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        Arimaa >> Events >> Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
        
(Message started by: browni3141 on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 12:59am)

Title: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by browni3141 on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 12:59am

I noticed the announcement in the gameroom that Denny's Restaurant will be a WC sponsor, contributing $2,000 to the prize fund. I haven't been able to see any mention of how this came to be so I ask here. Whom are we to thank for getting the sponsorship and how did they do it?

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by Fritzlein on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 8:31am

I'm going to guess it was Omar, and he got it by asking. ;) Not to minimize the achievement. I am really, really bad at asking for money. If it were my job I would be fired in under a day. I'm as curious as you are about the details of how one asks in a way that encourages an affirmative answer.

I'm also very curious as to what effect, if any, it has on the registration and conduct. Will more folks sign up? Will they be less sporting with more money on the line?

Omar speculated that a large prize fund would give registration a big boost, but I don't think it is a given. Yes, anyone rated 2000 and over will likely have a positive expectation return on investment. On the other hand, the majority of signups last year were rated under 2000, so it also matters how people who are underdogs to make the finals feel about things. It's conceivable that a sense that things are more serious this year could scare away some entrants who would otherwise play for fun. Mind you, I expect and would bet on a record turnout, but group behavior is an unpredictable beast, and I wouldn't be shocked by a lower turnout than 2013.

As for an increased incentive to cheat, well, I don't know what to do about it other than hope it doesn't happen.

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by mistre on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 10:03am

I was going to play again anyways, but the increased prize fund is a very nice bonus.

I'm betting on a slightly higher participation than last year.

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by Fritzlein on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 10:48am

Denny's Hobbit tie-in produced menu items like Smaug's Fire Burger and Radagast's Red Velvet Pancake Puppies. I think we need to start brainstorming about the Arimaa tie-in menu items like Frame Flapjacks and Hostage Sausage. :D

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by browni3141 on Dec 2^nd, 2013, 11:42am

I was going to play anyway, but now I am more motivated to train so that I can maximize EV.

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by Nombril on Dec 3^rd, 2013, 6:03am

I'm OK w/ asking for money, though certainly not an expert. I'd expect in a situation like this, having some numbers about number of unique viewers, total views expected in the time leading up to and during the tournament, number of mentions during live broadcasts, and/or some indication of how many people will see your name and for how long helps with anyone considering it an "advertising" promotion.

My general advice is to ask for 10x or 100x as much as you think is reasonable, and then back down from there :)

If anyone has ideas about other sponsors and/or the numbers above, I'd be willing to do some asking. (Though it is probably a 2-4 week approval cycle for anything large.)

-Nombril

Title: Re: Denny's Restaurant Sponsorship
Post by Arimabuff on Dec 5^th, 2013, 1:45pm

Can we get bangers there? I like that word: bangers. ;D