MARKETPLACE
NEWSLETTER
PAGE 6, JUNE, 1977
SOLDIERS GROVE, WIS. 54655
624-5213
IN LAC ROSSE
PAT AND MIKE YOUNG
Apri l
782-1169
19 , 1'177
Mr. Bill Gersh
Marketplace
18.5 N. Wabash Ave .
Chicago, Ill . 60601
Dear Mr . Gersh:
..
Repeatedly you have advocated the $10 . 00 service charge and the 70/30 split .
That the antiquated .50/50 split will be the ruin of many an operator. I agree with you
100% . The problem is how to get the point across to make the average operator see the
error of his ways . As I see it, communication combined with education about our indus-
try, is the only way to accomplish this goal. In its simplest form , communication and
education can be accomplished only from the top down - manufacturer - distributor -
operator, with special cooperation between the operators . The manufacturers and dis-
tributors must initiate the education and set up the ground rules . After all , they do
supply the machines and arrange for most of the financing .
I have tried to explain to other operator s the merits for the $10 . 00 service
charge and the 70/30 split and, in several cases , initiated them , only to have these
same operators come along later and put their equipment in on 50/.50 . The loss of these
locations was of no significant financial value . Rather, the real harm is that the
actions of these operators undermines the efforts of someone taking ~ step in the right
direction that will, in the long run, benefit them , too .
These operators, who undermine the efforts of operators moving in the right
direction, have to be educated that a 50/50 split is not good business . That the end
result is both detrimental to themselves and the jukebox industry in general . While
we operators argue among ourselves, ASCAP and similar motivated groups continue to
infiltrate our business, simply because they can communicate among themselves and are
better educated about their end result - bigger profits .
I could go on about the woes of our business , from the operator ' s viewpoint,
but I know you are well aware of our difficulties and sincerely sympathize with us .
To repeat myself , I believe the operators of today must communicate better and become
better educated about his business , if he is to be around tomorrow .
Patrick M. Young
Box
6
5.:ilrli~r:s
Grnvt:>
W iccon ~in ,
~4555