Graceland Attendance Drops In 2010

[Albert]

Disney's operations and EPE handling Graceland is a little bit different I would think...Sure, they both are tourist attractions, but Graceland is first and foremost a home of what was the greatest entertainer that ever graced this earth IMO.
I do hope anyhow that they do fix it up nicely, I'm sure they got the money to do so, thanks for the update.

I'm afraid that when Disney gets involved, that "Elvis the Rocker" will be buried and everything will be focused around "Elvis, the ideal friend for you and your children". They can revive the Elvis brand as no one else can, but it will completely build around the 1956-1962 era. And that will sell a LOT, just as it did when Parker was in charge and hold back Elvis' growth as actor, artist and human being. It's playing safe again.

All big moments in Elvis' career were when he (and the people around him) didn't play safe: Sam Philips in 1953/1954, RCA in 1956, Ed Sullivan in 1956, Elvis in 1968 and Parker in 1973. (the CBS special is an example of NOT taking risks, and just playing safe.... by all parties involved).

But the decrease in attendance numbers is good indeed. It forces everyone to think about how to improve things. Hopefully not only for the shareholders, but mostly for the fans (with respect to Elvis' legacy)

[KPM]

While I don't agree with the original poster's speculation about what was going to happen, I do have to give them a pass only because Jack Soden publicly stated on numerous times that the expansion would be done in just a few years time. Below is a video of him talking about what all they planned and when it would be done, but nothing ever materialized. At the 2:20 mark is all about the expansion.



Below is from an article concerning a proposed indoor theme park in Japan that never happened. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...-IN-JAPAN.html

Plans are under way to build an $80 million Elvistown USA theme park in Tokyo, an official of Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. said Tuesday.

The theme park in Japan is one of four major projects the company is pursuing, Jack Soden, Graceland executive director and chief exective officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises, told the Memphis Rotary Club. The features, including work in Memphis, are expected to be completed by 1994, Soden said.Other projects: expanding and relocating the Graceland museum of Presley memorabilia; developing a fine arts exhibit of Presley portraits from throughout the country and producing a traveling exhibit.

The plans are part of efforts to diversify Elvis Presley Enterprises' interests, Soden said. He would not estimate how much money the projects could mean for the Presley estate, which opened Graceland, Elvis' mansion, to tours in 1982.

Soden said the Elvistown USA project, begun two years ago, was prompted by the singer's immense popularity in Japan. Japanese businessmen approached Graceland officials with several ideas, including building a duplicate of Graceland in Japan, he said.

Financing is being arranged by the Japanese Development Bank.

Here's another article from 1991 on the proposed park in Tokyo that goes further into the details. http://community.seattletimes.nwsour...1&slug=1299329



As we all know, none of that ever materialized. Just like his public talk of a cable tv network back in 1997. The fact of the matter is, Jack Soden has never been the right man for the job. But because he invested millions into opening it, Priscilla never could actually replace him. However, he's now 64 and is planning to retire soon so maybe they will get someone in there who's aggressive, a visionary and who's business savvy.

Here's some photos I took back in November of 2010 when I was back in Memphis. As you can see the Plaza is just not that attractive for such a historical and worldly popular attraction.

And Mr Soden was following the CKX corporate commercial for the moment about what was coming-thats the way business works.
We now know next to nothing happened, not pessimism.... realism.
As far as the 1991 proposed Japan theme park plan-that was not quite how it happened.... investors approached EPE with an idea for the theme park in Japan-EPE wanted to expand across the oceans...the investors were to be given "license" to use Elvis's name and image in the parks, EPE would get a fee for the license and a cut of the ticket prices, merchandising etc....financing was to be done by the investors to get the land in Japan (which is sky high because Japan is so small) and to build the park-the investors could not get the financing they wanted and the deal was lost.
This is an example of exactly why Lisa and EPE began looking for the "Global High Finance Expertise" of someone to help them in moving beyond the height they had achieved.
The pro CKX posters who were making the bold claims here from the 2005 date on obviously thought this was the case-as they touted the benefits soon coming to EPE because of CKX and for Memphis.
The fate of Memphis was a huge concern for these posters, and they tied it to the deal with CKX. I argued and still argue that Memphis should act to clean up its city-independent of any changes to Graceland-that is their responsilbilty to all citizens and business. Memphis should be protecting the golden goose that butters their bread citywide. During the recent flooding one official got it right -he said there was no danger to Graceland...but if their were the city would protect Graceland with everything they had-because of its financial importance to the city.
The citizens and government of Memphis seem to most times just wait...for CKX/Apollo/EPE to do the heavy lifting to raise the city above crime, blight, and years of inaction to rebuild the city. That is wrong on all levels.
Graceland has brought 100s of millions into the city coffers and into business's since it opened and back to when Elvis lived-people visited to see his house from behind the iron gates vacation money spent in hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and it will continue to be the golden goose in a time when many cities would give anything for even half the draw it brings.

[KPM]

I'm afraid that when Disney gets involved, that "Elvis the Rocker" will be buried and everything will be focused around "Elvis, the ideal friend for you and your children". They can revive the Elvis brand as no one else can, but it will completely build around the 1956-1962 era. And that will sell a LOT, just as it did when Parker was in charge and hold back Elvis' growth as actor, artist and human being. It's playing safe again.

All big moments in Elvis' career were when he (and the people around him) didn't play safe: Sam Philips in 1953/1954, RCA in 1956, Ed Sullivan in 1956, Elvis in 1968 and Parker in 1973. (the CBS special is an example of NOT taking risks, and just playing safe.... by all parties involved).

But the decrease in attendance numbers is good indeed. It forces everyone to think about how to improve things. Hopefully not only for the shareholders, but mostly for the fans (with respect to Elvis' legacy)

Don't worry...I think this is someones pipe dream-Disney is not going into any all out partnership with anything that does not promote, market, and maintain a huge Disney connection. So I have no worry about Disney getting deeply involved in full partnerships to promote Elvis.
They may use his music, or even broadcast some films over time-thats quite different from all out deep financial backing for something.

[vivaelvis]

And Mr Soden was following the CKX corporate commercial for the moment about what was coming-thats the way business works.
We now know next to nothing happened, not pessimism.... realism.
As far as the 1991 proposed Japan theme park plan-that was not quite how it happened.... investors approached EPE with an idea for the theme park in Japan-EPE wanted to expand across the oceans...the investors were to be given "license" to use Elvis's name and image in the parks, EPE would get a fee for the license and a cut of the ticket prices, merchandising etc....financing was to be done by the investors to get the land in Japan (which is sky high because Japan is so small) and to build the park-the investors could not get the financing they wanted and the deal was lost.
This is an example of exactly why Lisa and EPE began looking for the "Global High Finance Expertise" of someone to help them in moving beyond the height they had achieved.
The pro CKX posters who were making the bold claims here from the 2005 date on obviously thought this was the case-as they touted the benefits soon coming to EPE because of CKX and for Memphis.
The fate of Memphis was a huge concern for these posters, and they tied it to the deal with CKX. I argued and still argue that Memphis should act to clean up its city-independent of any changes to Graceland-that is their responsilbilty to all citizens and business. Memphis should be protecting the golden goose that butters their bread citywide. During the recent flooding one official got it right -he said there was no danger to Graceland...but if their were the city would protect Graceland with everything they had-because of its financial importance to the city.
The citizens and government of Memphis seem to most times just wait...for CKX/Apollo/EPE to do the heavy lifting to raise the city above crime, blight, and years of inaction to rebuild the city. That is wrong on all levels.
Graceland has brought 100s of millions into the city coffers and into business's since it opened and back to when Elvis lived-people visited to see his house from behind the iron gates vacation money spent in hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and it will continue to be the golden goose in a time when many cities would give anything for even half the draw it brings.

Memphis has and probably always will be a backwards-ran city. The previous mayor, Willie Herenton was a clown who always played the race card on everything to get what he wanted. He was a well known crook (even the black community was against him) who stole money from the city and got away with it. He never cared about Elvis, hence the deteriorating of the Graceland area. The current mayor, AC Wharton is a much better leader and is also close to the Presley's and has made revitalizing the area a top priority. He's also made ways for the city budget cuts not to include the money needed for improvements.

Herenton was never gonna do anything around Graceland until CKX proposed pouring millions into the area with the backing of public support. Then, all of a sudden the city leaders got behind it. How ironic. But the longer CKX and EPE keep putting expansion and redevelopment on hold the less the support will be there.

Like I have said before, I am an optimistic person, and I know the economic difficulties are an issue, but if they haven't begun some kind of upgrading at Graceland by the end of 2012 then I won't be as optimistic much longer.

[KPM]

Memphis has and probably always will be a backwards-ran city. The previous mayor, Willie Herenton was a clown who always played the race card on everything to get what he wanted. He was a well known crook (even the black community was against him) who stole money from the city and got away with it. He never cared about Elvis, hence the deteriorating of the Graceland area. The current mayor, AC Wharton is a much better leader and is also close to the Presley's and has made revitalizing the area a top priority. He's also made ways for the city budget cuts not to include the money needed for improvements.

Herenton was never gonna do anything around Graceland until CKX proposed pouring millions into the area with the backing of public support. Then, all of a sudden the city leaders got behind it. How ironic. But the longer CKX and EPE keep putting expansion and redevelopment on hold the less the support will be there.

Like I have said before, I am an optimistic person, and I know the economic difficulties are an issue, but if they haven't begun some kind of upgrading at Graceland by the end of 2012 then I won't be as optimistic much longer.

Well as I pointed out-from 2008 until today the economy is in backspin-2012 will not be much different.
Today cities are fighting to just keep basic services going, fighting to keep police and firefighters on duty, layoffs are happening in every state, every city every county.
Today the talk was about trillions in reductions for the federal government-that will translate into fewer dollars for states, cities and counties thru federal aid and grants. Optimistically I would say you will be lucky if Memphis does not have over a 10% layoff rate for its basic services for the foreseeable future. Terrible shortsighted for any citizen or official to wait to see if money is going to be spent to decide to invest in infrastructure that keeps your "golden goose" filling the egg basket.
Gracelands upgrade will depend on how Apollo decides to go foreword-if they have the pockets you proclaimed-then they will do what they feel is necessary to prudently upgrade to further their investment......but everyday they procrastinate-interest rates will only go up which tightens money.
Right now prime rates are at historicly low rates...but if they have the capital why should they need to borrow. Its all in Apollos hands. I certainly hope they seize the moment and act-and not take the wait and see attitude.
If they wait I am still confident in drawing power of Elvis, the charisma.... that is the golden goose.

[vivaelvis]

Well as I pointed out-from 2008 until today the economy is in backspin-2012 will not be much different.
Today cities are fighting to just keep basic services going, fighting to keep police and firefighters on duty, layoffs are happening in every state, every city every county.
Today the talk was about trillions in reductions for the federal government-that will translate into fewer dollars for states, cities and counties thru federal aid and grants. Optimistically I would say you will be lucky if Memphis does not have over a 10% layoff rate for its basic services for the foreseeable future. Terrible shortsighted for any citizen or official to wait to see if money is going to be spent to decide to invest in infrastructure that keeps your "golden goose" filling the egg basket.
Gracelands upgrade will depend on how Apollo decides to go foreword-if they have the pockets you proclaimed-then they will do what they feel is necessary to prudently upgrade to further their investment......but everyday they procrastinate-interest rates will only go up which tightens money.
Right now prime rates are at historicly low rates...but if they have the capital why should they need to borrow. Its all in Apollos hands. I certainly hope they seize the moment and act-and not take the wait and see attitude.
If they wait I am still confident in drawing power of Elvis, the charisma.... that is the golden goose.

It's not what I claim. Facts speak for their self. This website points out just how financially stable Apollo is. http://www.agm.com/OurBusiness.aspx

And here's the wiki page of their history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Management

[KPM]

It's not what I claim. Facts speak for their self. This website points out just how financially stable Apollo is. http://www.agm.com/OurBusiness.aspx

And here's the wiki page of their history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Management

In 2005 the same type info was given for Sillerman-and that ended up not being totally the case-(as you yourself said in another post to the effect of Apollo has deep pockets that Sillerman did not have)
I have already checked out Apollo when the name was first mentioned-which is where some of my own thoughts started on them.
They specialize in leveraged buyouts-in other words borrowing to buy. So another scenario that could fit into past performance is they leverage the buy at historically low rates wait a few years "tinker here and there" and then when the stock has gone up considerably they make a killing by selling CKX (perhaps to one of the other buyers which put together groups to try this time) they pay off their loans and make a tidy profit all for buying low and selling high. It is the number one way most on the stock market make their big profits.
So sense we are speculating on their course I will say that is also a path they could take.
If you are correct-they should begin major things fairly quick-waiting serves no purpose because they have the deep pocket to move-isnt that a fair assessment?

[vivaelvis]

In 2005 the same type info was given for Sillerman-and that ended up not being totally the case-(as you yourself said in another post to the effect of Apollo has deep pockets that Sillerman did not have)
I have already checked out Apollo when the name was first mentioned-which is where some of my own thoughts started on them.
They specialize in leveraged buyouts-in other words borrowing to buy. So another scenario that could fit into past performance is they leverage the buy at historically low rates wait a few years "tinker here and there" and then when the stock has gone up considerably they make a killing by selling CKX (perhaps to one of the other buyers which put together groups to try this time) they pay off their loans and make a tidy profit all for buying low and selling high. It is the number one way most on the stock market make their big profits.
So sense we are speculating on their course I will say that is also a path they could take.
If you are correct-they should begin major things fairly quick-waiting serves no purpose because they have the deep pocket to move-isnt that a fair assessment?

It doesn't matter what someone posted on a forum that was THEIR opinion about the situation. What does matter is the facts.

Fact 1: CKX was an entertainment business first and foremost who had a limited amount to invest. They also only have 6 assets to make profit off of. None of which are well established corporations. Their stockholders were never comfortable with spending a billion or more on a dead entertainer and a tv reality show. Therefore leading to failure to impress investors.

Fact 2: When FXRE defaulted on payments for the Park Central Property in Las Vegas where an Elvis resort was planned, they filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy which led to being a defunct company and stressing CKX. FXRE was the reale estate company that was to build the new hotel at Graceland too. Therefore, derailing both projects.

Fact 3: Apollo doesn't depend solely on entertainment assets as CKX does. They have a diversity of assets and a networth of over $16 billion and stock at over $16.00 a share. The previous situation with CKX is nothing at all comparable to what Apollo has and can offer the companies.

Fact 4: Rushing into anything, in this unstable economic uncertainty would be a mistake by anyone. However, should that happen and they were to struggle making payments then Apollo would step in and cover debt charges. Whereas that could not have happened to CKX on their own. Hence the reason for going private with a PE backer.

Here's some excerpts to what is posted on the CKX annual report that may be of some interest.

* The nature of our intellectual property lends itself to the establishment of logical business partnerships with a number of Apollo portfolio companies. As a result of our relationship with Apollo, we believe we will have the ability to pursue mutually beneficial arrangements with selected Apollo portfolio companies, including Caesars Entertainment and Norwegian Cruise Line.

* Apollo has a record of building companies over long periods of time via organic growth measures and acquisitions. Drawing on Apollo’s capital resources as well as its expertise in sourcing and executing synergistic acquisitions, we will seek transactions with entities or individuals that we believe will allow us to create and develop new content.

* In addition, the Graceland attraction was opened to the public in the 1980s and lacks many of the amenities and points-of-sale that one would expect from a tourist destination that garners over 500,000 visitors per annum. We see an opportunity to renovate the Graceland visitor experience as well as the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel to attract attendees and generate incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food & beverage. Other near-term growth opportunities include expanding the Viva Elvis show format into new markets, including potentially international markets, as well as opening new American Idol attractions, similar to what exists in Disney World in Florida today.

* The Elvis Business generates ongoing licensing revenue and royalties from a diversified group of approximately 250 licensees and a library of approximately 1,150 song copyrights. While Elvis passed away nearly 34 years ago, he remains one of the most widely recognized and top earning celebrities and attracted over 500,000 visitors to Graceland for each of the last 27 years. We estimate that first-time Graceland attendees accounted for 75% of visitors over the last 4 years and that at least 23% of visitors during the past 3 years were younger than 34 years old.

[vivaelvis]

Just found this on a blog posted last week.

The housing chief also mentioned Memphis' most famous house, Elvis Presley's Graceland, is once again in the process of becoming a more significant attraction with its new owners developing the area surrounding the rock star's mansion. http://southmemphis.wmctv.com/news/n...-memphis/55520

[KPM]

It doesn't matter what someone posted on a forum that was THEIR opinion about the situation. What does matter is the facts. Fact 1: CKX was an entertainment business first and foremost who had a limited amount to invest. They also only have 6 assets to make profit off of. None of which are well established corporations. Their stockholders were never comfortable with spending a billion or more on a dead entertainer and a tv reality show. Therefore leading to failure to impress investors.

Fact 2: When FXRE defaulted on payments for the Park Central Property in Las Vegas where an Elvis resort was planned, they filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy which led to being a defunct company and stressing CKX. FXRE was the reale estate company that was to build the new hotel at Graceland too. Therefore, derailing both projects.

Fact 3: Apollo doesn't depend solely on entertainment assets as CKX does. They have a diversity of assets and a networth of over $16 billion and stock at over $16.00 a share. The previous situation with CKX is nothing at all comparable to what Apollo has and can offer the companies.

Fact 4: Rushing into anything, in this unstable economic uncertainty would be a mistake by anyone. However, should that happen and they were to struggle making payments then Apollo would step in and cover debt charges. Whereas that could not have happened to CKX on their own. Hence the reason for going private with a PE backer.

Here's some excerpts to what is posted on the CKX annual report that may be of some interest.

* The nature of our intellectual property lends itself to the establishment of logical business partnerships with a number of Apollo portfolio companies. As a result of our relationship with Apollo, we believe we will have the ability to pursue mutually beneficial arrangements with selected Apollo portfolio companies, including Caesars Entertainment and Norwegian Cruise Line.

* Apollo has a record of building companies over long periods of time via organic growth measures and acquisitions. Drawing on Apollo’s capital resources as well as its expertise in sourcing and executing synergistic acquisitions, we will seek transactions with entities or individuals that we believe will allow us to create and develop new content.

[B]* In addition, the Graceland attraction was opened to the public in the 1980s and lacks many of the amenities and points-of-sale that one would expect from a tourist destination that garners over 500,000 visitors per annum. We see an opportunity to renovate the Graceland visitor experience as well as the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel to attract attendees and generate incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food & beverage. Other near-term growth opportunities include expanding the Viva Elvis show format into new markets, including potentially international markets, as well as opening new American Idol attractions, similar to what exists in Disney World in Florida today.[/B]

* The Elvis Business generates ongoing licensing revenue and royalties from a diversified group of approximately 250 licensees and a library of approximately 1,150 song copyrights. While Elvis passed away nearly 34 years ago, he remains one of the most widely recognized and top earning celebrities and attracted over 500,000 visitors to Graceland for each of the last 27 years. We estimate that first-time Graceland attendees accounted for 75% of visitors over the last 4 years and that at least 23% of visitors during the past 3 years were younger than 34 years old.

Sure it matters-they called it facts back then. You see my point? They also gave websites with "fact" to impress upon we here how things were going to improve quickly and smoothly. It did not...the deep pockets were threadbare, the expertise now is seen as lacking and failures on many fronts occured....planning, final plans etc....
Now today we have a brand new entity in the mix, and the same scenario-with all due respect....pardon the skepticism.... but its warranted with the history so far.
I on the other hand in 05 gave reasoning as to why things "perhaps" might not go as glowingly as presented-similar to things you posted in comparing Sillerman/CKX to Apollo.
When a company describes itself and its partners in its annual reports-do you expect to see doom and gloom? Do you really expect to see them dis their own company and its new parent company? Of course not, the best face is put on all situations, the best face is put on hostile takeovers, stock drops, revenues and projections of growth. Thats why in 2005 people could post the glowing future of EPEs 85% sale to CKX because the best face is always shown. That is not a criticism... its a fact- all companys are not in the habit of discouraging its stockholders with a laundry list of the bad news, the best slant is put on everything. I have said if this is as you say-then things will change quickly and the show will be on the road.
The plans for what they will do-are vague purposely......We see an opportunity to renovate the Graceland visitor experience as well as the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel to attract attendees and generate incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food & beverage. Other near-term growth opportunities include expanding the Viva Elvis show format into new markets, including potentially international markets, as well as opening new American Idol attractions, similar to what exists in Disney World in Florida today.
The first statement about "renovating the Graceland visitor experience" could be almost anything from new paint-new guides, new merchandise,....to the grand state of the art museum that has been proposed for years.......
Near term growth opportunities-translation-we may do some of these, and then again we may not. Expanding Viva Elvis into new markets-so the show goes on the road-thats a no brainer-perhaps taking it overseas...duh.... "Generate Incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food and drink....."wow they want to make more money off the things they sell.
The..."We may open American Idol attractions similar to what exists in Disney World"?? At Graceland?.....near Graceland?....In Memphis?
Its a typical stock holders report that celebrates the company and stresses the great things to come-in a couple years we will see how it plays out.
But you know what I notice? Not a mention of promoting Elvis the artist, not a mention of music or videos except about song copyrights....business is business.
You see I have a disdain for big business, even though I understand thats the way it works.
If Parker the big business man had worried more about the artist and growth... perhaps we would not have Graceland open today.
We would not have to worry about a dead Elvis's legacy.... because he might still be with us!
Had he been encouraged to embrace creative people, embrace working with those outside the Parker approved list, embrace the attitude that creation should not be just about profit.....that created works have a value beyond the time of the greatest airplay/sales, that films (even Clambake) had a worth and a portion of ownership should have been in the contracts after 1960......we would not be debating Apollos moves to maximise the potential profit off his name-we might be waiting for his next big hit.
CKX/Apollo/Sillerman/Parker all are big business-profit/loss/overhead/tax writeoffs/merchandise/ticket prices/bigger buildings/making figures tell the story you want (and dont kid yourself figures can be made to show any scenario they want)
EPE/Lisa.... I give a slight pass to...because they inherited the aftermath of what short sighted big business accomplished in the career and life of Elvis-Little ownership of his creations........only his smile and charisma to work with.
So I will admit I am hugely skeptical of what is said when someone talks of big business being involved-in anything.
That is not pessimism that is following history as we know it.

[vivaelvis]

Sure it matters-they called it facts back then. You see my point? They also gave websites with "fact" to impress upon we here how things were going to improve quickly and smoothly. It did not...the deep pockets were threadbare, the expertise now is seen as lacking and failures on many fronts occured....planning, final plans etc....
Now today we have a brand new entity in the mix, and the same scenario-with all due respect....pardon the skepticism.... but its warranted with the history so far.
I on the other hand in 05 gave reasoning as to why things "perhaps" might not go as glowingly as presented-similar to things you posted in comparing Sillerman/CKX to Apollo.
When a company describes itself and its partners in its annual reports-do you expect to see doom and gloom? Do you really expect to see them dis their own company and its new parent company? Of course not, the best face is put on all situations, the best face is put on hostile takeovers, stock drops, revenues and projections of growth. Thats why in 2005 people could post the glowing future of EPEs 85% sale to CKX because the best face is always shown. That is not a criticism... its a fact- all companys are not in the habit of discouraging its stockholders with a laundry list of the bad news, the best slant is put on everything. I have said if this is as you say-then things will change quickly and the show will be on the road.
The plans for what they will do-are vague purposely......We see an opportunity to renovate the Graceland visitor experience as well as the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel to attract attendees and generate incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food & beverage. Other near-term growth opportunities include expanding the Viva Elvis show format into new markets, including potentially international markets, as well as opening new American Idol attractions, similar to what exists in Disney World in Florida today.
The first statement about "renovating the Graceland visitor experience" could be almost anything from new paint-new guides, new merchandise,....to the grand state of the art museum that has been proposed for years.......
Near term growth opportunities-translation-we may do some of these, and then again we may not. Expanding Viva Elvis into new markets-so the show goes on the road-thats a no brainer-perhaps taking it overseas...duh.... "Generate Incremental per capita spending on merchandise and food and drink....."wow they want to make more money off the things they sell.
The..."We may open American Idol attractions similar to what exists in Disney World"?? At Graceland?.....near Graceland?....In Memphis?
Its a typical stock holders report that celebrates the company and stresses the great things to come-in a couple years we will see how it plays out.
But you know what I notice? Not a mention of promoting Elvis the artist, not a mention of music or videos except about song copyrights....business is business.
You see I have a disdain for big business, even though I understand thats the way it works.
If Parker the big business man had worried more about the artist and growth... perhaps we would not have Graceland open today.
We would not have to worry about a dead Elvis's legacy.... because he might still be with us!
Had he been encouraged to embrace creative people, embrace working with those outside the Parker approved list, embrace the attitude that creation should not be just about profit.....that created works have a value beyond the time of the greatest airplay/sales, that films (even Clambake) had a worth and a portion of ownership should have been in the contracts after 1960......we would not be debating Apollos moves to maximise the potential profit off his name-we might be waiting for his next big hit.
CKX/Apollo/Sillerman/Parker all are big business-profit/loss/overhead/tax writeoffs/merchandise/ticket prices/bigger buildings/making figures tell the story you want (and dont kid yourself figures can be made to show any scenario they want)
EPE/Lisa.... I give a slight pass to...because they inherited the aftermath of what short sighted big business accomplished in the career and life of Elvis-Little ownership of his creations........only his smile and charisma to work with.
So I will admit I am hugely skeptical of what is said when someone talks of big business being involved-in anything.
That is not pessimism that is following history as we know it.

I understand all of that and how companies work. I'm not denying that. My only argument is don't see the glass half empty or full. Don't assume that just because things didn't work out the way they were expected to the first time with CKX that it'll be the same story this time around with Apollo. CKX was worth less than $1 billion when they bought EPE. Apollo's networth is $16 billion.

Anyone who posted in the past thinking that it would be a smooth ride were obviously not as knowledgeable about the company's history. That's why I say forget them. They were in the dark about the situation. I told people then it wouldn't happen overnight and may hit roadblocks. Whenever you're dealing with that amount of funding that includes federal and state cooperation then you're going to hit a snag or two.

I have noticed on numerous times as well that CKX fails to mention about the music and videos/movies of Elvis. That may be because they do not own them so why speak of them? They have in the past mentioned about owning 65% royalty rights to the movie catalog and 10% to the music. No disrespect but I really don't care what someone of yesteryear posted on a message board. That was then, this is now. Yes, I will agree with you that the circumstances remain the same....in a similar way. Like I have stressed in my posts on this, CKX never had the backing or funding that many thought. They jumped the gun by proposing such a massive project, both in Memphis and Las Vegas, without any guaranteed funding lined up. That is a company's number one thing NOT to do if you don't want to look like a fool when you fail. Sillerman was a fool to make those announcements.

What he should have done was say "we are looking at expanding the Graceland area and developing an Elvis resort hotel and casino in Las Vegas with raising of capital funding". Don't come out and announce something that you have no control over. That was his biggest mistake in my opinion.

[KPM]

I understand all of that and how companies work. I'm not denying that. My only argument is don't see the glass half empty or full. Don't assume that just because things didn't work out the way they were expected to the first time with CKX that it'll be the same story this time around with Apollo. CKX was worth less than $1 billion when they bought EPE. Apollo's networth is $16 billion.

Anyone who posted in the past thinking that it would be a smooth ride were obviously not as knowledgeable about the company's history. That's why I say forget them. They were in the dark about the situation. I told people then it wouldn't happen overnight and may hit roadblocks. Whenever you're dealing with that amount of funding that includes federal and state cooperation then you're going to hit a snag or two.

I have noticed on numerous times as well that CKX fails to mention about the music and videos/movies of Elvis. That may be because they do not own them so why speak of them? They have in the past mentioned about owning 65% royalty rights to the movie catalog and 10% to the music. No disrespect but I really don't care what someone of yesteryear posted on a message board. That was then, this is now. Yes, I will agree with you that the circumstances remain the same....in a similar way. Like I have stressed in my posts on this, CKX never had the backing or funding that many thought. They jumped the gun by proposing such a massive project, both in Memphis and Las Vegas, without any guaranteed funding lined up. That is a company's number one thing NOT to do if you don't want to look like a fool when you fail. Sillerman was a fool to make those announcements.

What he should have done was say "we are looking at expanding the Graceland area and developing an Elvis resort hotel and casino in Las Vegas with raising of capital funding". Don't come out and announce something that you have no control over. That was his biggest mistake in my opinion.

You may not care-but I do. I do because how do you gauge any given situation in life....by the experiences you have in similar situations.
You learn from those similar situations and you filter new info thru them-thats why the first time you are burnt as a child-you learn to not next time be so trusting, careless or accepting of a close flame....you watch how the wind blows, you judge the heat and you show respect...or else you are burnt again. The people of "yesteryear" made the same argument for CKX-with links and press releases that you do for Apollo...they also were sure of their facts.....as I said its not hard to understand the skeptisism of some of us. I assume nothing good or bad.
This is the same-most of us will judge Apollo not by what you say will happen, not even what they say will happen.....it will be by what actually happens. I do not see the glass as half full, or half empty......in reality it is one in the same thing.
If someone is thirsty they will see it as half emply, if they are not.... its half full....the situation for the glass is the same-the circumstance of the individual is different.
I learned long long ago trust half of what you see and none of what you hear....it has served me successfully in private life and business overtime.