Event promoters need to get a clue.

nathandumoulin

nathandumoulin

WPBL / RUNOUT MEDIA
Silver Member
Go to the WPC website and take a look at the event sponsors. Can't find them? Well neither can I.

Simonis, Predator, McDermott, Diamond, etc. The sports biggest names and none of them are present. Or if they are, you'd be hard pressed to find any mention of them.

Why?

These companies contribute money to the events in exchange for exposure. News coverage, tv coverage, streaming, pre-event hype, etc. These are the things that the companies want in exchange for their contribution.

And yet, some of today's promoters don't seem to grasp this concept.

Here's an example. One of the years biggest events is quickly approaching. I called the event promoter (who shall remain nameless) and requested a media pass to cover the event.

His response? "what's in it for me?".

He was completely unable to understand that exposure and media coverage are there not to put money in his pockets directly, but to please sponsors and keep them coming back for more. And yet he wonders why his event is having trouble getting sponsors?

The Qatar WPC is another perfect example of complete failure to capitalize on this. They did not hype the event, nor did they provide coverage. If any companies did sponsor the event, hell, they should be demanding their money back!

Exposure is key to maintaining sponsorship. It pays expenses, and increases the prize purse. In addition, it also helps the sponsors sell product, which keeps the sport healthy.

I realize that the issue is not as black and white as this, but they can at least TRY to publicize the event. With the exception of us die hard internet fans on AzB, the WPC event never existed.
 
nathandumoulin said:
Go to the WPC website and take a look at the event sponsors. Can't find them? Well neither can I.

Simonis, Predator, McDermott, Diamond, etc. The sports biggest names and none of them are present. Or if they are, you'd be hard pressed to find any mention of them.

Why?

These companies contribute money to the events in exchange for exposure. News coverage, tv coverage, streaming, pre-event hype, etc. These are the things that the companies want in exchange for their contribution.

And yet, some of today's promoters don't seem to grasp this concept.

Here's an example. One of the years biggest events is quickly approaching. I called the event promoter (who shall remain nameless) and requested a media pass to cover the event.

His response? "what's in it for me?".

He was completely unable to understand that exposure and media coverage are there not to put money in his pockets directly, but to please sponsors and keep them coming back for more. And yet he wonders why his event is having trouble getting sponsors?

The Qatar WPC is a perfect example of complete failure to capitalize on this. They did not hype the event, nor did they provide coverage. If any companies did sponsor the event, hell, they should be demanding their money back!

Exposure is key to maintaining sponsorship. It pays expenses, and increases the prize purse. In addition, it also helps the sponsors sell product, which keeps the sport healthy.

I realize that the issue is not as black and white as this, but they can at least TRY to publicize the event. With the exception of us die hard internet fans on AzB, the WPC event never existed.
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Tap! Tap! Well said Nathan. :thumbup2:
 
1...When the pie is small, everyone wants a bigger piece.
2...Pool's problem is it's run by "pool people".

A good business man stays away from pool because he has to deal with the above ^ ^ ^.
Btw, pool is not healthy. It's been on life support for decades.
 
Nathan;

Just curious, you asked for a media pass, do you consider yourself as one of the people that would help publicize the event? Your certainly not local, if its in US. Maybe thats why you got that response.
 
nathandumoulin said:
Go to the WPC website and take a look at the event sponsors. Can't find them? Well neither can I.

Simonis, Predator, McDermott, Diamond, etc. The sports biggest names and none of them are present. Or if they are, you'd be hard pressed to find any mention of them.

Why?

These companies contribute money to the events in exchange for exposure. News coverage, tv coverage, streaming, pre-event hype, etc. These are the things that the companies want in exchange for their contribution.

And yet, some of today's promoters don't seem to grasp this concept.

Here's an example. One of the years biggest events is quickly approaching. I called the event promoter (who shall remain nameless) and requested a media pass to cover the event.

His response? "what's in it for me?".

He was completely unable to understand that exposure and media coverage are there not to put money in his pockets directly, but to please sponsors and keep them coming back for more. And yet he wonders why his event is having trouble getting sponsors?

The Qatar WPC is another perfect example of complete failure to capitalize on this. They did not hype the event, nor did they provide coverage. If any companies did sponsor the event, hell, they should be demanding their money back!

Exposure is key to maintaining sponsorship. It pays expenses, and increases the prize purse. In addition, it also helps the sponsors sell product, which keeps the sport healthy.

I realize that the issue is not as black and white as this, but they can at least TRY to publicize the event. With the exception of us die hard internet fans on AzB, the WPC event never existed.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the "real" pool world! :)

I can't tell you how many times I've been charged a gate fee to get into an event. Some promoters let the wives/girlfriends in for free, but not all of them do. In fact, some of them are downright nasty about it. They let the male stakehorses in for free, but not the lady girlfriend or wife, who in reality is the backer for the player. Pool can be discriminatory. Seen it many times.

It is upsetting that after you help industry members, promoters, young upstart companies with time, product, or money that they seem to have selective memory. It sucks to be generous with your time only to get kicked in the teeth down the road, ESPECIALLY by the very ones you helped in previous times.

I enjoy reading your posts and always marvel at your enthusiasm. If there was a way to sell that enthusiasm of yours, I believe pool would shine brightly. :)

In my experience, pool is cruel to its own. :(

Maybe you can make a difference by continuing to give your time, product, and money. I hope you get paid back ten-fold. You deserve it.
 
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nathandumoulin said:
Go to the WPC website and take a look at the event sponsors. Can't find them? Well neither can I.

Simonis, Predator, McDermott, Diamond, etc. The sports biggest names and none of them are present. Or if they are, you'd be hard pressed to find any mention of them.

Why?

These companies contribute money to the events in exchange for exposure. News coverage, tv coverage, streaming, pre-event hype, etc. These are the things that the companies want in exchange for their contribution.

And yet, some of today's promoters don't seem to grasp this concept.

Here's an example. One of the years biggest events is quickly approaching. I called the event promoter (who shall remain nameless) and requested a media pass to cover the event.

His response? "what's in it for me?".

He was completely unable to understand that exposure and media coverage are there not to put money in his pockets directly, but to please sponsors and keep them coming back for more. And yet he wonders why his event is having trouble getting sponsors?

The Qatar WPC is another perfect example of complete failure to capitalize on this. They did not hype the event, nor did they provide coverage. If any companies did sponsor the event, hell, they should be demanding their money back!

Exposure is key to maintaining sponsorship. It pays expenses, and increases the prize purse. In addition, it also helps the sponsors sell product, which keeps the sport healthy.

I realize that the issue is not as black and white as this, but they can at least TRY to publicize the event. With the exception of us die hard internet fans on AzB, the WPC event never existed.
Click to expand...

Which media outlet would you be covering the event for?

I fully agree on the way promoters in pool actually "promote". I think that most of them don't really have a grasp of what the word means or how to promote in the finest PT Barnum style. There is a big reason that the stands are full when the circus comes to town.

From a sponsor's standpoint I have to say that very very very very very very very very very very few things make sense when it comes to ROI - Return on Investment.

Having said that though I have to ALSO say that very very very few sponsors will do things to augment the sponsorship and advertise the relationship.

Sponsoring events is only one half the equation. The other half is to budget some money for marketing the relationship.

Predator does a great job of this. Usually they are listed as a sponsor of the event but they are also often present at events passing out cue candy and clothing, they do on the spot sponsoring for TV rounds, they advertise the relationships and they build loyalty.

However it IS really really frustrating when the promoter/organizer won't do anything.

Two years ago we BEGGED the BCA for some help promoting the event in Charlotte. We went out to some pool rooms and bars before hand and did some promotion of the pro event but not nearly as much as we wanted to do. (We were already swamped trying to get our booth ready)

Many many years ago we asked the BCA (not BCAPL) for TWO VIP tickets to the pro event in Vegas to give away as part of our Vacation Giveaway on the NATIONALLY sysndicated radio show John Boy & Billy. For a WEEK our spots ran promoting the Pro Event in Vegas and the all expense paid vacation we were giving away. We spent $15,000 doing that promo and the BCA would not only NOT give us two tickets they would not cooperate in any fashion whatsoever. They wouldn't even let us buy the tickets in a will call fashion. I had to personally go there to the ticket booth and stand in line to get tickets for our vacation winners.

While I am not privy to your conversation with the unnamed promoter perhaps you might want to consider though that the "what's in it for me" could be a way of asking if the media outlet you are requesting a pass for is going to do any plugs for the event beforehand. If so then I'd have to be on the side of the promoter in this instance.

I have done this where we traded promotion on our websites for media or vip passes.

But in general promoters in pool do a really SHITTY job of promoting their events. Then they wonder why they lost money and complain about it.
 
There was a big tournament here & I asked about newspaper & media coverage. I was told they don't fool with that...
 
Have to agree with Nathan about this World Championship. These things should be streamed for free around the world so that the game gains exposure and popularity. When new players see what these guys can do it inspires them to play more and grow the sport. Hiding these players from the world does not good to anyone. Why does the WPA allow this? You would think the sponsors would be pitching a fit for the lack of exposure they got.
 
Thanks for the response, and the kind words everyone (especially you JAM).

A few of you asked why I felt I deserved a media pass. I can't answer that publicly right now, but I will say that I'm working on something very big right now that will bring a lot of exposure to the events. It will be ready for the start of the next pool season.

I will note however that this conversation occurred a few months ago, and is not why I created this thread.

Anyway, sorry to everyone for indirectly bit*ing about the WPC. I know that no one called me out on it, but I'd still like to apologize. There are a million things wrong with this sport, but at the same time, I'm also thankful that we even had a WPC this year.
 
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In the Houston area there are several mid sized tournaments a year that draw some really great players. Over the years it has amazed me how pool tournaments are not promoted at all. The Galveston tournament wasn't promoted in the Houston media. You hear all about every time there is a benefit golf tournament for the Houston fire department and you heard all about the big ping pong championship at U of H but nothing on pool. I believe the Galveston tournament was mentioned in the Chronicle a couple of days before it was over, but by then it was too late.

In the Houston area there are a couple of news services and advertising magazines that will print an announcement for free. I made it on the front page of my local newspaper for nothing.

Pool is ran by pool players who don't listen to anyone. God forbid you suggest things to people, they will give you 10 reasons why you shouldn't do it even if they have no idea what you are talking about. Is the lack of advise taking a matter of pride or what??? I am not claiming to be some marketing guru, but the steps I would take to announce a garage sale are not taken by people who run pool tournaments around here. I mean no disrespect to anyone I am just pointing out a simple truth.
 
nathandumoulin said:
Go to the WPC website and take a look at the event sponsors. Can't find them? Well neither can I.

Simonis, Predator, McDermott, Diamond, etc. The sports biggest names and none of them are present. Or if they are, you'd be hard pressed to find any mention of them.

Why?

These companies contribute money to the events in exchange for exposure. News coverage, tv coverage, streaming, pre-event hype, etc. These are the things that the companies want in exchange for their contribution.

And yet, some of today's promoters don't seem to grasp this concept.

Here's an example. One of the years biggest events is quickly approaching. I called the event promoter (who shall remain nameless) and requested a media pass to cover the event.

His response? "what's in it for me?".

He was completely unable to understand that exposure and media coverage are there not to put money in his pockets directly, but to please sponsors and keep them coming back for more. And yet he wonders why his event is having trouble getting sponsors?

The Qatar WPC is another perfect example of complete failure to capitalize on this. They did not hype the event, nor did they provide coverage. If any companies did sponsor the event, hell, they should be demanding their money back!

Exposure is key to maintaining sponsorship. It pays expenses, and increases the prize purse. In addition, it also helps the sponsors sell product, which keeps the sport healthy.

I realize that the issue is not as black and white as this, but they can at least TRY to publicize the event. With the exception of us die hard internet fans on AzB, the WPC event never existed.
Click to expand...

couldn't agree more
 
The "World" Championships that ended this weekend was a complete joke. We even had a thread on here with everyone running around like chickens without heads trying to find the non-existent stream.

It still doesn't say who won on either the event website or the WPA site.

And the "live" scoring as of right now has Busty ahead 5-2.

Thanks to Lenny for streaming the 1P event this weekend, that's all I can say.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
The "World" Championships that ended this weekend was a complete joke. We even had a thread on here with everyone running around like chickens without heads trying to find the non-existent stream.

It still doesn't say who won on either the event website or the WPA site.

And the "live" scoring as of right now has Busty ahead 5-2.

Thanks to Lenny for streaming the 1P event this weekend, that's all I can say.
Click to expand...

That's because the finals are going on as we speak. :)


FINALS
---------
F. Bustamante (PHI) - VS - (TPE) Kuo Po Chen

Live scoring can be found here:
- http://www.qbsf.info/w9bc2010/scores/page_7.php
- There is NO live streaming.
 
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I agree with Nathan 100% about the promotion aspect. I used to be very upset about it. Then I started promoting events and quickly began to see that when one or two people (and that is frequently all it is no matter the event) try to create, organize, fund, plan and produce an event it is easy for things outsiders say are obvious to get missed.

Most local media expect to get paid to advertise events. There is plenty that can be done as long as someone has the time or money to do it.

Honestly for an event on the scale of the WPC it is pretty baffling how someone doesn't at least set up a video camera and a laptop but I am not there and not involved in running it so I am going to assume it either was not considered or not feasible.

Also don't believe just because there is a logo on something that equates to cash going to the event. Often it is product trade or some other goofy arrangement. Printers and media outlets dont take payment in cloth and balls.

As far as media passes, this industry, as I know Nathan and many more here are aware of, is tiny especially in this country. Many times if they dont know you as a member of the media they assume you are just trying to beat the gate. Personally for TAR controlled events with a gate we have always allowed anyone semi-serious about photography or online reporting full access. In all honesty we would have been better off getting the $10 a day. That is the truth.

In Nathan's case I have an idea what he is doing and know that coverage from him would be a real value to an event but that is the rare exception in the pool world.

The only thing that is a bigger joke than pool promoters is pool media. The fact that I fall into both categories does cause me some concern but I have come to realize that you can only do what you can do and like my man Fiddy said "Let the haters hate"

There is always more that can be done but unless and until you have been in that spot I think it best to temper any anger towards the people who, no matter how imperfect, are actually doing something in pool.
 
I posted this in another thread, but its more relevant here:

The strange part here is that someone did stream matches earlier in the torunament. Here is a recording of Efrens match against Holger Gries from Germany.

The quality - except for the last frame - is more than sufficient.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8030278

So someone chose to shut down the streaming?? These are the most secret 9ball championship I have ever (not) witnessed
 
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