A. Fisher loses APA Sponsorship

Just curious, FLICKit, but in what way was the APA involved with running the WPBA?...and when did this happen? None of the WPBA pros that I know have any knowledge of this. I was also a very involved APA league operator, for a few years ('91-'94), and had no knowledge of this, despite being in close contact with one of the founders, Terry Bell.

BTW...how are you and Ed doing? Have your games improved since January?

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

FLICKit said:
This is especially true when you consider that the most successful professional poolplayers tour, WPBA, was also run by the APA.
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Johnnyt said:
If she can't keep sponsors, what pros can. She does her own thing with her school and has the cue company sponsoring her, so she'll be fine, but what about all the other young players trying to get sponsorships? You really have to love the game a lot or be a little nuts to try and make a living playing pool. I really feel bad for them. It's a damn shame. Johnnyt
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I agree. I was thinking about the when I was watching the IPT match between Efren and the kid. I hope the kid knows what is ahead if he tries to make it at pool
 
Scott Lee said:
Just curious, FLICKit, but in what way was the APA involved with running the WPBA?...and when did this happen? None of the WPBA pros that I know have any knowledge of this. I was also a very involved APA league operator, for a few years ('91-'94), and had no knowledge of this, despite being in close contact with one of the founders, Terry Bell.

BTW...how are you and Ed doing? Have your games improved since January?

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Scott is quite correct. The APA is a valued sponsor and supporter of the WPBA...but is no way affiliated with the running of the WPBA Tour.

Melissa
 
Loses probably is the wrong term. One or both parties probably came to a mutual decision to do something different. Losing implies she did something wrong, which probably isn't the case.

I also suspect she will land on her feet and 3 sponsers are probably fighting over her as we type.
 
JB Cases said:
Yeah, we don't know all the details. All you fans can however support your sport by attending tournaments and leagues and buying products made by the companies who sponsor pool.

I suggest you take a long look at the companies who do in fact give a lot back to the sport and commit to spending your pool dollars with them.

And make sure you let those companies know that you are purchasing their goods because of their sponsorship.

Without such feedback there is almost no way for a company to measure the effectiveness of it's sponsorship. In business it's called return on investment, or ROI. Not many businesses can afford to sponsor and donate without some kind of return on that investment. Simple math dictates that one must have income and profit in order to continue to spend.

For all we know that APA itself might be down in revenue due to less people willing to spend the extra money to play leagues. I know that when I played leagues I often drove an extra hundred miles a week to play. That can add up in times of high fuel prices.

Anyway, it's a bummer for Allison because I always thought she was a perfect match for the APA.
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When I buy a pool related product, it's not to help the sponsor, but to make my game better, more consistent, whatever. Those companies that produce products that fill my needs, desires, wants, whatever, I'll consider purchasing their products.

Just because someone sponsors a pro or pro tournaments is no reason for me to buy their product. After all, their sponsorship is only advertising. If I like the product, think it's a good value, has a decent warranty (should that be relevant), and is produced by a company I don't have a major problem with, (and I can afford it or am willing to part with my hard earned dollars to get whatever it is) then I'll go with it. Sponsorship or advertising basically only raise awareness of a good or service. BTW, there are plenty of ads out there that turn me off, and guess what happens when that happens? Not hard to guess... I usually won't buy that product.

Flex
 
I never understood why the APA "The governing body of AMATEUR pool" whould sponser a PRO. Not to say Allison is not one hell of a pool player, and someone I've never heard anything bad about. But I'd rather see the money for her spondership go towards maybe some TV time to get people sitting at home in the league, or even just prize money in the league itself. Pay the pro's like and others to do appearances for teams and players that win or do raffles for the parties but put more money to the people.

Or perhaps I'm out of line here and APA knows what they are doing, something is obviously working for 'em. It's just my opinion after all....
 
Flex said:
When I buy a pool related product, it's not to help the sponsor, but to make my game better, more consistent, whatever. Those companies that produce products that fill my needs, desires, wants, whatever, I'll consider purchasing their products.

Just because someone sponsors a pro or pro tournaments is no reason for me to buy their product. After all, their sponsorship is only advertising. If I like the product, think it's a good value, has a decent warranty (should that be relevant), and is produced by a company I don't have a major problem with, (and I can afford it or am willing to part with my hard earned dollars to get whatever it is) then I'll go with it. Sponsorship or advertising basically only raise awareness of a good or service. BTW, there are plenty of ads out there that turn me off, and guess what happens when that happens? Not hard to guess... I usually won't buy that product.

Flex
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Certainly. I wasn't advocating purchasing from those that sponsor the sport solely because they do. The product quality and how it fits your needs should be first in your purchasing decision. People cannot have a thriving sport where events are sponsored and players are sponsored when the businesses doing the sponsoring are receiving no revenue.

I just happen to see a lot of industry bashing on this board. Whenever a pro loses a sponsor then it's often bandied about that the industry is just greedy. This isn't true. It goes in cycles. In up markets companies sponsor to try and have higher visibility. In down markets they cut back.

But a lot of people fail to see the normal business cycle. And often those same folks will denounce a business for dropping a player while they themselves never purchase anything made by the sponsoring company. Basically it's the old adage that you have no complaint if you don't vote.

or something like that :-)

Anyone wanna sponsor me....
 
Rift said:
I never understood why the APA "The governing body of AMATEUR pool" whould sponser a PRO. Not to say Allison is not one hell of a pool player, and someone I've never heard anything bad about. But I'd rather see the money for her spondership go towards maybe some TV time to get people sitting at home in the league, or even just prize money in the league itself. Pay the pro's like and others to do appearances for teams and players that win or do raffles for the parties but put more money to the people.

Or perhaps I'm out of line here and APA knows what they are doing, something is obviously working for 'em. It's just my opinion after all....
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Because when Allison is on television all the time sporting the APA logo and she does APA television commercials then it reaches millions of people. If a small percentage of them decide to join a league then it will likely be an APA league. The APA depends on having a constant influx of new players without much skill in order to feed their system. Advertising to millions of them through the one player who is pretty much guaranteed to be on TV in every tournament she plays in is a smart move.

I am sure that the APA did benefit quite handsomely from Allison's involvement.
 
what a bummer. While at Team Nationals last year I talked with, and had her and Gerda sign my case. Both were very friendly, and I thought were a cool bonus (to meet them) to making it to Nationals. They were located very close to a table with radar for a hardest break contest. I asked AF if she'd tried that yet, and she said, "I'd be curious to see how fast my break is". She walked over and gave it a try (3 tries actually). She said that she'd break with her "normal" speed and not try to amp it up to keep up with all the big burly guys standing around watching her. 17, 17, 18. What was funny is the guy who went after her (6'1"ish, and probably around 250) miscues his first break, didn't keep the 2nd on the table (21mph), and hits another bad one on his final attempt - 16 mph....BOY DID HE HEAR IT!!! LOL

Back to Allison....APAs loss. Like I said, it was an added bonus for making it out there, and her and Gerda's sigs are a cool story when asked about it.
 
that sux for ally, i always liked her. but from a corporate point of veiw jennete lee would be a better choice. 90 percent of the US knows who jennete lee is and only those who keep up with pool would know who ally is. Jeneatte is in a rocawear commercial for gods sake.

I wish sponsorships were based on ability as it is in other sports not just on how "cute" you are.
 
Everyone seems to be assuming that it was the APA's decision to drop Allison.
It is also possible that Allison decided not to renew this contract.
She could have wanted more money or she could have wanted less traveling and appearances.
Until we have more facts, I wouldn't feel sorry for either side.
It may have just been a mutual decision to end the relationship.
 
Rich R. said:
Everyone seems to be assuming that it was the APA's decision to drop Allison.
It is also possible that Allison decided not to renew this contract.
She could have wanted more money or she could have wanted less traveling
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The assumption that it was the APA's decision is largely based on the fact that the press release was put out by the APA and they state in their release that "The American Poolplayers Association (APA) has ended its 5-year sponsorship agreement with No. 1 ranked WPBA pool player Allison Fisher". It seems pretty clear that the APA ended the relationship. The sponsorship never made any sense anyway. The previous poster was right about Jeanette. As much as I can't stand her, she is the "face" of pool for casual players.

From the tone of the release, it doesn't sound like they'll be pushing that sponsorship money toward anyone or anything else in the industry.
 
poolsnark said:
The assumption that it was the APA's decision is largely based on the fact that the press release was put out by the APA and they state in their release that "The American Poolplayers Association (APA) has ended its 5-year sponsorship agreement with No. 1 ranked WPBA pool player Allison Fisher". It seems pretty clear that the APA ended the relationship. The sponsorship never made any sense anyway. The previous poster was right about Jeanette. As much as I can't stand her, she is the "face" of pool for casual players.

From the tone of the release, it doesn't sound like they'll be pushing that sponsorship money toward anyone or anything else in the industry.
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Your assuming a lot.
I'm not saying you are wrong, but press releases don't give all of the details and you can't really assume anything from them. In this case, they said that the sponsorship agreement has ended, nothing more and nothing less. I wouldn't assume anything else from that release.

Also, in my leagues, I think almost everyone knows who Allison Fisher is and I think the sponsorship made a lot of sense. That is not to say that Jeanette would not be a good choice. Jeanette is definitely better known, but it is not like Allison is an unknown. If anyone ever watched pool on TV, chances are very good that they have seen Allison.
 
Rich R. said:
Your assuming a lot.
I'm not saying you are wrong, but press releases don't give all of the details and you can't really assume anything from them. In this case, they said that the sponsorship agreement has ended, nothing more and nothing less. I wouldn't assume anything else from that release.

Also, in my leagues, I think almost everyone knows who Allison Fisher is and I think the sponsorship made a lot of sense. That is not to say that Jeanette would not be a good choice. Jeanette is definitely better known, but it is not like Allison is an unknown. If anyone ever watched pool on TV, chances are very good that they have seen Allison.
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Rich,
Alison is a great player and a great person from what I can see in her exposed public persona. However, I don't think she is exciting. I remember reading in the book The Hidden Persuaders that the trick for car dealers was to put the red convertible in the showroom window to get the guys in, then sell them the family sedan. I don't think Alison is the red convertible, she actually more closely resembles the reliable family sedan. Whether the end of the sponsorship was her idea or the APA's, I never thought her sponsorship did much for the APA.
BTW, I'm a closet Alison groupie.
Steve.
 
Setting the record straight

Allison Fisher was a great ambassador. She undeniably had credibility due to her success in the WPBA. A couple of years back our area league operator utilized the APA program, whereby Allison Fisher put on an exhibition event. Of the APA players and other spectators from the crowd, Allison Fisher was well recognized and respected for her accomplishments. She was an amazing entertainer and unbelievably charming. She demonstrated her strong pool playing abilities, while simultaneously making the event fun and entertaining. With her British accent, her British humor, and her personal charm she delighted all (players and spectators).

At other events (APA Nationals or BCA nationals, ...) Allison is very friendly and approachable for the most part. Much happens when they are at those booths, especially if they're still competing in their tournament. At her exhibition event though, she was heads and shoulders better.

Just wanted to give Allison, her just due... She has earned it.
 
Gregg said:
Name ONE one billiard organization that is more successful than the APA. Do you have any idea what their annual profits are estimated at?

Think before you bash a highly successful company just because they attract bar people who also happen to enjoy playing pool. It's not their fault.
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APA is great at attracting new players to the game. They are NOT, as they indidcate in their advertising, they are NOT the main route to becoming a pro player.

Methinks that's probably the reason for the departure: the pieces don't fit.

Jeff Livingston
 
Me thinks your rationale is very erroneous...

Given that there is insufficient facts to draw any accurate conclusions, it's amazing how much cynicism there is.
 
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FLICKit said:
Me thinks your rationale is very erroneous...

Given that their is insufficient facts to draw any accurate conclusions, it's amazing how much cynicism there is.
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It isn't cynicism. The facts speak for themselves, the relationship ended at the behest of one or the other or both. The fit was not right or it wouldn't have ended. The APA or Alison would seem to agree with those of us who don't think the fit was right. Don't forget you're corner of the APA world doesn't necessarily reflect the average APA environment and player.
Also don't forget the APA needs somebody who will draw new people more than somebody who will thrill people already into pool. New people (those currently outside pool) don't know Alison from a hole in the wall.
I'm quite sure that the APA did a cost-benefit analysis of their relationship with Alison and determined either that they were on the losing end already or that Alison wanted more money in which case they would be on the losing end.
JMHO.
 
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