Tuesday, January 22, 2008
We're Looking for a Few Good Operators (Under 40)
They say you don’t exist — or at least not in any sizeable numbers. They say the industry is drying up with little to no fresh blood, new perspectives or confidence in the future. We know there are 20- and 30-somethings in the field, diligently pounding the pavement on the street and in tradeshow aisles. Step out of the woodwork and share your reasons for entering into the coin-op amusement industry — and staying. What are the positives about the business? As a member of coin-op’s younger class, what’s your opinion on the divides between generational stances and ways of looking at the problems we all face? The role of the operator? The industry at large?
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4 comments:
There are a few of us out there. I am 38 and have grown up in the amusement business. I have been operating jukeboxes myself for 16 years and have only just started operating other amusement equipment. The industry and technology is changing fast.
The jukebox industry in the US appears to have changed markedly. The rise of digital broadband jukeboxes over the last 5 - 10 years has consequently meant that music content service providers have grabbed control of the jukebox industry. Furthermore, I do not expect digital jukeboxes to have a good resale value as they can not normally be sold down the line to the home market. I hope for more competition in the music content sphere otherwise both jukebox operators and manufacturers will have a bleak future.
In relation to the amusement industry generally, I think new opportunities are emerging due to technology and feel amusement operators need to look outside the square. A new way of thinking is needed. Our main competition is not between each other but from other sources of entertainment. When I was a child my parents owned an amusement arcade and young kids would clamour around the Space Invaders machine. Now I could play it on my phone (if I really wanted to!). The same goes with the jukebox. Those days are gone!
However, the youth of today still demand new experiences. The sucess of ringtones, iPod, Xbox, You Tube and Facebook illustrates that the current young generation still demand experiences, we just need to cater for them. However, there is no point catering for what they already have but rather looking at what they might want. Consequently, I like pool tables, prize vending machines, touchscreen games (subject to conditions), and localised on-line tournament games.
The area of technology that I feel is most important to the coin-operated amusement operator relates to the first part of our title - "coin". I feel the best thing about being an amusement operator is that we generally do not have to worry about chasing accounts. However, I see an increasing need for bill validators and other forms of collecting cashless payments via card, phone and etc. Although for me, cash is king.
Finally, my biggest fear is losing control of my business by buying into someone else's system (ie by buying the machines)and then finding out 20 years later that it is not really my business anymore. For this reason, I am wary of all content or service providers.
Despite the challenges, the amusement industry is an industry that I am passionate about and is in my blood.
Hi..
I grew up in the Coin Operated Amusement Industry as my father was ,& still is a operator.I remember back to single player electro mechanical pinballs, bingo machines & other games prior to space invaders.
I started working for the family amusement route when I left school at 18.
7 years later at 25 I started my own business manufacturing pool tables & selling them to homes.
10 years later at 35 I ceased all sales & continued making coin-operated pool tables & other pieces exclusively for my own route.
Today at 37 I operate 85% pool & 15% other games.
I also start 2008 as the Australian distributor for the range of NSM Digital Jukeboxes.
I love the coin operated game.
If you strategically establish & properly manage your route, you can become time rich with a residual income.
As a manufacturer & operator I have enjoyed watching equipment I've made suceed in Australian pubs & clubs.
My tips :
-Lead & don't be lead.
-Be Innovative but don't forget the basics
-Look long term
Cheers
Greg Sullivan
NSM Music Australia
I too am 38 and like the first poster I agree with 100% of what he has to say. My current problem id the future of the Digital Jukebox. Last month 20 Jukeboxes made me after Revenue shares (location, 20 to music company, taxes) about $1000. My parts bill was $3000. 3 Jukeboxes just kept breaking. I had about 10 Fed Ex shipments for the 3 Jukeboxes at about $750. The sad part is 2 of the Jukeboxes that got fixed I have no idea why? I guess after replacing computer, hard drive, amp, control board and all cables connecting them. I finally got it right.
Question. There is a new box made by NSM which claim to have all these parts intergrated. Is this better? Would my box then be broke or not broke?
To the third post....I presume you are in the US..I certainly sympathize with your situation..In Australia we don't pay 20% of the cashbox to the music network..We simply just purchase our music & updates as we want.However we are not online & do updates by discs manually.Our library is hence a lot smaller.
Also your situation with breakdowns sounds all to familiar with local operators here who operate one of the leading brands.
As for NSM's latest Icon model which I operate & distribute..we havn't had a breakdown so far this year with any units sold or operated.
The units main Ipac ( probably the same as your version being the MoJo )contains the hard drive,the screen & the computer...outside of that the amplifier & the amps power supply are seperate as is the coin slot.
Simply Icons have far less parts than other brands & it really takes the guess work out of breakdowns.
Cause your in the states you'll have to go with Ecast & a % & your software will be different to ours in Aust.
The Icon is the most Reliable & Robust unit I know of & weighs in at only 35kgs.
Regards
Greg Sullivan
NSM Music Australia
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