1 world series of poker
1.1 wsop changes
1.2 marketing
1.3 reception players
1.4 resignation
world series of poker
in 2005, harrah s casino hired pollack vice president of marketing. while officially responsible harrah’s sports ventures, included boxing , motor sports, pollack stated that, top priority grow popularity of world series of poker … no. 1 brand in poker, re going make stronger through world-class media partnerships, strategic marketing alliances , superior customer service. accounts, succeeded doing this. pollack introduced range of changes wsop’s media relations, player relations, tournament structure , schedule, , expanded international markets.
his first responsibility harrah s 2005 world series of poker. poker players first impression of him centered on 2005 tournament of champions (toc). toc hyped $2.5 million freeroll players had qualify. in 2005, toc sponsored pepsi, start advertising campaign involving doyle brunson, johnny chan, , phil hellmuth. pepsi insisted 3 spokesmen take part in toc , wsop consented. other players objected 3 corporate exemptions granted @ last moment. pollack heavily criticized, addressed criticism head on , ensured similar misstep never occur.
wsop changes
on january 13, 2006 promoted commissioner of wsop. 1 of first actions commissioner work towards avoiding criticism of toc. pollack started meeting group of professional poker players in monthly council. while council did not have formal decision-making authority, pollack stated in 2009 “we haven’t made meaningful decision event schedules, structures, rules, et cetera, since 2006 without input of players advisory council.”
pollack believed success of wsop not determined based upon number of participants every year, rather upon players experiences. example, in 2007 wsop flattened award structure. cash awards distributed more evenly people went out earlier earned more money, while made final table won less.
in effort reduce complaints marked cards, wsop entered partnership united states playing card company (uspc). uspc introduced new poker peek cards official card of wsop. new decks introduced every day @ every table. in 2006, copag provided playing cards became creased events endured, resulting in cards marked.
the training of wsop dealers heavily criticized in past tournaments. in effort forestall criticism, wsop began intensive training dealers march 2007 on 300 dealers. training included staff , supervisory training. part of reason additional training prevent repeat of chips materialized during 2006 s main event. during 2006 main event, tournament finished more chips normal chip upgrading have led to. effort reduce risk introduction of special chips exclusively main event.
in 2008, pollack revised tournament’s schedule , introduced four-month break after finalists had been determined in july. hiatus intended build suspense , allow finalists promote “poker ambassadors” before play resumed in november. final 2 days of play edited down two-hour show , broadcast on espn. resulting finalists given nickname november nine.
pollack led tournament’s international expansion wsop europe. first tournament held in london , hosted london clubs international @ 3 casinos: fifty, leicester square , sportsman. pollack insisted, “the world series of poker europe have unique identity, style , flair, remain true 38-year tradition , heritage of wsop.” wsope remained in england 2007-2010, hosted in france 2010-2013 , expected hosted in berlin in 2015.
marketing
pollack known aggressive marketing. he’s noted on several occasions he’s taken strategies of major sports brands, i.e. nascar, nba, , nfl, , extracted best practices grow wsop. has asserted, moreover, “[s]ports marketing fundamentally selling of hope. fans have hope of favorite team trading right player, drafting right player, winning game, winning season, winning world championship.” , furthermore that, “[t]he world series of poker offers brand of hope infinitely more accessible” insofar can enter tournament , have chance play @ final table.
after becoming commissioner of wsop, negotiated partnerships espn, sirius radio, glu mobile, bluff media, aol, , betfair. arranged sponsorships miller brewing company, planters , hershey’s. in 2006, card player media provided hand-by-hand reporting, streamed player interviews, gave player recaps , displayed real-time chip count on website. once pollack asked if professional poker players start wearing uniforms covered ads, similar nascar. responded, not out of realm of possibility. long stick guidelines, players allowed seek endorsement deals , advertise wish.
pollack believed strength in wsop lies in tradition , legacy. wanted more honor wsop s past champions, want bring our past, our history, , our dna along ride.
reception players
pollack received players, although did have dissenters. daniel negreanu impressed first meeting pollack, noting professional poker unique situation, nba players being paid, while poker players put own money. however, 2012, negreanu had changed opinion of pollack, crediting wsop vice president ty stewart , others event s growth , popularity.
on other hand, pollack’s emphasis on player’s experience along effectiveness in growing wsop cast him in light. can seen through extent of support received when announced resignation commissioner. 1 commentator declared, “the news hit poker world … ton of bricks,” , tenure in role “may unmatched.” well-known players phil hellmuth, peter eastgate , barry goldstein expressed esteem pollack.
resignation
on november 13, 2009, pollack announced on twitter feed resigning commissioner. in separate statement, commented, “everything set out accomplish in 2005, think have accomplished. world series of poker bigger ever before. brand in strong position , player experience better s ever been.” pollock did not elaborate on subsequent career opportunities, said, m going take moment pause , reflect, think things through , make decisions,
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