For next year, I'd like to suggest that this tournament be held in the Los Angeles locality.
World 14.1 Tournament Pay-outs
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
PoolSharkAllen said:
I wouldn't want to promote a Straight Pool event out here. It belongs back East.
NYC cue dude
Banned
jay, what worked almost 20 years ago, I could only wish would be viable today. Pool's popularity amongst the countries general population has dropped to the point that getting any media, either print or tv coverage is a near impossibility. One only has to look at how the ipt was all but snubbed after the vegas event. Espn covered pools largest payday by adding thorsten's victory to the "top 10 plays" of the week. 15 seconds, big deal.
Ill also add that although the odds of this event continuing are not high, we arent giving up yet and we still have some ideas that might prove pivotal.
Ill also agree with jay that the event belongs on the east coast and although im flexible on many things, location isn't one of them.
Rg
Ill also add that although the odds of this event continuing are not high, we arent giving up yet and we still have some ideas that might prove pivotal.
Ill also agree with jay that the event belongs on the east coast and although im flexible on many things, location isn't one of them.
Rg
NYC cue dude said:
Randy, with all due respect, have you tried calling first, then sending press releases to the sports departments of local newspapers. And then calling again to make sure they received (and read) them. Follow that up with Faxed results daily. Make their job easy and they just might do it.
Second, have you ever placed any Ads in local newspapers? They push hard for print Ads and you can definitely bargain with them. Even a small Ad can do wonders, if it is well written. Short and sweet works best. For instance "The WORLD'S GREATEST POOL PLAYERS. Location, Dates, and Times. Tourney Hotline --- --- ----". That is all you need. Date, time and location, with a phone number. If you have room, add the name of the event.
I do not come from the premise that Pool is not newsworthy. I remind them over 40 million people play pool in America annually. It's okay to BS a little. It's PR after all.
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JAM said:Media in America does not seem to respond to pool-related events. A good example is when the IPT held a multi-million-dollar tournament in Vegas, and not a mention in the national press about it.
JAM, to the best of my knowledge, Deno is not a PR expert.
Sponsors don't go for pool anymore, like they did in the days of Steve Mizerak. American beer companies have a commercial out with Kobayashi heralded as the hot dog champion, advertising their beer. MasterCard sponsors hot dot-eating champions today, but wouldn't even touch pool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz57jWsiNDk
We don't know this to be fact because no one is putting time and money into pool PR.
I hate to say it, but maybe to put pool on the map, a major news media incident needs to occur, like when Tanya Harding, et al., attacked Nancy Kerrigan. Ice skating as a sport took off big time in popularity after that incident.
Ice skating was already doing quite well before Tanya and Nancy
Lou Figueroa
NYC cue dude said:
See, this is the problem. You equate sending out news releases to doing PR. Because the media didn't respond to the bone you threw out, you state as fact they don't care. That's not how it works, that's not how PR has ever worked. Your news releases probably went right into some sports editor's trash bin -- that is, if someone at Dragon was even smart enough to find out who the sports editors are in the first place...
Lou Figueroa
Some Additional Thoughts
I had the pleasure of attending 2 days of the tounament and thought the event was spectacular (though for those who attended, I'm confident they can appreciate the fact that the first day I wore shorts and a tee shirt (after all, it IS July in New Jersey) and the second a fleece jacket and long pants).
Anyway, a number of people mentioned additional advertising would possibly help. I tend to agree, and also would like to add some of these suggestions as well.
1) Better communication. Even though I received numerous e-mails from Dragon Promotions and read about the tounament on this forum, all any literature (including Dragon's website) mentioned was "2 sessions per day". No where did it say WHEN the sessions started. I actually had to e-mail Dragon promotions to ask when the sessions started. Going forware, clearly listing the times for the events would be an easy but helpful addition to the advertizing and communication literature.
2) (Someone already suggested this) - Make up posters about the event and mail them to every pool room within 100 miles and ask them to put them in their windows. At the room I play at in Norther NJ, there were plenty of people who didn't know about the tournamnent at all.
3) (More a question) - would it help the financials if the tournament was less than 7 days in length? This year, there were 64 players and it took the full 7 days to get to winnow down the field. Would it be better to have 32 or 48 players to start and try to have the tounament in 5 days or so? I know all the players that were there this year are great pool players, but I just got the impression some were new to 14.1 and that there might have been some difficulty in finding 64 world class players who actually played a lot of 14.1. On a similar vein, could the tournament run for 2 weekend days (finals on Sunday?). It's probably asking a lot for people to take 3,4,5 days of vacation off to attend a pool tournament, so if the event included 2 weekend days, it might help attendance (of course, that would have to be balanced with the cost of the hotel facilities).
4) I know last year the tounament had some relationship with Seybert's, and I can only assume that it didn't work out for them as they were no where to be seen this year. Even with there withdrawal there might be opportunity to partner with another billiards suppliers or equipment suppliers (though I truly suspect this avenue was pursued).
I suspect most of the above has been considered / thought of, but I just figured I'd add to the debate.
Lastly, I want to reiterate the kudos to Dragon Promotions, Randy and Joel for they efforts. It was a terrific tounament and I would be saddened to think it may not be held again.
I had the pleasure of attending 2 days of the tounament and thought the event was spectacular (though for those who attended, I'm confident they can appreciate the fact that the first day I wore shorts and a tee shirt (after all, it IS July in New Jersey) and the second a fleece jacket and long pants).
Anyway, a number of people mentioned additional advertising would possibly help. I tend to agree, and also would like to add some of these suggestions as well.
1) Better communication. Even though I received numerous e-mails from Dragon Promotions and read about the tounament on this forum, all any literature (including Dragon's website) mentioned was "2 sessions per day". No where did it say WHEN the sessions started. I actually had to e-mail Dragon promotions to ask when the sessions started. Going forware, clearly listing the times for the events would be an easy but helpful addition to the advertizing and communication literature.
2) (Someone already suggested this) - Make up posters about the event and mail them to every pool room within 100 miles and ask them to put them in their windows. At the room I play at in Norther NJ, there were plenty of people who didn't know about the tournamnent at all.
3) (More a question) - would it help the financials if the tournament was less than 7 days in length? This year, there were 64 players and it took the full 7 days to get to winnow down the field. Would it be better to have 32 or 48 players to start and try to have the tounament in 5 days or so? I know all the players that were there this year are great pool players, but I just got the impression some were new to 14.1 and that there might have been some difficulty in finding 64 world class players who actually played a lot of 14.1. On a similar vein, could the tournament run for 2 weekend days (finals on Sunday?). It's probably asking a lot for people to take 3,4,5 days of vacation off to attend a pool tournament, so if the event included 2 weekend days, it might help attendance (of course, that would have to be balanced with the cost of the hotel facilities).
4) I know last year the tounament had some relationship with Seybert's, and I can only assume that it didn't work out for them as they were no where to be seen this year. Even with there withdrawal there might be opportunity to partner with another billiards suppliers or equipment suppliers (though I truly suspect this avenue was pursued).
I suspect most of the above has been considered / thought of, but I just figured I'd add to the debate.
Lastly, I want to reiterate the kudos to Dragon Promotions, Randy and Joel for they efforts. It was a terrific tounament and I would be saddened to think it may not be held again.
To those who suggested it might be easier to hold the tournament in another location, I respectfully disagree.
By my count, no fewer than 12 of the 64 players came from the NYC area. More than a couple of them were invited because other "name" players either declined the invitation or got out at the last minute. NYC has such a 14.1 following that many of these last-minute add-ins did an excellent job rounding out the tournament. I am very proud of the fact that NYC locals stepped up to the challenge and helped make this event a success.
Would all of these players have flown to the midwest, incurring air and hotel expenses, in addition to the $500 entry fee? Doubtful.
It is my guess that if the tournament were held elsewhere, the promoters would struggle to fill a competent field of 48. 16 less guys = $8,000 less in the prize fund.
Finally, although the event was held near NYC, it was actually about 40 minutes away. I don't think the hotel was charging NYC rates, or anywhere near it.
- Steve
By my count, no fewer than 12 of the 64 players came from the NYC area. More than a couple of them were invited because other "name" players either declined the invitation or got out at the last minute. NYC has such a 14.1 following that many of these last-minute add-ins did an excellent job rounding out the tournament. I am very proud of the fact that NYC locals stepped up to the challenge and helped make this event a success.
Would all of these players have flown to the midwest, incurring air and hotel expenses, in addition to the $500 entry fee? Doubtful.
It is my guess that if the tournament were held elsewhere, the promoters would struggle to fill a competent field of 48. 16 less guys = $8,000 less in the prize fund.
Finally, although the event was held near NYC, it was actually about 40 minutes away. I don't think the hotel was charging NYC rates, or anywhere near it.
- Steve
I cannot believe that Accustats would be asking so much money or other highly impossible demands!
I am almost certain that the video where Mike Sigel shoots 150 and out against Mike Zuglan is their ultimate bestseller.
Why not take the "risk" and maybe capture a 200 and out on their camera's, unbelieveable...
I had the only European Qualifier and only 9 players showed up, the problem is it will cost the players always money.
If the qualifier had two spots for the winners, but also paid flight and hotel, a lot of more players would show up, but it is what Randy said, without sponsors it is difficult to get a good tournament rolling, you cannot always rely on the generosity of patron sponsors although they are most thankfull.
And the WPA did nothing to promote or advertise for this event.
It is a shame, Straight Pool rocks, it is the most honest game in Pool...
MH
HOB Weert
I am almost certain that the video where Mike Sigel shoots 150 and out against Mike Zuglan is their ultimate bestseller.
Why not take the "risk" and maybe capture a 200 and out on their camera's, unbelieveable...
I had the only European Qualifier and only 9 players showed up, the problem is it will cost the players always money.
If the qualifier had two spots for the winners, but also paid flight and hotel, a lot of more players would show up, but it is what Randy said, without sponsors it is difficult to get a good tournament rolling, you cannot always rely on the generosity of patron sponsors although they are most thankfull.
And the WPA did nothing to promote or advertise for this event.
It is a shame, Straight Pool rocks, it is the most honest game in Pool...
MH
HOB Weert
NYC cue dude
Banned
Believe it. Sad but true.
Randy,
We might be in a better position to help if we knew what the financial challenges are. If it's not imposing too much, can you answer any of the following questions about how this tournament did?
1. What was the total gate attendance?
2. How much revenue did the gate attendance bring in?
3. How much revenue did the tournament bring in with sponsorships and advertising?
4. What were the major expenses of this tournament?
5. How did this tournament do financially compared to last year?
We might be in a better position to help if we knew what the financial challenges are. If it's not imposing too much, can you answer any of the following questions about how this tournament did?
1. What was the total gate attendance?
2. How much revenue did the gate attendance bring in?
3. How much revenue did the tournament bring in with sponsorships and advertising?
4. What were the major expenses of this tournament?
5. How did this tournament do financially compared to last year?
