I agree absolutely more can be done. The thing is when you are a one or two man operation as most promotions are at the core, there is just so much you can do. I see what the BCAPL does with a staff of 5 or 6. It is amazing. And yet people still have no clue about the NCS or the Shootout at the Sands events. It is like trying to shovel snow with a spoon.
The key is reaching the people who are actually going to come to an event. Local news coverage is extremely low return on investment for that. IMO the best way is to form a solid information distribution network at the grass roots level through local league operators and pool rooms.
Put it right in front of the players. Easy to say, no one has done it yet.
Justin,
As the true "insider" we know you are, and your intellectual qualities at getting your point across, I read your posts on this subject with great interest.
I would just like to add, that as you know, with the lofty asperations of the GWC, we are certainly NOT talking about a $5000 added tournament here, or even an established event like Turning Stone, with big added $$$.
We're talking about an event that rivals the DCC, or the big Vegas events, in scope and potential, and the promoter's of the event, I'm sure, are trying to get it off the ground without a major financial deficit in year one.
I totally agree with your take on mass advertising, and the hiring of PR firms to get the word out.
It is prohibitively expensive, and a very poor $$$ return....both per player and attending spectator.
Just to take your "grass root's" concept a little further...I offer the following suggestions, to get the word out "better" than what I've seen from the GWC promoter's thus far.
(1) Design, and print a large quantity of attractive posters, WELL in advance (too late this year) of the event. This could cost up to (guesstimate) $5-8K.
(2) Pick someone (from the GWC group) to act as a liason to all the pool forums, and have them stay pro-active within those forums. Cost...zero $$. A labor of love, and well worth it.
(3) Get said liason, to solicit help from the hundreds of quality posters, who would be glad to disemminate flyers and posters, to every "action" bar and pool room in the country. Cost of mailings (guesstimate again) several K.
(4) I would think that doing something like the above, would facilitate in getting the word out to almost everybody, even remotely interested in attending the event, in a very cost effective manner. (under 10K, = 1 % of a mil. !!!)
The other major tournaments don't need to do that.(although, it sure would't hurt if they did) They are allready established by their longevity and popularity in our somewhat small world.
This is their first event, and if there are going to be more of them (which we all hope there are) They need to put forth the utmost effort to make it a success.
I'm sure they are all lovers of the game, and I applaud them for making the effort they are making, especially in these uncertain times. I wish them every success.
But I am just as sure, none of the promoter's are philantrophists, who will pour their $$$$ down the drain forever, if they take a big bath in their innaugural event.
Word of mouth is a good thing, but getting information out there, in a timely fashion, so people can pre-plan, is worth a few $K investment. And yes, it is work ! JMHO.
Dick Mc Morran
