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Equipment Boards => Dyno-Thane => Topic started by: DON DRAPER on April 24, 2003, 05:45:50 AM

Title: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: DON DRAPER on April 24, 2003, 05:45:50 AM: hey new guy, since walter ray williams, jr., did his best this year with dyno-thane equipment, are there any plans to sign him to a contract---or are his services too expensive ?

is it safe to assume that he received between $5,000 and $20,000 for winning a tournament with a dyno-thane ball---and slightly less for "just" making the tv show ? i don't expect you to reveal your companies financial expenditures but are these figures plausable ?
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: bamaster on April 24, 2003, 09:12:23 PM: Content Removed by Webmaster
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: pchee2 on April 24, 2003, 11:17:34 PM: Content Removed by Webmaster
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: HamPster on April 24, 2003, 11:29:36 PM: Rules? Where?
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This post is A+ Hamster certified!

Kung Fu Hamster X, Jujitsu Guinea Pig, or Legend of Drunken Ferret? New names still being pondered . . .
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Jeffrevs on April 30, 2003, 10:09:20 AM: But......the original question from Greg was, will he be signed?
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Jeff
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: LuckyLefty on April 30, 2003, 10:10:52 AM: Now that is some solid info, and very interesting to boot.

It doesn't getter better than this in bowling gossip!

Yeah!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Jeffrevs on April 30, 2003, 10:19:27 AM: quote:
At present we do not have a deal in place. Other than that I have no comment. The tour does not start up until the late fall.

oooohhhhh, the infamous..."no comment" comment! That leaves the door WIDE open
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Jeff
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Rockbowler on April 30, 2003, 12:52:38 PM: Yes but WRW will not be cheap. He also just won the Player of the Year so IMO, a small company like Dynothane can not afford to pay WRW's services. Unless, he got so enamored with the Element that he will agree to be a staffer for peanuts which I doubt. The premier player of the year should also be the highest-earning staffer. Maybe, just maybe, WRW will remain a free agent.
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Rockbowler on April 30, 2003, 01:11:17 PM: And I agree with you. DT, AZO and Visionary would love to get their hands on WRW. Imagine, the player of the year, and a lot of people would say, best player of all time rivalling only Earl Anthony, representing a small company. And again you are right that whether DT can or can not pay WRW is a business decision but it is a big decision. Is there justification for practically selling the farm to get WRW? Remember FABALL who when they went under still owed WRW some money. It did not look like WRW's representation of the Hammer balls made a difference. I think perhaps that FABALL knew that it was in trouble financially and it was hoping that hiring WRW will translate to salvation for them in terms of dramatic sales improvement but it did not happen.
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Rockbowler on April 30, 2003, 02:13:58 PM: T3,

What about us small people? Don't you want us anymore to benefit from what you have to say on the subject? I thought we have a good discussion going with the added bonus of the owner of Dynothane also contributing his 2 cents. On the degree in marketing (not a degree like a B.S. degree) that you are talking about, I would just like to say that it looked like the economic reality has overtaken the marketing practices of ball companies, otherwise Brunswick would not have let go of WRW and other companies followed suit by reducing their number of staffers. Also since you said that the answer is yes and no, then I for one, am curious on your expounding on this. Thanks!
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: rocnbol on April 30, 2003, 04:01:23 PM: Sometimes it's more than money. I remember when Chris and Lynda Barnes signed with Brunswick before they got married. Midge(Lynda's mom)said some of the biggest issues were the benni's and expenses more so than the flat salary. She did not discuss all of the details but that was most important to them.

Could be that Walter is demanding/requesting a high salary along with the benifits, the expenses, and the equipment.
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: bamaster on May 01, 2003, 09:58:19 AM: I think you guys are over estimating the ROI of staffers. I know from experience that there is a lot of talented bowlers on staff who are terrible representatives and do little to no evangelizing of their equipment. Yes, I am on the regional program with DT but I also do a lot for the company. I aggressively promote the equipment online and offline. My pro shop is now selling more DT than he ever has, and more than a few bigger brands. And it isn't because the equipment is on television, it is because when people ask what a good ball would be, he RECOMMENDS it!

What most bowlers do not understand is that there is MUCH MORE value in catering to INFLUENCERS on ball buyers than in raw talent. Quality equipment will make it on television, always. A pro bowler will throw what will help them win. Period.

I do not think signing WRW is a good decision, especially not if it will put stress on the DT's finances. In fact I think it is better that he throws the equipment as a free agent, it proves he uses it because it WORKS, not because he has to. Norm Duke is in the same situation. He pretty much switched between Track and DT last year, one guess who he won with.

DT's key tour staffer, Steve Hoskins, has done amazing things to promote the gear on tour. You folks don't see that. I don't know about WRW work ethics, but I can vouch for Hoskins... he works hard to get the equipment in the right bowler's hands. The fact that Phil is delivering an amazing product only makes his job easier.

Tony Melendez
tony@allBowling.com

Edited on 5/1/2003 10:04 AM
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: Bjaardker on May 01, 2003, 10:16:36 AM: quote:
In fact I think it is better that he throws the equipment as a free agent, it proves he uses it because it WORKS, not because he has to.

I think that is the #1 reason why I wouldn't want to see WRW sign with D/T.

It's shown that out of the huge market of balls, WRW found D/T to be the best on tour for him multiple times this year.

It speaks volumes more than having him as a staffer.
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: bamaster on May 02, 2003, 11:09:12 AM: The marketability of WRW is debateable. I've met him briefly, he's a class act for sure and talented without a doubt. However, WRW's image is not for everyone. I, for example, will not buy a ball because he throws it... simply because I have a very different style than he does. But Hoskins winning with DT is different for me. We both cover boards and if he can make it work, than so can I.

Brand awareness is Dyno-thane's issue right now. I cannot count the times I hear, "what is Dyno-thane?" And most of the ones that are familiar with the DT, consider it an "old" brand. So how does a ball company change that? Who has the eyes and ears of bowlers? Pro shops and distributors. These are the folks that craft opinions for an entire bowling center. Ask any pro shop proprietor if he/she sells a lot of the equipment that THEY think works. Is the pro shop operator on staff with someone? How much you wanna bet he sells a lot of those balls?

A bowler can come in a ask for a ball he saw on television. A pro shop operator can say, if you like that ball, you'll LOVE this other one! It has a better reaction and carries the corners! SOLD!

Marketing dollars can be better used elsewhere. Dyno-thane will continue to make shows because the product is that good. And the tour guys are not afraid to try DT because they know Phil is behind the it.
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: pchee2 on May 03, 2003, 02:27:23 AM: Bamaster,

I'm glad to see that you cleaned up your language and kept this a clean bowling site. I have a question for you. One of my all time favorite balls is the Dynothane Rev X Pearl. Good marriage of strength, length, control and power. Is there anything in the new line up that reacts similar to it?

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pchee2<~~~strokin the ball with cranker revs and spraying the lanes for an average of a buck 62. This guy is full of STUFF!
Title: Re: walter ray williams, jr.
Post by: CoachJim on May 03, 2003, 05:09:31 AM: I would also say that I am more inclined to buy a DT ball because Phil designed it rather than if WRW or any other pro is throwing it.