[jmc]

The Women's Pairs Winners in Hawaii were two gorgeous young women from Sweden. Instead of highlighting their win and demonstrating the involvement of young people in bridge by putting their picture on the cover, the ACBL buried it on page 15. They used the cover to show that old people are playing again in areas hit by Katrina.

Even Justin Lall got on the cover a few months ago, but not young good looking Swedish girls? Where are the ACBL's priorities? Boys and girls all over the US could have been inspired to play bridge after seeing their grandma and grandpa's Bridge Bulletin with a cover of young successful players. Instead they probably didn't give it a second glance: just another boring Katrina story.

jmc

[pclayton]

ACBL isnt (edited) exactly known for their marketing savvy.

The Bulletin tends to be put out in a recipe format on a year in, year out basis. For instance, I'll bet that the January 2007 issue had the same features on the same pages as the January 2006 issue. So its not surprising that the Women's Pairs winners were buried, because, heck, thats where we put the article last year.

Such are the symptoms of an organization that is stale.

[SoTired]

So you suggest that they put the 2 women on the cover of ACBL bulletin because they are young and pretty? Why? To attract the lechs? What if they had been young and ugly? What about the men's pairs? Were they hunks? What about the open teams... Let's scour the winners for beautiful women... Maybe they could show a little skin for us....

The winners in Thailand were put on the cover because they were international winners. The Bermuda Bowl winners are also put on the cover. Women's Pair winners are not that big an event. It is restricted to less than 1/2 the field. It does not make sense (except for the lechs) that they would pick out the winner from the Women's Pairs rather than other, more prestigious, events.

And from a marketing point of view, people who don't play bridge don't read the cover the ACBL bulletin. If you want to get to the 16-year-old, horny guy market, advertise in comic books.

[jmc]

That is a very good idea! Maybe even some bridge playing super heros! I think the acbl did show some good looking gentleman when displaying the Jlall junior squad. Come on, jlall, joe grue. Dynamite ;-)! Remember they put that boyfreind girlfreind pair on front cover not to long ago. All I want is Young People on The Cover! If they happen to be Swedish and hot, so much the better.

jmc

btw, my post was meant a bit tongue in cheek, so don't take it all as too serious

[pclayton]

SoTired, on Jan 7 2007, 08:24 PM, said:

So you suggest that they put the 2 women on the cover of ACBL bulletin because they are young and pretty? Why? To attract the lechs? What if they had been young and ugly? What about the men's pairs? Were they hunks? What about the open teams... Let's scour the winners for beautiful women... Maybe they could show a little skin for us....

The winners in Thailand were put on the cover because they were international winners. The Bermuda Bowl winners are also put on the cover. Women's Pair winners are not that big an event. It is restricted to less than 1/2 the field. It does not make sense (except for the lechs) that they would pick out the winner from the Women's Pairs rather than other, more prestigious, events.

And from a marketing point of view, people who don't play bridge don't read the cover the ACBL bulletin. If you want to get to the 16-year-old, horny guy market, advertise in comic books.

The fact they are very nice looking is good for promoting bridge. Somehow, I think if the ACBL really wanted to promote the game, they'd be trying to find a way to get these two onto Letterman, or Today, or whatever. It was great when Jill Meyers was interviewed before the Salt Lake City Olympics.

However, the fact that they are high school aged is more noteworthy than their looks.

I hope the ACBL isn't concerned these gals are Swedish, instead of from the US (or Canada / Mexico / Bermuda for that matter). Its an ACBL event that they won, so they can legitimately get some marketing mileage out of this.

[cherdano]

SoTired, on Jan 8 2007, 06:24 AM, said:

So you suggest that they put the 2 women on the cover of ACBL bulletin because they are young and pretty? Why? To attract the lechs? What if they had been young and ugly? What about the men's pairs? Were they hunks? What about the open teams... Let's scour the winners for beautiful women... Maybe they could show a little skin for us....

The winners in Thailand were put on the cover because they were international winners. The Bermuda Bowl winners are also put on the cover. Women's Pair winners are not that big an event. It is restricted to less than 1/2 the field. It does not make sense (except for the lechs) that they would pick out the winner from the Women's Pairs rather than other, more prestigious, events.

And from a marketing point of view, people who don't play bridge don't read the cover the ACBL bulletin. If you want to get to the 16-year-old, horny guy market, advertise in comic books.

From a marketing perspective, it makes sense to try to attract people who won't mind the prevalent sexism in the bridge community, otherwise they might get lost soon enough after they have tried it...

[keylime]

I agree. Bringing youth in its print advertising can only help the ACBL.

[keylime]

I'll pose for all the conservative-based mags to help promote the game.

[fred]

I think I might be the only bridge player who has had the honor of a story about him/her (with a picture!) appear in that publication that is the pinnacle of American journalism: People magazine

As far as I can tell these Swedish girls are something special. The fact that they also happen to be personable and nice to look at is a bonus from a marketing point of view. Hopefully the bridge press (not just the ACBL) will capitilize on this opportunity. Promoting Cecilia and Sara can only be good for our game.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[barmar]

Fred, I assume you meant "only bridge professional", since Bill Gates's picture appears frequently in magazines like People (was it your association with Gates that got you in the magazine in the first place?).

I wouldn't be averse to any policy that resulted in the Swedish girls' pictures appearing more often. But the cover of the Bulletin doesn't really help promote bridge much, since this magazine is not available on newsstands AFAIK, it's only sent to ACBL members. They're by definition already bridge afficionados, so you're preaching to the choir there.

What we need is a "Women of the WBF" spread in Playboy.

[pbleighton]

"Joe Grue and I will be featured on the cover of Maxim in April."

Your heads will be functioning as Jessica Alba's chair?

Peter

[hrothgar]

pbleighton, on Jan 9 2007, 12:07 AM, said:

"Joe Grue and I will be featured on the cover of Maxim in April."

Your heads will be functioning as Jessica Alba's chair?

Peter

Lucky bastards

[kenberg]

Alright!! Who says reading the Forum is a waste of time. I'm telling you I went right up and got the Bulletin and turned to page 15. Since they are both a good deal younger than my daughters, closer to the age of my oldest granddaughter, probably I should not go on in this vein.

Seriously, I think that when young people (m or f, Swedish or American, good looking or not) do well in a significant event it warrants some publicity by the acbl. It would be good for the game and probably would be a thrill for the players.

Further thought: And so now I can tell my wife I will be buying Maxim to read about bridge? I'll give it a try.

[barmar]

kenberg, on Jan 10 2007, 02:04 PM, said:

Further thought: And so now I can tell my wife I will be buying Maxim to read about bridge? I'll give it a try.

Conversely, if the Swedes keep doing well, you may have a hard time convincing her that you only read the Bulletin for the articles.