Guys its a little more complicated then just a joke. I know Most of us have the capacity to shake this off as a joke, and I could have possibly done so in the past too when it was just me and CAP. But CAP is owned by a corporation now and it is big business.
As Majority share holder I have a responsiblity to protect our “brand” in the market place, this is something we take very very seriously and you have always seen me doggedly defend CAP when I felt we were wronged.
I also have an obligation as a division manager to protect my employees, I also take this role very seriously.
I enjoy joking around as much or more that just about anybody and do try to keep things light. You have seen how I always have fun and post funny pics when I can slip them in without derailing a thread. I also have no problem working with GPWA, we have done so in the past and will hopefully do so in the future.
When I am aware that we are exchanging jokes and and invloved in a JOINT promotion I dont take offense to some good natured jabs. Remember the threads during the Battle of The Forums Slots Tournament?
The reason this is very serious is for the following:
1. I have to defend our brand, it’s what helps feed a staff of 30 and their families. Imagine for a second that Checkers unexpectadly came out with an ad that Blared “Checkers Purchases McDonalds and Burger King!”. Do you think the President of McDonalds or Burger King would say “Ah, no harm done, those Checkers guys were just playing around” ? Would THEIR shareholders accept that? I can guarantee you there would be MAJOR lawsuits filed and justifilably so as Checkers was trying to play off of an established name brand and industry leader as a means of promotion for their business.
2. It’s been stated by Michael, and I guess he believes this, that a number of our staff and officers are already publically listed at AFFILIATEPROGRAMS.COM. While that is true it’s a totally seperate division/property that we own that primarily works in the RETAIL SECTOR.
We DO NOT have a list of that sorts posted here at CAP and that’s by decision not chance. Let’s face it CAP operates in an area that does NOT enjoy a favorable states with the DOJ at present. We have always felt that a low key approach was the safest way to proceed. It’s our right to do so if that’s what we choose and if that’s what makes our staff more comfortable. Please understand we are the largest and most highly visible community serving this sector. We already carry around a large enough bullseye as it is.
How many of YOU post your full names and the names of any staff you might employ on your gaming related websites?
3. A private meeting that Warren had with Michael was discussed publically without our consent. This simply ISN’T done in business. It’s poor form and how the hell does it make the spoof funnier? It doesn’t and was unnecessary.
It raises serious questions about what will or will not be held in confidence when doing business with GPWA and when any discussions or meetings might be announced publically within the context of a “joke”. This breach of the most basic business decorum is unacceptable and not funny. It’s my responsiblity to react negatively to such behavior so that it doesn’t happen to others who do business with GPWA.
Any responsible business operator would do this if the same thing happened to them.
4. While I would love to believe everything that happens at GPWA in the forum areas is done in jest that isn’t always the case. Some of it IS malicious.
Despite numerous complaints by myself and requests to stop it, Michael and his moderators allow people to continually attack CAP and myself or our staff.
This goes on over and over and NOTHING generally gets done about it. We STILL see Joeyl and iScami/Arkyt/CaseyEnos slandering CAP and saying I am a “database seller” This obviously is done to damage me and CAP. Its trumped up bullshit from supposedly a single post made years ago, which I didnt make, but it goes on and on. What I find offensive is it’s permitted by the GPWA Mods and these “posters” aren’t even private members. They are snipers. Anyone who knows CAP at ALL knows we dont promote database sales. Never have, never will.
If a business such as McDonalds allowed a group of three or four lunatics to throw rocks at cars in the neighboring Bruger King drive up they would be SUED. If they allowed this same group of lunatics to parade around in their parking lot with signs stating “Burger King has has worms in their burgers! ” they would be SUED.
As a business operator (Thats what CAP and GPWA are) you have a responsibilty to govern what takes place on your property. This is NOT being done at GPWA and the intent of the posters is CLEAR. They want to damage CAP and myself.
By “innocently” letting these handful of posters to continue this abuse it shows the GPWA staff must either think it’s another “joke” or they are tolerating it in the belief that by damaging CAP it improves their position in the marketplace. It’s not funny, its not acceptable and it has to stop for there to be peace.
If Michael and I can work through these issues privately and there is meaningful progress made I will be thrilled to work with GPWA. The members of GPWA are more then welcome here at CAP and this does not effect them whatsoever. Our decision is directed at the BUSINESS and staff that operates GPWA.
A simple “Uh, we were just joking” isnt enough. I hope you guys can understand where CAP is coming from and don’t just view this as “CAP has no sense of Humor”. With honest effort made by GPWA we can get past this. I have every confidence that is what will happen in the very near future.
Thanks