by Mario Alfonsi | Published on Jan 14, 2021 | Updated on Jan 14, 2021
Yet another poker pro has parted ways with PokerStars. Chinese poker pro Celina Lin, who joined PokerStars’ Team Asia back in 2010, has announced on Twitter that she will no longer be representing the brand in her future poker endeavors.
Poker is continuously evolving, and so operators need to find new ways of attracting people into the game, eventually allowing them to expand their reach and grow their customer base. PokerStars, which is the biggest online poker room in the world looks like it is adopting a new marketing strategy for 2021 and thereafter.
Over the years, the world’s largest online poker site has introduced changes to its roster of ambassadors, which led to the departure of a number of long-serving members. In May 2019, Daniel Negreanu shocked the poker community when he announced his departure from PokerStars after 12 long years.
Since the end of 2020, more sponsorship deals have ended between PokerStars and its former ambassadors, including Kalidou Sow and Mikhail Shalamov, as well as Twitch streamers Eva Reberc, James Mackenzie and Nick Walsh.
In early 2021, Chris Moneymaker posted a video on Twitter announcing the end of his 17-year relationship with the site.
Lin Thanks PokerStars
PokerStars signed Lin in 2010, and just two years later, she was able to book his first major win in the 2012 Red Dragon event which ran as part of the Macau Cup. Her total live tournament earnings currently sit at over $1 million.
Lin expressed her gratitude to PokerStars and the people she’s worked with throughout her stint at the site. She’s thankful for being given the opportunity to travel the world, play the game she loves, and make a living out of it.
I will start by saying 👋 to @pokerstars & all the amazing ppl I have met & worked with over the years. I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to travel the 🌏, play 🃏🃏 & call it work.
2021 let’s hope for more freedom, more adventures & more quality time with our ♥️ ones pic.twitter.com/WBnn1r7wUq
— Celina Lin (@CelinaLin) January 6, 2021
Lin’s exit is the latest sign that PokerStars is heading in a new direction in terms of choosing the individuals who will be sporting the red spade logo moving forward.
While PokerStars has let go of several poker ambassadors, it also welcomed some new faces, including retired French former international footballer David Ginola, as well as British YouTube personality Brian Davis, better known as “True Geordie“.
Based on PokerStars’ recent marketing efforts, the site has shifted its focus to social media and its potential role in attracting the next generation of poker players. With millions of social media followers, Davis can certainly help the brand reach an even bigger audience.
