Fall Sweeps

The ratings wars are upon us as Neilsen goes about doing its semi-annual survey's to determine which TV/radio station gets to charge the most for an advertisement next quarter.

This has two implications on audiences - "shocking ending" TV shows.... and promos promos promos.

Yesterday, i was privileged enough to be involved in a promo for one of my clients, as an observer of a draw (and privileged enought o have to wake up at 4:45AM to get there for the draw - it was a radio morning show). Anyways, the station program director made a passing comment that was funny, yet true, and somewhat disturbing...

"its nice to see the same 100 contestants as last time"...

What he was referring to was the observation that the same 100 or so people seem to get tot the finals of these contests everytime they do something like this. These people, for lack of a better term, are known as "professional contestants", who make a living entering and winning contests by developing complex systems of maximizing their odds of winning. Some techniques are as simple as having multiple phone lines and super fast speed dialing systems, that allow them to get through faster than the average listening when given their "cue to call".

Anyways, i find it rather interesting/sad/je ne c'est quoi to see people creating "job opportunities" for themselves in unique ways such as this. I guess if you think of it, if they can go around entering a few of these every year, and winning just one every two years (some of these prizes include 1 million dollars, condominiums, cars etc), they could sell whatever they'd won, and prolly live a decent life for the next two years or more. So in theory, you could survive on these types of contests.

Still don't believe this? OK, here's a few googled websites for your viewing pleasure...

First one is a story about a dude, who made his living entering "hand on car" contests (those that require you to put your hand on the car, and last person with hand still on car wins it). - i keep picturing a guy like Dan going the distance on something like this - something that requires pretty intense concentration and sheer amounts of will power.

http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/success/20020822-mathews.html

The second is an actual resource website about contests that are available, and why/how to get "comped" on contests.

http://www.allaboutcompetitions.co.uk/compart.php?ArtID=61

So the point is two-fold:

a) i think your chances of winning a "dream" contest are significantly slimmer with these well grizzled veterens in your way

and the more important....

b) is being a professional poker player (note - NOT a professional gambler - ITS DIFFERENT!) really such a bad thing, given that there are people doing this kind of stuff?

The World Series of Poker only costs $10K to get in...who wants to back me?