Sky Poker & blonde.

[tikay]

I’m sorry to say that the sponsorship of blonde by Sky Poker will almost certainly terminate at the end of this month.

Cliffs?

It was done on a monthly fee basis, & the cost per acquisition (CPA) was off the scale really. We (they…, I have an identity crisis here!) measure CPA to the penny, & it was just not cost-effective, not by a very long chalk. They actually get more acquisitions per day by organic means than blonde have managed in 9 months, & at a mere fraction of the cost. Think about that. We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants? The company is incredibly cost-conscious & efficient, & the blonde deal was a bit of an eyesore on the books, & blonde can have no complaints, the deal was "handy" for us.

The deal was for 3 months, extended twice, & eventually, a month ago, extended for December. I then went to one of those uncomfy chair meets, & the decision was made. A really weird spot for me, as I needed to face both ways.

I made Tighty aware a week or so ago, & he has dusted off his potential sponsor file. A few leads so far, but nothing concrete yet. We have enough cash to get through until the end of January, but not beyond. So, we shall have to see what happens.

I’d like to thank those who supported the sponsorship, those who waked the walk, & supported the blonde sponsors. There were a good few, but special thanks to Alex’ & Cos’s gangs, who really helped.

Tighty, as ever, gave his all, & a bit more besides. What a guy he is, & big thanks to him for his effort to puff it. Oddly, he now has a semi-permanent Contract with Sky Poker to manage the SPT, & that will continue indefinitely, he does a terrific job at that.

It puts me in a peculiar spot. I work for them, everyone knows that, & I discuss my job – which I adore, can’t wait to get to work every morning stylee – endlessly, to the point of everyone yawning I imagine. With a new sponsor on board – hopefully – that may have to change.  But that’s a bit personal, so I’ll write more about that awkward spot on my Diary, & before a new sponsor comes on board, if indeed we find one. 

Sky Poker will continue to be successful, the numbers are staggeringly good, & let’s hope blonde will, too.

It’s been fun, but that particular party is over.

I hope some of you will continue to support Sky Poker. We (blonde) have been offered a nice Affiliate deal by them, but patently, IF we get a new sponsor on board, that would not really be do-able. But if we don’t, some Sky Poker Affiliate revenue would make all the difference, it really would.

Thanks.

[pleno1]

Sad news, but thanks for the 9 months and thanks to Tikay who probably held us there longer than we deserved (performance wise)

Has there ever been a breakdown of costs for the forum? Both how much it takes to run and how much each share is worth?

[TightEnd]

Has there ever been a breakdown of costs for the forum? Both how much it takes to run and how much each share is worth?

Yes of course the costs are known.

As an unquoted company how much each share is worth is unknown, until such times as any are traded

[tikay]

Sad news, but thanks for the 9 months and thanks to Tikay who probably held us there longer than we deserved (performance wise)

Has there ever been a breakdown of costs for the forum? Both how much it takes to run and how much each share is worth?

Cost breakdown?

Costs are just 2 things really, Tighty's wages, & the Server Hosting, plus occasional professional fees etc.

The entire sponsorship inciome effectively goes straight to Tighty, that's his wages. Not much, I would say it is sub minimum wage. I pay the Server Hosting monthly fee personally, have done for 2 years now, & am kinda hoping a sponsor will pick that up - one promised to (not Sky), but never did - but ultimately, if the price of keeping blonde alive is me paying that every month (about £200) then as long as I can afford it, I will. Tightys wages are a different matter, I can't, in all conscience, & as much as I respect him, commit to that. He also taps me for odd bills now & then, again, no problem, I cough up, & I top up the Live Update money as & when needed. If a big bill comes along, 5 figures, say, I'd speak to our WPT Champ, he generally is helpful & has already loaned blonde a decent sum.

[AlrightJack]

We have enough cash to get through until the end of January, but not beyond.

$821,612 doesn't last long these days.

But seriously, good luck in finding a new sponsor/funding. Would be a shame if this place became a thing of the past.

[Sheriff Fatman]

We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants?

Playing devil's advocate here, but it's a serious question, what impact on Sky Poker's revenue streams would there likely be if every blonde member stopped playing at Sky Poker?

The benefit of blonde is being measured purely based on new acquisitions, which is never likely to be significant here given that most members already have accounts at most sites.

However, we presumably have some fairly significant rakers who, if they chose to play elsewhere, could potentially dent the bottom line.

Arguably, the blonde relationship ensures Sky's profile remains high among these players and presumably benefits Sky in terms of retention.

[tikay]

Value of each share? See Tighty's answer, really. Right now, their "value" is too cheap to sell, if that makes sense.

About 3 years ago, the company was sold for about three quarters of a million, subject only to Contract. Tighty spent all one afternoon collecting up the Share Transfer Forms, & I was due £187,500 - cash - at 9am the next morning. I even had the signed Form, wiiii, £187,000! At midnight, the deal fell through, just like that. It rained the next morning, but brightened up in the afternoon....

A short time later, Flushy mopped up all the loose shares, I think he invested the better part of £60,000. For that alone, I/we have a Duty of Care to try to protect his investment. I got my shares for free, but if they had a value, I guess it could be said I earned the value via my input & financial assistance.

It's not something that pre-occupies me, or us, really.

[tikay]

We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants?

Playing devil's advocate here, but it's a serious question, what impact on Sky Poker's revenue streams would there likely be if every blonde member stopped playing at Sky Poker?The benefit of blonde is being measured purely based on new acquisitions, which is never likely to be significant here given that most members already have accounts at most sites.

However, we presumably have some fairly significant rakers who, if they chose to play elsewhere, could potentially dent the bottom line.

Arguably, the blonde relationship ensures Sky's profile remains high among these players and presumably benefits Sky in terms of retention.

Just about nil, or as near to nil as makes no difference, Curtis. It would not make any dent on the bottom line at all. There may be a disconnect here as to how much some may think the blondes rake, & Sky Poker's daily "margin". The contribution by blondes is not 1%, it's not even 0.1%. Truly.

Of course, if blondes thought a "protest" withdrawal of support to force Sky's arm would achieve anything, good luck them, but it would, of course, place me in a very tough spot, & I guess I'd have to make an extremely tough decision as to my position. They pay my wages - which are considerable - & have done for 5 years now, & I owe them some loyalty, as well as to blonde. Also, many blondes signed up to sky Poker long before the sponsorship deal. Some bugger must have been covertly spamming, maybe.

[roscopiko]

We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants?

Playing devil's advocate here, but it's a serious question, what impact on Sky Poker's revenue streams would there likely be if every blonde member stopped playing at Sky Poker?The benefit of blonde is being measured purely based on new acquisitions, which is never likely to be significant here given that most members already have accounts at most sites.

However, we presumably have some fairly significant rakers who, if they chose to play elsewhere, could potentially dent the bottom line.

Arguably, the blonde relationship ensures Sky's profile remains high among these players and presumably benefits Sky in terms of retention.

Just about nil, or as near to nil as makes no difference, Curtis. It would not make any dent on the bottom line at all. There may be a disconnect here as to how much some may think the blondes rake, & Sky Poker's daily "margin". The contribution by blondes is not 1%, it's not even 0.1%. Truly.

Of course, if blondes thought a "protest" withdrawal of support to force Sky's arm would achieve anything, good luck them, but it would, of course, place me in a very tough spot, & I guess I'd have to make an extremely tough decision as to my position. They pay my wages - which are considerable - & have done for 5 years now, & I owe them some loyalty, as well as to blonde.

That would be a nasty spot and very much underserved on Sky Pokers part too imo, I think they should be applauded for their support rather than punished for having to withdraw it.

GL with the new search, its tough out there right now.  Would love a Ladbrokes link up just for the comedy value

[DaveShoelace]

That is a shame, the two entities seemed a very natural fit.

Its a shame that most of us likely all had our sky accounts way before the partnership started.

I for one hope that Tikay & Co's 'Sky Hats' can remain on now and then on the forum, as I have really enjoyed some of the inside peeks to skys goings on, and seeing plenty of blondes on the show.

[tikay]

We have enough cash to get through until the end of January, but not beyond.

$821,612 doesn't last long these days.

But seriously, good luck in finding a new sponsor/funding. Would be a shame if this place became a thing of the past.

Thanks JR.

In truth, it's not about the survival of blonde, not as such - it's Tighty's wages really. I can manage the rest of the necessary cash requirements for the foreseable future, if I have to, & my "desire" remains (not a given), but we'd have no Tighty, & he'd be in a spot, & I feel an obligation to do my best to sort that. That's the bottom line really.

[Sheriff Fatman]

We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants?

Playing devil's advocate here, but it's a serious question, what impact on Sky Poker's revenue streams would there likely be if every blonde member stopped playing at Sky Poker?The benefit of blonde is being measured purely based on new acquisitions, which is never likely to be significant here given that most members already have accounts at most sites.

However, we presumably have some fairly significant rakers who, if they chose to play elsewhere, could potentially dent the bottom line.

Arguably, the blonde relationship ensures Sky's profile remains high among these players and presumably benefits Sky in terms of retention.

Just about nil, or as near to nil as makes no difference, Curtis. It would not make any dent on the bottom line at all. There may be a disconnect here as to how much some may think the blondes rake, & Sky Poker's daily "margin". The contribution by blondes is not 1%, it's not even 0.1%. Truly.

Of course, if blondes thought a "protest" withdrawal of support to force Sky's arm would achieve anything, good luck them, but it would, of course, place me in a very tough spot, & I guess I'd have to make an extremely tough decision as to my position. They pay my wages - which are considerable - & have done for 5 years now, & I owe them some loyalty, as well as to blonde.

That would be a nasty spot and very much underserved on Sky Pokers part too imo, I think they should be applauded for their support rather than punished for having to withdraw it.

GL with the new search, its tough out there right now.  Would love a Ladbrokes link up just for the comedy value

I tried to word my post in a way so as not to give the impression that I was suggesting this.

I was writing, as a 'hard-nosed accountant' myself as to whether the benefit of blonde was being looked at solely through a KPI where blonde struggles to make a dent but trying to quantify whether there were other benefits of the deal that were not being recognised.

Hope that clarifies things.

[byronkincaid]

why not set up an investment trust? tighty as fund manager, teeks as chairman, i'd stick a couple of grands worth in my sipp for sure.

[TightEnd]

The issue of being judged on new acquisitions alone is a valid one, though its a fact of life really

Lots of attempts here to get rewarded for reactivating existing customers via blonde (as tikay said, most had accounts before the sponsorship came along) and for the PR/profile raising..but the latter is difficult to quantify

Anyway, looking ahead

As tikay says there is no threat to the site as long as the hosting fees are taken care of

The issue really comes down to

a) trying to ultimately secure a return for Flushy and tikay amongst others. To do that you'd want strong traffic, membership etc as well as making a bit of cash 

b) my involvement. If we were unsponsored and unable to pay wages then I'd have a decision to make. The site would continue along fine enough without me, I'm sure

Hopefully during the next six weeks it wouldn't come to that. 

My phone is on, people!

[tikay]

We tried to persuade them that general raising of awareness had a value, & it does, but how do you put a price, or value, on it, especially when negotiating with hard-nosed accountants?

Playing devil's advocate here, but it's a serious question, what impact on Sky Poker's revenue streams would there likely be if every blonde member stopped playing at Sky Poker?The benefit of blonde is being measured purely based on new acquisitions, which is never likely to be significant here given that most members already have accounts at most sites.

However, we presumably have some fairly significant rakers who, if they chose to play elsewhere, could potentially dent the bottom line.

Arguably, the blonde relationship ensures Sky's profile remains high among these players and presumably benefits Sky in terms of retention.

Just about nil, or as near to nil as makes no difference, Curtis. It would not make any dent on the bottom line at all. There may be a disconnect here as to how much some may think the blondes rake, & Sky Poker's daily "margin". The contribution by blondes is not 1%, it's not even 0.1%. Truly.

Of course, if blondes thought a "protest" withdrawal of support to force Sky's arm would achieve anything, good luck them, but it would, of course, place me in a very tough spot, & I guess I'd have to make an extremely tough decision as to my position. They pay my wages - which are considerable - & have done for 5 years now, & I owe them some loyalty, as well as to blonde.

That would be a nasty spot and very much underserved on Sky Pokers part too imo, I think they should be applauded for their support rather than punished for having to withdraw it.

GL with the new search, its tough out there right now.  Would love a Ladbrokes link up just for the comedy value

Well yes, and yes!

We really needed that deal at the time, & it would be out of order to act against their best interests, imo. But of course I would say that, sitting where I do. I don't actually think blondes would do such a thing, anyway. Players play where they wanna play, nothing ever stops them doing that. If Tilt returned tomorrow, with monsta sign-up bonuses, the place would be heaving within days. Incred, but true. Did you know that - until last week, at least - Absolute Poker/UB were still trading?