This week, Tilman Fertitta meets with Luke and Mara of Wizard Creations.
Wizard Creations provides branded products and marketing experiences through items like clothing, banners, trophies, print materials, and more. Their services include web-to-print, graphic design, and video production. As stated on their website, they have collaborated with 4,200 brands and produced over one million branded items for both startups and well-known companies. Some of their clients are Ford, ADT, NBA, Heineken, and the University of Miami. Their website mentions that their “main goal has always been to assist our clients in communicating their message, ensuring their logo, slogan, and branding are recognized.”
Fertitta appreciates the warm welcome he got, including a billboard of himself, but thinks he might be too charming. He also questions how they can compete with others who sell a lot more. However, Luke captures his interest again when he talks about the experiential marketing aspect of the business. He encourages them to come up with an experiential marketing event to promote the Golden Nugget and Morton’s.
Fertitta hopes the event reflects the spirit of his brands but is incredibly disappointed when Luke fails to really mention either one. Based on the feedback and the fact some of his products promote Wizard Creations, Fertitta says the products were not very well branded. He tells Luke he should have never cobranded the event, calling the move “a big mistake.” He acknowledges his mistake, however, and apologizes. Fertitta appreciates his attitude and challenges him to host an event at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City as a re-do. The re-do event performs much better, however, some people find the game and products tacky. It did, however, help them to successfully collect data.
"Don't go rogue on my ass." –@tilmanjfertitta #BillionDollarBuyer #tilmanism pic.twitter.com/IoupLq6rC6
— Billion Dollar Buyer (@BillionDollarTV) January 18, 2017
In the boardroom, they propose basic and premium packages for the Golden Nugget with 25 events at $275,000. Fertitta seems to like the bid, but didn’t find their concepts at the re-do event enough of an upgrade. He doesn’t think they presented anything memorable or extremely revolutionary and ultimately decides not to make an offer.
Social Media Reacts to Wizard Creations’ Appearance on “Billion Dollar Buyer”
The billboard is a NICE touch! #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tretta Bush (@TrettaBush) January 18, 2017
What a creative ask! #Driven #branding #Marketing Talks a good game! Let's see if he can deliver! #BillionDollarBuyer #bettergetrealthough
— Tammy Motola ❤️ (@tmotola) January 18, 2017
I love their marketing approach #BillionDollarBuyer
— Carol Sankar (@CarolSankar) January 18, 2017
Looks like @WizardCreations may be trying to pull the wool over @TilmanJFertitta's eyes. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Golden Nugget LC (@GoldenNuggetLC) January 18, 2017
Okay. @WizardCreations feels confident. Inspiring! Let's see how he gels w/@TilmanJFertitta. Like his hustle & hunger. #BillionDollarBuyer
— iDefineTV (@iDefineTV) January 18, 2017
Good energy but a little over the top! So many private marketing company's out there. #Competition #professionalism #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tammy Motola ❤️ (@tmotola) January 18, 2017
This @WizardCreations guys is really the worst. Good billboard but he's rubbing me the wrong way. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Cristina321 Gaming (@Cristina321Game) January 18, 2017
Not sure what to think of @WizardCreations… #BillionDollarBuyer pic.twitter.com/qqZ21JDJvi
— Megan Toth (@TothsTweets) January 18, 2017
Is he working with Morton's? This is not a classy presentation. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tretta Bush (@TrettaBush) January 18, 2017
This dude done lost his mind. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Eldon Delloyd (@Sacapuntas1234) January 18, 2017
Nobody decides to co-brand on someone else's dime! If that was the case I would have called #BillionDollarBuyer months ago! #EarnYourStars
— Tammy Motola ❤️ (@tmotola) January 18, 2017
This guy *facepalm* #BillionDollarBuyer
— Paul Medica (@PaulMedica) January 18, 2017
According to CNBC, the reality television show “introduces promising companies across the country to one of America’s most successful businessmen: billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta, Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry’s, Inc.” Featured entrepreneurs present their small business to Fertitta in the hopes that he will place a large purchase order. But before they make their pitch, they must prove to the hospitality mogul that their product is worth it through challenges and customer feedback.
What are your thoughts on Wizard Creations? Do you think Fertitta should have made an offer? Sound off in the comments section below!