Gold Standard Agency - Revision history

BattlerockX at 14:50, 26 May 2021

2021-05-26T14:50:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:50, 26 May 2021
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	[[Category:Background]]		[[Category:Background]]
			[[Category:Corporations]]
	[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]		[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]

BattlerockX: /* The Gold Standard Treatment */

2019-10-08T11:45:21Z

The Gold Standard Treatment

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:45, 8 October 2019
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	==Assessment==		==Assessment==
	The first step in the "treatment" is a detailed assessment of the hero's career. This includes a thorough background and credit check, going through every step of the hero's personal life, including friends and family members. The hero's strengths and weaknesses are mapped out, as well as their potential strengths and weaknesses. This is supposedly done to "assess" the hero's potential, but really this is done to find out all forms of contact and social interaction, as well as determine the hero's finances.		The first step in the "treatment" is a detailed assessment of the hero's career. This includes a thorough background and credit check, going through every step of the hero's personal life, including friends and family members. The hero's strengths and weaknesses are mapped out, as well as their potential strengths and weaknesses. This is supposedly done to "assess" the hero's potential, but really this is done to find out all forms of contact and social interaction, as well as determine the hero's finances.

			At this point their status is listed as "potential".

	==Assimilation==		==Assimilation==
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	==Saturation==		==Saturation==
	Once assimilation is done, the next step is the over-saturation of the hero's name and likeness in the media.		Once assimilation is done, the next step is the over-saturation of the hero's name and likeness in the media. Their status changes from "potential" to "ascended".

	The hero is put through a series of interviews and special reports in the media. They are given a book deal, a "movie of the week" origin tale, and then put through strenuous photoshoots and appearances through forums that best benefit their assessed strengths.		The hero is put through a series of interviews and special reports in the media. They are given a book deal, a "movie of the week" origin tale, a spot on the floating billboards, and then put through strenuous photoshoots and appearances through forums that best benefit their assessed strengths.

	For instance, if the subject is fit and attractive, they will be featured in fitness and glamour magazines. If they are dark and brooding, they will appear in horror magazines. The attempt will always be made to push the envelope, to make their assessed strengths even more extreme. With female heroes, the push will be made for them to appear in risqué poses.		For instance, if the subject is fit and attractive, they will be featured in fitness and glamour magazines. If they are dark and brooding, they will appear in horror magazines. The attempt will always be made to push the envelope, to make their assessed strengths even more extreme. With female heroes, the push will be made for them to appear in risqué poses, showing more and more skin.

	Social media is also saturated with all sorts of talk about the hero. Websites and blogs are bombarded with message posts about the hero's latest adventures. Their activities are continually transmitted to their own Nitpik account, which anyone can access and thus know what the hero is doing at any given time.		Social media is also saturated with all sorts of talk about the hero. Websites and blogs are bombarded with message posts about the hero's latest adventures. Their activities are continually transmitted to their own Nitpik account, which anyone can access and thus know what the hero is doing at any given time.
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	Product placement is also key in the over-saturation. Action figures, posters, breakfast cereals, energy drinks, pseudo-desinger clothing lines, sneakers are all introduced.		Product placement is also key in the over-saturation. Action figures, posters, breakfast cereals, energy drinks, pseudo-desinger clothing lines, sneakers are all introduced.

	Charity events and speaking tours will be lined up. The hero will be asked to attend fundraisers and store openings and march in parades. Attendance would become manditory eventually, and "fines" would be assessed from the hero's financial account for missed appearances.		Charity events and speaking tours will be lined up. The hero will be asked to attend fundraisers and store openings and march in parades. Attendance would become manditory eventually, and "fines" would be assessed from the hero's financial account for missed appearances, even due to crisis events.

	The purpose of this phase is to supposedly make the hero's name a household word. However it doesn't take long before interest wanes on the hero in question. This is even anticipated by the Agency advisors. The over-saturation actually neutralizes the effectiveness of the hero for investigations and patrols.		The purpose of this phase is to supposedly make the hero's name a household word. However it doesn't take long before interest wanes on the hero in question. This is even anticipated by the Agency advisors. The over-saturation actually neutralizes the effectiveness of the hero for investigations and patrols.
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	==Discontinued/Renewed==		==Discontinued/Renewed==
	At the end of the standard two-year service contract, the hero's account is given one final assessment to determine if renewal is in the best interest of both the hero and the Agency. If the service is discontinued, the hero's funds are returned, the "Gold-Com" device is returned, and all communication and support resources are shut down.		At the end of the standard two-year service contract, the hero's account is given one final assessment to determine if renewal is in the best interest of both the hero and the Agency. If a hero is given a "renewed" status, the process starts all over again.

			If the service is discontinued, the hero's funds are returned, the "Gold-Com" device is returned, and all communication and support resources are shut down. Their final status is "dismissed".

	=Criticisms=		=Criticisms=

BattlerockX: /* Re-Assessment */

2019-10-08T11:39:18Z

Re-Assessment

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 8 October 2019
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	==Re-Assessment==		==Re-Assessment==
	At this point the hero's career track is "re-assessed" and "re-prioritized". In every instance to date, the hero's "assessed track" changes from "~~potential~~" to "downgraded".		At this point the hero's career track is "re-assessed" and "re-prioritized". In every instance to date, the hero's "assessed track" changes from "ascended" to "downgraded".

	==Downgraded==		==Downgraded==

BattlerockX: /* Downgraded */

2019-10-08T11:35:02Z

Downgraded

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 8 October 2019
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	Even though the supposed "perks" of success are ended, the hero is still locked into the Agency contract, which means their financial accounts are still handled by the Agnecy, and all communications and resources still have to go through the Agency itself.		Even though the supposed "perks" of success are ended, the hero is still locked into the Agency contract, which means their financial accounts are still handled by the Agnecy, and all communications and resources still have to go through the Agency itself.

			Sometimes a "downgraded" hero can be recruited to private groups such as [[X-Tend Services]], allowing them to operate without the burdens of being a hero. This will take their status right to the final phase.

	==Discontinued/Renewed==		==Discontinued/Renewed==

BattlerockX at 00:00, 7 January 2019

2019-01-07T00:00:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 7 January 2019
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	The '''Gold Standard Agency''' is a hero-consulting organization operated by [[Markman Gold]].		[[File:GoldStandardAgency-Halfpage-01.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|Halfpage ad for the Gold Standard Agency]]
			The '''Gold Standard Agency''' is a hero-consulting organization operated by [[Markman Gold]] in the world of [[Champions Online MMO]].

	It is currently not known if this is the same hero-consulting agency that operates as [http://primusdatabase.com/index.php?title=The_Gold_Agency The Gold Agency] or if it assimilated the previous agency's operations. We do know that other than the same last name, Markman Gold is NOT the elusive [http://primusdatabase.com/index.php?title=Mr._Gold Mr. Gold], as the former changed his name before coming to Millennium City in 2010.		It is currently not known if this is the same hero-consulting agency that operates as [http://primusdatabase.com/index.php?title=The_Gold_Agency The Gold Agency] or if it assimilated the previous agency's operations. We do know that other than the same last name, Markman Gold is NOT the elusive [http://primusdatabase.com/index.php?title=Mr._Gold Mr. Gold], as the former changed his name before coming to Millennium City in 2010.
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	Gold is still attempting to appeal the decision, but so far the appeals have been denied.		Gold is still attempting to appeal the decision, but so far the appeals have been denied.

			=Related Information=

			The Gold Standard Agency was first mentioned in '''[[The Lost Adventures of Galatea Future\|"The Lost Adventures of Galatea Future" #4]]'''.

	[[Category:Background]]		[[Category:Background]]
	[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]		[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]

BattlerockX: /* Financial Stranglehold */

2018-11-23T16:01:31Z

Financial Stranglehold

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:01, 23 November 2018
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	Perhaps one of the more serious charges against the Agency is its stranglehold of a hero's finances and how they use a series of "fees" and "fines" to control the hero's activities.		Perhaps one of the more serious charges against the Agency is its stranglehold of a hero's finances and how they use a series of "fees" and "fines" to control the hero's activities.

	For instance, if a hero is unable to make a scheduled appearance - for whatever reason - they are hit with an "Absence Fee". If they fail to adhere to the suggestions of their "advisers", they are hit with an "Image Fee". If they fail to respond to fan-mail, they could be hit with a "Social Fee".		For instance, if a hero is unable to make a scheduled appearance - for whatever reason, including a catastrophic emergency - they are hit with an "Absence Fee". If they fail to adhere to the suggestions of their "advisers", they are hit with an "Image Fee". If they fail to respond to fan-mail promptly enough, they could be hit with a "Social Fee". If they make an "unauthorized" appearance in some website or publication or even hold an interview with someone the Agency prohibits them talking to, they are hit with an "Appearance Fee".

	Even more damaging is when a hero tries to break away from the Agency. The Agency will demand a "Termination Fee" along with an "Exit Consultation Fee", a "Transition Fee", an "Insurance Rollover Fee", and an "Account Release Fee". Quite often those fees will exceed whatever money the hero has left in their account.		Even more damaging is when a hero tries to break away from the Agency. The Agency will demand a "Termination Fee" along with an "Exit Consultation Fee", a "Transition Fee", an "Insurance Rollover Fee", and an "Account Release Fee". Quite often those fees will exceed whatever money the hero has left in their account.

BattlerockX: /* Downgraded */

2018-11-23T15:57:07Z

Downgraded

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 23 November 2018
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	==Downgraded==		==Downgraded==
	A "downgraded" hero at this point is pretty much left where they were before they signed with the Agency. There are no more interviews or photoshoots or public appearances. Any merchandising is discontinued and sold at a loss. Websites are left to stagnate, social media accounts are handed off to spammers, and aside from the Nitpik account their online presense is pretty much eliminated.		A "downgraded" hero at this point is pretty much left where they were before they signed with the Agency. There are no more interviews or photoshoots or public appearances. Any merchandising is discontinued and sold at a loss. Websites are left to stagnate, social media accounts are handed off to spammers, and, aside from the Nitpik account in their name, their online presense is pretty much eliminated.

	Even though the supposed "perks" of success are ended, the hero is still locked into the Agency contract, which means their financial accounts are still handled by the Agnecy, and all communications and resources still have to go through the Agency itself.		Even though the supposed "perks" of success are ended, the hero is still locked into the Agency contract, which means their financial accounts are still handled by the Agnecy, and all communications and resources still have to go through the Agency itself.

BattlerockX: /* No Success */

2018-10-22T09:04:48Z

No Success

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:04, 22 October 2018
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	==No Success==		==No Success==
	In the ~~two~~ years that the Gold Standard Agency has been in operation, no hero under their service have ever acheived a level of success that would rank them as "Legendary". Instead, the over-saturation in the hero's name and likeness often has a negagive effect on the hero's reputation, treating them as either sell-outs or flash-in-the-pan heroes-of-the-moment. This runs contrary to the promises of turning any hero into a "Super-Legend".		In the few years that the Gold Standard Agency has been in operation in Millennium City, no hero under their service have ever acheived a level of success that would rank them as "Legendary". Instead, the over-saturation in the hero's name and likeness often has a negagive effect on the hero's reputation, treating them as either sell-outs or flash-in-the-pan heroes-of-the-moment. This runs contrary to the promises of turning any hero into a "Super-Legend".

	==Exploitation==		==Exploitation==

BattlerockX: /* The Galatea Future Incident */

2018-10-20T09:07:41Z

The Galatea Future Incident

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:07, 20 October 2018
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	Gold filed paperwork to trademark the name "Galatea Future", claiming that she was a fictional character being played by a meta-powered actress. That meant that legally, the Gold Standard Agency literally owned Galatea Future. Once the trademark was certified, Gold wasted no time making a series of announcements and promises for Galatea to work with the GSA as well as make appearances in several publications, including "[[Capes and Boots]]". He also took control over her bank account and had all future payments for her hero-work transferred to a special GSA account.		Gold filed paperwork to trademark the name "Galatea Future", claiming that she was a fictional character being played by a meta-powered actress. That meant that legally, the Gold Standard Agency literally owned Galatea Future. Once the trademark was certified, Gold wasted no time making a series of announcements and promises for Galatea to work with the GSA as well as make appearances in several publications, including "[[Capes and Boots]]". He also took control over her bank account and had all future payments for her hero-work transferred to a special GSA account.

	When Galatea returned from a prolonged stay in the [[Canadian Wilderness]], she was horrified to discover that her money was gone, and her supposed "agent" was making promises that she did not authorize. She confronted Gold, but Gold was quick to point out that legally entitled to do what he wants to her and in her name.		When Galatea returned from a prolonged stay in the [[Canadian Wilderness]], she was horrified to discover that her money was gone, and her supposed "agent" was making promises that she did not authorize. She confronted Gold, but Gold was quick to point out that legally entitled to do what he wants to her and in her name. He then demanded she report to his office the next day or else be sued for trademark infringement.

			But rather than submit to his demands, Galatea publicly called out the GSA for their tactics and then announced she would resign as a hero while her [[Candace Sinclair\|new attorney]] battled the agency in court. She would return to the Canadian Wilderness, where she was allowed to stay in a remote cabin far away from anyone.

			The trial of Galatea Future vs Markman Gold and the Gold Standard Agency took almost a year, expedited by public and private pressure for a quick resolution. Gold attempted to further complicate the matter by demanding that Galatea pay an "appearance fee" should she return from Canada. The presiding judge put a stop to that, but also allowed Galatea to give a video deposition from her remote location.

			In 2012, the judge ordered a verdict in favor of Galatea Future, nullifying the trademark and ordering the Gold Standard Agency to return all money collected from Galatea Future. In his verdict, the judge said that Gold and his Agency had created a de facto state of slavery in violation of the United States Constitution, and that it trumps any form of copyright or trademark law.

			Gold is still attempting to appeal the decision, but so far the appeals have been denied.

	~~{{WIP}}~~

	[[Category:Background]]		[[Category:Background]]
	[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]		[[Category:Champions Online MMO]]

BattlerockX: /* The Galatea Future Incident */

2018-10-19T21:17:22Z

The Galatea Future Incident

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 19 October 2018
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	=The Galatea Future Incident=		=The Galatea Future Incident=

			In 2011, Markman Gold carried out an ingenious and nefarious plan to take control over the life of [[Galatea Future]], a rising hero in Millennium City.

			Gold discovered during research on her that Galatea had no paper history, as she came from the "far future" according to her interview with [[WCOC]]. That meant that she had no birth certificate, no credit history, and no forms of identification other than her hero authorization from [[PRIMUS]]. This gave him the opportunity to assume Galatea's identity.

			Gold filed paperwork to trademark the name "Galatea Future", claiming that she was a fictional character being played by a meta-powered actress. That meant that legally, the Gold Standard Agency literally owned Galatea Future. Once the trademark was certified, Gold wasted no time making a series of announcements and promises for Galatea to work with the GSA as well as make appearances in several publications, including "[[Capes and Boots]]". He also took control over her bank account and had all future payments for her hero-work transferred to a special GSA account.

			When Galatea returned from a prolonged stay in the [[Canadian Wilderness]], she was horrified to discover that her money was gone, and her supposed "agent" was making promises that she did not authorize. She confronted Gold, but Gold was quick to point out that legally entitled to do what he wants to her and in her name.

	{{WIP}}		{{WIP}}