Charlie Williams (promoter)

Charlie Williams (born January 5, Seoul, Korea ) is a Korean American promoter and TV producer. He started his company Dragon Promotions in 2001, and for nearly 14 years has been one of the leading producers and pioneers in the sporting side of the billiard industry. A professional pool player himself, Williams is also known as a world class pool champion, still ranked in the top 10 in the United States, despite his majority focus on his productions. Williams is also a sports writer with a monthly column and professional coach and manager of top billiard professionals including Allison Fisher, Yu Ram Cha, Shanelle Loraine, Rodney Morris, and Eunji Erica Park. Most recently Williams has turned his attention to other industries including football (soccer) and produced a highly successful match between Philippines and South Korea.[1]

Williams has produced over 200 events worldwide, and has been the only billiards producer to successfully create international televised events in Korea, China, Philippines, and the United States.

Williams has at times been a subject of controversy. In 2001 he was elected President of the United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) which attempted to boycott the US Open 9-Ball Championship for reducing its prize fund at the event and not paying the top finishers. His role as top ranked player, promoter, and pro tour association president seemed a conflict of interest to some, and as the youngest president of any US billiards pro association in history, many questioned his ability to lead.[2] Williams also has come under fire for his professional play of representing USA in world sanctioned events, and at time for South Korea in invitational exhibition events. Most recently at the annual USA vs Europe Mosconi Cup, he was selected as the USA captain, which had some fans and industry peers object to.

Williams was successful in negotiating TV contracts with ESPN for the UPA as well as successfully signing on a full season of tour stops for the players, and left the men's tour presidency when his term was finished, adhering to the promises he kept to the public that he would not want to continue in that role and recognizing the conflict of interests.

Williams went on to continue growing his company and partnered later with Cindy Lee, a Chicago based entrepreneur who he made CEO of his company. Dragon Promotions went on to develop events and TV contracts with a dozen TV networks. The team has been successful in staging large and historic events in the sport with high TV ratings.[3]

Williams and his team has also been a part of many charity productions including for the benefits of the Boys & Girls Club, Police Athletic League, the Red Cross and raised $50,000 in one night for the Typhoon Sendong Victims in the Philippines.[4] Williams also produced the Typhoon Haiyan Tennis Tournament which raised money for victims in Asia.

Williams and his company Dragon Promotions was selected as the #2 Most Influential Entity in the Sport by a worldwide vote of industry leaders and media.[5]

Williams is the Chief Marketing Officer for www.Realrealcool.com and Orlando Synergy. Today Williams also continues producing and promoting events in other sports and industries such as tennis, MMA, golf, and special events as the Executive Producer at Dragon Promotions.

References

  1. ↑ "AzBilliards.com". AzBilliards.com. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  2. ↑ "Main Page Billiards Digest.com Online Pool Magazine". Billiardsdigest.com. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  3. ↑ "Biggest Televised Women’s Pool Event Ever! ESPN STAR Sports to Air Women’s World 10-Ball Championship | Professor-Q-Ball's National Pool & 3-Cushion News". Professorqball.com. 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  4. ↑ "Azkals-Icheon match earns P2M for disaster victims". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  5. ↑ "The Top 10 Most Influential People in the Sport of Billiards". Viva.com.ph. Retrieved 2012-01-29.