Marketing - Page 4

Screamer · 1st September 2009, 01:36 AM

Deja Vu
It's not "everyone is doing the same, they just try to sell their products". Here is why: Starboard is using an EX TEAM RIDER (and PAST results, which are not here this season), others aren't, no matter do you like someone's marketing hype or not.

Imagine 2009 Neil Pryde brochure bragging about past Dunkerbeck results. Now add Thommen and North (alongside Starboard and Severne, his current sponsors). And that would be OK, because he used their equipment before?

JM I knew you were going to get flak because of that "hyper planing in 7kts" (happened before ;-). I know it's not impossible, just not typical, and far from optimal.

Floyd, now if we could drag Grumpf over here, THAT would be fun. Or maybe not ;-)

Floyd · 1st September 2009, 02:02 AM

Hi JM
We`ll just have to agree to differ; would be nicer if you actually got my point but !!!???

I dont care how many boards folk have/use/buy beg steel or borrow.Its absolutely irrelevant.

Points is its become the norm to publish how many you own; a trend started and encouraged by starboard. Its not complicated JM !!! The reasons are for it to become the norm to over purchase in an effort to cover every condition/type of sailingIn itself almost an impossibility; but thats to the better.

Second point is ; many folk are getting a bit tired of hearing just how good Starboards are. You read it on here; see it at beach and its comes from the company.A sailor buys a Starboard (sometimes even their first board; often a Futura !!!) and low and behold its best board ever built. Fastest; best gybing etc etc when in reality its "just" a good board (like loads of others)

What starboard do best is convince the people that they do make the best boards !!! (With this Forum and site and brochures and Sponsoreds Sailors (hundreds of them)..!!!
In other words the HYPE !!! And yes it works... !!!

Not posting on this thread anymore. You`ve got the idea I dontt like hype/BS/marketing.

Windy this week; might get the kode going. (Which is one of best boards I`ve ever ridden !!!)

Good Winds

Grumpf Two

Ola_H · 1st September 2009, 03:52 AM

Floyd,

I agree marketing can for sure be overwhelming sometimes - and not just in windsurfing. And I guess that this is something all brands do, it's just that Starboard both has a big program and sells a lot of boards so therefor gets noticed. But even my sail sponsors (Hot) does it and often the difference is not so big. It's more about perception. And if you look at the this forum, you will in fact seldom see advice that just "markets" the latest and greatest. Of course, marketing affects us all, but nowadays its easier than ever to also get serious advice (on forums all over).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd

Points is its become the norm to publish how many you own; a trend started and encouraged by starboard.

This I don't understand. I see the trend (in windsurfing as well as skiing, photography, computers and pretty much whatever) but I don't see how Starbord started it and are promoting it?

1st September 2009, 08:47 AM

If you want an indication of Starboard's corporate culture - How many other brands are brave enough to have an open forum where anyone can say anything? Starboard are secure enough to let people judge for themselves the bias (both positive and negative) that forum poster bring in.

How many brands have laughed and scoffed at Starboard's developments - only to join in 2 or 3 years later- Gos (which led to the awesome watertime option that is Formula sailing), Freeride Carve and Futura, Modern waveboard design ( evos), modern slalom board development from the isonics.

meanwhile Starboard runs away with the market share because they were willing to take a risk and do some r and d.

SUP is a great example - check out all the other windsurf brands jumping on board now (look who is laughing now.)

As long as Starboard keep thinking outside the box and opening up TOW envelope for everyone then they can say what they like as far as i am concerned. I am intelligent enough to make decisions for myself based on tests, test rides and visuals. Not every board Starboard make is a winner for me - but they have made so many awesome boards over the years that they are always my first port of call.

If you want to take a victim mentality then fine - you will be forced to buy 22 boards! But i reccomend taking control of your life and thinking for yourself instead.

Farlo · 1st September 2009, 04:42 PM

Yes many of us like the brand / its products, otherwise we would spend less time on this forum. In what wind range you want to sail, how many boards you want to carry are mostly a matter of personal choice. There is no evidence that manufacturers push you to have a lot of boards (they rather push you to change more frequently). But even true believers in Starboard's supremacy can disagree with the references made in the iSonic section.

4th September 2009, 09:20 PM

By coincidence ; just noticed an old test in Boards.(Freemove/Freestyle 105 litre boards) Thought it would be exactly type of board Starboard would want to promote. Not in evidence in test. Reason (as explained by Boards); "Starboard refused to supply a board for test because Kombat wasn`t given a good report in previous test " ???

Seems a little hypocitical to then use board tests for promotion when they do get favourable coverage ??? ( magazine 08 ; January I think)

Starboard do play the marketing game.

Hot Ice · 5th September 2009, 12:41 AM

Someone is probably talking BS though it is not Starboard.

I like the glossy brochures, the new designs, the hype, the excitement of a new year with new kit. I enjoy Christmas as well so maybe there is an excuse for me.

And what is this nonsense about “Corrupt magazines/tests/advertising.” ?

RonnieS · 6th September 2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

By coincidence ; just noticed an old test in Boards.(Freemove/Freestyle 105 litre boards) Thought it would be exactly type of board Starboard would want to promote. Not in evidence in test. Reason (as explained by Boards); "Starboard refused to supply a board for test because Kombat wasn`t given a good report in previous test " ???

Seems a little hypocitical to then use board tests for promotion when they do get favourable coverage ??? ( magazine 08 ; January I think)

Starboard do play the marketing game.

Yeh, what was all that about?
Leaving boards out of tests....feet, shoot, own...

mark h · 6th September 2009, 07:22 AM

Been following this thread and it seems like just a few are pushing it. Cant really understand what their point or purpose is or why they even care, but its kinda insulting are intelligence a bit. I suspect that they might be very short bad tempered little men

Over the years, I've stuck with Starboard and North sails, why, because I've never had a bad board or sail from these manufactures and I like the way they ride, only top boards/sails. I've tried pretty much all other brands sails & boards, but never liked them. Im not saying other brands are bad, far from it. I just happen to prefer SB and North.

I like the "massive" amount of spec detail on the site as it helps me choose the right model. Most other brands sights dont even quote tail widths etc, let alone a video explain the new design features. I would not encourage SB to cut back on this info as I find it usefull.

SB are a commercial organisation for sure, but, its easy to forget that its run entirely by people that have a passion for windsurfing that genuinely want to make the best boards out there. Every time SB bring out a new board, there is a big gamble, it might not sell. They will have invested a significant amount of money in development and are entitled to pitch there take on each product. In the same way, SB are entitled to quote achievements by past and current team riders.

I think its good when people list there kit. It gives you an idea of what style of riding they do. Plus, I can ask them a question about a specific board/sail. List your kit

Could write page after page here, but will stick with just the bullet points.

6th September 2009, 04:21 PM

Seems amazing to me that in so called enlightened liberal times and on an OPEN forum posters resort to personal insults when other posters offer contrasting (ok conflicting) opinions.

Seen it on other threads to other posters.Dont agree with us you must be "small little man" (which is insulting in itself to smaller folk)

Grow up Mark H....

5th September 2009, 12:41 AM	#37
Hot Ice Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 29	Happy Christmas Someone is probably talking BS though it is not Starboard. I like the glossy brochures, the new designs, the hype, the excitement of a new year with new kit. I enjoy Christmas as well so maybe there is an excuse for me. And what is this nonsense about “Corrupt magazines/tests/advertising.” ?

6th September 2009, 07:22 AM	#39
mark h Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NW England, Posts: 663	Been following this thread and it seems like just a few are pushing it. Cant really understand what their point or purpose is or why they even care, but its kinda insulting are intelligence a bit. I suspect that they might be very short bad tempered little men Over the years, I've stuck with Starboard and North sails, why, because I've never had a bad board or sail from these manufactures and I like the way they ride, only top boards/sails. I've tried pretty much all other brands sails & boards, but never liked them. Im not saying other brands are bad, far from it. I just happen to prefer SB and North. I like the "massive" amount of spec detail on the site as it helps me choose the right model. Most other brands sights dont even quote tail widths etc, let alone a video explain the new design features. I would not encourage SB to cut back on this info as I find it usefull. SB are a commercial organisation for sure, but, its easy to forget that its run entirely by people that have a passion for windsurfing that genuinely want to make the best boards out there. Every time SB bring out a new board, there is a big gamble, it might not sell. They will have invested a significant amount of money in development and are entitled to pitch there take on each product. In the same way, SB are entitled to quote achievements by past and current team riders. I think its good when people list there kit. It gives you an idea of what style of riding they do. Plus, I can ask them a question about a specific board/sail. List your kit Could write page after page here, but will stick with just the bullet points. __________________ Cheers - Mark H The toys: iSW44 - - iSW49 - iSW53 - iSW58 - iS107 - iS137 - F161. North Warps: F2011 5.2m, 5.7m, 6.3m, 7m, 8m, 8.6m, 9.5m F2006 11m. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by mark h; 6th September 2009 at 07:40 AM.

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1st September 2009, 01:36 AM	#31
Screamer Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 433	Deja Vu It's not "everyone is doing the same, they just try to sell their products". Here is why: Starboard is using an EX TEAM RIDER (and PAST results, which are not here this season), others aren't, no matter do you like someone's marketing hype or not. Imagine 2009 Neil Pryde brochure bragging about past Dunkerbeck results. Now add Thommen and North (alongside Starboard and Severne, his current sponsors). And that would be OK, because he used their equipment before? JM I knew you were going to get flak because of that "hyper planing in 7kts" (happened before ;-). I know it's not impossible, just not typical, and far from optimal. Floyd, now if we could drag Grumpf over here, THAT would be fun. Or maybe not ;-)

1st September 2009, 02:02 AM	#32
Floyd Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 459	Hi JM We`ll just have to agree to differ; would be nicer if you actually got my point but !!!??? I dont care how many boards folk have/use/buy beg steel or borrow.Its absolutely irrelevant. Points is its become the norm to publish how many you own; a trend started and encouraged by starboard. Its not complicated JM !!! The reasons are for it to become the norm to over purchase in an effort to cover every condition/type of sailingIn itself almost an impossibility; but thats to the better. Second point is ; many folk are getting a bit tired of hearing just how good Starboards are. You read it on here; see it at beach and its comes from the company.A sailor buys a Starboard (sometimes even their first board; often a Futura !!!) and low and behold its best board ever built. Fastest; best gybing etc etc when in reality its "just" a good board (like loads of others) What starboard do best is convince the people that they do make the best boards !!! (With this Forum and site and brochures and Sponsoreds Sailors (hundreds of them)..!!! In other words the HYPE !!! And yes it works... !!! Not posting on this thread anymore. You`ve got the idea I dontt like hype/BS/marketing. Windy this week; might get the kode going. (Which is one of best boards I`ve ever ridden !!!) Good Winds Grumpf Two

1st September 2009, 08:47 AM	#34
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	If you want an indication of Starboard's corporate culture - How many other brands are brave enough to have an open forum where anyone can say anything? Starboard are secure enough to let people judge for themselves the bias (both positive and negative) that forum poster bring in. How many brands have laughed and scoffed at Starboard's developments - only to join in 2 or 3 years later- Gos (which led to the awesome watertime option that is Formula sailing), Freeride Carve and Futura, Modern waveboard design ( evos), modern slalom board development from the isonics. meanwhile Starboard runs away with the market share because they were willing to take a risk and do some r and d. SUP is a great example - check out all the other windsurf brands jumping on board now (look who is laughing now.) As long as Starboard keep thinking outside the box and opening up TOW envelope for everyone then they can say what they like as far as i am concerned. I am intelligent enough to make decisions for myself based on tests, test rides and visuals. Not every board Starboard make is a winner for me - but they have made so many awesome boards over the years that they are always my first port of call. If you want to take a victim mentality then fine - you will be forced to buy 22 boards! But i reccomend taking control of your life and thinking for yourself instead.

1st September 2009, 04:42 PM	#35
Farlo Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 513	Yes many of us like the brand / its products, otherwise we would spend less time on this forum. In what wind range you want to sail, how many boards you want to carry are mostly a matter of personal choice. There is no evidence that manufacturers push you to have a lot of boards (they rather push you to change more frequently). But even true believers in Starboard's supremacy can disagree with the references made in the iSonic section.

4th September 2009, 09:20 PM	#36
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	By coincidence ; just noticed an old test in Boards.(Freemove/Freestyle 105 litre boards) Thought it would be exactly type of board Starboard would want to promote. Not in evidence in test. Reason (as explained by Boards); "Starboard refused to supply a board for test because Kombat wasn`t given a good report in previous test " ??? Seems a little hypocitical to then use board tests for promotion when they do get favourable coverage ??? ( magazine 08 ; January I think) Starboard do play the marketing game.

6th September 2009, 04:21 PM	#40
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Seems amazing to me that in so called enlightened liberal times and on an OPEN forum posters resort to personal insults when other posters offer contrasting (ok conflicting) opinions. Seen it on other threads to other posters.Dont agree with us you must be "small little man" (which is insulting in itself to smaller folk) Grow up Mark H....