I'm a bit confused here.
SureFire gave 50 G2's with special CPF engraving to David W. to aid in funding CPF.
This was OK, by us (CPF).
In various threads about Mag and when a newbie joins CPF he (she) is told to get an Arc AAA and a SF E2e as a starter kit into the world of Good Quality illumination torches. We collectively seem to want the world to know about superior illumination tools and would like to see awareness increased regarding them. In a high profile event, SF has decided to provide good quality illumination tools to some folks who have media presence and might inadvertently enhance or aid in spreading the "word" and *we* are critical of this marketing idea!!?!?
OK, let me see here. You want to spread awareness of your product and word of mouth and exposure are known to aid. You would like those who can set trends to endorse your product and aid in new market penetration. Celebrities? Hummm....
Unlikely but what if:
~ while being interviewed on David Lettermen, Sean Penn whips out an E2e from his pocket and jokingly blasts David in the face with the light. "Wow! David says let me see that thing!!" camera zooms into close up of E2e. Sean goes on to explain that it was a gift at the Academy Awards and that he keeps it in his pocket now at all times because it's such a handy and incredible tool. In fact, he has found that he is what is known as a flashaholic!
~
~ Teen Rapper, Idol and Actor Joe Blow has taken to wearing a SureFire E2e on stainless chain dangling from his fatigue pants in his latest Rap tour. Across the country the youth in the know have taken to sporting bright illumination tools as part of their "Ghetto" gear. They have found that not only are they "cool" but the lights are really a great tool to have and their parents too find themselves borrowing the lights when a good torch is called for. ~
OK, I realize that the examples above are farfetched and stupid but on a much lesser scale, the "word" might spread. If SureFire wants to branch out into new and civilian markets, I think this marketing plan is excellent! The cost of the lights as gifts is small compared to many other methods of advertising.
Sure a celeb could certainly afford to buy their own SF but it is unlikely that they would buy something that they don't know about. I think that's the real point here.
I think this marketing plan of SureFire's is a good and sound one and I hope it has ripples that can generate an elevated awareness of products that are near and dear to us on CPF!
Have any of you read "The Tipping Point"?
Final question: If any of you were given some SF's and asked to give them away to folks in such a manner that the awareness of SF lights might be increased and developed in new markets. Bear in mind that the SF lights are not cheap and the average person would not likely budget for such a light. The potential market for SF is either folks who really need a good quality illumination tool or for those who can afford one and would likely buy one if they new of its existence (a discriminating market). Would you:
A) give them to military personnel who are already fully versed in SF lighting
B) send them to random addresses across the US
C) give them to motion picture celebrities
Now the short version: We want the world to know that there are better illumination tools and yet we are critical of a marketing scheme that might have some chance of increasing this awareness?????
- Don