Should PPA buy advertising (commercials, etc.)?

[maulaga58]

Having more commercials out their getting the message across I feel would really help. didnt Ben Franklin say a picture is worth a thousand words.

[Grasshopp3r]

OP needs to give for the ad campaign

[LetsGambool]

If there is a way to be less efficient with our dollars than using a ton of high priced Federal lobbyists, it would be mass media advertising.

[DonkeyQuixote]

Originally Posted by maulaga58

Having more commercials out their getting the message across I feel would really help. didnt Ben Franklin say a picture is worth a thousand words.

The phrase reportedly originated in early 20th Century US advertising discussions.

But LG is right, aside from spending of millions of dollars to carry water for US gaming interests, there is not much less worthwhile expense than producing/buying mass media television message adverts.

[Skallagrim]

Originally Posted by LetsGambool

If there is a way to be less efficient with our dollars than using a ton of high priced Federal lobbyists, it would be mass media advertising.

To do away with the PPA's "high priced federal lobbyists" is to do away with any degree of influence PPA has on Capitol Hill. I generally don't like lobbyists or the degree of influence they have on our government. But that they have enormous influence on our government is undeniable. To not have lobbyists is to effectively have no voice in future Federal legislation. That's just the way it is. And I think it is important to have that voice on Capitol hill.

On the advertising point, the PPA does advertise. Most of its advertising is in poker related media and donated (like here at 2+2, thanks Mason ). Other media outlets, primarily DC based ones, have been paid to run advertisements at strategic times.

Advertising is great. It is also very expensive. A single PPA spot on ESPN during the WSOP broadcast would cost tens of thousands. 2 or 3 commercials during a prime time show would cost almost the entire yearly budget of the PPA. And one of the principles of advertising is the importance of repetition.

Skallagrim

[LetsGambool]

The problem is that I think that even with Federal lobbyists we arent going to have a voice in Federal legislation. We will have a voice in writing the Barton bill or in the Frank bill....but those bills aren't going to pass.

The voices that will shape Federal Legislation are Harry Reid and Jon Kyl, and I dont see our lobbyists having much of an effect with either one. The AGA white paper will get more bang for the buck than our cash.

So I understand that we're giving up our voice on shaping legislation...but the honest truth is I dont think we have a voice in shaping the details. Not if the AGA or Jon Kyl disagrees at least.

God help me, but I think the most effective thing our lobbyists can actually argue for is something like DQ's pay players first provision since the AGA might not actually have a stance on tacking that on at the end.

[ScreaminAsian]

HEY

nice banner

[ChaosReigns]

How about trying to slap PPA badges on as many of the November 9 as possible and as many in the audience also?

[DonkeyQuixote]

Originally Posted by LetsGambool

The problem is that I think that even with Federal lobbyists we arent going to have a voice in Federal legislation. We will have a voice in writing the Barton bill or in the Frank bill....but those bills aren't going to pass.

The voices that will shape Federal Legislation are Harry Reid and Jon Kyl, and I dont see our lobbyists having much of an effect with either one. The AGA white paper will get more bang for the buck than our cash.

So I understand that we're giving up our voice on shaping legislation...but the honest truth is I dont think we have a voice in shaping the details. Not if the AGA or Jon Kyl disagrees at least.

God help me, but I think the most effective thing our lobbyists can actually argue for is something like DQ's pay players first provision since the AGA might not actually have a stance on tacking that on at the end.

Come on now, LG, did it really take an epiphany ?

This ain't my first rodeo.

Pay Players First is a NO COST legislative item to any of the Big Boys. It makes perfect sense to try and actually get something tangible this time around, even if it is only a $150,000,000 bone tossed to the PPA from the Big Boys' Table.

Face it, when the elephants are fighting over the substantive portions of "The Bill", the grass will get trampled.

The PPA has ZERO shot at getting anything substantive included regarding the shape of the regulated industry. At least it can try and help out millions of poker players to get paid with funds seized from their insolvent providers.

In fact, Pay Players First benefits the US industry going forward. It could put $150,000,000 or so back into the pockets of US poker players, at a time when US-licensed sites are launching the "Only Game In Town". It also could alleviate some of the bad taste online poker got from DOJ forking manure down the players' collective well. This argument may be strong enough to encourage the AGA to acquiesce or even support "priming the poker pump" with seed money otherwise seized by DOJ and to be wasted by the Administration on (whatever).

If the PPA is actually going to be "player-representative" in the long term, meaning an independent voice in the post-bill regulatory process; aside from a need to have a discernable effect politically THIS time around, it will also need to put its financial house in order. A strong step in that direction would help its credibility going forward.

As for the DC Lobbyists, it sounds like some folks believe that just because the PPA is paying their bills, they are not really in the Industry/AGA's pocket...... because he sups today at the PPA trough today ?

Lobbyiists are ALL in it for the money, today's and tomorrow's.

[LetsGambool]

Ive always supported your idea, but I think the PPA did what it could up until this point asking Barton to write it into his bill.

The God help me was the fact Id be opening that issue again.

Upon further reflection, I would also like to see this moved up the lobbyist priority list because I think it might be one of the more achievable goals on our end as well as being good policy. As you alluded to, we need some wins. Delaying the UIGEA implementation is a long time ago.

BTW, agree with you somewhat on the lobbyists. Im hoping when PPA BOD members say they are hearing the Barton bill is progressing from lobbyists that they mean they are hearing it from lobbyists not on our payroll for obvious reasons.

[PPADrew]

The PPA advertises across a broad spectrum currently concentrating on social media and print outlets. Placing televised ads is extremely costly.