National Marketing Rep vs Casino Host?

[Shania]

Hola,

Sorry in advance for the n00b question, but I am still new to all of this (as you can tell if you read my previous posts). I recently received an email from a someone at MB marketing asking me to contact her if I needed anything or was planning a stay. Obviously this email was sent to who knows how many thousands of people - but it was different from the other MB marketing emails (offering free tickets to shows) I have received since my first stay at my beloved THE Hotel in May. I replied to the email saying that I really am not interested in the shows, that I go to the property for the slots, the food and the great rooms - and all I really want is to get a room on a high floor with a Strip view.

She replied saying that she would comp the Sunday of my stay in Sept (the other two nights were already comped) and that she put a note in my reservation to get a room with a Strip view. Needless to say, I am very happy. So my question(s) is/are - what is the difference between a Marketing Rep and a Casino Host? Do some of you deal with both during your stay? Will a Casino Host reach out to me like the Marketing Rep did? Should I walk into that room by the cages at the MB and ask to get a Host? etc, etc...

Any help/advice (as always) is appreciated.

thanks in advance...

shania

PS - Sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum - I wasnt sure where to put it....

[Bartsimpson]

I am curious about this as well. I kinda think they are on even playing field. I hope someone has more information.

[slotspert]

I will comment on some of your questions and let others add....There has been much speculation of how your name suddenly appears on other hosts marketing lists. The claims range from you simply filing out a survey/contest/sweepstakes entry to ex-hosts moving themselves to new casinos (along with "lists" of players from their old jaunts). In my communications with both types (for "non-whale" patrons), it seems that the "Marketing Rep" is simply a headhunter trying to get you to join some kind of junket based on your ADT without firm loyalty to one casino. Whereas a traditional "host" is usually dedicated to an establishment and has more flexibility as you play and at the end of your stay to add or take away benefits; a "Marketing Rep" needs that kind of commitment upfront.

[Dawg]

I have never heard of a "marketing rep", but have used hosts every time I could. I would guess taht Slotspert is correct in his assessment. I do feel that the Host has a "What have you done for me lately" mentality. They are great help, but forget you fairly quickly. Just my 2c worth.

[Duekter]

I surely do not know for sure. I know my contact does not have the title host. Many do at my favorite resort. Her Title is Executive Director Player Development. She seems to do what Host do however but she is not on the host webpage either.

Maybe just the newbies are listed on the webpage?

[ChellesBelles]

Hi Shania,

Even tho I have absolutely no idea when it comes to answering your questions, I wanted to let you know that you should never feel silly about asking ANY question on the Forum. There are so many knowledgeable people here, no matter the subject, that it's actually the PERFECT place to ask anything. In fact, I'm sure that in the future YOU'll be answering other people's (not so) silly questions!

:)

[AB2Vegas]

Hi Shania, well I am more of a noob to this forum than you - but I will give you what I have experienced. For many years I received emails and phone calls from Marketing Reps at Mandalay Bay - which is what I think you are referring to with MB. At first - I kind of just ignored them - especially when we were not planning a trip. I then did work with one really good one that set me up with tickets to Billy Joel and a room for 3 nights a few years ago. I think he might have setup one or two other visits after that as well.

We then had a couple of years where we ended up staying at other MGM hotels on offers thru the players club. Then in Nov 2010, I had one trip where I played a lot more (first girls trip with my best friend) and when I called Mandalay Bay in Dec 2010 to see if we could get tickets and rooms for George Strait - they put me thru to an Executive Casino Host. Kind of funny when I called the players club desk - they asked if I played slots and if I had a host. When I gave them the name of the Marketing Rep that had been emailing me (it was a new one that I hadn't worked with before) - they said they did not know who that was..... so I now have a host.

I have since just worked with my host there for my last 3 trips and he even comped me up front for 7 nights back in Aug and also comped all of our food. So - it is my feeling that a Casino Host can or will comp a little more up front (still based on your past play) than what I could get from the Marketing Rep - who would set me up with show tickets and comp a room for upto 3 nights up front. Then if we played a lot - we often would get more comps from the players club before we checked out and somethimes some food comps as well.

Not sure if this helps - but I do think they are really just reps trying to bring players in and that hosts can do more for you. You definitely can go to the players club desk and ask if you can speak to a host. I believe they would then look at your play and let you know if you could have a host assigned.

[deb1486]

Somehow several years ago my name was given to an MGM/Mirage Executive Director based out of South Jersey. Every quarter I get mailings from him with info on upcoming shows at all MLife properties in Vegas, Twice I called him to see if he could get me show tickets and he could not. So pretty much he does nothing for me, I go to MGM every summer and get comped rooms thru my players club account.

[bonusmeme]

I will comment on some of your questions and let others add....There has been much speculation of how your name suddenly appears on other hosts marketing lists. The claims range from you simply filing out a survey/contest/sweepstakes entry to ex-hosts moving themselves to new casinos (along with "lists" of players from their old jaunts). In my communications with both types (for "non-whale" patrons), it seems that the "Marketing Rep" is simply a headhunter trying to get you to join some kind of junket based on your ADT without firm loyalty to one casino. Whereas a traditional "host" is usually dedicated to an establishment and has more flexibility as you play and at the end of your stay to add or take away benefits; a "Marketing Rep" needs that kind of commitment upfront.

Always wondered....just seeing "whales" in movies, I have no clue....what is considered a "whale" in terms of spending? Does the person have to gamble thousands, millions, what?

[passleft]

I received an email from a Regional Marketing Rep for Harrah's a few months back. she couldn't even get me a regular comped room. My friend and I booked it online like we usually did. Worthless.

[snobird]

I did have one contact me once as my host set me up, I was planning to go to New Orleans 2 years ago and he said he will book my room but said why don't you let me have a marketing person contact you since it's your first time and see if he can get you a better package. Once the guy called, I declined the whole trip.

He was doing room and food for three night with travel reimbursement and an entry into a slot tournament I think. After he put all the info in I asked is there any thing else and he said yes I have a few questions. I said ok and this is when I became not interested and told my host as well and he apologized but he didn't go to New Orleans after all and decided on Vegas I think.

But here is the questions he asked me:

How much time will you spending in the room?
How much cash will you be bringing?
How much of that cash will you be spending in the casino?
He asked if slots only or tables?
I think the last question he asked was how much I plan to bet per spin?

I told him just forget it as this is too much, His response was since your new to Harrahs I need to know that you will play when you get here since I am giving you so much up front. This was I think 2 and half years ago and it was right after I earned my Diamond In A Day.

I will never talk to a marketing person again, especially since I have hosts in more than one casino now.

[Peath13]

We have used what I thought was a host for the last few trips.
But, the last trip, I think I realized from a comment she made that she is more of a rep.
She has always been able to expedite any room request I have had, and to confirm any promotion.
Last trip she was able to fudge promotion dates for me so I was able to qualify for travel cash.
She has added a few extra comp dollars to the end of our stay the last two trips.
She was not able to arrange any "concierge" type services.
I gave her my credit card number and wanted some cookie delivered from Ceasars available on my arrival at Paris and she couldn't/wouldn't do that. When I went to Payard's to pick up my cookies they weren't even pre-charged. I just purchased them like everyone else standing in line.

I think this time we will try to hookup with a host since this will be our 6th or 7th stay at the Paris. I think they have a little more flexibility. But, I think you do run the risk of losing favor if your gambling is down for a trip or two. So if you see yourself trending toward spending less, I'd say stay away from a host, but if you think you're going to stay pretty steady or increase and tend to stay at the same place all the time, then a host would be pretty helpful over the long run.

That's my thoughts.