The U.S. market, now mature and saturated with poker personalities, only has two poker TV events left each year which can turn a player into a "star" product endorser:

1. WSOP Main Event

2. NBC Heads-Up

And these two events both need a shot in the arm in order to turn the TV viewership trend around.

WPT Season 6 TV tables offered the players less promotional value than WPT TV tables in the past because of relatively low viewership among young viewers (18-34 and 18-49 age groups) on GSN.

There are countless of people who enjoy the fame.

I don't understand why patrik would be more "known" than durrr... They play in the same games online, they both play in the "big" live games, and have both appeared on multiple TV shows and tournament final tables... Why does patrik get to become part of the "team" while durr is not even considered a "friend" of full tilt is beyond me. If you asked the average person who patrik antonius is they would probably give the exact same response if you asked them who durr was.

Yea, definately agree with all of this. I wonder how famous Allen Cunnigham would be if he had success a little later than he did. Gavin Griffin and JC Tran are two players who seems to get alot less invities than they should, given thier recent success.

In 2005, Patrik Antonius made two EPT final tables in two months and won one of them (Baden, Austria). He then made a WPT final table at the Bellagio to close out 2005.

Patrik then made the final table of the 2006 WSOP $50K HORSE event (9-handed final table that year because no limit hold'em was played at the final table).

Patrik was featured extensively during the FullTiltPoker.net-branded FSN-televised 2007 Aussie Millions, finishing 13th when he busted out against Gus Hansen.

Patrik won BIG at the 2008 Aussie Millions Cash Games Invitational, which was again a FullTiltPoker.net-branded FSN-televised event.

Patrik holds a passport from a European Union country (Finland).

FullTiltPoker.net signed the right guy in Patrik as Team Full Tilt member #14, in my opinion. Patrik earned his "Tier 1" product endorsement deal with a series of memorable TV appearances over the years.

==

In contrast, Tom Dwan hasn't won anything major on TV yet, he holds a U.S. passport, and he has no ethnic or cultural ties to a "hot" emerging market that is in demand by the online poker rooms in 2008-2009 (i.e. Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico).

In terms of satisfying what I consider to be the major criteria (major TV victory, appeal to a niche audience that is in demand by the online poker industry, ethnicity and non-English language skills) to be considered for a "premium" (Tier 1 or Tier 2) product endorsement deal, Tom Dwan is currently 0 for 3.

[Heck, someone such as Brandon Cantu, who has a WSOP bracelet, a WPT title, and a Mexican father, is currently ahead of Tom Dwan right now as a potential candidate for a premium product endorsement deal. I understand that Brandon, who hired Matt Palmer as his agent, is working on his Spanish-language skills as he is being evaluated by PokerStars.net on an event-by-event basis in Latin America.]

Until Tom Dwan breaks through during a premium TELEVISED event (i.e. NBC Heads-Up, WSOP), I would be surprised if Tom Dwan would be offered anything other than the equivalent of a "standard" FullTiltPoker.net Pro deal. I suspect that Tom Dwan may be holding out for something much bigger.

Oliver Tse
Oliver Tse Management Group
Representing the ambassadors of poker

Very interesting thread. I think olivert is right on the mark with everything he said. Like others said, I also think it's just a tough time for anyone to become a "poker celeb," short of winning the WSOP ME. And J_V's point that many internet players aren't in it for the fame and residual income is spot on as well. While extra income is nice, it's not necessary for us to live comfortably, and like he said, I'm not one who thrives on being in the spotlight, and I think many would say the same.

You forget to say that before Antonious get the endorsement deal at Full Tilt he hired pokerroyalty for his professional representation to find business opportunities.

Professional representation makes the hiring of professional poker players for appearances, corporate events, marketing events and speaking engagements or contracting poker players for poker player sponsorships a lot easier.

Thats why some players are more charismatic than others, and sell their brand image and make extremely lucrative contracts.

This is a million dollar industry and there is many ways of making money, and not everything is as it seems.


"Poker Player Management, Marketing and Representation

Professional. Reliable. Engaging. Charismatic. Trustworthy. — All of these words accurately describe our clients. If your organization chooses to engage a Poker Royalty client in a business relationship, you will know with certainty what you are getting in return. Poker Royalty's exclusive clients are the brightest stars in the poker world. Hire our professional poker players for your event today.

Poker Royalty Approach

Focused on Client Relationships and Client Service — Poker Royalty's poker agents build strong relationships with poker players based on trust, communication and results. We serve our clients. After considering the advantages and disadvantages of each business opportunity, we present the details to our clients who make the final decision."

While Poker Royalty was the first poker-specific agency in the industry (established in 2004 to fill a vaccum), it is NOT the only choice for players who are looking for professional, competent representation.

There are at least half a dozen independent poker agencies out there in the marketplace, including my own agency, carving out our own niches.

Hiring an independent agent has its advantages: 1) a player's account is being managed by the boss rather than by an associate or an intern, and 2) the independent poker agents in general are hungrier (and hence work harder) and charge lower commission than the bigger agencies for getting basically similar deals done (I usually charge 10%; many of my competitors charge 15% to 20%)

Many of you already know that my niche in the poker industry is to match players from emerging poker markets with ancilary income opportunities, with product endorsements being my primary focus.

Unlike my competitors, I represent clients on a project-based basis. I do NOT demand complete exclusivity from a client (not even from 2007 WSOP Main Event Champion Xao "Jerry" Yang) simply because I believe that a player will ultimately need to work with agents in different markets who have expertise in different areas in order to reach their full potential as poker ambassadors. I don't pretend to be able to offer "full service" for a client simply because I can't possibly do everything for any player, especially a player who lives outside the U.S.

I focused on Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe in 2007 before switching my attention to Latin America in 2008.

I am still keeping an eye on East and Southeast Asia (particularly the Chinese-speaking markets), which are difficult for private poker enterprises to crack due to laws and media regulations designed to protect existing government-owned and government-licensed gambling monopolies in those markets, for any signs of positive progress in 2009 and/or 2010.

4 of my 7 active clients (defined as those who are currently pursuing or working on projects) are from Latin America, with 3 of the 4 being natives of Mexico. The other 3 active clients are from Southeast Asia.

Latin America:

Mexico - Gabriela Hill, Luis Velador, (Mr.) Michelle Sainz Castro
Brazil - Leandro "Brasa" Pimentel

Southeast Asia:

Xao "Jerry" Yang, Mrs. Van Nguyen and Men "The Master" Nguyen

==

Oliver Tse
Oliver Tse Management Group
Representing the ambassadors of poker

sometimes i get the vibe that this dude is gay, and he is constantly trying to cover it up. does anyone else get that vibe too?

Patrik had "Ivey like" qualities as well as other qualities. Including international appeal... oh, and he's dreamy lol. I think it's become the norm now that if you don't think Patrik is good looking, then you are by default, gay? Is that correct, I can't keep up.

Well, he defiantly talks like it.

umm he basically ended this thread with well thought out analysis.

Show business is brutal when it comes to 'who's in and who's out'.

Phil Helmuth intentionally makes himself 'interesting' for television. DN is a natural at it.

If you want to be a regular on TV you have to be either willing to be an attention whore like Helmuth or just have an interesting personality. You also have to have a certain level of 'looks' about you.

I think most 'internet stars' simply don't want to do the first and just aren't that engaging. In Dwan's case, he is (to be blunt) extremely effeminate and has a lot of strange idiosyncrasies that are just... offsetting. Not good for TV unless he can override that with a strong sense of humor (which I haven't seen).

But, so what. If you are good enough at poker to make a living at it on-line you are ahead of 99% of the population right there.

For some reason (which is probably a debate for a whole different thread), a lot of the 20 something and younger crowd think you HAVE to be on TV to be successful.

You don't.

The key to a sponsorship deal is not how good you are in poker, it's how marketable you are.

That's why WSOP ME winners and random girls get deals and far superior random guy players don't.

Patrik doesn't have much TV presence either he is always well mannered and quiet, he never cracks jokes or berates other players but he is so dreamy it that it makes up for his lack or charisma.

Are you saying you have a mancrush on Patrik, Daniel?

Whether I cancel or keep my subscription to PokerVT depends on your answer


haha j/k

Phil ivey is black , decent looking and great at poker/
Patrick is really good looking and great at poker/

So why isn't Ted Forrest a part of Team Full Tilt? He's had lots of success, been on television tons, was in many episodes of the Full Tilt "Learn from the Pros" series, has been in other Full Tilt sponsored TV poker shows, and is part of that whole Full Tilt crowd. He's also one of the best and most successful poker players in the world.

I thought he was listed as part of Full Tilt years ago. I even remember him having his own avatar. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me though because I asked him about that online, and he said he was never a part of team Full Tilt and never had his own avatar. I wonder why not.

That is correct
At 2+2, we worship PA..
I showed my GF a picture of Antonius and try to explain my mancrush and she understood..
Sounds like ur keeping up Daniel

the only two i know are pokerroyalty and you

and after that hilarious jj liu fiasco a couple years ago, i am surprised anyone would ever hire you but i guess not everyone has the knowledge and wisdom to use something like google, wow actually i can't find the thread now where'd it go? EDIT: here hahah you are so awesome when you bungled this it made up in advance for all the goofy shilling you do here and all your "POKER IN CHINA" threads
http://archives1.twoplustwo.com/show...fpart=all&vc=1

otis_nixon
otis_nixon management group
"free eight ball or sack of weed if you sign on the dotted line"

I thought antonius comment at the 10,000 pl holdem tournament about mike sowers was funny. It was that 94 offsuit reraise and when he got knocked out PA said that play doesnt deserve an applause while the audience clapped. Btw, like the solid snake avator.

Rather than ignoring this heckler and hoping that this will fade, I will address this up front because I will have to deal with this issue for years to come.

I have worked with dozens of players and have done successful projects with them in the two years after I parted ways with my first client in March 2007.

My active clients are all aware of my handling of the March 2007 incident. My active clients judge me on my ability to deliver product endorsement deals and paid public appearance opportunities for them.

As some of you may recall, the incident reached a boiling when a newspaper reporter whom I contacted to do a feature story for my first client after she had finished 2nd at a WPT event, did a Google search in Chinese and discovered that my first client was under criminal indictment for extortion/blackmail when she left Taiwan 21 years ago to escape prosecution (the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations or did not have an extradition treaty with Taiwan as the time my first client left Taiwan.)

My career as a poker agent could have been over. I had to do damage control to keep my business relationships with the companies I worked with in tact after the incident because my first of a series of errors which led to the fiasco was not doing a Google search in Chinese before agreeing to work with my first client to pursue a product endorsement deal.

Ultimately, my opportunity for resurrection came at the 2007 WSOP Main Event, when I was able to convince Pocket Kings Consulting to sign Xao "Jerry" Yang as FullTiltPoker.net's 6th sponsored player at the final table even though Jerry had a short stack, Jerry had never played online poker, and Jerry didn't even have his own private email address at the time. Pocket Kings took a calculated chance and the investment paid off.

I will forever be grateful to Pocket Kings Consulting officials, particularly Howard Lederer, Ray Bitar, and Rich Bitar, for keeping our business relationship alive after what happened in March 2007.

Pocket Kings ultimately believed in my ability to recognize poker ambassadors from various emerging international markets who are potential product endorsers for FullTiltPoker.net.

During the 2007 WSOP, I actively seeked out unsponsored German players to gauge whether they were interested in taking part in FullTiltPoker.net's expansion into the German-speaking markets in Europe. One of the German players I worked with, Hans Martin Vogl, ultimately signed with FullTiltPoker.net after he settled his tax dispute with the German authorities. I chose to release Hans during his tax dispute so Hans ultimately signed with FullTiltPoker.net without my involvement. Hans had help from his business partner, 2007 WSOP Europe HORSE bracelet event winer Thomas "Buzzer" Bihl, who switched from BetFair to FullTiltPoker.net on January 1, 2008.

Within the past 2 months, I concluded negotiations with Pocket Kings Consulting to obtain FullTiltPoker.net endorsement deals with two prominent poker personalities from Mexico: Spanish-language poker/WSOP TV announcer Gabriela Hill became a Friend of FullTiltPoker.net on July 18, and 2008 WSOP Bracelet Event 32 champion Luis Velador will officially become a FullTiltPoker.net Pro on August 25. FullTiltPoker.net has started a Spanish-language forum section for Latin American players.

I also played a small part in raising the awareness of the Pocket Kings officials of the Brazil market, a country which as a strong and stable currency for the first time its history because of Brazil's vast oil reserve and its abundance in minerals in high demand, particularly iron ore used to make steel in booming markets such as mainland China.

I understand that Pocket Kings then hired a consultant to advise and assist Pocket Kings with FullTiltPoker.net's expansion into Latin America. When PartyGaming/PartyPoker.net concluded its 2008 TV time buy agreement with ESPN International, Pocket Kings stepped in and filled the vaccum for 2009 in Latin America. Besides buying 40 hours of TV time on ESPN Latin America in 2009, Pocket Kings signed Brazilian poker pros/TV announcers Christian Kruel and Raul Oliveira to deals as FullTiltPoker.net Pros during the last 30 days.

==

As I said before, there are at least half a dozen independent poker agents out there besides Poker Royalty.

Besides myself, independent poker agents based in the U.S. include Beth Fischman (Scott's sister, who takes the project-based, non-exclusive approach to player representation that I am using), Matt Palmer, Eric Brewstein, and Katie Lindsay.

Ultimately, a player has to decide whether 1) he/she has any need to hire an agent to do a product endorsement dal or he/she might be better off contacting the company directly and do the deal by himself, and 2) whether a particular agent's core competency fits with a player's needs and expectations.

Players should take the time to shop around because not every agent is a good fit for a particular player.

Oliver Tse
Oliver Tse Management Group
Representing the ambassadors of poker

spam spam spam spam

you didn't really address anything at all about that glorious trainwreck of a thread, you said instead "well everyone knows what up HERES MY BIG RESUME LOOK AT ME IM OLIVER OLIVER TSE IM SO IMPORTANT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HOWARD LEDERER (THIS IS NOT A THINLY VEILED BRAG)"

one more time:
1) JJ Liu is pregnant and bleeds all over some wpt final table
2) they wont stop the tournament for her, so she goes and cleans up and keeps playing
3) thread starts and you act like a total pompous buffoon for like 20 or 30 posts. everyone points and laughs

durrrr doesn't have tits

oh, and if you want to make a name for yourself and get instant celebrity and wow factor -

just punch phil hellmuth in the face at a major tournament