WPTE
Plans to Go Global
Can the sensational success
of the World Poker Tour be duplicated around
the world -- with local nuances, in languages
as diverse as Chinese, Russian and Arabic?
WPT Enterprises, Inc. is betting that
it can. With deals for Canada and the Philippines
already inked, WPTE is setting up shop at MIPCOM
(Booth Number: R37.13) to formally entertain
offers for launching its branded format in markets
around the world. In the U.S., that format involves
16 tournaments open to pros, amateurs and talented
celebrity players, captured for broadcast with
a compelling mix of expert commentary, explanatory
graphics, 16 cameras, top flight production
values and great storytelling. The World Poker
Tour introduced table-top cameras to reveal
hole cards on U.S. television, which in turn
ignited the worldwide passion for poker.
"We have a proven format and a proven
brand," said Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder
of WPT Enterprises, Inc. "Our shows are
already a hit in 116 countries and territories
where our syndicated shows from Seasons One
through Three are airing. Networks airing them
are seeing a substantial bump in viewership,
just as our broadcaster, the Travel Channel,
did in the U.S. Just think what kind of success
a locally produced World Poker Tour will have
-- both in regional participation and -- for
a network or global media player -- in viewership,
promotional opportunities, advertising revenue
and more! It's like launching a local version
of the NBA in the early years when more creative
deals were possible."
WPT Enterprises, Inc. has maximized the value
of the WPT brand globally with worldwide publicity;
an internationally viewed World Poker Tour website,
; its recently launched international gaming
website, WPTOnline.com; and an extensive lineup
of licensed consumer products, now selling in
Europe, Asia and Australia. Strategic alliances
to create regional tours of the World Poker
Tour series will benefit from solid groundwork
already established, and a blueprint for a success.
Lipscomb will be attending the show in Cannes,
along with Gary MacKinney, WPTE Executive Director
of International Sales, to meet with prospective
partners.
"We believe that localization will attract
greater fan loyalty to the WPT and WPTE partners,"
noted MacKinney. "Regional format partners
will be able to showcase their own hometown
heroes, local celebrities, women poker stars,
commentators, regional rivalries and cultural
nuances. Broadcasters will have homegrown WPT-brand
shows that provide enormous promotional, publicity
and sponsorship opportunities."
While at MIPCOM, Lipscomb and MacKinney will
also be working with Alfred Haber Distribution
to continue the sale of international rights
to the WPT's previous three seasons of shows.
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