Want to get a gift for that special someone? Why not hop on the latest commodity bandwagon and get them something with the World Series of Poker logo on it?
From Yahoo:
Shane Samole, the president and CEO of Excalibur Electronics said, “We shipped more than $20 million of poker products at retail for the holiday season and could have doubled it if we had the goods. We also produced and shipped 50,000,000 ‘World Series of Poker’ chips last month and retail buyers are telling us our games were the No. 1 most sought after gift this Christmas.”
From poker chips to hand held electronic games, Excalibur will exhibit its complete poker lineup for the very first time at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 6 though 9, 2005, Booth #30923.
“We believe the ‘World Series of Poker’ will be one of the most powerful brands in America this year,” commented Samole. “The items are so hot they are selling for three times the suggested retail on Ebay. Bed, Bath and Beyond reported that the World Series of Poker electronic card shuffler was one of the hottest items in their chain, and said they could have sold four times the amount if they had the goods. Excalibur sells to more retailers and catalogs around the world than most other companies in America. We expect to expand the brand to all of our loyal and respected customers.”
The Growth Of The Brand
The “World Series of Poker” is proving to be the number one brand name in poker. ESPN’s telecasts of “World Series of Poker” events reportedly gets 400 percent greater share of the male demographics than competing poker shows on Bravo and the Travel Channel. What’s more, the WSOP’s final event — the $10,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em championship — this year attracted 2,500 participants, a number that is expected to soar to more than 6000 in 2005.
Just as poker’s popularity is exploding, so are sales of poker-related products. Internet search engine Lycos lists poker-related items as its No. 1 researched topic on its annual list of “Top 10 Most-Researched Gifts of 2004,” beating out video games from 2003. Excalibur can’t keep up with the demand.
Products Fly Off Retail Shelves
Among the prominent retail chains that have joined forces with Excalibur to sell the “World Series of Poker” products are Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sears, May Co., Dillard’s, Federated, Brookstone, Linen & Things, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Belk’s and more. Many retailers are creating “World Series of Poker” centers within their stores to give the brand the attention it deserves. Retail buyers say the “World Series of Poker” will become an even bigger brand in 2005 as more and more people turn to poker as a great leisure-time activity.
Marketing Plans
Excalibur has a number of aggressive marketing plans slated for 2005. The company will heavily promote its product lineup at the “World Series of Poker” circuit events in five Harrah’s markets beginning in January. They will also support the “World Series of Poker” next July at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Excalibur is also creating a major public-relations campaign for 2005 that will include media tours, press parties, video news releases, celebrity endorsements, charity fundraisers and product giveaways.
WORLD SERIES OF POKER PRODUCTS
World Series of Poker Electronic Texas Hold ‘Em Handheld ($19.95): This fast-paced handheld electronic game can handle up to seven poker players real or virtual. This palm-sized poker parlor allows you to choose limits, call, or go all in.
World Series of Poker Electronic Texas Hold ‘Em Handheld Deluxe ($29.95): This is a talking device and will give you the odds of winning with the first two cards. It contains the complete rules for the most popular poker games and has a built in glossary of poker terms
World Series of Poker Plug & Play 7-n-1 Casino ($19.95): Just plug this devise into nearly any television and you transform your TV into a virtual casino. Each game is filled with action and lots of sound effects. No set up required and no additional equipment needed. With the 7-n-1 you get: Texas Hold ‘Em; Blackjack; Video Poker; Roulette; Craps; Slots; and the popular Pai Gow Poker.
World Series of Poker 15-n-1 Casino Plug & Play ($ 29.95): More sound effects and more games than the 7-n-1. With the 15-n-1 you get all of the games of the 7-n-1 plus: 5-Card Stud; 7-Card Stud; Baccarat; Caribbean Poker; Let It Ride Stud Poker; Red Dog; Big-6; and Keno.
World Series of Poker Texas Hold ‘Em Plug & Play For Six ($59.95): It comes with 6-controllers. Just plug it into nearly any television and you have professional poker action right in your home. “Hole cards” are shown only on each individual controller, not on the TV screen. Each controller has a slide cover to keep the hole cards private. This plug & play can do all three kinds of Texas Hold ‘Em (Limit, Pot Limit, and No Limit). This game not only has the look and feel of real casino poker, it also sounds like poker. While playing the game you’ll hear poker sounds and a voice offering hints, suggestions and betting odds.
World Series of Poker Shuffling Shoe ($29.95): It’s a 2-in-1 card shuffler and dealer shoe. It’s able to shuffle 2 decks of cards at once and feeds them into a dealing position. It’s battery operated and easy to use.
World Series of Poker Chips ($49.95 – $249.95): These chips have the look and feel of casino chips. They weigh 7.5/11.5 grams and carry the WSOP-logo.
World Series of Poker Texas Hold ‘Em Oval Folding Tabletop ($69.95): Turn your ordinary card table into WSOP table. With the WSOP logo right on the felt, your poker games will look like the ESPN show. This folding tabletop has 6-player positions and conveniently into one small section.
Excalibur Electronics Turns ‘World Series Of Poker’ Into a Royal Flush for Retailers Across America
Whatever. This stuff will make you a good poker player just like buying Air Jordans made everyone good basketball players.