|
Community Links |
Social Groups |
Pictures & Albums |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
|
Thread Tools |
10-04-2009, 09:06 PM | #1 |
Ne Plus Ulta
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 4,831
|
I don't have a computer, but I'm able to surf the site via the web browser on my phone. Through the various reading I've done on this site, I've come the startling and unfortunate realization, that we the loyal, faithful, fanboys of G.I. JOE really don't matter to the executives at Hasbro.
Hasbro, (in my honest opinion,) they completely and totally take us for granted. The brass at Hasbro probably says, "It's cool that we have a percentage of the collectors. We like and appreciate their support. But the reality of situation is we're a toy company that carters to children. The target demographic of the G.I. JOE line is boys between the ages of 5-11, maybe even 12. Besides, when it comes to 3 3/4" military based action figures and accessories, where are they going to go?" When you think it, all of Hasbro's decisions concerning Joe makes sense. Especially when you think about the design of certain characters and figures. This train of thought especially makes sense when you think about the direction the movie took. Sure Hasbro will throw us a bone every now and then, but we're not the focus. But like somebody so eloquently put in the Joes not selling well thread, http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ling-well.html, "Hasbro needs to realize that as with Joes are concerned that the target demo shouldn't be 9 yr olds, but guys who started buying the line when they were 9. |
10-04-2009, 09:10 PM | #2 |
Win, Lose or Die
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Canton, Michigan
Posts: 9,661
|
It's true. They want these things to sell in the mass market. So they have to try to appeal to a broad audience. They do try to do stuff for us (the collectors), like the 7 packs.
You have to remember, collectors are very touchy. We love to point out how something is a "fail" or "pass" because we don't like it. No matter what Hasbro does, the collectors will always complain about something. I'm glad we have Joes at all, and I appreciate that they try. They don't always give us stuff I love, but it's a rough business.
__________________
Cobra has won. The Battle is over. Or is it? The Reign of Tears has begun! Check out my original G.I.Joe story!
|
10-04-2009, 09:13 PM | #3 |
Warrant Officer
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Jakarta, INDONESIA
Posts: 915
|
then we shall be the boys will be boys..
|
10-04-2009, 09:41 PM | #4 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,426
|
Businesswise, sure, were not the focus. I'm sure 25th line made a profit, but not a phenomenal one. Considering that they are a toy company, not specifically focused on collectibles, like NECA or Sideshow, they've done quite a bit of collector friendly stuff such as:
Participating in cons Con exclusives It wasn't kids complaining about "Duke Arms" Online exclusives Licensing their property to Sideshow and others The whole DTC ordeal, while flawed, was initially some attempt to make product while mass release was no longer profitable The ever vague Q & A Of course, it's all got to so with profit. I'd assume keeping a finger on the pulse of collectors and their passion for the product is one way to guage the success of products and ideas. Same reason film studios show off at comic-con, where the most passionate type of film goer is. But it is basically research to see how the general public may accept what they have to offer. I think ROC may be somewhat of a victim of nostalgia to a degree. With so many retro properties getting films and prducts geared towards adults, is the general public certain that this film and merchandise is geared toward the 9 year old or former 9 year old? They got lucky with Transformers, but have there really been any others that have had that success? I can get Indy, Terminators and Spock on clearance right now, and those lines would probably have had more success with a scaled down, collector friendly approach. Basically rambling now, but it seems like a loss either way unless someone figures out a formula that works. |
10-05-2009, 08:21 AM | #5 |
Crimson Nerd
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 12,580
|
Yeah, the key difference between Transformers and G.I. Joe when it came time for the movie and movie toys was that Transformers was already quite popular among a wide age range, as it had picked up new fans (and held on to old ones) through the Beast Wars - Cybertron/Armada/et al... era.
G.I. Joe, by comparison, has struggled, particularly in the mass media department. Hasbro wanted Transformers numbers for G.I. Joe, no doubt, but were already working with a much smaller "base" to begin with. But the OP is correct in that collectors are not, and likely never will be Hasbro's primary focus. They'll throw bones and yes, they like having our money, but the corporation itself views itself as a manufacturer of children's toys first and foremost. |
10-05-2009, 09:23 AM | #6 |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Normandy SR2
Posts: 6,968
|
Quote:
But the reality of situation is we're a toy company that carters to children. The target demographic of the G.I. JOE line is boys between the ages of 5-11, maybe even 12. Besides, when it comes to 3 3/4" military based action figures and accessories, where are they going to go?"
|
10-05-2009, 09:40 AM | #7 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cobradelphia
Posts: 1,811
|
We don't have to be there focus because they understand that the collectors will continue to buy what ever they throw at us. Wheter its a 100 different versions of CC, Snake Eyes, etc.etc.
We are still buying it, so they have to focus on the demographic that they aren't selling well with, but would like to be. If that makes sense, to you.
__________________
Link to my Buy/Sell/Trade thread: (HUGE COLLECTION ON SALE CHEAP!! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!) http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ale-trade.html Here is a link to my feedback thread: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...tml#post522578 |
10-05-2009, 09:45 AM | #8 |
Iron Grenadier
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 565
|
The collectors matter to Hasbro. The real issue is the collectors think they are the only thing that should matter to Hasbro.
|
10-05-2009, 09:47 AM | #9 |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Normandy SR2
Posts: 6,968
|
Quote:
We don't have to be there focus because they understand that the collectors will continue to buy what ever they throw at us. Wheter its a 100 different versions of CC, Snake Eyes, etc.etc.
We are still buying it, so they have to focus on the demographic that they aren't selling well with, but would like to be. If that makes sense, to you. I think making *COOL* toys is the only thing that should matter to Hasbro. Now the $100 Pit, and the $100 Devastator= NOT COOL! 50 billion versions of the same character clogging the pegs=NOT COOL! Repaint after repaint after crummy repaint=NOT COOL! Last edited by Steelgrave; 10-05-2009 at 09:51 AM.. |
10-05-2009, 09:47 AM | #10 |
Solo Operative
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 2,137
|
Wait a minute! You're telling me a company that makes toys aims their product at children?! Toys for children?! Movies for children?! What tha hell?! What kind of world are we living in?
__________________
Looking for at reasonable prices: 25th Defense of Cobra Island 7-pack, PoC City Strike Destro Loyal Subjects Major Bludd, Baroness, Cobra Sniper Have loose Loyal Subjects Cobra Officer for trade or sell. Freedom's B/S/T: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ml#post1477352 Freedom's Feedback: http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...1-freedom.html |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
G.I. Joe Collectors Survey From Hasbro | DESTRO | G.I. Joe News and Rumors | 11 | 08-08-2011 06:12 AM |
Hasbro Provides Customizing Guidelines to Collectors | DESTRO | G.I. Joe News and Rumors | 30 | 02-12-2008 11:28 AM |
G.I. Joe Collectors Convention 2007 Hasbro Sigma 6 Prototypes | DESTRO | G.I. Joe Conventions and Get Togethers | 0 | 09-28-2007 03:45 PM |
Myths about Hasbro and Collectors, taken from tfw2005.com | Shin Densetsu | G.I. Joe General Discussion | 22 | 09-26-2007 04:09 PM |
|
|
Recent Off Topic Threads |
Hisstank Late Night thread... |
What song are you listening to? |
Last Movie You Watched? |
JazWares 18th Halo |
DarkLordMordred... |