Good Wingman Marketing ?

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #90 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:47:27 AM

Quote from: Gareth on October 22, 2011, 09:26:05 AM

Quote
If you trust in your Leatherman please be more supportive and respectful in your comments, because you are not just dissing the guy who is trying to be The Wingman, and for the marketing, yet you are also dumping on the same company you are buying tools from.

Lets be clear here Jim, no-one has 'dissed' the actor playing The Wingman, only the character he is playing. I'd also argue that no-one here has dumped on LM in the least, only the decision to go with this ad campaign. Yes, the majority of people here have said they don't like it but this is a forum where people are allowed to express their opinion as long as it's done in a polite manner.

If we're free to criticise a manufacturer's MT designs, I feel we're allowed to, politely, criticise their marketing as well.

Have seen some posts here that are more civilized than those that get posted on LMan's site. But that's their thing. It's a tough job, new territory, new ideas, and lots of old dawgs stuck in their ways. Feel bad for Juli though, the facebook page is run solely by her, and I think the web design is too. ~ Them big bucks are paying for that though. Should be concerned less I reckon. Feel for her though, it is a tough job.

No worries on the criticizing and what not, that's what makes this site worthy. Don't care for the advertising either, yet trying to make the best of it. Can't wait till it is over. Crazy marketing, would of made for a great project in Business Management when we was going over marketing. Was no real good topics that year to use.

Want the Rebar, and hopefully a ReCharge with the same goodness. Maybe LMan can get The Rock to be the spokesmodel for the Rebar?

Accujohn · **Reply #91 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:51:52 AM

Where did THAT quote come from?

?

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #92 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:55:02 AM

Quote from: Accujohn on October 22, 2011, 09:51:52 AM

Where did THAT quote come from??

I removed the quote. Stupid browser. Was supposed to be a reply but kept getting interrupted.

Accujohn · **Reply #93 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:03:36 AM

Leatherman makes a great product... But there is nothing wrong with buying their product and also being disappointed and sharing criticism along with all the praise. Great product, great people... Poor ad, poor direction, bad cute idea.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #94 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:10:00 AM

Really have no idea what their conceptual idea is. Thankfully these commercials aren't on TV, so much be a facebook demographics idea? Have facebook ads blocked and the TouchPad doesn't see ads either.

Has anyone noticed Wingman ads on facebook? And, had anyone called the Wingman?
Betting the Wingman will die faster than the Bionic Lobster did.

Just happened to notice that Leatherman, and Wingman, is on Twitter too. So that's where the marketing probably went! (guessing)

kinskibrain · **Reply #95 on:** October 22, 2011, 02:11:35 PM

The Wingman is not meant as a role model. He has nothing to do with the typical multi-tool user, that's the point - the advert is ironic.

Now, whether you appreciate the irony or not is entirely subjective, but critiquing the ad on the grounds that it makes us look silly is a grave misunderstanding since the ad does exactly the opposite. It mirrors the silliness back on to public stereotyping of a can-do person.

Chako · **Reply #96 on:** October 22, 2011, 02:18:08 PM

I still say they should wipe the dust off the old bionic crustacean and slap a "Sidekick" sticker on his flanks.

.

kinskibrain · **Reply #97 on:** October 22, 2011, 04:34:14 PM

Quote from: Chako on October 22, 2011, 02:18:08 PM

I still say they should wipe the dust off the old bionic crustacean and slap a "Sidekick" sticker on his flanks. .

yah, either that or just stop obsessing about the stigma of carrying a multi tool because I feel that there does not need to be such a thing anymore. Bikers, lobsters, male caricature, why not let go of the user and focus on the tool? Play with concepts of other tools? Pre-industrial, post-industrial, the history and language of tools is huge and should be experimented with. I don't think someone who is interested in buying a Leatherman is as self conscious as they used to be. I'm not saying Leatherman should paraphrase the Vic Tomo, but I'm saying I think they could move on.

Accujohn · **Reply #98 on:** October 22, 2011, 08:46:49 PM

I called the Wingman number... After you asked. It's toll free, and it's pretty much what you'd expect. As far as the effectiveness at getting me to call, I guess that part worked. It just added to my upset stomach tho

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #99 on:** October 22, 2011, 08:53:29 PM

Quote from: Chako on October 22, 2011, 02:18:08 PM

I still say they should wipe the dust off the old bionic crustacean and slap a "Sidekick" sticker on his flanks. .

/agree

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #100 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:29:26 PM

Frankly, I think the campaign is stupid.

But, since we have filled seven pages in this thread alone discussing what we think of it, plus in the MTO and LM Facebook pages, I'd say that it's obviously doing it's job.

Def

Neil · **Reply #101 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:29:28 PM

Some may like it, some may hate it but many have taken notice

If this forum is anything to go by this could end up their most successful advertising campaign ever

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #102 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:40:31 PM

One thing is for sure, the Wingman should not be hard for anyone to find now. That is, unless they live in Greenland or Norway.

AHB · **Reply #103 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:43:27 PM

Quote from: Xelkos on October 22, 2011, 11:40:31 PM

One thing is for sure, the Wingman should not be hard for anyone to find now. That is, unless they live in Greenland or Norway.

Heinnie Haynes in UK ships all over the world...

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #104 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:03:15 AM

I think he was referring to the OH feature.

They say that this tool (and I assume by extension the ad campaign) is not targeted at us, so I decided to check with my own independent focus group and she says it's stupid and can't believe someone at Leatherman is being paid to produce stuff like that.

I'll try a few other "not one of us" types and report back.

Def

AHB · **Reply #105 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:12:13 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 23, 2011, 12:03:15 AM

I think he was referring to the OH feature.

Neither Greenland or Norway has any laws against owning OH knives/tools, unless something has happened the last week...

So far it's only Denmark who has these restrictions and get the way overpriced 2HO tools from Leatherman.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #106 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:13:43 AM

I can't wait to see the 2H Wingman and Sidekick!

Def

AHB · **Reply #107 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:21:04 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 23, 2011, 12:13:43 AM

I can't wait to see the 2H Wingman and Sidekick!

Def

I can't wait to see the price for them..

They're scheduled to early 2012 btw (whatever that means)..

Quote from: Xelkos on October 22, 2011, 11:40:31 PM

One thing is for sure, the Wingman should not be hard for anyone to find now. That is, unless they live in Greenland or Norway.

Is there anything I haven't heard about..?

Gareth · **Reply #108 on:** October 23, 2011, 01:26:19 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 23, 2011, 12:03:15 AM

I think he was referring to the OH feature.

They say that this tool (and I assume by extension the ad campaign) is not targeted at us, so I decided to check with my own independent focus group and she says it's stupid and can't believe someone at Leatherman is being paid to produce stuff like that.

I'll try a few other "not one of us" types and report back.

Def

yup, my own 'independent analyser' thought it was a bit silly as well.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #109 on:** October 23, 2011, 02:43:36 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on October 22, 2011, 09:29:26 PM

Frankly, I think the campaign is stupid.

But, since we have filled seven pages in this thread alone discussing what we think of it, plus in the MTO and LM Facebook pages, I'd say that it's obviously doing it's job.

Def

Quote from: Neil on October 22, 2011, 11:29:28 PM

Some may like it, some may hate it but many have taken notice

If this forum is anything to go by this could end up their most successful advertising campaign ever

Well so far the reaction to the marketting here at least seems to be predominatly negative, even potentially turning people off buying the very tools LM are hoping to promote judging by some of the posts. The spectacle has also done nothing to turn me from someone who won't be buying one into someone who will $:-\$ The forum was already buzzing with the two tools before these ads appeared - which of course we would expect, and for us here all this appears to have done is make LM look a little bit silly ... or at least that's my understanding.

OK, WE were always going to be frantically speculating, discussing, analysing and clamouring over these tools anyway ... that's what we do. So if I was to try and look at these ads through the eyes of someone who isn't a tool nut, someone who maybe wouldn't already be carrying a multitool, someone who this add is probably aimed at, would this make me think it would be a good thing to do so and in particular that THIS tool would be the one to go for?

..... NOPE! Quite the reverse! In fact if I was hovering on buying a tool I think this would almost certainly make me buy something else as I would not in any way wish to be associated with that character. To me it ridicules people who carry mutitools to those who do not - many who do not think that those who carry tools are already VERY strange. I know this from first hand experience and I'm sure I'm not alone here. I'm lost for words as to what LM were aiming for here. Maybe they were just bored and wanted a laugh? Personally I think it's a dire marketting campaign and doesn't do either the product, the brand, or the prepared mindset of carrying tools any favours whatsoever. Thanks LM

Sorry to sound negative, but I think it's a shambles and I REALLY don't want these ads to go in open circulation. I think we'll all get pretty tired pretty quickly of NKP's calling us "Wingman" all the time because we carry pocket tools.

Let's hope the Sidekick character when he comes out is a normal person who gives the Wingman a good clout for being such a prat.

turnsouth · **Reply #110 on:** October 23, 2011, 03:03:33 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on October 23, 2011, 02:43:36 AM

..... NOPE! Quite the reverse!

You should tell us what you really think Al

But seriously, do you think that this ad campaign would appeal to someone who has never even considered buying a MultiTool before?

Chako · **Reply #111 on:** October 23, 2011, 03:04:17 AM

I never buy products based on an advertizing campaign. I buy products that meet my particular needs at the right price point, quality, etc...

So with that said, the bro would not dissuade me from buying a Wingman or Sidekick. I could care less about what tack Leatherman or any company for that matter takes in their advertising. Really, I am buying the product, not the campaign.

Outback in Idaho · **Reply #112 on:** October 23, 2011, 05:58:52 AM

Am with Chako though, if I buy a Leatherman it is because it suits my needs - nothing to do with their ad campaign. Had lost sight of that originally.

Juli is a nice gal, and business friend. She's given things to a few of us without asking for anything in return. Only wanted to give her the benefit of respect due as she's filling in for the Wingman role on facebook. However she gets paid the big bucks for that job. Will still help the strays on the facebook page should I feel motivated.

Whatever Leatherman's idea is with the Wingman I'll let it go and have some fun with it while it lasts.

Accujohn · **Reply #113 on:** October 23, 2011, 07:09:47 AM

What am i missing with the Juli connection? I know she is PR over there and handles the fb page. Why are we feeling bad for her in connection with Wingman? I think i am missing something?

kinskibrain · **Reply #114 on:** October 23, 2011, 09:08:26 AM

Did I hear you wanted association? Perhaps one of these?

http://www.leatherman.com/accessories/product/Wingman_T-Shirt

Accujohn · **Reply #115 on:** October 23, 2011, 09:29:48 AM

Quote from: Chako on October 23, 2011, 03:04:17 AM

I never buy products based on an advertizing campaign. I buy products that meet my particular needs at the right price point, quality, etc...

So, what other products do you "need" like Leathermans? I assume you dont have 30 lawn mowers?

Chako · **Reply #116 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:29:49 PM

I collect multi-tools. I don't need them.

Things that I need, I usually only buy one if that is all that is required. For all intents and purposes, I am a rather pragmatic person.

With that said, I find the whole bro thing really bad. So bad it borders on the humourous and ironic...if not taking the whole plunge into that pool.

Accujohn · **Reply #117 on:** October 23, 2011, 08:43:41 PM

Yes, i guess my point as a collector also is that I really don't fill 'needs' at this point. I 'want' a lot and all of that is at my discretion since none of it is necessary. Soooo... I cant really say "gee, i really dont like that ad or it offends me, but i need to purchase the best tool right now so it doesnt matter." in my case it's closer to something like... "i kinda wanted to play around with that new Wingman, but all I can think about now when i see that name is that dweeb in that cruddy ad that irritates me". I dont 'need' the tool, i'm sure its a great value and well built etc etc... But they lost a sale they already had in the bank.

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #118 on:** October 25, 2011, 04:21:04 PM

Mark me down as "Not A Fan".

Sazabi · **Reply #119 on:** October 25, 2011, 04:51:03 PM

Quote from: NeitherExtreme on October 25, 2011, 04:21:04 PM

Mark me down as "Not A Fan".

I'm surprised one of our Brit members hasn't started a poll on whether people like or dislike the marketing.

And on that note, we've not had a poll in quite some time. Someone fire up the TARDIS; something's wrong in the Space-Time Continuum.

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