Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Official Pokemon Ambassador Position

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Zegnarfol

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With Ness being in great demand around the world - I wondered whether it would be an idea to make official Ambassadorial positions available to successful players. Such players could draw from a budget allocated by POP to help pay travel and accommodation expenses while they promote the game locally and around the world. Thoughts?
 
Key word, though: budget.

Realistically, POP doesn't have a budget to do something like this...Does it?
 
Zegnarfol said:
With Ness being in great demand around the world - I wondered whether it would be an idea to make official Ambassadorial positions available to successful players. Such players could draw from a budget allocated by POP to help pay travel and accommodation expenses while they promote the game locally and around the world. Thoughts?
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What Jason does is absolutely amazing. He loves this game, and wants others to enjoy it or understand why he enjoys it the way he does. He is willing on his own dime to show this to others which is simply incredible. It is players like Jason that keep this game enjoyable and a great time to play. I am not sure that POP would pay for them, but I am sure that are very thankful they have players that are willing to go above and beyond to help the game grow.

Drew
 
It needn't be a budget that drains the coffers, but a program that serves to increase Pokemon's profile and benefit the company's bottom line through promotion and stimulus of the product. OP is low profile compared to the collector's size of the pie, so there's scope for Pokemon Ambassadors to expand the player base as well as inspire present players into greater participation and create a better vibe overall.
 
Cyrus said:
Key word, though: budget.

Realistically, POP doesn't have a budget to do something like this...Does it?
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You could cut down the scholarship money just a little bit, and i bet it would be very affordable. They probably wouldn't need to do that though, I'm sure they do have the money for it.
 
Well, let' see...

The one player who stands out in this, Jason K. is already doing this on his own initiative.

If you look at his posts, there are already parents and organizers volunteering to help diffray his costs (myself included).

Given the number of players who would qualify for something like this (Jason, maybe one other (Curran H.)), I think the grassroots way of dealing with this is the way to go.

Think about it this way, if PUI got involved, the freedom Jason has on these visits may be restricted due to him being a "PUI Employee" or representative, and he may not want that.

In our community, we have ways of doing things without the need for Pokemon Management to always step in. We got the Schells to Worlds, didn't we? Pokemon Management made a decision, the community disagreed, and (thanks to Jimmy Ballard) we worked together to make something happen.

I like the free wheeling way this has started.

Vince
 
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Vince, from what I understand, it was not PUI that made that choice, it was TPC.

PUI were the guys that arranged for the press access for the CameraFamily.

Let me look for that post from Dave on that one.
 
I think this sounds like a neat idea, but I don't see it happening. If PUI got involved, there's have to be an official distinction between who they chose. It's prolly have to be a World Champion or National Champion. Then they'd have to monitor where the money was used. Also, not all pokemon players are as socially gifted as Jason K. is. If the position becomes an Official Pokemon job, then that player can no longer play in tournaments (Except the Prof Cup).

I'd love to see it (And include Great Lakes Regional Champions ^_~!), but it doesn't seem likely.

Pokemon already has people to help, advertise, teach and spread the game. They are your PTOs, TOs, Professors and League Leaders.
 
Ness is unique, or one of a select few.

I have always taken the (sometimes arguable) position that tournaments should be run by old people like me and others, but ideally, the judges should be the older teen, 20-something group that had a lot of charisma, connected well with the younger players, and cared about the game.

They should be the "face" of the game.

Ness is the perfect person for this at this time.

Chad Young was the last real "Face" to the game, being used to MC Worlds for a few years, running the Pokemon Across America, Journey Across America and the 10th Anniversary Celebrations.

He, Matt Tyler, and Scott Holder were the Face, the Spirit and the SOUL of my events for over 2 years. Aged 16-23, they were IDEAL.

You NEED that type of face to the game.

I am working on a few kids to become judges, and may very well have a judging staff of 14-17 year olds at a few of my cities. They will be trained, monitored, but they will be the judges.

Even though he has not been around the game for over a year, I have a standing invite to Chad to be a part of my regionals team. The energy he brings is invaluable.

I have made my minor coup this year. I have my Ditto back. He is loyal to me (as anyone who sees his avatar on the POP forums can attest to).

Having BDS, 'mom, 'pop and I running events is fine. You need the adult to be the adult. But, in the tourney, and in the face of the game, you do want the right face on your game.

Not being superficial for its own sake, the "cool kids" have to still be great people and staff, but they are certainly preferred by me.

Vince
 
meganium45 said:
Ness is unique, or one of a select few.

I have always taken the (sometimes arguable) position that tournaments should be run by old people like me and others, but ideally, the judges should be the older teen, 20-something group that had a lot of charisma, connected well with the younger players, and cared about the game.

They should be the "face" of the game.

Ness is the perfect person for this at this time.

Chad Young was the last real "Face" to the game, being used to MC Worlds for a few years, running the Pokemon Across America, Journey Across America and the 10th Anniversary Celebrations.

He, Matt Tyler, and Scott Holder were the Face, the Spirit and the SOUL of my events for over 2 years. Aged 16-23, they were IDEAL.

You NEED that type of face to the game.

I am working on a few kids to become judges, and may very well have a judging staff of 14-17 year olds at a few of my cities. They will be trained, monitored, but they will be the judges.

Even though he has not been around the game for over a year, I have a standing invite to Chad to be a part of my regionals team. The energy he brings is invaluable.

I have made my minor coup this year. I have my Ditto back. He is loyal to me (as anyone who sees his avatar on the POP forums can attest to).

Having BDS, 'mom, 'pop and I running events is fine. You need the adult to be the adult. But, in the tourney, and in the face of the game, you do want the right face on your game.

Not being superficial for its own sake, the "cool kids" have to still be great people and staff, but they are certainly preferred by me.

Vince
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Yes, you might be right, and no disrespect to Chad as he did an amazing job and always a blast to hang out with, but comparing Jason to him is like comparing apples and oranges. While they are both doing thier best to promote the game, having a 2-time World Champion, TMB winner, and the FAT winnner promote the game is completely different. I mean who is going to have more popular following?

Drew
 
I was only comparing them as a potential "face of the game"

One was used by PUI for a series of years, one is doing this on his own initiative.

From a title perspective, Ness has it, hands down.

From a "PUI Face" perspective, Chad had it.

It's not a competition, just a comment on how positive it is to have a young person working for the betterment of the whole game and the whole community.

Vince
 
DreamChaser AJ said:
I think this sounds like a neat idea, but I don't see it happening. If PUI got involved, there's have to be an official distinction between who they chose. It's prolly have to be a World Champion or National Champion. Then they'd have to monitor where the money was used. Also, not all pokemon players are as socially gifted as Jason K. is. If the position becomes an Official Pokemon job, then that player can no longer play in tournaments (Except the Prof Cup).

I'd love to see it (And include Great Lakes Regional Champions ^_~!), but it doesn't seem likely.

Pokemon already has people to help, advertise, teach and spread the game. They are your PTOs, TOs, Professors and League Leaders.
Click to expand...

Why would he have to stop playing in tournaments?

It is because of his tournament success that has made him the "should-be" face of the game. Why pay him to make trips to help yougnsters out and etc, but then say he can no longer play in the game he loves?

You take away his tournaments he goes to, then the trickle down affect will take place. He will be excited to help people, but the less he goes to tournies, seing what is being played, the new-age strategies, then the less he will actually be helpful.

I say, he gets a paid trip to 5 locations a season. Also, he still gets to go to tournaments and compete for worlds.

I say cut down on the scholarship a bit, seing as it isn't that much to begin with(no offense to anyone who might object to that)
 
Vegeta ss4 said:
Why would he have to stop playing in tournaments?

It is because of his tournament success that has made him the "should-be" face of the game. Why pay him to make trips to help yougnsters out and etc, but then say he can no longer play in the game he loves?

You take away his tournaments he goes to, then the trickle down affect will take place. He will be excited to help people, but the less he goes to tournies, seing what is being played, the new-age strategies, then the less he will actually be helpful.

I say, he gets a paid trip to 5 locations a season. Also, he still gets to go to tournaments and compete for worlds.

I say cut down on the scholarship a bit, seing as it isn't that much to begin with(no offense to anyone who might object to that)
Click to expand...

Employees can't play in events.
 
^Then dont make him and "employee."

Just put him on the payroll...You can get paid and still not be an employee!
Here comes the Spiderman!
 
A Pokemon Ambassador needn't be an employee, in the same way that winning a scholarship and championship doesn't make for a paid position. The Pokemon Ambassadorship can be along the same lines, a title that comes with a travel stipend. It could be used in conjunction with partnered travel with PUI staff (who travel to many events already) and could manage the "Star" and make sure all went well. The social skills then needn't be all on the Ambassador's shoulders.

An honorary Ambassadorship could also be passed on to Japanese players so they could come into the mix and add to the potential pool of Ambassador material. There would be quite a bit more hype with players of high calibre promoting the game than any other organizer or staff who are more like the band rather than the front person doing the big number.

It's great that players promote the game on their own recognizance, and that needn't stop. But to have a regulated Ambassador's position supported by management (and not forced onto any player) would give another reason for players to aspire to even greater efforts in their participation in the game. Not only would they have championships and scholarships to attain to, but also the honorary title of Ambassadorship (either with a stipend available or where even where one was not)..
 
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