Day One: Thursday 3rd September 2015

• how the placement has further inspired them to study the subject
• what the placement has taught them about the subject that they have applied to study (this could be specific knowledge or more general insight)
• how the placement has helped to demonstrate in practice what they have learnt previously (or alternatively how the placement has made them question what has previously been learnt!)
• how the placement has further inspired them to seek a long-term career within the subject
• how their abilities or previous experience fit with the demands of a career related to the subject.

On my first day my allocated overlooker for my work experience took me on the tour of all the departments for pokerstars.com. At first glance the vast amount of people working for pokerstars.com media team is quite daunting but everyone was very helpful and lovely. I am very lucky to be able to shadow different ares during my 2 weeks experience to get a feel of what they do and to also work out where I enjoyed most for a future career.

As well as shadowing different departments, I am writing notes as I go on and writing them up to this blog as a diary of what I have learned.

 The different departments are

• Online Graphics
• Print Media
• TV Advertisments
• Web 
• Digital Animation
• Live Events

At 11am I was introduced to David Curtis who is the Live Events Manager who gave me the overview on why live events are so important to the company. David showed me the ropes on how the online game and live shows interlink.

David first of all set me  homework to broaden my knowledge for my next session with him which will be to go to a live show at the Hippodrome in London. I am very keen to extend my knowledge of poker to gain a greater understanding and also excited to see hands on what goes on at the live events.

1.  pokerstars.com highlight reels on youtube
2.  Watch The Chris Moneymaker Effect
3.  Watch the mechanics of poker on YouTube
4. Read up on how to actually play poker
5. WSOP Video on YouTube
6. Pokerstars Barcelona 2014 YouTube  

 I was then shown an internal module and test programme that all collegues take so everyone has the same level of understanding as eachother and so different departments understand how eveyone interlinks with eachother to ensure a smooth running in campaigns.

 David explained to me that the Live Events essentially is a type of marketing and great advertising for the company. David stated that for the online players the end goal is to attend the live events around the world. The money is not made on the live events but the online games towards it. He then goes on to explain, the process of the live event.

EXECUTION OF A LIVE EVENT (David's job is to overlook every aspect of the event)

1. People get together with a concept and make a desicion for a Live Event
2. Negotiate stratagies on who/where/what/how/can the venue provide certain aspects
3. Look at all the regulatory framework (Contracts and all the FactFiles)
4. Then the people here at pokerstars.com services and departments need to work at the same time to ensure everything is completed. Advertising/Print/Web/LiveEvents all work with eachother.

POKERSTARS BRAND STRATEGY

1. It is important to bring the brand alive
2. Develop a crowd for poker
3. Create trust (GambleAware, AML)(Funds are safe)(FullTilt, bought out by pokerstars and gave players money back)(Secure systems)(SAFEST WEBSITE) (Cant play against your friends so you can't cheat)
4. Support Lobby (Track IPS to protect people from scammers) 
5. Reward loyalty 
6. Educate the Media
7. Provide competition

I learned today that pokerstars.com are essentially the 'go-to' poker company for real poker fans. The company have never received a negative review as they are socially responsible following necessary regulations. Keeping both the law and players happy. Creating an all round orthodox and fair experience for everyone and bringing more customers back as well as bringing more in.

David explained to me that often people who are not aware of poker have a vision of the picture below. Cheating, dingy and seedy environment.

Where pokerstars.com to poker players is Glamour, media attention and on a whole a great event. Nothing like the image above

Later on in the day i was shown an animation graphic they use for illuminating the front of venue buildings. (Projection Mapping)

I also learned that there is constant advertising and marketing of the company through social media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uk-13sLHRk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poker-Stars/145773875526133