is true to his roots, still chasing without technology after looking at the hotel lobby computer in the morning, and still using paper maps and 35 mm film! I really enjoy watching him use his gut and intuition on a chase.

 

[joel ewing]

I used to not like him because of the way he "seemed" to be on the show. After realizing the truth I went to his house and personally apologized for things I had said publicly. He was friendly as can be. I've seen him while chasing several times but was always too rude to talk cause of my personal ignorance. He's drove 4 hours one way just to help us with charity events and offers to help our station from time to time if needed while in the area. Free. I'm a little hesitant about the science aspect but I respect almost any chaser that puts in the time he does chasing, so he's up there on my list as most respected.

James, I'm reading and responding to your post 3 long weeks after you wrote it, but my brother....I wanted to tell you how much I admired what you said you did regarding Reed....that you actually went over to his house and apologized for some of the things you had said about him publically in the past. Dude...that is STAND UP of you. This world could use a lot more men and women with your type of values. Well done, sir.

 

[Todd Lemery]

At first that is all I knew of him, from Storm Chasers. I'll be honest I thought it was a little cocky acting. After reading his book though, I took back a lot of those thoughts I had about him.

Thanks John. I didn't know he had another book out. I just downloaded it

 

[Shane Adams]

James, I'm reading and responding to your post 3 long weeks after you wrote it, but my brother....I wanted to tell you how much I admired what you said you did regarding Reed....that you actually went over to his house and apologized for some of the things you had said about him publically in the past. Dude...that is STAND UP of you. This world could use a lot more men and women with your type of values. Well done, sir.

It's probably on video somewhere.

 

[James Hilger]

It's probably on video somewhere.

I don't have a clue what that is suppose to mean Shane. Bad or good. No, as far as I know its not. His camera guys was running around, but was mostly following Scantlin, etc.

 

[Shane Adams]

I don't have a clue what that is suppose to mean Shane. Bad or good. No, as far as I know its not. His camera guys was running around, but was mostly following Scantlin, etc.

Just a stab at humor, playing off the well-documented fact (sort of a pun there I guess?) that almost anything TVN does is on video. That's part of the marketing strategy that's catapulted them into immortal status amongst the rest of us. Probably considered by most to be a "sour grapes"/and or out-dated joke, but what can I say.

I'm that guy.