Behind the Scenes of the World Poker Tour

The World Poker Tour will make its prime time television debut in just a few weeks. The WPT will air on the Travel Channel. It will premiere on Sunday, March 30, and can be seen every Wednesday thereafter beginning April 2 (check your local listings for times). The two men responsible for making it happen, CEO Steve Lipscomb and casino mogul Lyle Berman, are the heart and soul of the WPT and get the accolades, but the people behind the scenes are its backbone.

I had no idea how much effort it takes to produce a television program and get it on the air. In pitching your product to network executives, you better have a good model, business plan, team of professionals, money, and (if the idea is really unique, such as trying to turn poker into a "sports" sensation) the ability to put the show "in the can." Luckily for poker, the WPT has all of the above.

The preparation necessary to put on a WPT show entails arranging for all of the equipment, assembling the crew, shipping and assembling the set, preparing for customs (four WPT shows take place out of the country), making travel arrangements for the staff, scheduling call times, rehearsals, and makeup for everyone, establishing proper sound and lighting, setting up security, following union guidelines regarding breaks, dinner, and hours worked, and actually filming the event. Then, as some say in the business, "the real work begins" with post-production and editing (which is far more complex than you can imagine).

The WPT programs are produced with 16 cameras, 10 microphones, and technology that allows the viewer to see the players' downcards (which is the key element of the show). You will see poker as never seen before. The commentators are actor/former tennis pro/poker advocate Vince Van Patten and I. Shana Hiatt is the host.

I am continually impressed by the work ethic of the people involved with the WPT. By TV standards, it is a very small team for such a big show, so they all wear many hats. Here are the key people "behind the scenes" of the World Poker Tour:

Audrey Kania - senior vice president. Her primary role is to manage the business aspects of the WPT. Before Lipscomb started on this project, he told me that if Audrey wasn't on board, there would be no World Poker Tour. (That pretty much says it all about her.) She has an MBA from Dartmouth and is a former Disney executive and business strategy consultant. She has launched seven new business ventures for entrepreneurial and Fortune 500 companies, and has been a consultant to major sports franchises and television broadcast companies. Her WPT marketing associate is Mary Babouchian.

When I asked Audrey about what it takes to make poker a prime time "sport," she said, "Poker is an extension of the sports and entertainment world, so the business model is not that far from what I have done in the past. We're compiling the best practices of those who pioneered sports, reality TV, and game shows on television, and are applying those to poker on TV. The framework exists, we're just putting a poker face on it. The most exciting aspect is sharing people's passion for poker with the world! We're changing the public's perception of poker and creating a bold, contemporary image, one that appeals to the general population and establishes poker as exciting television entertainment."

Robyn Moder - supervising producer. She is responsible for all aspects of production of the WPT shows. Like Audrey, there might not have been a WPT if Robyn hadn't joined the team.

Robyn has a B.A. in communications from San Diego State University. After joining Fox television in 1999, she quickly rose to become coordinator of production and finance, helping to oversee all phases of production (from development to post-production) on such shows as America's Most Wanted, COPS, Divorce Court, and Power of Attorney.

Robyn was ideally suited for the groundbreaking goals of the WPT. When I asked her what it's like to work with poker players, she said, "As an outsider, I was very surprised to find how gracious and welcoming the poker community has been to us. We couldn't do what we're doing if it weren't for the support of the poker players." She went on to say, "I know the viewers will appreciate and love what they see on TV, and I am thrilled to be a part of the driving force of the WPT."

The production department consists of Kristin Cranford (production manager), Bren Fitzpatrick (production coordinator), and Cindy Fraser (on-location production coordinator). Joe Grimm is the segment producer (he preps and writes each show segment and is the field director on location). The post-production supervisor is Dan Abrams, who oversees a staff of eight that handles post-production and editing.

It takes a total team effort to bring you the World Poker Tour. These people are true professionals who are working tirelessly to make the WPT a success. Because of these dedicated and hard-working people, poker just may grow into a major prime time "sport."

On March 30, I think you'll agree that these people deserve our thanks. Take care.*

Mike Sexton is the executive host for PartyPoker.com and a commentator on the World Poker Tour.