BCA and Coca Cola

[justadub]

Why do people seem to think it's necessary that a company give something and expect nothing in return? Of course Coke wants to increase sales. That's the whole purpose of running a business. Like it or not, capitalism rules the western hemisphere. Expecting something for nothing from a conglomerate is completely unrealistic.

In the same respect, expecting a company to come along and outright change the state of the game is equally blind sighted. It will take a large amount of baby steps to drag this game out of the gutter. These baby steps will be made by numerous individuals and companies, in very small increments.

This deal with Coke is not our games savior, but it is a step in the right direction. A large company thinks they can profit from us, and I seriously hope their suspicion proves true. If they can make sufficient margins, then they may be willing to invest money at a later date.

I honestly believe that pool has one huge flaw. It's not the gambling that people always rant about. It's the obscenely large number of people who have nothing positive to say except drag others down. The day people start supporting each other and being positive is the day more companies like Coke decide to side with us.

Tap, Tap, Tap :thumbup:

As Nathan and others have pointed out, this is but a small step in the right direction. Nothing more. But... having Coke as a sponsor/corporate partner even in a limited sense could make it easier to entice other corporate entities to partner up in the future. Coke has HUGE name recognition. If/when pool organizations try to create other corporate partnerships and/or sponsorships, they can cite the fact that Coke is already onboard. That association alone is very valuable.

Who knows, perhaps Coke may become more involved if there ever is a valid avenue for them to increase their participation. Currently there is no viable national professional tour for either the men or the ladies, at least not of any stature. If the pro's get organized (sigh) perhaps there will be more opportunites for greater corporate sponsorship.

Why this has to be perceived as anything but positive is beyond me, but folks who do nothing but complain are a mystery to me as well. I suppose it makes them feel better in some manner, dragging others down.

Hopefully pool won't squander this opportunity with Coke, and use it to grow the sport.

 

[geno]

My 2cents says that this is a great idea, a solid program and all room owners should jump on this.

I hope everyone here goes out an tells there local pool room owner about this program and encourages them to join the BCA.

 

[JamisonNeu]

Ok for the love of pool will you guys just stop TRYING to talk about this...I mean I am getting some good laughs, but you are making pool hall owners look real bad. Some of these post are borderline proof of brain damage.

 

[pooltchr]

Why do people seem to think it's necessary that a company give something and expect nothing in return? Of course Coke wants to increase sales. That's the whole purpose of running a business. Like it or not, capitalism rules the western hemisphere. Expecting something for nothing from a conglomerate is completely unrealistic.

In the same respect, expecting a company to come along and outright change the state of the game is equally blind sighted. It will take a large amount of baby steps to drag this game out of the gutter. These baby steps will be made by numerous individuals and companies, in very small increments.

This deal with Coke is not our games savior, but it is a step in the right direction. A large company thinks they can profit from us, and I seriously hope their suspicion proves true. If they can make sufficient margins, then they may be willing to invest money at a later date.

I honestly believe that pool has one huge flaw. It's not the gambling that people always rant about. It's the obscenely large number of people who have nothing positive to say except drag others down. The day people start supporting each other and being positive is the day more companies like Coke decide to side with us.

Exactly! You got greenies!

Steve

 

[macguy]

And this is an opportunity to offer a money saving option to pool room owners. Of course, Coke wants to sell more product. That's why they are in business, and this is a marketing idea.

I'm so sorry that they didn't decide to throw ten grand out there for a pool tournament that might actually generate a couple of hundred bucks in extra sales, just so some pool player can put some more money in his pocket.

Why do you suppose there is no interest in sponsoring pool tournaments? Do you think it might have something to do with a limited return on investment?

If you want big business to sponsor pool tournaments, here's the simple answer. Offer something of value in return. They aren't going to do it out of the goodness of their hearts. You have to offer something of value in return for their sponsorship. And what value can any pool tournament offer to any major corporation?

The BCA offered them something in return (customers), and Coke said ok. The BCA now has something to offer their members to encourage more rooms to join. The room owners have a new way to save some money. And if saving money helps a struggling pool room to stay open, then there is the benefit for you....you have a place to play pool..

Steve

I think the point is, Coke would be better served trying to win themselves into the hearts and minds of the pool subculture through sponsorship rather then just trying to strong arm themselves into pool rooms with minuscule incentives. They seem to regard pool rooms as small time and an easy target. I also suspect there is more in this for the BCA through kick backs then for any one pool room. There is no benevolence here, just business. Coke would no more actually want any direct affiliation with pool then any other companies that sponsor every kind of obscure or goofy sport there is but will not come withing a mile of pool. Pool has a stigma and it just does not go away.

 

[dedstroke38]

I think the point is, Coke would be better served trying to win themselves into the hearts and minds of the pool subculture through sponsorship rather then just trying to strong arm themselves into pool rooms with minuscule incentives. They seem to regard pool rooms as small time and an easy target. I also suspect there is more in this for the BCA through kick backs then for any one pool room. There is no benevolence here, just business. Coke would no more actually want any direct affiliation with pool then any other companies that sponsor every kind of obscure or goofy sport there is but will not come withing a mile of pool. Pool has a stigma and it just does not go away.

It does have a bit of a stigma but it's the constant negativity like seen in this thread that causes it to continue. It's not like the general public honestly gives a s#$!. We are the ones letting the stigma continue by continually griping about how we won't get anywhere because of it. It's a self fulfilling prophecy that we seem to use to continue in this "comfortable lull" our sport is in. The bottom line is though this initially is a small move it is a POSITIVE move. Pool isn't a target...Coke isn't taking anything from us. It's a business moved formed with a relationship. Relationship meaning there is simple efforts in helping each other out so EVERYONE gains. We certainly have nothing to lose!

 

[OTB]

I dont agree with how great people think this afiliation is, that is my opinion, did i say i was boycotting Coke Cola or BCA itself or league system, NO......If you want to " Mark One Pool Room " off from your Bucket list because they dont share your personal opinion.....better off with out you. Can not force your views on people by freeze outs , boycotting , etc............Everyone has a opinion that is what makes this Country proud. The rooms and buisnesses you support in america are your right.

Mark One Pool Room off my Bucket List! There, Mix a little Coke with bad attitude and you actually lose money.

It makes me absolutely sick how so many people choose to Hate First and ask questions later.

A HUGE Corporate Sponsor is willing to put their toes in the water. It can go two ways from here; We can show overwelming support and let the sponsor know how much they are appreciated which could result in even more sponsorship, OR, We can ***** and complain that it's not enough (Because that's the easiest thing to do) and burn another bridge.

I think we need to create a "Good For the Sport" list, much like the "Good Action List".

 

[chefjeff]

(snip)

Does Coca Cola, a multi-billion dollar company with endless resourses (snip)

Resources are never infinite. Desires are, bit resources are ALWAYS limited. To forget that is to misjudge Coke's actions.

fyi,

Jeff Livingston

 

[justadub]

I think the point is, Coke would be better served trying to win themselves into the hearts and minds of the pool subculture through sponsorship rather then just trying to strong arm themselves into pool rooms with minuscule incentives.

Eaxactly why would Coke or any other company want to win themselves into the hearts and minds of poolplayers? To what end? What does that accomplish for them? They are in business to do business.

And what is this "strong-arming" that you speak of? I do not recall going into ANY place that sells fountain soda and seeing that place offer both Coke and Pepsi. EVER. If it occurs, it must be rare. That goes both ways, with Coke and with Pepsi. That is how their business works.

They seem to regard pool rooms as small time and an easy target.

Again, what do you mean by "an easy target"? That pool-room owner/operators aren't qualified to make sound business decisions, and that Coke is somehow taking advantage of them?

I also suspect there is more in this for the BCA through kick backs then for any one pool room. There is no benevolence here, just business. Coke would no more actually want any direct affiliation with pool then any other companies that sponsor every kind of obscure or goofy sport there is but will not come withing a mile of pool. Pool has a stigma and it just does not go away.

This so-called stigma may very well exist, and it may not. But time changes everything and everyone, and marketing executives for major corporations aren't stupid. If they see an opportunity to expand their customer base by any association that isn't going to embarrass them, they will certainly consider it, no matter what happened in the past.

Is Coke some sort of savior, of course not. But they are also not a bad guy in this scenario. Sheesh.

 

[cuesmith]

It does have a bit of a stigma but it's the constant negativity like seen in this thread that causes it to continue. It's not like the general public honestly gives a s#$!. We are the ones letting the stigma continue by continually griping about how we won't get anywhere because of it. It's a self fulfilling prophecy that we seem to use to continue in this "comfortable lull" our sport is in. The bottom line is though this initially is a small move it is a POSITIVE move. Pool isn't a target...Coke isn't taking anything from us. It's a business moved formed with a relationship. Relationship meaning there is simple efforts in helping each other out so EVERYONE gains. We certainly have nothing to lose!

What about those of us who work for Pepsi, or own stock in Pepsico. Someone ALWAYS loses if someone else gains!

 

[dedstroke38]

What about those of us who work for Pepsi, or own stock in Pepsico. Someone ALWAYS loses if someone else gains!

Lol! Well they have nothing to do with this relationship! That's at a personal level and has absolutely nothing to do with this deal or the subject at hand. I'm sure over on the Pepsi forums they are b#@chin right now about this deal

 

[pooltchr]

What about those of us who work for Pepsi, or own stock in Pepsico. Someone ALWAYS loses if someone else gains!

You should be giving your sales dept hell for letting Coke beat them out on this deal!

Listen, people. This isn't the end of the world, nor is it the dawn of a new age. A major corporation recognized an opportunity to expand their business through a relationship with a billiard organization.

Nobody is going to force any pool room owner to go along with this. They still have the freedom to decide what they will and will not sell.

Just see it for what it is...a business deal that happens to include pool room owners who choose to participate. It's not going to save pool from the negative image that we see daily....and even in this thread.

I'm sure the execs at Coke would love to hear poolplayers crying "Why didn't they just give us pool players some money? Why are they dealing with the BCA?" I'm sure that would encourage them to forget all about this deal, and just dump a fortune into the pockets of a bunch of ungrateful pool players. And if that were to happen, someone would complain that it wasn't enough, or it went to the wrong place!

Let's think about what we as pool players do to support our sport. There are several regional tours around the country, most sponsored by cue manufacturers. Pick just one, let's say Lucasi. How many players on that tour have switched from their old cue to a Lucasi because of their sponsorship??? Viking tour???? Do we really make sponsorship worthwhile for these companies?

Back when Camel sponsored men's pool, how many smokers switched brands because of their sponsorship?

If we want big companies to sponsor pool, we have to be willing to support those sponsors. And here we are seeing exactly what they might expect if they did.

Steve

Steve

 

[chefjeff]

What about those of us who work for Pepsi, or own stock in Pepsico. Someone ALWAYS loses if someone else gains!

Not true. That's not how the economy works.

Economics is dynamic, not a zero sum game.

Jeff Livingston

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I don't see this business arrangement changing professional pool at all, now or in the future. It sounds like it may be a good deal for room owners on their soft drink purchases but that's as far as it extends. It certainly will not prove to be the panacea for what ails pool played on the professional level.

This is just a typical deal the soda companies make all the time in pursuit of market share. They've had these sorts of deals in place with all kinds of businesses for decades. Movie theater chains is a good example. Coke and Pepsi have arrangements with various chains for exclusive rights to sell product in the chain's theaters. I haven't heard of any improvement in the lives of the thousands of starving actors in the world resulting from any of these arrangements. And I doubt the ushers have gotten a pension plan out of it either.

Wish I was wrong.

 

[JamisonNeu]

It is really simple with Coke taking a look at us that brings the others to our door. Other company's that may follow in Coke's footsteps. Company's that may see another way to help...Company's that could make a different contibution...If we help Coke there is someone else right behind them!!!

Let's show the corporate world what being a friend to pool will get them. Wouldn't it be something for billiards if Cokes profits went up...?? Can you imagine a thousand company's all trying to get a piece of the new pie...

COKE FTW!!!!

If you can't see how this can help pool I want you to quit playing pool.

 

[AuntyDan]

....hey Bob, you want to go shoot pool or you want to go rip up the gravel pit with the quad.

Now THAT people would pay good money to see

 

[JoeyA]

Why do people seem to think it's necessary that a company give something and expect nothing in return? Of course Coke wants to increase sales. That's the whole purpose of running a business. Like it or not, capitalism rules the western hemisphere. Expecting something for nothing from a conglomerate is completely unrealistic.

In the same respect, expecting a company to come along and outright change the state of the game is equally blind sighted. It will take a large amount of baby steps to drag this game out of the gutter. These baby steps will be made by numerous individuals and companies, in very small increments.

This deal with Coke is not our games savior, but it is a step in the right direction. A large company thinks they can profit from us, and I seriously hope their suspicion proves true. If they can make sufficient margins, then they may be willing to invest money at a later date.

I honestly believe that pool has one huge flaw. It's not the gambling that people always rant about. It's the obscenely large number of people who have nothing positive to say except drag others down. The day people start supporting each other and being positive is the day more companies like Coke decide to side with us.

Nathan,

You have hit the nail on the head and drove it completely through the board. Your post deserves more than a tap, tap, tap and some rep.

You articulated it very well but I don't blame the poor state of affairs in pool because of a few people who have nothing positive to say but I hope that those who are responsible for the negativity in this forum will look at themselves more closely and consider looking at things in a more positive fashion.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't have a right to their opinion if it detracts from our sport. It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.

It is up to each man to work out his own salvation.

I like your post a LOT.

 

[Island Drive]

Nathan,

You have hit the nail on the head and drove it completely through the board. Your post deserves more than a tap, tap, tap and some rep.

You articulated it very well but I don't blame the poor state of affairs in pool because of a few people who have nothing positive to say but I hope that those who are responsible for the negativity in this forum will look at themselves more closely and consider looking at things in a more positive fashion.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't have a right to their opinion if it detracts from our sport. It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.

It is up to each man to work out his own salvation.


Allot of good points;
What I'd like to know, is there a budgetary expense now incurred for the BCA office to implement this program? Which BCA employee put this deal together or was it board approved?

Until the BCA implements a program that will stimulate player increase, its business as usual, USUAL has a gooooooooood 20yr+ run going right now.

 

[CallShotCowboy]

waiting to hear from actual Room Operator?

There have been some great post (Thanks Nathan) - but I am still curious to hear some feedback from actual Room Owners that have called BankShot or the Billiard Congress and see if this program will help them.

 

[Island Drive]

There have been some great post (Thanks Nathan) - but I am still curious to hear some feedback from actual Room Owners that have called BankShot or the Billiard Congress and see if this program will help them.

I would be surprised if they get many calls. BCA track record with improving player numbers at their member rooms has not been warm and fuzzy for decades. They went from $150 room membership per year with membership decreasing since I left the office in 2002-03. What justifies charging room owners over double to be members, is it to HELP the room owners or the bottom line at the BCA bank account, the latter has been the norm and it would take an agressive president to change the thinking on the mfg side. What's ironic, if they increase play they would sell more, am I'm wrong.